How to build a PVC geodesic dome

Who wants to camp in a boring tent when there are so many other options? A Geodesic dome makes a nice hut-like structure that, when covered, is a great shelter for camping (or partying).

Step 1 Tools and Materials

This dome can be built with three tools- PVC pipe cutters, a bandsaw, and a drill press. A handheld drill could be used, it will just take a lot more time.

Make sure you use ratcheting pipe cutters- there's a few hundred cuts to do.

Materials List:

For the hubs
30'         1" Schedule 40 PVC pipe (There will be waste)
130       1' Schedule 40 couplings
26          1/4" x 2" hex head bolts
26          1/4" hex nuts
52          1/4" washers

For the struts
35          Long struts   (53 5/16" for an 8' high dome)
30          Short struts   (46 7/16" for an 8' high dome)

If you want to make a dome of a different radius or do the calculation yourself, here's the formula (all units need to be in inches). Six inches need to be subtracted from each strut to compensate for the length of the hubs.

For the long struts:
strut length = (dome radius x .61803) - 6

For the short struts
strut length = (dome radius x .54653) - 6

Pipe choice:
I used Class 200 pipe (thin wall) for the struts. The dome is light, cheaper, packs into a couple of duffel bags for transportation, and is plenty strong to hold up tarps, lights, and a flagpole. If you feel this is not strong enough, you can use Schedule 40. It will just be a lot heavier.


Total cost
The final cost of the dome, including the tarps used to cover it, ended up around $200. If you shop around for the couplings online, you can save almost $100 from the average home improvement store price. I got all 130 connectors for $53, and the company that I bought them from, http://www.pvcfittingsdirect.com/, offers free shipping on orders over $50.

Comments

[yourpalsparky]

Great dome - I like the prefab nature of it, doing the work up front for easy deployment in the field. Love pvc as a lazy-man's material, cheap and easy to work with. It looks pretty sturdy too - nice job.

[ilpug]

You could do this much simpler if instead of building hubs you just heat formed all the ends of the pipes flat and drilled a hole.

[tinker234]

wow thanks a good way to do this is goon crag list or free cycle and find some PVC also construction sites different lengths and sizes can be used could i make it fold up with hinges so i can throw in a long bag

[Gwizzz]

Nice dome. I built a similar small dome about 5 ft high from 3.33 ft lengths of 1 inch PVC conduit. To make the hubs I softened the ends with a propane torch and then flattened the ends at a slight angle to account for the dome curvature. Then I drilled the holes and connected together like you did with a bolt. Its been setting outside for over ten years doing various garden jobs. I think I will do an instructable inspired by yours.

[mhamshar]

something doesn't add up you say you need 30' of schedule 40 PVC. but you say that you need 130 4" pieces. 130 x 4 = 520 520/12= 43 1/3' . or am i reading something wrong. thanks in advance

[player2756]

Thank You! This just solved a riddle I was trying to figure out! Going to build this in a couple weeks!

[robertblacksmith]

do you think this idea could be used with metal conduit ?

[zb]

Yes...

http://www.buylifetime.com/products/blt/pid-101310.aspx

Of course it somewhat removes the DIY element... :)

[SCrid2000]

That's pretty sick! Well done.

[mikeasaurus]

Party dome, Bucky would be proud!