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| Title: | 22' 9" low profile w/riser reply to ?'s:) | |
| Posted on: | 2/22/2014 4:44:57 PM | |
| Category | Please choose | |
| Author | toddheath2005 | |
| Status | Open | |
| Views | 2446 | |
| Replies | (0) | |
| Hey I know your questions are a bit older but thought I would say I have been building that very dome in Kansas. It seems pretty simple but the riser is a bit complicated. He has a video showing a shim he used so all the risers were same hight. I emailed him a few times about the dimensions of the shim but never got any reply. As for my progress all my triangles are built and covered I used greenhouse plastic and covered each one separate it took longer but I could also fix each one separately if it was damaged. I used recycled shipping skids for all the wood pieces they were big skids.lol anyhow I took break for a bit but have started back on it. Life threw me a curve ball and forced me into retirement at only 38 so I am going to use it for aquaponics to have a cash flow. My experience building it was good. Way more work cutting all the wood. You will have a mountain of scrap and "slats". Oh and saw dust.lol wanting to use recycled wood I probably had morecutting than if I had bought the new dimension lumber and defdefeated the purpose of green buy all the electricity I used but oh well.lol I will say the poly film is all I bought so far the rest was all recycled. I have about $100 us dollars in it so far that was for plastic and box screws and gorilla glue. Probably that much in electricity also. I would strongly suggest putting glue in yout triangle joints I know that when dome together with all the screws everywhere its sturdy but while building and covering the triangles they are kinda weak but I used what is called GORILLA glue and man you dont have to used screws on the joints except to hold it while glue dries plus a backup. I plan on finishing it in the next couple months. In making it an aquaponic setup I have alot of foundation work and all before I can assemble the dome cause tanks and heating pipes all needed to be in the wont go thru door.lol all in all good dome project I could build a next on in 1/4th the time because it is a bit intimidating at first. As far as the plans they are ok. The plans to build the triangles are detailed very well but the rest of the plans kinda leave it to you to figure out. Maybe some of his other more popular plans are better idk. I LOVE the idea of individual triangles and strong concept but Idk if he can get to all the questions so kinda on your own to figure out any issues you cant firgure out. I am happy to support him by buying the plans just feel this particular set was way over priced for just couple pages. Oh way cheaper than other plans and a good way to learn. I need to figure out a small dome plan for chicken coop but I''m not going to buy anymore plans right now. Last note if any questions just ask, sorry for the rambling explanation, and last I can already see I shouldve built one atleast 30'' for what I need. Maybe I can sell this one to fund the next one. It will fit in maybe 2 refrigerators boxes anyone interested:-) Answer#2. One other thing I am thinking about modifying this plan for bigger dimensional wood "slats" and making a guest house studo or cabin. I believe this is the easiest way to build a very strong and stable dome. In kansas we see winds over 60mph regularly I think it wouldn''t effect it but the occasional tornado not much stands a chance.lol just my 2 cents: answer #3. All I used was a table saw any size will to but needs to have tilt blade. Oh new rip blade will save your a$$ and a angle miter saw/box is fine I have a big 12 slider and a small 10" miter saw would work better. Sometimes bigger not better.you will need a good hand saw thats a must! Need a angle finder I used a cheap plastic one but ended up buying digital one just wanted to make sure I was correct. But the 2buck plastic one was just as accurate. A electric drill/driver I used cordless but corded works but have to have one! Predrill your tringle corner screws it will keep from splitting takes min extra time. He doesn''t do it in videos I saw but trust itwill make joint stronger no chance of split couse your running the screw into the end grain. Again the joints not what ssupporting the dome but they have to be strong enough to cover and make it till dome put together that is why I used gorilla glue so no worries if I drop one in process of installation. I didnt want to be trying to struggle installing dome because of wind that was another reason I covered triangles separate. Plans call for covering multiple at once but found it easier to put triangle upside down in jig to cover so could stretch very tight and it held it still because putting film on is the worse part. You will need a good staple gun. Lots and lots of staples. More if you cover individual but in my opinion very worh it. I started out with hand stapler but after first box of 1000 staples I bought air stapler they like $15 and will save you alot of time and cramped hands. Need some sort of wide mouth pliers to hold film while stretching unless your the incredible hulk u cant just use your bare hands.lol I probably forgetting something but thats a good minimum start. Oh most important is a very accurate tape measure. I used a 10'' one that is wide so I could see the numbers and small size. My normal25'' tape measure just kept cluttering up table so I used a small one because I seem to drag every tool I own out when building so my table gets cluttered.lol I installed seat swivels from a boat under my jigs so I could just turn it to screw slats together and really helped in covering. Hoped this helped.. todd PS these were my replies I just copied and put them together so if it reads kinda weird thats why sorry just wanted everyone to see my replies and experience with this dome trying help in any way;) dont be to HARSH on me I never claimed to be an exper to even engineer just a guy trying to build a funky looking structure. Lol I am super excited to finish it and already thinking bigger. If I wouldn''t have already covered the triangles I would use turn this one into a meditation room with my hot tub in it:) you can build these fairly quick once you get hang of it:) | |
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