I purchased the hubs from you guys and built a large greenhouse dome here in Sweden 4 years ago. Sadly it broke down the first winter due to the snow load. I replaced the broken pvc pipes and it survived through the second winter but broke down on the third hours before I was about to go out and remove the snow. I love the design and I will rebuild it with steel pipes next. The two main faults to my dome were. 1. Dimensions of the dome were too large for the size of pvc pipe (32mm) structual wise for the snowload. 2. The only place I could put was on a slight slope thus making the center of the dome "off center" vertically so as the winter came the snow gathered abit on the side and did not distribute the load top down but slightly scewed. All the best from Sweden.
Sorry to hear that you had a problem. We try to keep the strut lengths down to 1 meter to 1.5 meters in areas with a lot of snow. Also, you can put a post up in the center of the dome for support. I think being tilted would be a problem too. If I can help you, let me know. Thanks, John Hurt
Here is another idea. You might try using thicker walled PVC pipe. Some of the pipe overseas is thin walled, which won't hold up. And EMT conduit will always work too. Thanks, John Hurt
@@ZipTieDomes @ZipTieDomes Thanks for the ideas. I need to scale up the dimensions if Im going to use plastic again. I rather go the safe more expensive side and use metal pipes this time tho. When it gets above zero the snow gets extremely heavy with all the water that acumulates. I love the idea and I'm glad that I bought the hubs from you. Always nice to support family business.
@@R0jiv4 Yes, go right ahead and make the hubs you need. Be sure to send me pictures of your dome and your 3d printed hubs. You can contact me at this link: www.ziptiedomes.com/contactus.htm Let me know if I can help you. If you want to drill the hubs out of pipe, let me know and I will work with you for free. John
If you build the dome from the top down, you won't need the ladder. As in; construct the top first, then lift the edge and attach parts, lifting it as you go. The same way one constructs a Yurt.
Thanks for the information. The larger domes are too heavy to lift without a lever and fulcrum, and I have some ideas on building levers and rests to pick up the dome around the sides. I did create a small crane and lifted up a dome at the center and built it down the sides, but it also had issues. Both of these approaches requires something more than a ladder. And yes, it is much better to be on the ground building the dome than on top of a ladder. It really depends on the size of the dome. Thanks for your input, I appreciate your comments. I learn more from people like you and any other source. John Hurt
This is a fantastic method. It is, for me, a great way to make an emergency shelter. I can plainly see that by making some hubs and collars, some with 5 holes, some with 6, is what you have to make. Beyond that, you can use just about anything to make the sections, even wood collected on site. Great job, Muttley (on the left) salutes you. This deserves way more than one thumbs up. I am going to visit your web sight.
It is a lot of fun to watch kids build a dome. We have built domes with kids in grade school up to college age students. I gave one dome to a teacher in Nashville that travels between the schools there building domes. My father was an 8th grade science teacher, and I really appreciate what school teachers do for our children. Thanks for watching the video. John Hurt
Proper care for and preparation foresight about using wood is always necessary. Many of those wood struts showed wicking. YTU has many lessons on soaking wood ends in natural liquids to keep is viable. Strategies such as embuing in a vacuum or charring are also helpful. While you showed 2 examples of persons who have admitted their failure, there is a high probability that within 50 miles exists wood in wetter conditions which was cared for, and lives a long service life.
Can an impact drill be used to drill the circles and what it is the name of the thing that I attach to make the circles? Also if I use metal conduit with your pvc connectors will it be sturdier and able to be built bigger in an American climate that doesn’t get much snow?
@@pbschulz Bamboo has sugar in it, which will attract bugs. Soak the Bamboo in water with borax and boric acid and it will last many years. In high humidity situations, use PVC pipe. Thanks for watching the video. John Hurt
Great engineering and zen D. Thanks! I love cracking up at the comments too. Gotta love folks that never did anything helping you understand what y’all have been doing so well for so long, and how it can’t work, big mistakes. I’m subscribed and thankful. Peace
I deeply appreciate you in co-creating a beautiful civilization! 🙏I was looking for metal free alternatives to domes and this is what I was looking for. I'm going to try paracord with bamboo
you could make a simple tool that can use a drill to make the end of thin timber the shape and size it needs for a mass produced hub that the hiker could carry around easily this way they could make a dome for camping or make on for homestead living... taller trees will make larger domes which could house larger operations from greenhouse to compost management to living quarters to creatives shops.... with the right materials you could even make a much safer blacksmithing hut thanks to the shape of the dome assisting in the acceleration of the hot air out the top which could have a vent that dumps into a heat exchanger so you could recycle the shop heat, or use it to make hot water.... id love to try a homestead operation and while i have all kinds of ideas and improvements i can never seem to find the community thats looking to benefit from these kinds of ideas. Theres alot of 3d printed jigs one could design to make this process alot easier to mass produce the dome parts, ill bet theres a design that could be portable enough you could take it where ever you go in your trunk or in a backpack.
I remember when the US Army came out with some amazingly nice dome tents that used this type of frame system but being an Infantryman I saw real quick how the weakly designed hubs would not hold up to how we operate. We often don’t have a lot of time to put up or take down our tents and we often do those tasks in the dark or driving rain so a few young Soldiers putting this up may not be too interested in being extremely careful to not twist the hub joints. After a few short years the tents were withdrawn and replaced with more conventional designed tentage.
I agree, I am not certain this is the best type of overnight tent design. It is better for a more permanent structure. Thanks for watching the video. John Hurt
Seek 1:06 I used the formular for the mesh covering, except the formular was used on patches I made for the house and garage, It has been on for almost a year of winds, rain, snow and heat, looks as good as when I put it on. Held up just fine, looks good. I'll have to take a few shots and email them to the channel owner when I figure out how to use the digital camera. Thanks for your formula recipe, sir~ I am so proud of the outcome. I'll post this on the social platform GAB and I look forward to your zip tie homes that I will post in the group 'alternative housing' Nice looking group of boys you created!
