My WA, DW, aluminum frame screen build

Hi 20fan,

Have seen 8020's products at 8020.net & wondered if a frame made out of their "Quick Frame" would be sturdy enough. I see you have two center supports, did you place the velcro on those supports as well (looks like it in the photos) ? How sturdy is the frame ? Guess the shorter lengths saved on freight, instead of having to ship full width tubing. Are the connectors smooth / level with the tubing surface & do not cause ridges in your screen surface ?

Thanks for sharing! Sorry to ask so many questions.

Guys, 8020 also makes all kinds of T-slot stock products, just like Bosch.

John

Very nice!

I'm just trying to understand, so you attached DW to the whole frame and then used 3" black velvet on DW for the border? How did you attach the DW to frame? I'm looking to build my first 120" screen and this seem simple enough. I have a local distributer here in MN and maybe I'm going to give this a shot.

Edit: I see how now. Is that velcro on the DW and velcro on the frame? I though the frame was on the DW on the second picture.

Nicely done man, 80/20 is about half an hour away from me and I'm thinking about stopping up there to see what I can do for my screen when it comes time to make one. I have to have mine in the middle of the room because it'll be in front of a huge sliding glass door that I think I've opened about 3 times in four years, so I'm not going to miss being able to use it.

Good looking screen, good job. That frame is pretty cool with those connectors. Nice and easy huh? There is a huge metal shop down the street from me, they have aluminum tubing too. My guess is that it's pretty cheap too...hmm. For me it's time vs. money (spent well).

...........one that a great many people could/can/will benefit from. It comes out to be about the same price (...a little less actually....) than wooden Canvas Stretcher Bars, and the representations of the Tubing showing the protruding edges means the BOC/SMX/Sheerweave folks have something else to consider, something with a built-on tension relief.

Once again, excellent find/work 20fan!!

That is another thing it would be helpful to, and appreciated as well if you were to relate more upon.

Brand of Tape/source

Is it actually "Black Velvet"?

A really decent Adhesive backed Black Velvet would be great to have access to.

...........at a decent price.

Well, such things would be expected. Simple doesn't mean "error free".


Funny how that website keeps popping into this DIY Forum. Previous Threads, and their introduced Links to it have been moved or deleted when the subject was centered around their selling Mfg.Screen material. That they list the BV Tape is as a "We had a "Black Velvet Tape" Mfg and made for and intended specifically for use as a Screen Trim" only helps to complicate things because in actuality, any such product serves to help the "less than proficient with tools" DIY'er wind up with something pretty darn nice.

In this instance, I ain't got the heart to complain.

It was/is still a good find 20fan.

this may be just what I'm looking for. I like the idea of using tileboard with the velcro method black widowed. And you said about 100 bucks for the screen size you bought?

20fan, I'm looking at the website and I would like a frame the exact same size as the one you had them build for you. Could you either post the sizes of the lengths of 1 inch tubing you had them cut in a pm or on here? Also, I'm guessing you used 4 90's and 4 T's. Is there a specific style of these links I should ask for when ordering? Thanks in advance
edit: actually, now that I'm thinking about it, I'm just being lazy. It would be easy enough for me to measure out.

Thanks 20fan !

that's exactly what I needed. Much props, will post regarding progress. I don't see why this won't work for me. Cheap, light, seems sturdy and is hangable. The kicker is the tileboard and whether or not it is too heavy, but I highly doubt it. I have my wagner all ready to go, now I can order my paint for the black widowing

Hey,

This is a very good find. THANK YOU!!!

Just want to make sure I understand this...

You simply laid the frame on the screen and velcro between the frame and screen? Then you taped velcro over the screen sitting on the frame? Maybe some close ups please?

20fan can you please send me your material list and sources as well?

thanks!

Great Post!

A quick question:

Any problems with the edges > the unsupported 3" of laminate overhang ?

Will this work well for a BOC. I have a 110" wide 16x9 BOC that I want to mount on a frame.

I found a local distributor for this product in Kansas City, Missouri and they quoted me about $93 for a 103x58 screen with two vertical support beams in the middle connected to the horizontal using T-junctions. I am wondering if I can wrap the BOC around the frame and either glue or velcro or even clip it like you said. My BOC has some wrinkles and I need to stretch it enough to remove the wrinkles.

This is actually more expensive than the wood I was going to use but it seems easier to put together.

First up a BIG thanks to 20fan for posting this idea, and to everyone for inputting to this thread.

I have had a roll of DW waiting for me to build a frame. After seeing this thread - I jumped on the Aluminum 80/20 idea.

Last week I ordered the 80/20 "kit" from a local distributor in the Chicago area. The cost came in at $154.00 (shipping extra) for a 104" x 60" frame. A bit higher than I expected but still far less than the value of my time in making sawdust.

Just got a call my frame is in and ready for pickup, 6 days from time of order - I'm happy!!

Hopefully I will have a finished product to post here by next Monday.

Thanks Again!

20Fan:

Thank you! Thank you! Thank you for posting this. I have been running around in circles the past week trying to figure out how to build my own screen and frame (using WilsonArt as my material). I'm a complete idiot when it comes to handyman stuff like this so this is very helpful. However, I have some more total newbie/idiot questions for you...

1. Did you have to cut the laminate at all or was it "cut to size" for you? My understanding is that you have to order WilsonArt by the sheet (you can't have them custom cut). If you had to cut it, what did you use to cut it and any special tips I should be aware of when cutting it?

2. I'm assuming when you order the frame, you just give them the dimensions and they take care of everything for you or do I have to specify more than that (i.e. I need center supports, etc.)? I want a 52" x 92" actual viewing screen size (106") so are these the dimensions I should have the frame built?

3. Any reason you don't just have the laminate line up exactly with the frame - or shorten it so you only have an inch or so overlap of laminate without framing? Just curious why the frame is set 3" in from the edges of the laminate.

4. Where can you purchase "industrial" velcro?

5. This doesn't apply to you so you may not be able to answer it, but any ideas how a guy could mount this frame directly to the wall? I don't have the option to hang it from a ceiling. Can you drill brackets or hooks into these frames???

Thanks!

Travis