If you are trying to understand how a geodesic dome works it is best to build one on a smaller scale. Most of the geodesic domes are made up of triangles to build it on a smaller scale 3 triangles will suffice. The face, the edge and the vortex are the three parts of the triangles. You won't need to use any welding, sanding or sawing to build this model geodesic dome. A site that has step by step
. instructions is geometrydome.com it also has pictures that accompany the instructions.