Yes, sjr7822, I remember you, and your buzzy bee icon on the concrete dome video and others. Thank you for your input! If you want to send pictures, or just send me an email, my contact information is: www.ziptiedomes.com/contactus.htm I would like to do something with my life to help people that have no place to live. So any ideas you have are very helpful. If I can help you in any way, let me know. Thanks again. John Hurt
I purchased the hubs-only kit for a 2V dome and have built and rebuilt it a few times. It is currently built and waiting for more funds before I skin it (so to speak). I may have to disassemble and rebuild one more time as its current location is on a slope. Less than ideal. Here in NM USA, I can build a structure and not be taxed on it if I build it on skids. So I will level the ground, build a skid-able floor and then place (or rebuild) the dome on top. Once situated, I want to skin it with a ferro-cement layer, add an insulation layer, and finally an outer ferro-cement layer. Hopefully, I will be able to recover the pipes afterwards. We shall see. Maybe by this time next year I will have the task completed. If all works well, I hope to then buy a 4V Hub-only kit so I can build another but a good bit larger. Here's hoping that you continue to stay in business until then and way beyond. Thank you for all your efforts and information. I'm really glad that you repost this info occasionally.
Thank you so much for your comments, it really made my day. Be sure to check out this customer review on cement domes: www.ziptiedomes.com/customers/lenabach.htm Also this video: th-cam.com/video/4q-vnElQXCk/w-d-xo.htmlsi=WXzj4_aYOz6oSXLz If I can help you with your project, you are welcome to contact me at this link: www.ziptiedomes.com/contactus.htm Many blessings to you and your family. John Hurt
Brother I have a hub connector in my amazon cart that i was about to pay almost $40 for that would be here in 3 weeks. Now I can build my greenhouse this weekend for free!! Since i already have some spare pvc laying around.
Yes, this hub design is a lot easier to make yourself. You might look at our dome plans for download: www.ziptiedomes.com/geodesic-dome-plans/index.htm There are a few unexpected things if you do it entirely by yourself, like if you don't use the right size bit, or don't get the dimensions correct, that can make the dome not work, or make the dome to be wobbly and weak. Take care. John Hurt
Drain holes are important, ya'll. This design looks great, but people will want to be careful in colder climates where entrapped water can freeze and burst any type of pipe. I recently had a few hundred feet of 3/4" fiberglass rod fall in my lap, looking to build something similar. Thabks for sharing!
Yes, don't fill the PVC strut pipes with water so that they can freeze, if that is even possible, as they are open on both ends. And why do it in the first place. Thanks for watching the video. John Hurt
Clever concept. Respect. But I never understood how to make a cover for such a curved structure. The cover material is flat, the dome curved. How does it work? I am thinking of a greenhouse... Another question I would like to know, how long would the PVC pipe last in a very high UV exposure. Any hints welcome. Thanks.
We have two methods of attaching the greenhouse film to the dome, which uses the folds and pleats of the film to help attach to the dome: Dual Covering Hubs www.ziptiedomes.com/video/coveringsvideo.htm Standard Hubs with Test Caps: www.ziptiedomes.com/video/coveringtestcaps.htm Here is our FAQ answer for UV degradation of PVC pipe, with a link to the US Plastics Corporation: www.ziptiedomes.com/faq/PVC-and-UV-Degradation.htm Thanks, John
Would it be possible to take away a strut or two for making a dome for a telescope? If the hubs near the area we want open were stronger would that make a difference? Seems like a neat solution but I don't know how weak the structure might become.
Jason, Yes, you can remove an entire hexagon or pentagon and the dome will still be strong. If you look at picture #18 at this link, you will see that an entire hexagon has been removed from the dome to make a doorway, and the dome is still very strong: www.ziptiedomes.com/fairs/Mother-Earth-News-Fair-Asheville-2016.htm And a single strut can be removed to make a diamond shaped entrance or opening: www.ziptiedomes.com/customers/billlamerdin.htm The 16' and smaller domes are lightweight and can be moved around the telescope so as the angle of view changes, the opening in the dome can be adjusted to where the telescope is aimed. So a smaller opening may work perfectly. My dad was a science teacher, and he would bring home telescopes to ;et me see the planets. It is a great hobby. You can contact me at this link for more information: www.ziptiedomes.com/contactus.htm Thanks, John Hurt
I'm really interested in making a dome for my backyard and the simplicity of your dome connectors really jumps out at me, the one thing holding me back here is I want to use it as a home office space. I'm not really sure how I could adapt the plans to make for a more solid insulated structure. I know I could use wood and metal connectors but that would still leave a lot of gaps and flex. And for use for a green house is there another way to cover the dome in more traditional glass or acrylic green house panels rather than sheet plastic? Sheet plastic is easier for sure but I'd like to have something last longer than green house sheeting.
When you cut 4x8' sheets of polycarbonate into triangles to cover a dome, it creates a LOT of waste and is very expensive. It can also leak at the edges of the polycarbonate. So we recommend a single sheet of plastic, which will last for several years and is not expensive. Here is a link on how to make a concrete dome: www.ziptiedomes.com/customers/lenabach.htm You can put a wooden floor inside the dome for an office space. Contact us at this link if you have questions.: www.ziptiedomes.com/contactus.htm Thanks, John Hurt
I did one time, but I have a hard time finding 4" EMT conduit for making the hubs. If you make them out of steel pipe, they are too heavy and very expensive. Here is a customer review that used our standard PVC hubs and EMT conduit struts: www.ziptiedomes.com/customers/johnthompson.htm John
You would have to use an Octahedron dome desgin, that can be cut in half. It is a little different, and I don't have any Octahedron domes for sale at this time. But yes, it is possible. John
Greenhouse with PVC fittings is a bad idea. The poly covering will meld with the PVC tubing over time in direct sunlight. This weakens the poly and make it prone to rips. Add to that that sunlight makes PVC brittle over time, which can lead to failure in a wind storm. Perhaps you can use 17 gauge 1 5/8 tubing (chainlink top rail), but even then the edges of the round connectors will rip the plastic eventually. Another question I would have is how to uniformly attach the plastic to the structure Have you thought about using channel locks and wiggle wire to attach the poly to the frame? Right now, I don't see any ground anchors, and the square tarps don't drape well over the structure. One good stiff wind storm and all that hard work will be in the neighbor's yard. I'm not trying to be a troll here, I have several poly hoophouses on my farm and I'm a Fuller fan. I played around with geodesics when I started, but I couldn't find practical solutions to the challenges they present. Love to hear your ideas..
