Where can I find a cheap 1-meter-diameter plastic dome?
January 30, 2016 1:07 PM Subscribe
For reasons that aren't important, but are possibly guessable from past questions. I am looking for a cheapish (let's say less than $40) rigid hollow plastic (or similarly rugged and lightweight material) sphere or hemisphere with a diameter of roughly one meter (let's say somewhere between 39 - 43 inches). Any color is fine, as I'll be painting it anyway.
When I was looking for smaller ones, I was able to find lots of plastic planters which worked great. But they don't really make them that big. Fire pits seem to come in that size, but they're seldom anywhere near a full hemisphere and are usually expensive. I did find a mesh fire pit cover that was perfect, but way too expensive for me. I also found some koi domes that would've been perfect if they weren't $200.
When I was looking for smaller ones, I was able to find lots of plastic planters which worked great. But they don't really make them that big. Fire pits seem to come in that size, but they're seldom anywhere near a full hemisphere and are usually expensive. I did find a mesh fire pit cover that was perfect, but way too expensive for me. I also found some koi domes that would've been perfect if they weren't $200.
You could make one out of chicken wire and papier-mâché.
posted by monotreme at 1:34 PM on January 30, 2016
posted by monotreme at 1:34 PM on January 30, 2016
Extended non vented golf umbrella with the handle cut off
posted by tilde at 2:01 PM on January 30, 2016
posted by tilde at 2:01 PM on January 30, 2016
Response by poster: The chicken wire option is on the table, but that'll end up being a lot of work for me as it ain't easy to make a proper sphere, and I am crap at anything even remotely free-hand. Papier-mâché probably isn't weatherproof enough for my needs.
I've thought about the umbrellas. They're certainly the right size, and (practically of by definition) weatherproof. Do you think they'd hold up after the removal of the handle? I feel like if I removed enough of the handle to put something inside, they'd probably just fall apart. It's a possibility.
I'll look into the hydroponics domes. That's definitely one place I haven't looked yet. I have been through all the hardware and craft stores in towns many times. That's where I found those plastic planters that worked for my smaller spheres. And yes, the True Value and the Kroger are still there. The Kroger is about three times as big as it used to be, however. Weather is gorgeous today.
posted by ErWenn at 2:29 PM on January 30, 2016
I've thought about the umbrellas. They're certainly the right size, and (practically of by definition) weatherproof. Do you think they'd hold up after the removal of the handle? I feel like if I removed enough of the handle to put something inside, they'd probably just fall apart. It's a possibility.
I'll look into the hydroponics domes. That's definitely one place I haven't looked yet. I have been through all the hardware and craft stores in towns many times. That's where I found those plastic planters that worked for my smaller spheres. And yes, the True Value and the Kroger are still there. The Kroger is about three times as big as it used to be, however. Weather is gorgeous today.
posted by ErWenn at 2:29 PM on January 30, 2016
Those inflatable yoga balls look about the right size.
This one is almost exactly one meter in diameter. A little more expensive.
To make it rigid, it can be spray coated.
It can be used as a mold, or a base for paper mache.
posted by yesster at 2:50 PM on January 30, 2016 [4 favorites]
This one is almost exactly one meter in diameter. A little more expensive.
To make it rigid, it can be spray coated.
It can be used as a mold, or a base for paper mache.
posted by yesster at 2:50 PM on January 30, 2016 [4 favorites]
If hollow means "lightweight" rather than "i need a spherical void inside" how about filling a beach ball with gap-filling spray foam from a hardware store, and then peeling the beach ball off after the foam has hardened?
posted by zippy at 3:17 PM on January 30, 2016 [2 favorites]
posted by zippy at 3:17 PM on January 30, 2016 [2 favorites]
You can often find the big inflatable yoga balls at places like TJ Maxx, Marshalls, Big Lots, etc. as well as Craig's List, Goodwill and its ilk for much, much less.
posted by carmicha at 3:47 PM on January 30, 2016
posted by carmicha at 3:47 PM on January 30, 2016
If you are careful to get an umbrella thAt locks open and don't cut that part off ...
posted by tilde at 5:57 PM on January 30, 2016
posted by tilde at 5:57 PM on January 30, 2016
I asked a similar question a few years ago when I had to make a Death Star costume. I figured out a pretty good way make one, which I explain here.
posted by bondcliff at 8:27 PM on January 30, 2016
posted by bondcliff at 8:27 PM on January 30, 2016
you need a window display company like Studio Specialties
posted by gillianr at 11:24 PM on January 30, 2016
posted by gillianr at 11:24 PM on January 30, 2016
Response by poster: Hollow is because I need to put stuff inside, so the yoga balls won't help, except maybe as a template for making my own.
posted by ErWenn at 5:14 AM on January 31, 2016
posted by ErWenn at 5:14 AM on January 31, 2016
If paper mache isn't durable enough, maybe try a fiberglass fabric + resin kit.
posted by yeahlikethat at 2:22 PM on January 31, 2016
posted by yeahlikethat at 2:22 PM on January 31, 2016
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posted by RichardP at 1:22 PM on January 30, 2016 [2 favorites]