Burningman 2007:

The Green Man

Skinning the Icosahedron

Now that I have an icosahedron, the tough part starts as I figure out how to cover the surface with wood while conforming to a spherical shape.
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Setting up a sheet of plywood to be a measuring 'card' to determine where the surface of the sphere should be.

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The semi-circular cut in the plywood is larger than the final ball. The paint brush bristles extend just to the future surface.

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Not having enough brushes, I started attaching flexible straws to mark the surface.

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After trying to use my external measuring card/straws, I decided that it was mostly unworkable-even if it does look good.

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Instead, I found the center as near as I could and added a rigid stick to the center of the icosahedron with a string to measure out the 41" radius.

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Here the first few struts are getting beefed up with some 2x4s to mark the surface of the sphere. Glue, and screw, glue and screw...

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As much as possible, I want to use scrap wood, both because of the cost involved, and becaus it is more in keeping with this year's theme. It is gonna take somewhere between 1 and 2 thousand pounds of wood I estimate.

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With the sides strengthened, its time to begin filling in the space between.

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Using the string to 'aim' each board right at the center allows each board to be the same shape-an arc with a radius of 41".

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Rough estimates say I'll need to cut 1500 to 2500 curved pieces like these.

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Essentially, the entire surface of the sphere will be saw cut at some point, and most boards are also sanded before being added to the whole.

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DONE! Now just 19 sides to go!

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A few cut pieces waiting to be added to the second side.

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Ready to start on my other project-a glass logo of the Burning Man symbol for a good friend and great burner.

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Just shooting to use up the roll, looking down the wall at home.

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