Thanks for your comments. In our Assembly Manual, we tell the customer to paint the PVC with white latex acrylic paint, or cover the PVC where it touches the plastic with clear tape. Painting the PVC helps with the UV problem and keeps the PVC from outgassing chlorine which degrades the plastic. We have a Dual Covering Hub that allows you to attach the plastic to the hubs using zip ties, on both the inside and outside of the dome for better insulation. We recommend that you use rebar stakes and drive them through the holes on the bottom of the hubs that rest on the ground to serve as a ground anchor. Thank you for your comments. John Hurt
@@ZipTieDomeswhat about using a dome such as this for a sweat lodge? There won’t be a fire inside but very hot rocks would be placed in a pit in the center of the ground. With canvas covering it. Might this work?
Our downloadable plans start at $19.50 www.ziptiedomes.com/geodesic-dome-plans/index.htm If you are poor and cannot afford $19.50, I will send you the link at no charge. John Hurt
If you can find some wooden poles or bamboo, I can work with you on how to build your own domes. We have plans you can download to build your own domes from any material: www.ziptiedomes.com/geodesic-dome-plans/index.htm Contact me at this link: www.ziptiedomes.com/contactus.htm John Hurt
@@ZipTieDomes Hi John, thanks for you reply :) bamboo would be a possibility i did not think about at first - maybe this could work. I will have a look at your plans, we already bought some geodome plans from another inventor who uses a different construction, but maybe this is easier for us :D I will contact you at the link if i need help!
The "v" stands for frequency. The higher the "v", the more triangles in the dome. th-cam.com/video/DfhMYHdcL5k/w-d-xo.htmlsi=LliAupzs8r7iHJzW Thanks for watching. John Hurt
I used a hole saw on my very first dome. I had to take the blanks out of the center of the hole saw each time I drilled a hole. A hole saw works well for a power hand drill. A forstner bit works better for a drill press. Thanks for watching the video. John
I am entering my 2nd childhood, and I don't like to use tools either, as I fumble around with them. But I can still use a zip tie. I wanted to say "Even an old fart like me can put it together", but child sounded better. Thanks for watching the video. John Hurt
Здравствуйте Джон. Мне тоже очень интересны эти купола. Но нужны прочные каркасы. Живем в Сибири, где сильные морозы и много снега. С уважением Геннадий, Россия
Здравствуйте, Геннадий. Для более прочных куполов мы используем ПВХ-трубы с внешним диаметром 49 мм. th-cam.com/video/PIzvtLdYMH4/w-d-xo.htmlsi=clqE7iqlcKR9AlgT Вы также можете использовать деревянные шесты или бамбук. th-cam.com/video/0OuK1UVdDag/w-d-xo.htmlsi=9xRd5Zcut9mLoiU1 У нас нет патентов в России. Вы можете построить там купола, чтобы помочь тем, кому нужно место для жизни. Много благословений вам и вашей семье. И пусть Россия тоже будет благословлена Богом. Джон Хёрт
Plastic Zip ties do not last long and degrade over time. Heat and sun wuickly break down plasic. Pvc pipe also degrades over tme when exposed to sunlight. Pvc pipe must be painted when using for exterior applications. The stainless steel traps are a much better choice. Thank you
That is a good point. We use stainless steel zip ties for building the larger domes. Sunlight and UV degradation only travels through the top 0.01" of the pipe. www.usplastic.com/knowledgebase/article.aspx?contentkey=774 A lot of people paint the PVC pipe so it wont' degrade the greenhouse plastic. www.ziptiedomes.com/faq/Protecting-your-Greenhouse-Plastic-from-PVC.htm Thanks for watching the video. John Hurt
@@Darkice77 Yes, and here are the calculators: www.ziptiedomes.com/geodesic-dome-calculators/geodesic-dome-calculator-index.htm#tunnel Thanks for your comments. John Hurt
Yes, we have a Dome Calculator Page for any type of dome. www.ziptiedomes.com/geodesic-dome-calculators/geodesic-dome-calculator-index.htm Thanks, John
You might want to say instead, that they need no tools to ASSEMBLE, since of course they need tools to build. Like a saw and a drill and a tape measure, etc.
Hi John. Recently, I found out about 2 upscale glamping campgrounds in Dunnellon Florida. One has buildings. The other is using a well constructed tent. Hmmm, we'll see. Have you contacted FEMA about temporary housing for storm victims? Have you come up with a doored design? I have seen some but they do not look that functional. Thanks for the update. Art
@@ArtOfHealth Thanks Art! I am developing a new type of dome that would be easier to insulate and much stronger for permanent housing. There are several customers in our "Customer Reviews" section of our website that have put standard doors on their domes. They used a heat gun to melt the PVC pipe and bend it, flatten it, and then screwed it to the door frame. Others drilled a hole into the door frame and slipped the strut inside. My customers have better ideas than I do. Thanks for watching the video. John Hurt
1. Wood isn’t that hard to use. A mitre saw isn’t super expensive and quite a few people have them. You don’t need a compound mitre saw for this. Wood flips easily to make cuts 😉. 2. The people who watched it “rot” before their eyes, likely didn’t use treated wood. It’s a damp, moist structure that is outdoors. The wood needs to be treated.
