Building a geodesic dome

[Deleted User] · 29-03-2020 3:20pm #1

Hi all,

What with everything going on, I have decided to build a geodesic dome out the garden, for use as a greenhouse/sheltered outdoor space.

I'm not exactly a skilled carpenter, but I am proficient as I have built many sets for theatre over the years.

My big question is, is white deal good enough for something like this? I plan on using rough untreated 2" x 1"s, which I'll stain before assembly. They will be covered with polythene on the outside.

I've had a Google, but can't really find anything to tell me yay or nay.

Budget is a big concern, I need to make this as cheaply as possible. If I had the budget for cedar, that's what I'd use.

Mods, if this is in the incorrect forum, please move.

Thanks all

Tedious Bore · 10-04-2020 2:58am

dunno about the wood sorry! can I ask what kind of connectors you're using though, or made any progress yet?

Double Barrel · 10-04-2020 4:56am

On a budget or not , why not consider a wood preserver such as Protim E, Barrettine Premier, Cuprinol Ducksback, Osmo, Sika and/or Ronseal Total etc.
Solvent based or Water based your choice.
Apply to framing members before assembly and let it dry and off gas and you will be ready to frame.

daedal · 10-04-2020 5:29am

I built one using varnished cardboard tubes and cnc'ed plywood interlinks. See http://domenico.cc/

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cletus · 10-04-2020 6:00pm

^^^^That's just showing off^^^^

My question was asked above, what do you intend to use at the joints. I figure they need to be pretty accurate in order to maintain the frame dimensions. If you're buying them (can you buy them?), I presume that will dictate what material you can use for the frame

daedal · 10-04-2020 7:58pm

cletus wrote: »

^^^^That's just showing off^^^^

My question was asked above, what do you intend to use at the joints. I figure they need to be pretty accurate in order to maintain the frame dimensions. If you're buying them (can you buy them?), I presume that will dictate what material you can use for the frame

I designed them, I’m willing to give the machine code to this person free of charge, and help in whatever capacity I can. I don’t want money or to show off, I just want to say “I’ve built one before, if you need any advice (free of charge) consult me” Because I’ve built one and I can offer the files for free, but they need to build it to the spec I give them, I’m not willing to adjust it.

daedal · 10-04-2020 8:01pm

cletus wrote: »

^^^^That's just showing off^^^^

My question was asked above, what do you intend to use at the joints. I figure they need to be pretty accurate in order to maintain the frame dimensions. If you're buying them (can you buy them?), I presume that will dictate what material you can use for the frame

Yes you are correct, these joints need to be accurate

cletus · 10-04-2020 8:21pm

daedal wrote: »

I designed them, I’m willing to give the machine code to this person free of charge, and help in whatever capacity I can. I don’t want money or to show off, I just want to say “I’ve built one before, if you need any advice (free of charge) consult me” Because I’ve built one and I can offer the files for free, but they need to build it to the spec I give them, I’m not willing to adjust it.

Sorry, wasn't making a dig, should have put a smiley face there.

I think it's very impressive, my comment was meant in good faith

daedal · 10-04-2020 8:30pm

cletus wrote: »

Sorry, wasn't making a dig, should have put a smiley face there.

I think it's very impressive, my comment was meant in good faith

Sorry man, I possibly misread the tone in your comment. If OP is willing to communicate I will help as much as I can. I don’t want any financial gain.

[Deleted User] · 10-04-2020 8:57pm

Hi all!

Apologies for radio silence! Internet is awful in East Mayo.

So I made the plans, figured out the bevel degree I needed and am going at a very slow and steady pace (I want this to last for the shutdown!

I'm using 2x1 timber, and it should have a diameter of just under 4 metres.

I made one prototype pentagon, and am not 100% happy with it as the wood was so wet, the screws that went into the grain didn't hold.

One of the problems I had was the 2" edge of the timber, as my table saw wouldn't cut through all the way along the bevel, so I trimmed them down to 45mm and it was fine.

I decided to cut down the 4.8mtr lengths down to near enough size (leaving at least an inch over for shrinkage) as they would be easier to stack and air.

