On 5/30/2010 3:41 PM, stick0boy wrote:
You're looking at the wrong stuff if it costs $4.70/sqft. Stucco mesh only costs about 10 cents per square foot.
----expanded steel seems pretty robust(seems more structural) and costly (~4.70sq foot) for what i consider using it for solely crack prevention near the surface where as hardware cloth(~1/2 inch woven steel wire(for those who are not familiar)) is closer to .53 a sq foot and more flexible. i am not sure of the plastic variant but its is definitely more flexible.
My trash pump lifts at least 20' and will throw a stream ten feet long at that height. It's not such a great pump at 2", others do a much better job.An airform would be easier than a rotating wooden form, and spraying could cover it in short order. Someone on this list was making a sprayed pc dome on an airform, but never updated his photo album or posted results after the first bit. The album is still in the group photo section.---air form does seem great how do you spray the top of it lol. i suppose a boom lift would work but will a trash pump lift that high to supply a sprayer. i dont think one would want to try to throw that far
Based on my experience with geodesics, I don't think this would be practical. As was pointed out, the zinc used to galvanize the metal is toxic when you weld so you would need a respirator or some nice breeze. I'm not fond of standing on a ladder or scaffold wearing a helmet and welding overhead, YMMV. A safety harness would be nice. Sheet metal becomes brittle when welded so you would have to account for that with some good tacks. Just holding itself up means that the lower part of the dome is supporting the full weight of the dome. Luckily geodesics are extremely strong, depending on the connections. IMHO screws are a better solution, but please send pictures when you prove me wrong :)This would require a lot of precision to have the studs fit well enough to weld. Also studs are generally thin metal that would need MIG/TIG welding. Do you weld? Harbor Freight sells a wire welder that works fairly well and is less than $200. My large dome is screwed together, a much easier and cheaper way to go.-- isn't that the whole point of geo-domes a large dome/spere from regular/identical triangles? coping the exact same triangle a few hundred times(plus a few spares) will likely become more simple by the end of it. and yes i can weld basic stuff, but i am only talking tacking . ie put 2 speed clamps on the triangle drop a couple tacks on the bottom and the triangle next to it then move to the next one. i am under no impression that the tacks will hold much pressure but should hold it self up and the first application of sprayed on PC. afterall the triangles are only a left in place form to apply the bulk of the wall/dome to. 2-3 inches of 18-24 inches.
You're welcome.and thanks for the help =D
Do you have a time frame to start? Hopefully before TSHTF.
spaceman
All opinions expressed or implied are subject to change without notice upon receipt of new information.
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