That is a good observation. I couldn't make the pointed tips on the wood struts, down to the millimeter in length, to get a good fit. That takes a lot of talent with woodworking tools. And if all you have is a hand saw, then I think it would be impossible. You might could do it with a chop saw, but I wouldn't want to try. Wood will last longer with preservative or paint, but it is always a battle. That is why vinyl siding has replaced wood siding. If wood is exposed to moisture, if it does not rot, it will warp or crack. I have had problems with carpenter bees on my wood deck. A lot of people use plastic planks for decking instead of wood, as plastic lasts forever. But yes, if you treat wood, it will last a lot longer. Thanks for watching the video. John Hurt
You are correct. It used to cost $365 for a 16' 2v dome before Jan 20, 2021, now it costs $615 for the same dome because someone shut down the oil pipelines, and PVC is made from oil. I really hope we get some type of government that does more than make the oil companies rich, like helping people that want to grow food for themselves in a small greenhouse. Thanks for your comments. John Hurt
It is "tensile" strength, like pulling a rope. It is not bending strength, or compressive strength. interestingengineering.com/innovation/bamboo-as-a-replacement-to-steel www.stikwood.com/blogs/workbench/how-strong-is-bamboo-exploring-strengths-benefits Yes, I did not believe it either, but it is in all of the scientific studies: www.bamboo.org/_uploads/pdfs/JABSv29_Sanchez_20191007.pdf So I guess that you can't sit your car on top of a bamboo pole, but you can definitely pull your car down the road with a piece of bamboo. Or probably drag your car up a mountain or vertical cliff. Bamboo is interesting stuff. Take care, John Hurt
So you do needs tools and a decent bank account. I don't know if you've priced PVC pipe recently but you're not even making one section for less that $30-$40 and I think that's a low ball estimate to be honest.
1" PVC pipe is around $6 to $8 for a 10' piece. We get two 5' struts out of one 10' piece. Still, that is cheaper than 1" EMT conduit. Yes, everything is very expensive now with all of the inflation. Thanks. John
В нашей стране людей сажают в тюрьму за протесты против украденных выборов, на которых был выдуман 81 миллион голосов. Спасибо за просмотр видео. Джон Хёрт
PVC?? ROFL Have fun the first time it gets cold, or there's a snow load, or a high wind. PVC is for amateurs. IT SHATTERS WHEN STRESSED, PEOPLE. I saw plenty of PVC pipe domes at Burning Man and other places get nuked by a little wind.
Take a look at the strength of a PVC dome and see the shattering: th-cam.com/video/PIzvtLdYMH4/w-d-xo.htmlsi=QjkC5VIYoL2Yq6Gq Burning Man: www.ziptiedomes.com/customers/nathanvoodoo.htm www.ziptiedomes.com/customers/jackfromca.htm And yes, the hubs will work with metal EMT conduit too. But Bamboo beats everyone, bamboo domes are a slam dunk over every other dome: www.ziptiedomes.com/customers/bamboodome.htm www.ziptiedomes.com/customers/joestanyner.htm Have a great day. John
I purchased the hubs from you guys and built a large greenhouse dome here in Sweden 4 years ago. Sadly it broke down the first winter due to the snow load. I replaced the broken pvc pipes and it survived through the second winter but broke down on the third hours before I was about to go out and remove the snow. I love the design and I will rebuild it with steel pipes next. The two main faults to my dome were. 1. Dimensions of the dome were too large for the size of pvc pipe (32mm) structual wise for the snowload. 2. The only place I could put was on a slight slope thus making the center of the dome "off center" vertically so as the winter came the snow gathered abit on the side and did not distribute the load top down but slightly scewed. All the best from Sweden.
Sorry to hear that you had a problem. We try to keep the strut lengths down to 1 meter to 1.5 meters in areas with a lot of snow. Also, you can put a post up in the center of the dome for support. I think being tilted would be a problem too. If I can help you, let me know. Thanks, John Hurt
Here is another idea. You might try using thicker walled PVC pipe. Some of the pipe overseas is thin walled, which won't hold up. And EMT conduit will always work too. Thanks, John Hurt
@@ZipTieDomes @ZipTieDomes Thanks for the ideas. I need to scale up the dimensions if Im going to use plastic again. I rather go the safe more expensive side and use metal pipes this time tho. When it gets above zero the snow gets extremely heavy with all the water that acumulates. I love the idea and I'm glad that I bought the hubs from you. Always nice to support family business.
@@ZipTieDomes Is it okay with you if I replace the broken hubs with 3D printed ones?
@@R0jiv4 Yes, go right ahead and make the hubs you need. Be sure to send me pictures of your dome and your 3d printed hubs. You can contact me at this link:
www.ziptiedomes.com/contactus.htm
Let me know if I can help you. If you want to drill the hubs out of pipe, let me know and I will work with you for free.
John
If you build the dome from the top down, you won't need the ladder. As in; construct the top first, then lift the edge and attach parts, lifting it as you go. The same way one constructs a Yurt.
Thanks for the information. The larger domes are too heavy to lift without a lever and fulcrum, and I have some ideas on building levers and rests to pick up the dome around the sides.
I did create a small crane and lifted up a dome at the center and built it down the sides, but it also had issues. Both of these approaches requires something more than a ladder.
And yes, it is much better to be on the ground building the dome than on top of a ladder.
It really depends on the size of the dome.
Thanks for your input, I appreciate your comments. I learn more from people like you and any other source. John Hurt
If you start with the top floating in mid air, you don’t have to lift it at all!🤔
@@TheGrobe You laugh, but some domes are constructed in just this manner. They cheat though, and use a crane.
@@TheGrobe May the Force be with you.
@@TheGrobe sky hooks are what you need!😉😉
This is a fantastic method. It is, for me, a great way to make an emergency shelter. I can plainly see that by making some hubs and collars, some with 5 holes, some with 6, is what you have to make. Beyond that, you can use just about anything to make the sections, even wood collected on site.
Great job, Muttley (on the left) salutes you. This deserves way more than one thumbs up. I am going to visit your web sight.
Where is Dick Dastardly when you need him?
I loved Muttley and that crazy laugh.
Thanks for watching the video. John Hurt
It's an incredible thing.
Amazing! Your domes can be assembled even by a child.
I'm so happy to see it!
Thank you so much.
It is a lot of fun to watch kids build a dome. We have built domes with kids in grade school up to college age students. I gave one dome to a teacher in Nashville that travels between the schools there building domes. My father was an 8th grade science teacher, and I really appreciate what school teachers do for our children. Thanks for watching the video. John Hurt
Buckminster Fuller would approve. Thanks!