I know it'll take a long time to dry them properly (especially in Mayo weather!) but with them being treated already, I hope they'll be good enough to hold a screw in in about a weeks time!

I ordered a digital inclinometer which should arrive next week, so I can fine tune the angles on my table saw and chop saw for the cutting angles I need.

As for now, I'm learning sketchup, as I would love to get into 3D design and this is a pretty easy (but advanced for a beginner) project to design. I tried doing it last week, but the rotate tool was the devil and I couldn't get it to piece together properly.

Thanks for all the input, love the cardboard dome!

[Deleted User] · 10-04-2020 8:59pm

Tedious Bore wrote: »

dunno about the wood sorry! can I ask what kind of connectors you're using though, or made any progress yet?

Hi! I'm not planning on using connectors, I'm planning to construct them with bevelled edges

[Deleted User] · 10-04-2020 9:00pm

Double Barrel wrote: »

On a budget or not , why not consider a wood preserver such as Protim E, Barrettine Premier, Cuprinol Ducksback, Osmo, Sika and/or Ronseal Total etc.
Solvent based or Water based your choice.
Apply to framing members before assembly and let it dry and off gas and you will be ready to frame.

Yep. I am definitely going to stick some wood preserver on, once all the wood is cut

cletus · 10-04-2020 9:01pm

daedal wrote: »

Sorry man, I possibly misread the tone in your comment. If OP is willing to communicate I will help as much as I can. I don’t want any financial gain.

No problem, tone can be hard to communicate via text.

The second part of my post was directed at the OP. I'm not even sure you could buy the joints even if you wanted to.

As an aside, could your design be altered to allow for 2x1 to be attached instead of the cardboard tubes

[Deleted User] · 10-04-2020 9:07pm

cletus wrote: »

No problem, tone can be hard to communicate via text.

The second part of my post was directed at the OP. I'm not even sure you could buy the joints even if you wanted to.

As an aside, could your design be altered to allow for 2x1 to be attached instead of the cardboard tubes

I'm constructing without hubs or struts, so should look like this: Po_dgZQQ3YT9DzD9rnnwNhiagd7BmZLRlxG60Ko6z18yOE-FxuMiNUSCQlbN8nIddLAhl6WxZOdNp1syJHQ0EnICE1kpgS-zEucTAZip6e5PeW18h6R2lXOFLKbvDOp_MoQlhTvC6wwk=w5000-h5000

Po_dgZQQ3YT9DzD9rnnwNhiagd7BmZLRlxG60Ko6z18yOE-FxuMiNUSCQlbN8nIddLAhl6WxZOdNp1syJHQ0EnICE1kpgS-zEucTAZip6e5PeW18h6R2lXOFLKbvDOp_MoQlhTvC6wwk=w5000-h5000

[Deleted User] · 11-04-2020 5:19pm

While I'm waiting on the inclinometer to arrive, I restacked the wood to dry. I have no workshop here, so have to take advantage of the weather when I can.

I'll leave that now for a week or so, and hopefully start trimming down wood next weekend.

tabby aspreme · 11-04-2020 8:18pm

Where did you get the wood, was it direct from a sawmill

[Deleted User] · 11-04-2020 9:30pm

tabby aspreme wrote: »

Where did you get the wood, was it direct from a sawmill

Local building supplier. Awful stuff.

Stanirish · 12-04-2020 6:32pm

the sligo woodturners chapter made one of those last year, in the back garden of Danny Mc Geever house I think, in sligo town, in case you nee any help or advise from them - I think their contacts are public on the irish woodturners website

recipio · 13-04-2020 1:32pm

What about pressure treated softwood. ? They have removed the nasty chemicals and the stuff is suitable for use in gardens. A hardwood like Iroko would be ideal - but its pricey and you need a planer thicknesser.;)

[Deleted User] · 14-04-2020 12:02am

Have to say, the wood is drying nicely. Not doing anything more until the inclinometer arrives.

So today, made the daughter a swing. She's only delighted with it.

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Double Barrel · 14-04-2020 4:29am

Proof is in the pudding the young lady is enjoying the fruits of your labor.

