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Thanks for the tips. However I did compensate for that very thing. I think the problem was just that I was in a hurry to finish it as well as doing it all alone. This would have been an easier project with a partner. Your right about the stain color, but if I remember correctly I had several gallons of dark stain laying around and my wife just started using that up.

I just figured what ever it would be is what it would be. Hey the thing went together well. I have dismantled the whole thing and it has been in storage for a couple years. Instead of just cutting new material I am going to try and use as much of the old as possible to save costs. I want to build a new one but I think I will just put up a couple hoop houses instead to save cost. This style of greenhouse is just cool, but has little advantages over a regular hoop home. Well, not talking about winds,........

+John Chapman basically yes. Otherwise you would need to make some sort of jig to make your cuts.

nope, most miter saws have 0 in the middle (90 degrees to the fence) and a swing of 45 degress each side.What you will need is a compound miter saw which allows the blade to be tilted so you can make the bevel cut ;) You can use a basic mitre saw (no bevel function) in a pinch by rigging a jig that puts the strut end cut vertical and at right angles to the fence. Then you only need to make the miter cuts. If you allow for the blade kerf in the jig you wont need to worry about marking the centerline, just position the wood against the correct side of the jig.

I was nervous although I don't know why. I have only been stung once by a bee, and that was when I was 4 or 5 and stepped on it in the grass. It was just hearing so many bees all buzzing at the same time! Buy after only two times to check in on them in stopped using the PPE (personal protective equipement). My wife even doesn't have fear of them either now.

calvin busch Hi Calvin! Thanks for all the videos! I'm not sure if my mitre saw has the ability to cut the 63.4 degree angle that this diagram calls for. acidome.ru/lab/calc/#1/4_Cone_1V_R.95_beams_88.9x88.9 The two cuts i need are 20.9 degree ____\ And 63.4 degrees correct? Any information would be much appreciated! Out of 4x4 Fir!

Thomas Ethan Foster Hey Tom, the angles will be 60 degrees for B and C struts, but only 54 degrees for the A strut! A struts are for the pentagon portion of the dome ONLY! Not sure where you got the other angles from. RE-watch my video on how to cut the struts and listen to my explanation. Thanks, Cal

Hey Silercreek how you doing? Thanks for your interest in my information here! I may have stated that you only will need 2 lengths for your dome someplace, but I would have been talking about a 2V dome. I will include a link for you to go too and you can punch in any size dome you chose to find the lengths of your struts. It is a great resource and I have mention ed them in a seminar I have done before. Let me know how this works out for you okay? You can copy and paste it into the address bar. Thanks. www.desertdomes.com/domecalc.html

Thank you for clearing things up you were right on the money talking about how they keep some of the info so vague that website seems helpful I would like to build one when you put in the size of building is that feet and inches that's computed and is the overall length to the long points of the struts thanks for all your info it's really got me thinking can't wait for spring

Calvin yup I jumped the gun asking you questions after getting little more into that site you are absolutely right all the info is there and with the help of your video I have my plans all drawn up for my structure I now know what I need just need to give it a go thanks for the help hope your doing well really enjoyed watching and learning from you take care

am trying to figure out how to record a video from the house because I tried and it didn't work to well. But I want to let everyone know that I will be doing a series on starting a homestead this spring. I have already bought the property but won't start until April or May. I do plan to build a couple domes as well and will continue the series. Glad you are so gun hoo! Good for you!

Sounds good Cal looking forward to seeing those videos good luck with that I'm sure you will be hearing from me

Johnny basically this video will work for you no matter what size of dome you build. 2x6 or what size of wood. but the bigger the size of wood potentially the bigger the size of saw you will need. Mine is a 10" saw so you may need a 12" for the 2x6. If you want to use a hubless strut as I do then make sure you USE SCREWS!!! I would also try to put a smaller one together first to gain experience framing it. It will help a lot. Also make sure you have someone to help you assemble the dome. It is just easier that's all there is to it! Make sure you figure how big you will need for plywood with a larger dome also. You will need pretty good size triangles for your 45' dome. Although you can use smaller pieces of plywood. I showed how to do that on one of my videos too. I forget the number. You may consider using a 4V dome if the triangles are too big as well. If you have anyother questions I'd be glad to comment on! Good luck

Calvin, I was kind of hoping you might know how to make individual triangles to assemble rather than screwing together each strut.

That will probably require quite a lot more material. If you think it would be easier that way, don't be deceived. It is NOT hard to frame a dome. But it is easier with two people. Seriously, try to build a smaller dome first. But if it is too small like say an 8' dome it will be harder to build than say a 12' or 15' dome ( first hand experience on my part!! Haha!). A dome as big as you want to build is pretty ambitious so you really should start with a smaller practice dome. But I wouldn't build the triangles first to construct the dome.

3x as much timber :) other downsides: more time spent in the shop cutting wood and making triangles. Handling an 8ft strut is a lot easier than an 8ft triangle when your standing on a ladder :) I prefer to use tubular hubs, less cutting and its easier to assemble/disassemble the dome many times over, ideal for portable domes.

Keith, if you have never built a dome before you really should try to go smaller for the first one. you could build a 20 3V and that will give you plenty of practice. A 4V will be the same thing but you will have to be very careful of all the different size struts. Label them carefully and make sure you label BOTH ENDS! I am actually putting together with my son the plan of putting out a basic how to video for hubless domes, but it simply is something that can not be easily if you want it to be good quality. (at least not for me!). Please go through my framing videos and I think they will help you some as they are now. keep me posted please, and shoot me your questions anytime! Calvin

calvin busch Thanks for the info. Shoot me an email and I can send the floorplan I have designed for an aquaponics greenhouse. Dome structures can scale better than any other design and I cannot find anything I like that is hubless around 40 feet. I cannot scale down to 20 feet because that simply does not scale for what I want to do. I am a general contractor having built a lot of stuff, so that does not bother me. keithkelsch@hotzing.com.

Keith Kelsch Sorry but I didn't have internet access on my last job in Ohio. I am currently in Florida and I have access here. I think this video i made would be a better help for how to cut the struts for you. It is labeled #3 but it will help the most I think. Sorry it took so long to get back to you. cal how to cut hubless struts for a 3V geodesic dome #3