Thanks for watching the video. John Hurt
Proper care for and preparation foresight about using wood is always necessary. Many of those wood struts showed wicking. YTU has many lessons on soaking wood ends in natural liquids to keep is viable. Strategies such as embuing in a vacuum or charring are also helpful. While you showed 2 examples of persons who have admitted their failure, there is a high probability that within 50 miles exists wood in wetter conditions which was cared for, and lives a long service life.
Yes, you definitely need to treat the wood before using it in a greenhouse. Thanks for watching the video. John Hurt
I’ve been searching for this for weeks! Thank you sooo much!
Thanks again. John Hurt
Can an impact drill be used to drill the circles and what it is the name of the thing that I attach to make the circles? Also if I use metal conduit with your pvc connectors will it be sturdier and able to be built bigger in an American climate that doesn’t get much snow?
Awesome Idea, one point though PVC outgas's and it attacks polyethylene sheeting, I love the idea of using bamboo.
Yes, Bamboo is awesome. Less plastic and more Bamboo. Take care. John Hurt
Will the bamboo rot like the other wood?
@@pbschulz yes, but if your growing it you have a forever supply, I believe it is somewhat rot resistant as well if I remember right.
@@pbschulz Bamboo has sugar in it, which will attract bugs. Soak the Bamboo in water with borax and boric acid and it will last many years. In high humidity situations, use PVC pipe. Thanks for watching the video. John Hurt
Great engineering and zen D. Thanks! I love cracking up at the comments too. Gotta love folks that never did anything helping you understand what y’all have been doing so well for so long, and how it can’t work, big mistakes. I’m subscribed and thankful. Peace
Thanks for subscribing.
I get a lot of good ideas from these comments. So I welcome all of the input.
Thanks for watching the video.
John Hurt
I deeply appreciate you in co-creating a beautiful civilization! 🙏I was looking for metal free alternatives to domes and this is what I was looking for. I'm going to try paracord with bamboo
Thanks for watching the video. We use stainless steel zip ties rated at 350 lbs for the larger structures.
John
oh man rebar for a concrete dome is a gamechanger!
Thanks for watching the video. John Hurt
I absolutely love this, I have a lot of pvc pipe left from old sprinklers and lots of bamboo ,so I'll try both
Thanks for watching the video. John
Wow you really made it simple enough for me to understand!
Thanks for watching. John Hurt
This is a great hub connector design!!!! Awesome.
Thanks! John Hurt
very impressive design, I love how simple it is
Thanks for watching the video. John Hurt
Recycled rebar is around the same price as pvc now. It also last way longer and is a lot stronger.
That is a great idea. Thanks for watching the video. John Hurt
You're an absolute genius.
Thanks, I appreciate it. Some days are pretty hard, and a good comment helps. John Hurt
you could make a simple tool that can use a drill to make the end of thin timber the shape and size it needs for a mass produced hub that the hiker could carry around easily this way they could make a dome for camping or make on for homestead living... taller trees will make larger domes which could house larger operations from greenhouse to compost management to living quarters to creatives shops.... with the right materials you could even make a much safer blacksmithing hut thanks to the shape of the dome assisting in the acceleration of the hot air out the top which could have a vent that dumps into a heat exchanger so you could recycle the shop heat, or use it to make hot water.... id love to try a homestead operation and while i have all kinds of ideas and improvements i can never seem to find the community thats looking to benefit from these kinds of ideas.
Theres alot of 3d printed jigs one could design to make this process alot easier to mass produce the dome parts, ill bet theres a design that could be portable enough you could take it where ever you go in your trunk or in a backpack.
You have a lot of good ideas. Be sure to send me pictures of whatever you build.
www.ziptiedomes.com/contactus.htm
Thanks,
John Hurt
I remember when the US Army came out with some amazingly nice dome tents that used this type of frame system but being an Infantryman I saw real quick how the weakly designed hubs would not hold up to how we operate. We often don’t have a lot of time to put up or take down our tents and we often do those tasks in the dark or driving rain so a few young Soldiers putting this up may not be too interested in being extremely careful to not twist the hub joints. After a few short years the tents were withdrawn and replaced with more conventional designed tentage.
I agree, I am not certain this is the best type of overnight tent design. It is better for a more permanent structure. Thanks for watching the video. John Hurt
Love this video one day I’ll be able to get a download but right now I’m on a fixed income as a navy vet at 68 years old retirement pay is small.
Contact me at www.ziptiedomes.com/contactus.htm
Seek 1:06 I used the formular for the mesh covering, except the formular was used on patches I made for the house and garage,
It has been on for almost a year of winds, rain, snow and heat, looks as good as when I put it on.
Held up just fine, looks good. I'll have to take a few shots and email them to the channel owner when I figure out how to use the digital camera.
Thanks for your formula recipe, sir~ I am so proud of the outcome.
I'll post this on the social platform GAB and I look forward to your zip tie homes
that I will post in the group 'alternative housing'
Nice looking group of boys you created!
Yes, sjr7822, I remember you, and your buzzy bee icon on the concrete dome video and others. Thank you for your input! If you want to send pictures, or just send me an email, my contact information is:
www.ziptiedomes.com/contactus.htm
I would like to do something with my life to help people that have no place to live. So any ideas you have are very helpful.
If I can help you in any way, let me know. Thanks again. John Hurt
I purchased the hubs-only kit for a 2V dome and have built and rebuilt it a few times. It is currently built and waiting for more funds before I skin it (so to speak). I may have to disassemble and rebuild one more time as its current location is on a slope. Less than ideal.
Here in NM USA, I can build a structure and not be taxed on it if I build it on skids. So I will level the ground, build a skid-able floor and then place (or rebuild) the dome on top. Once situated, I want to skin it with a ferro-cement layer, add an insulation layer, and finally an outer ferro-cement layer. Hopefully, I will be able to recover the pipes afterwards. We shall see. Maybe by this time next year I will have the task completed. If all works well, I hope to then buy a 4V Hub-only kit so I can build another but a good bit larger.