:):):D:)

mobfromcork · 14-04-2020 6:34am

Pappa Dolla wrote: »

Hi all!

Apologies for radio silence! Internet is awful in East Mayo.

So I made the plans, figured out the bevel degree I needed and am going at a very slow and steady pace (I want this to last for the shutdown!

I'm using 2x1 timber, and it should have a diameter of just under 4 metres.

I made one prototype pentagon, and am not 100% happy with it as the wood was so wet, the screws that went into the grain didn't hold.

One of the problems I had was the 2" edge of the timber, as my table saw wouldn't cut through all the way along the bevel, so I trimmed them down to 45mm and it was fine.

I decided to cut down the 4.8mtr lengths down to near enough size (leaving at least an inch over for shrinkage) as they would be easier to stack and air.

I know it'll take a long time to dry them properly (especially in Mayo weather!) but with them being treated already, I hope they'll be good enough to hold a screw in in about a weeks time!

I ordered a digital inclinometer which should arrive next week, so I can fine tune the angles on my table saw and chop saw for the cutting angles I need.

As for now, I'm learning sketchup, as I would love to get into 3D design and this is a pretty easy (but advanced for a beginner) project to design. I tried doing it last week, but the rotate tool was the devil and I couldn't get it to piece together properly.

Thanks for all the input, love the cardboard dome!

Hiya,
Following this with interest. Was toying with the idea of trying to make a geodesic greenhouse for the last while but not quite ready to put it in yet. Have to finish off another few bits first.
You mentioned in this post that your saw wouldn't cut through the 2 inch wide pieces when it was bevelled. Was it not reaching the bottom of the piece or what?
Did you use the acidome.ru website for the calculations for the lengths and angles etc? They have a Facebook group where members post build of various geodomes - lots in South America, some in Spain which are amazing but all mainly in warmer climates than ours. Have you a plan for covering it when it's built?
Your swing looks great.

[Deleted User] · 14-04-2020 7:45am

mobfromcork wrote: »

Hiya,
Following this with interest. Was toying with the idea of trying to make a geodesic greenhouse for the last while but not quite ready to put it in yet. Have to finish off another few bits first.
You mentioned in this post that your saw wouldn't cut through the 2 inch wide pieces when it was bevelled. Was it not reaching the bottom of the piece or what?
Did you use the acidome.ru website for the calculations for the lengths and angles etc? They have a Facebook group where members post build of various geodomes - lots in South America, some in Spain which are amazing but all mainly in warmer climates than ours. Have you a plan for covering it when it's built?
Your swing looks great.

The saw wouldn't cut through the 2 inch high rough timber cleanly, as some lengths are naturally longer than 2 inches.

I spoke to someone who has made a few geodesic domes to help me figure out the qangles. I'm using a 10 degree cut for the bevels.

I'm covering it in good quality polythene when it's ready. I'll be covering each triangle of wood individually, as opposed to a full pentagon, as I think it'll be cleaner and tighter. I also like the fact if 1 gets damaged, I can take out that triangle and the recover it. It'll take longer, but time is the one thing I have more than enough of!

Thanks,

BackInTown · 15-04-2020 9:41am

Intrigued by this thread - I have an allotment and have been considering a tunnel for a while (it's on the list, but it's a long list

). Something like this would certainly "stand out" from the rest of the home made glass houses and standard tunnels at the allotments. Please keep us up-to-date.

A couple of questions to the thread generally:

Is there a perceived advantage over a tunnel or traditional glass house design? For growing in? Aside from, for example, the footprint suiting a space better, aesthetics etc.

