Geodesic Dome Hub Connectors Index

[Canoe]

Found an index of connectors.
(Hope it's not a repost.)

http://www.domerama.com/dome-basics/geo ... onnectors/

geodesic-hub-connector-systems-gallery.jpg

[theCryptofishist]

that's beautiful

[Bob]

In 2004 the Man base crew used a hub detail similar to a couple of those examples. The struts were 2x4 lumber on edge, with 2" steel pipe cut ~3.5" long for the hubs, and ~2' lengths of steel Simpson strap looped through the hubs and screwed to the top and bottom of the 2x4 ends. The 2x4 ends were chopped at the proper simple angle to bear on the pipe hubs, and the strapping was mashed in there as best they could. I'd say it held up well enough...




Back in 1999 I made six-way star connectors similar to these, using 1-1/4" black polyethylene irrigation pipe:



Poly is pretty malleable. I heated the middle gently over a stove flame to squash it flat in a vise, then drilled & bolted it w/ fender washers. Orchard and vineyard suppliers might stock similar stuff, but it might be hard to find something suitable that you can buy by the foot rather than a whole spool.

[Bob]

Can't find pics or info online, but I recall in the early 2000s a group from Arizona brought a dodecahedron sculpture with 1-1/2" or 2" aluminum pipe struts and cast silicon bronze hubs students fabricated as a school metalworking project. Think the struts were a full 10 ft, and they used teflon sleeves to wrap the ends. They used cable across the interior to hold it together, either they didn't trust the hubs or ran out of time figuring out how to secure the connections without ruining the look.

Whoops, here it is.

[Bob]

Also here.