Here's hoping that you continue to stay in business until then and way beyond. Thank you for all your efforts and information. I'm really glad that you repost this info occasionally.
Thank you so much for your comments, it really made my day.
Be sure to check out this customer review on cement domes:
www.ziptiedomes.com/customers/lenabach.htm
Also this video:
th-cam.com/video/4q-vnElQXCk/w-d-xo.htmlsi=WXzj4_aYOz6oSXLz
If I can help you with your project, you are welcome to contact me at this link:
www.ziptiedomes.com/contactus.htm
Many blessings to you and your family.
John Hurt
Brother I have a hub connector in my amazon cart that i was about to pay almost $40 for that would be here in 3 weeks. Now I can build my greenhouse this weekend for free!! Since i already have some spare pvc laying around.
Yes, this hub design is a lot easier to make yourself. You might look at our dome plans for download:
www.ziptiedomes.com/geodesic-dome-plans/index.htm
There are a few unexpected things if you do it entirely by yourself, like if you don't use the right size bit, or don't get the dimensions correct, that can make the dome not work, or make the dome to be wobbly and weak. Take care. John Hurt
Thankyou John Hurt and sons.
Just what I was looking for !
Thanks for watching the video. Many blessing to you and your family. John Hurt
Drain holes are important, ya'll. This design looks great, but people will want to be careful in colder climates where entrapped water can freeze and burst any type of pipe.
I recently had a few hundred feet of 3/4" fiberglass rod fall in my lap, looking to build something similar.
Thabks for sharing!
Yes, don't fill the PVC strut pipes with water so that they can freeze, if that is even possible, as they are open on both ends. And why do it in the first place. Thanks for watching the video. John Hurt
Clever concept. Respect.
But I never understood how to make a cover for such a curved structure. The cover material is flat, the dome curved. How does it work?
I am thinking of a greenhouse...
Another question I would like to know, how long would the PVC pipe last in a very high UV exposure.
Any hints welcome.
Thanks.
We have two methods of attaching the greenhouse film to the dome, which uses the folds and pleats of the film to help attach to the dome:
Dual Covering Hubs
www.ziptiedomes.com/video/coveringsvideo.htm
Standard Hubs with Test Caps:
www.ziptiedomes.com/video/coveringtestcaps.htm
Here is our FAQ answer for UV degradation of PVC pipe, with a link to the US Plastics Corporation:
www.ziptiedomes.com/faq/PVC-and-UV-Degradation.htm
Thanks,
John
@@ZipTieDomes thanks John for all this useful information.
This would be great as the roof peak of a hexa yurt.
These domes would also make a fantastic portable HAM radio shack.
Very good ideas. Thanks for watching the video. John Hurt
Using an end cap for the connection hub would allow you to have a smooth surface on the exterior. But, the design gets an A for sure. 👍
One of our customer has already done that, and it made it look really professional:
www.ziptiedomes.com/customers/diedrakrieger.htm
Thanks, John Hurt
4-07-2024.I built just like your,s here in Germany back in the mid 90.
That is great! Thanks for watching the video. John
Would it be possible to take away a strut or two for making a dome for a telescope?
If the hubs near the area we want open were stronger would that make a difference?
Seems like a neat solution but I don't know how weak the structure might become.
Jason,
Yes, you can remove an entire hexagon or pentagon and the dome will still be strong. If you look at picture #18 at this link, you will see that an entire hexagon has been removed from the dome to make a doorway, and the dome is still very strong:
www.ziptiedomes.com/fairs/Mother-Earth-News-Fair-Asheville-2016.htm
And a single strut can be removed to make a diamond shaped entrance or opening:
www.ziptiedomes.com/customers/billlamerdin.htm
The 16' and smaller domes are lightweight and can be moved around the telescope so as the angle of view changes, the opening in the dome can be adjusted to where the telescope is aimed. So a smaller opening may work perfectly.
My dad was a science teacher, and he would bring home telescopes to ;et me see the planets. It is a great hobby.
You can contact me at this link for more information:
www.ziptiedomes.com/contactus.htm
Thanks, John Hurt
I'm really interested in making a dome for my backyard and the simplicity of your dome connectors really jumps out at me, the one thing holding me back here is I want to use it as a home office space. I'm not really sure how I could adapt the plans to make for a more solid insulated structure. I know I could use wood and metal connectors but that would still leave a lot of gaps and flex. And for use for a green house is there another way to cover the dome in more traditional glass or acrylic green house panels rather than sheet plastic? Sheet plastic is easier for sure but I'd like to have something last longer than green house sheeting.
When you cut 4x8' sheets of polycarbonate into triangles to cover a dome, it creates a LOT of waste and is very expensive. It can also leak at the edges of the polycarbonate. So we recommend a single sheet of plastic, which will last for several years and is not expensive.
Here is a link on how to make a concrete dome:
www.ziptiedomes.com/customers/lenabach.htm
You can put a wooden floor inside the dome for an office space. Contact us at this link if you have questions.:
www.ziptiedomes.com/contactus.htm
Thanks,
John Hurt
This is awesome.
Thanks for watching the video. John Hurt
beautiful dude, thank you for sharing
Thanks for your comments, and for watching the video. John Hurt
About the rotten Wood, it might me a solution to do the plastic-layer INSIDE with some distance. So making the binding-circle, bit higher?
That might be a better solution. Thanks for watching the video. John
@@ZipTieDomes Bad Side of my Idea, plastic-layer INSIDE ist worse against Wind and water. Water could connect there becomes to much weight...
Do you make the hubs out of metal for the conduit geo dome ?
I did one time, but I have a hard time finding 4" EMT conduit for making the hubs. If you make them out of steel pipe, they are too heavy and very expensive.
Here is a customer review that used our standard PVC hubs and EMT conduit struts:
www.ziptiedomes.com/customers/johnthompson.htm
John
Is it possible to make a lean-to greenhouse using half of a dome?
