How to Make Your Own Geodesic Dome Struts

https://www.ziptiedomes.com - This video describes how to make geodesic dome struts using 1" PVC pipe. The first step is cut the pipe to the correct length using our online Geodesic Dome Calculator, and then drill the ends with a 5/16 or 3/8 inch drill bit. The Geodesic Dome Calculator is at: http://www.ziptiedomes.com/calcindex.htm Our current production hubs are set up for 1" PVC pipe, and this is the only size pipe you should use. For good structural support, the maximum length of 1" PVC pipe should not be more than 5 feet in length. On our Geodesic Dome Calculators, the Blue Strut is always the longest strut. For maximum dome size, set the Blue Strut to "5". To effectively use your material, set the Blue Strut to 1/2, 1/3, or 1/4 of 10 feet. To do this, enter a Blue Strut length of 5, 3.3333, or 2.5. If you are using 20 foot pipe, you can cut your Blue Struts 4 feet in length with no waste. The Cost of Materials section of our Geodesic Dome Calculator will allow you to enter in a 20 foot pipe length to help you determine the most efficient strut size. If you are using 1" EMT Conduit, the OD is slightly smaller than 1" PVC. We can create a custom hub for 1" or 3/4" EMT, just call us and let us know. The EMT should not be longer than 5' in length, as a 10' EMT puts too much leverage on the plastic hubs. Later this year we hope to offer a full metal hub that will allow large spans of EMT to be used. All of our dome packages for 3v and above now come with stainless steel zip ties, with a maximum tension load of 250 lbs. Since most of the load in a Geodesic Dome is not tension, but compression against the hubs, these connectors are more than sufficient.