Editor’s note:  It’s been a while since we’ve heard from Prell and his survivalist friend Karl.  (Prell is addressed below by his first initial.)  As usual, they’re doing something innovative that’s related to survival.  View pictures in the short video.  Please feel free to leave any comments and questions.  – John

Dear G.

              Here are some pictures of domes we have made. I figure we may need them for personal shelter and to store some of our possessions in. With clear plastic they could be used for growing plants, of course.

Both are made of schedule 40 PVC in three quarter inch size.  Hubs were a problem at first. Then someone suggested using lids from 5 gallon pails. Someone figured you could wire the struts to the lids using twist wires. I bought a little tool at the hardware store, a hook  that swivels on a handle. It is used to secure rebar before concrete is poured. The lids are very strong and flex to give you the curve the domes need. Also, the lip at the edge of the lids gives you an angle too.

The second dome uses sections of 4 inch diameter PVC pipe for hubs. Holes are drilled for the struts using a 1 and 1/8 inch spade bit. Can you see from the pictures how the struts are held in place? Each end of a strut has two holes drilled through it and galvanized nails are pushed through the holes, one inside and one outside the hub. You can put this design together without any tools. Seems like it would be loose, but the curved form of the dome creates tension and makes the parts lock up.

What do you think G? Could these little shelters be used by the New American Peasant?

If anyone is interested I can supply details.

Karl

Click here for info on domes without hubs.