You would have to use an Octahedron dome desgin, that can be cut in half. It is a little different, and I don't have any Octahedron domes for sale at this time.
But yes, it is possible.
John
I have one -- it's wonderful
Thanks for being our customer. John Hurt
Great, just to watch...maybe sometime i have money and proporty ...best luck to your familybiz...
greetz from germany❤
Thanks. Blessings to you and your family. John Hurt
Greenhouse with PVC fittings is a bad idea. The poly covering will meld with the PVC tubing over time in direct sunlight. This weakens the poly and make it prone to rips. Add to that that sunlight makes PVC brittle over time, which can lead to failure in a wind storm. Perhaps you can use 17 gauge 1 5/8 tubing (chainlink top rail), but even then the edges of the round connectors will rip the plastic eventually. Another question I would have is how to uniformly attach the plastic to the structure Have you thought about using channel locks and wiggle wire to attach the poly to the frame? Right now, I don't see any ground anchors, and the square tarps don't drape well over the structure. One good stiff wind storm and all that hard work will be in the neighbor's yard. I'm not trying to be a troll here, I have several poly hoophouses on my farm and I'm a Fuller fan. I played around with geodesics when I started, but I couldn't find practical solutions to the challenges they present. Love to hear your ideas..
Thanks for your comments. In our Assembly Manual, we tell the customer to paint the PVC with white latex acrylic paint, or cover the PVC where it touches the plastic with clear tape.
Painting the PVC helps with the UV problem and keeps the PVC from outgassing chlorine which degrades the plastic.
We have a Dual Covering Hub that allows you to attach the plastic to the hubs using zip ties, on both the inside and outside of the dome for better insulation. We recommend that you use rebar stakes and drive them through the holes on the bottom of the hubs that rest on the ground to serve as a ground anchor. Thank you for your comments. John Hurt
@@ZipTieDomeswhat about using a dome such as this for a sweat lodge? There won’t be a fire inside but very hot rocks would be placed in a pit in the center of the ground. With canvas covering it. Might this work?
@@7eyesopenwide168 Yes, several customers use our domes for a sweat lodge:
www.ziptiedomes.com/customers/ellisonbeggs.htm
Have a great day.
John
Thank you for this! 👏👏👏👏
Thanks for watching the video. John Hurt
I can not thank you enough!
Thanks, Racheal. I appreciate your comments.
Brilliant
Thanks for your comment. John Hurt
Great concept but when will you open source this?! :D
Our downloadable plans start at $19.50
www.ziptiedomes.com/geodesic-dome-plans/index.htm
If you are poor and cannot afford $19.50, I will send you the link at no charge.
John Hurt
Now im not an Einstein, but why wouldn't you weld triangles from rebar and weld those together on site?
Trying to get this tubes in austria ... no chance ...
If you can find some wooden poles or bamboo, I can work with you on how to build your own domes. We have plans you can download to build your own domes from any material:
www.ziptiedomes.com/geodesic-dome-plans/index.htm
Contact me at this link:
www.ziptiedomes.com/contactus.htm
John Hurt
@@ZipTieDomes Hi John, thanks for you reply :) bamboo would be a possibility i did not think about at first - maybe this could work. I will have a look at your plans, we already bought some geodome plans from another inventor who uses a different construction, but maybe this is easier for us :D I will contact you at the link if i need help!
@@thorgal8692 You are welcome to contact me at this link:
www.ziptiedomes.com/contactus.htm
Thanks,
John Hurt
The hubs rough edes will cut the poly
In our instructions, we tell you to cover the hubs with clear tape so they won't hurt the poly. Thanks for watching the video. John Hurt
What’s the v in “2v dome”?
The "v" stands for frequency. The higher the "v", the more triangles in the dome.
th-cam.com/video/DfhMYHdcL5k/w-d-xo.htmlsi=LliAupzs8r7iHJzW
Thanks for watching.
John Hurt
still cool!
Thanks for watching the video. John Hurt
Why not use a hole saw cutter? The Forstner bit seems unnecessary for this process.
I used a hole saw on my very first dome. I had to take the blanks out of the center of the hole saw each time I drilled a hole. A hole saw works well for a power hand drill. A forstner bit works better for a drill press. Thanks for watching the video. John
"Even a child can put together". How many time I hear that.
I am entering my 2nd childhood, and I don't like to use tools either, as I fumble around with them. But I can still use a zip tie. I wanted to say "Even an old fart like me can put it together", but child sounded better. Thanks for watching the video. John Hurt
Nice!
Thanks! John Hurt
Здравствуйте Джон.
Мне тоже очень интересны эти купола.
Но нужны прочные каркасы.
Живем в Сибири, где сильные морозы и много снега.
С уважением Геннадий, Россия
Здравствуйте, Геннадий.
Для более прочных куполов мы используем ПВХ-трубы с внешним диаметром 49 мм.
th-cam.com/video/PIzvtLdYMH4/w-d-xo.htmlsi=clqE7iqlcKR9AlgT
Вы также можете использовать деревянные шесты или бамбук.
th-cam.com/video/0OuK1UVdDag/w-d-xo.htmlsi=9xRd5Zcut9mLoiU1
У нас нет патентов в России. Вы можете построить там купола, чтобы помочь тем, кому нужно место для жизни.
Много благословений вам и вашей семье.
И пусть Россия тоже будет благословлена Богом.
Джон Хёрт
Here's a name for a spin-off business of pvc yurts: Hurt's Yurts
That is good. Thanks. John Hurt
Bamboo . . . And grow your own
That is the way to go. Thanks. John Hurt
Plastic Zip ties do not last long and degrade over time. Heat and sun wuickly break down plasic. Pvc pipe also degrades over tme when exposed to sunlight. Pvc pipe must be painted when using for exterior applications. The stainless steel traps are a much better choice. Thank you
That is a good point. We use stainless steel zip ties for building the larger domes. Sunlight and UV degradation only travels through the top 0.01" of the pipe.
www.usplastic.com/knowledgebase/article.aspx?contentkey=774
A lot of people paint the PVC pipe so it wont' degrade the greenhouse plastic.
www.ziptiedomes.com/faq/Protecting-your-Greenhouse-Plastic-from-PVC.htm
Thanks for watching the video. John Hurt
Can you make these longer instead of just a normal dome? Could i make one that is like 40 feet long and domed on the edges?
