Magically Snarky 8-ball

[uncle sticky]

No approval yet, but I'm confident that this scaled down but fun idea will get the Hotties' blessing. Base vehicle is a Honda 3 wheeler, covered by a fabric sphere, about 10' diameter. I'm planning on making the sphere as a geodesic sphere/buckball, with a stretchy black fabric over it. Any suggestions/alternate ideas for making a strong but light sphere? Probably put a stronger material (chicken wire, heavy shade cloth) over the dome to smooth it out so it looks more round. Ideas?

[magic8ball]

snarky fucking 8ball is now approvedly. by me.
All of my best wishing on you for success!

[BBadger]

All signs point to "Namaste motherfucker!"

[Sync]

PVC pipe and fittings would make a good understructure. Add a heat gun and you could make just about anything, and it could be madee to come apart for transport.

[dragonpilot]

Base vehicle is a Honda 3 wheeler...

Looks like I won't be getting a ride on that one.

[Ugly Dougly]

Is the window going to be on top and will anyone be able to see it?

[clocksnmirrors]

i love this idea

good luck with the execution

i've seen some paper mache sculpting on a large scale that looked pretty hearty. don't know if that might work for this application. it can even be sanded and painted with a gloss finish

note the picture at the bottom of the large globe
http://www.fremontuniverse.com/2009/06/06/floats-under-construction-for-solstice-parade/

clearly "go big or go home" is no challenge for the accomplished paper mache artist
http://geography.howstuffworks.com/europe/image-of-the-day-2012-03-11.htm

[lemur]

make sure the vehicle and structure under the dome is well hidden in the daylight.. being able to see through the shade stuff in daylight would possibly make it a vehicle that is only really useable at night... where being able to see through the ball wont really matter..

of course.. it might be hard to see the 8ball look that way, at night! (if you were even planning on night riding..)


the biggest problem youll have, (in my estimation judging on the description) is, if we presume the structure is beefy and hides the base vehicle well, is the covering revealing the vehicle.... perhaps have some areas with shade stuff to see through and other non-important areas solid to avoid any such issues

[uncle sticky]

We're in! So now is the time to get some construction opinions! I'm thinking that the buckyball out of emt might be too much. Heavy, a lot of struts to get it looking like a sphere. Plus is it can be transported in parts and assembled on playa. We looked at doing 3-5 concentric rings welded with curved struts, covered in chicken wire, but I'm worried about strength, especially if a couple of folks want to sit on top while parked. Thoughts?

[Sic Pup]

it's neither big enough, nor sturdy enough, basis your description but I did immediately think of this when I initially read your post. Oh, and congratulations, I hope I run into it (figuratively) on the playa.