And @pappa dolla if you individually wrap each triangle of your dome, will you, and how will you seal between the triangles?

mobfromcork · 15-04-2020 10:03am

This is a good place to start if you're considering it I think
https://northernhomestead.com/how-to-build-a-geodome-greenhouse/

I have been thinking / reading about it for a good while but haven't done anything yet. They cover a few triangles at a time. They have done it two different ways (look at the other articles below to see). There so another guy based in the UK who has a lot of info online as well. He has a website which sells components etc but a lot of the designs and covering are ok it to see as well - http://geo-dome.co.uk/
Also, there is a great free calculator on www.acidome.ru where you put in your dimensions, wood you are using and type of joints/connectors and it gives you the cuts/measurements.
I'm thinking if trying a small chicken coop first and if it works ok then going for the greenhouse dome. People do seem to have trouble keeping them waterproof when doing each triangle separately - in the first video above, they overlap the plastic covering and put on a thin external lat to secure it.
I've seen other methods where they use sealant between each piece of wood but in our climate I'd be hesitant to do that.
I'm still reading/researching so am very interested in any other feedback that the OP or others have on their experiences. In a lot of ways, it's probably easier and as cost effective to buy a half decent polytunnel but I like the idea of the dome and we are in what can be quite a windswept area and the domes are meant to be pretty decent for that.

[Deleted User] · 15-04-2020 11:39am

I'll be honest, the aesthetic was first for me. They look awfully pretty. After that the wind resistance is pretty good, it'll be in an exposed area, and the wind buffeting off a solid wall wasn't something I liked the sound of.

The individually wrapped triangles has a better aesthetic, it's apparently easier to apply heated plastic over it. As for leaks, I purchased poly weather proof tape, so will be putting that on the outside.
I'm taking a lot of inspiration came from geodome.co.uk who was kind enough to send me old plans that I altered.
And the triangles being individually wrapped came from: https://astriddegroot.wordpress.com/2011/01/16/dome-greenhouse/

I really hate baggy plastic in greenhouses...

All my wood has now been trimmed down to 44mm thickness, so even though the sun is shining, I have some real work to do, so will leave the bevelling until tomorrow.

My inclinometer arrived today, and it is great. I have no idea how you would make one of these without one.

Link here: https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/B07D8TJF4P?psc=1&ref=ppx_pop_mob_b_asin_title

[Deleted User] · 15-04-2020 11:39am

I'll be honest, the aesthetic was first for me. They look awfully pretty. After that the wind resistance is pretty good, it'll be in an exposed area, and the wind buffeting off a solid wall wasn't something I liked the sound of.

The individually wrapped triangles has a better aesthetic, it's apparently easier to apply heated plastic over it. As for leaks, I purchased poly weather proof tape, so will be putting that on the outside.
I'm taking a lot of inspiration came from geodome.co.uk who was kind enough to send me old plans that I altered.
And the triangles being individually wrapped came from: https://astriddegroot.wordpress.com/2011/01/16/dome-greenhouse/

I really hate baggy plastic in greenhouses...

All my wood has now been trimmed down to 44mm thickness, so even though the sun is shining, I have some real work to do, so will leave the bevelling until tomorrow.

My inclinometer arrived today, and it is great. I have no idea how you would make one of these without one.

Link here: https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/B07D8TJF4P?psc=1&ref=ppx_pop_mob_b_asin_title

mobfromcork · 15-04-2020 12:20pm

That's looks like a good set up. Where did you get the Polly tape please Pappa Dolla? It would be easier to assemble everything like that on the ground for sure and I agree that it would be neater wrapping each one individually.
How will you use the inclinometer please? Is it for getting the angles of the triangles right when they are being screwed in

[Deleted User] · 15-04-2020 1:48pm

mobfromcork wrote: »

That's looks like a good set up. Where did you get the Polly tape please Pappa Dolla? It would be easier to assemble everything like that on the ground for sure and I agree that it would be neater wrapping each one individually.
How will you use the inclinometer please? Is it for getting the angles of the triangles right when they are being screwed in

Plastic and tape from polyrope.ie

The inclinometer measures the blade on the table saw and chop saw, so you use it for cutting precise angles.

[Deleted User] · 27-04-2020 9:30pm

Sorry for lack of updates, had some real work and family stuff...

Anyway, basic structure complete. Just have to make the door, frame and put a window in and then cover each triangle with plastic.

I covered it with black plastic tonight, as there's rain due soon. Glad to say it's sturdy enough for me to swing out of those tiny beams!
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mobfromcork · 27-04-2020 9:34pm

Good to hear it's going well. Would love to see a few pictures when you get a chance. Did you make the frame to fit around the window or get a window to fit the frame?

Building a geodesic dome

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