Geodesic Dome Media Pod

Step 3: Cutting Out Hexagon, Pentagon and Base Pieces

Start by collecting together large scrap cardboard sheets, preferably Refrigerator boxes or furniture packing boxes made from double walled strength cardboard.

If you can only find single walled scrap pieces, those will also work as well but flat straight sheets are best to start from.

Place the template down with the nails pointing downward into the cardboard scrap, now trace a line at the edge of one corner and move down to the farthest edge of the scrap piece and trace a similar corner.

Now connect the edges with a long board or ruler and draw a solid line between the two points. This will be your cutting line. Cut along that line to make strips to start cutting from.

Now things will speed up, you will need to make:

30 Individual Triangles from the PENTAGON TEMPLATE

84 Individual Triangles from the HEXAGON TEMPLATE

BE SURE TO MARK EACH TRIANGLE WITH LETTERS SO YOU WON'T MIX THEM UP AFTER YOU CUT THEM

PENTAGON TRIANGLES ARE MARKED "A, "A" and "B"

HEXAGON TRIANGLES ARE MARKED "C", "C" and "B"

THE "B" SIDE WILL ALWAYS BE THE SIDE THAT MEASURE 14.52 INCHES ON BOTH THE HEXAGON AND PENTAGON TRIANGLES

I know that this sounds like a lot of cutting but just keep telling yourself, "I'm Almost Done" "I'm Almost Done" over and over again, and after about 1 six pack, 2 Asprin and a lot of watching the Discovery Channel all day long while cutting cardboard...........You will finally be done!

Comments

[Cretnor]

I had an easy time cutting. I used a knife to cut through the cardboard. You can make a template like he said and use it to make other parts. It helps if you find a comfortable position to cut in. It also helps if your cutting tool has a good grip. You could also use a ruler as a guide, but you would have to be careful not to cut the ruler. I would recomend using a knife instead of scissors. After i cut out a piece, i would compare it to the template an make adjustments if necessary. Try to get your cuts as straight as you possibly can. It will make the pieces fit together even more. I hope this helps you.

[greg0594]

I'm getting a Universal Laser ULS25E, about 10 years old but still works good and I should be able to Laser cut out very intricate and perfect parts out of cardboard - I cant wait!!!!!!

[Cretnor]

What can the laser cut through other than cardboard?

[bugjojo]

How do you get such straight cuts?? I'm working on cutting them all out, and my cuts are hardly straight and kind of sloppy. Is that going to ruin everything? I just can't figure out how you got such perfect cuts!

[Xamith]

done the 30 pentagon triangles... after lunch I'll start again. Then go to work. Hmmm, work has lot's of cardboard...

[greg0594]

I think your place of employment would be an excellent source of free cardboard, just get it before it gets put in the "Box-Crusher"!!!! Greg - Media Pod Designer