Never mind just saw your video on that.
@@Darkice77 Yes, and here are the calculators:
www.ziptiedomes.com/geodesic-dome-calculators/geodesic-dome-calculator-index.htm#tunnel
Thanks for your comments. John Hurt
I know of a website that has the program that you can use for free to obtain the exact measurements for the item you will use to build it.
Yes, we have a Dome Calculator Page for any type of dome.
www.ziptiedomes.com/geodesic-dome-calculators/geodesic-dome-calculator-index.htm
Thanks,
John
The cool thing about that plastic sheeting is, it blocks UV-C which is dangerous for pretty much all forms of life.
Yes, that is correct, and a good observation. Thanks for watching the video. John Hurt
Can u help me
Yes, contact me at this link:
www.ziptiedomes.com/contactus.htm
Thanks,
John Hurt
How are you all doing???
Thanks Jerry. We are doing very well. Take care. John
You might want to say instead, that they need no tools to ASSEMBLE, since of course they need tools to build. Like a saw and a drill and a tape measure, etc.
That is absolutely correct. Thanks. John Hurt
Say-by any chance, you weren’t one of the voice actors for “Ed, Edd n Eddy”, were you?
(Just asking…)
I would probably be making more money if I were. Thanks for watching the video. John Hurt
I want one
They are a lot of fun to build. Call us at (931) 858-6892 if you have any questions. Thanks for watching the video. John Hurt
Hi John. Recently, I found out about 2 upscale glamping campgrounds in Dunnellon Florida. One has buildings. The other is using a well constructed tent. Hmmm, we'll see. Have you contacted FEMA about temporary housing for storm victims? Have you come up with a doored design? I have seen some but they do not look that functional. Thanks for the update. Art
@@ArtOfHealth Thanks Art! I am developing a new type of dome that would be easier to insulate and much stronger for permanent housing. There are several customers in our "Customer Reviews" section of our website that have put standard doors on their domes. They used a heat gun to melt the PVC pipe and bend it, flatten it, and then screwed it to the door frame. Others drilled a hole into the door frame and slipped the strut inside. My customers have better ideas than I do. Thanks for watching the video. John Hurt
1. Wood isn’t that hard to use. A mitre saw isn’t super expensive and quite a few people have them. You don’t need a compound mitre saw for this. Wood flips easily to make cuts 😉.
2. The people who watched it “rot” before their eyes, likely didn’t use treated wood. It’s a damp, moist structure that is outdoors. The wood needs to be treated.
That is a good observation. I couldn't make the pointed tips on the wood struts, down to the millimeter in length, to get a good fit. That takes a lot of talent with woodworking tools. And if all you have is a hand saw, then I think it would be impossible. You might could do it with a chop saw, but I wouldn't want to try.
Wood will last longer with preservative or paint, but it is always a battle. That is why vinyl siding has replaced wood siding. If wood is exposed to moisture, if it does not rot, it will warp or crack. I have had problems with carpenter bees on my wood deck. A lot of people use plastic planks for decking instead of wood, as plastic lasts forever. But yes, if you treat wood, it will last a lot longer.
Thanks for watching the video. John Hurt
I bet that in the US right now would cost you $600 in PVC pipe
You are correct. It used to cost $365 for a 16' 2v dome before Jan 20, 2021, now it costs $615 for the same dome because someone shut down the oil pipelines, and PVC is made from oil. I really hope we get some type of government that does more than make the oil companies rich, like helping people that want to grow food for themselves in a small greenhouse. Thanks for your comments. John Hurt
Yep!!!
Bamboo is NOT stronger than steel.
It is "tensile" strength, like pulling a rope. It is not bending strength, or compressive strength.
interestingengineering.com/innovation/bamboo-as-a-replacement-to-steel
www.stikwood.com/blogs/workbench/how-strong-is-bamboo-exploring-strengths-benefits
Yes, I did not believe it either, but it is in all of the scientific studies:
www.bamboo.org/_uploads/pdfs/JABSv29_Sanchez_20191007.pdf
So I guess that you can't sit your car on top of a bamboo pole, but you can definitely pull your car down the road with a piece of bamboo. Or probably drag your car up a mountain or vertical cliff. Bamboo is interesting stuff.
Take care,
John Hurt
So you do needs tools and a decent bank account. I don't know if you've priced PVC pipe recently but you're not even making one section for less that $30-$40 and I think that's a low ball estimate to be honest.
1" PVC pipe is around $6 to $8 for a 10' piece. We get two 5' struts out of one 10' piece. Still, that is cheaper than 1" EMT conduit. Yes, everything is very expensive now with all of the inflation. Thanks. John
В нашей стране, за такие изобретения, человека в тюрьму сажают ....🤐
В нашей стране людей сажают в тюрьму за протесты против украденных выборов, на которых был выдуман 81 миллион голосов. Спасибо за просмотр видео. Джон Хёрт
PVC?? ROFL Have fun the first time it gets cold, or there's a snow load, or a high wind. PVC is for amateurs. IT SHATTERS WHEN STRESSED, PEOPLE. I saw plenty of PVC pipe domes at Burning Man and other places get nuked by a little wind.
Take a look at the strength of a PVC dome and see the shattering:
th-cam.com/video/PIzvtLdYMH4/w-d-xo.htmlsi=QjkC5VIYoL2Yq6Gq
Burning Man:
www.ziptiedomes.com/customers/nathanvoodoo.htm
www.ziptiedomes.com/customers/jackfromca.htm
And yes, the hubs will work with metal EMT conduit too.
But Bamboo beats everyone, bamboo domes are a slam dunk over every other dome:
www.ziptiedomes.com/customers/bamboodome.htm
www.ziptiedomes.com/customers/joestanyner.htm
Have a great day.
John
Hey, there's this amazing new invention. It's called a 3D printer.