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Laminate Screen Material and Testing! - Page 43

post #1261 of 2849
12/24/06 at 3:06pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by tstruth View Post

Wilsonart sheet is around US$350.00

Not much cheaper in Australia tstruth. At this price point i'm struggling to justify a wilsonart DIY solution.
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post #1262 of 2849
12/24/06 at 3:22pm
Quote:


Not much cheaper in Australia tstruth. At this price point i'm struggling to justify a wilsonart DIY solution.

In my opinion it is not worth spending that much on this solution.

For what it is worth I found DW to be virtually indistinguishable from rosco white, white paint . DW I found was so close also to a upw eggshell paint it is not funny .
It has the same sheen as most eggshell paints.

The DW is a great low cost solution to a screen, but when it starts to cost hundreds there are a lot more options open .

Also in a direct comparison The studio 130 really has nothing much to add over a DW solution in IMO.

Bruce
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post #1263 of 2849
12/24/06 at 4:29pm
Thread Starter 
tstruth I agree with Bruce... $350 is way too much. As a simple and easy method here in the state and for those that do not want to paint it is an excellent option for larger screens.

Out of curiosity, how much do commercial screens cost down under?
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post #1264 of 2849
12/25/06 at 1:42pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by wbassett View Post

Out of curiosity, how much do commercial screens cost down under?

Average about $700 AUD, cheapest Iv'e seen being $450 on ebay for 120incher, while $900 being the norm from stores.
I'd say you could generally double what you would pay in the US.

cheers,
rob
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post #1265 of 2849
12/25/06 at 7:16pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by tstruth View Post

BTW I want to make sure before I purchase a sheet as in New Zealand a 5X12 Wilsonart sheet is around US$350.00 - you guys have got it good!

I struggle to believe that (not calling you a liar at all) because here in central PA I can get a 5x8 piece of Wilsonart for under US$80.

!

You really mean US$350.00 ???
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post #1266 of 2849
12/25/06 at 8:06pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by catnip911 View Post

Based on Ericglo's posts in the spring of '05, I put together a 97" DW screen in June of '05. I have "zero" discernible hot spotting and texture using a table mounted BENQ PE7700 in either economy or full lamp mode. Many critical people have viewed this setup with both high brightness and dark content and none have mentioned these problems.

Ericglo, thanks for pointing me in this direction! Couldn't be more pleased.


No problem, I didn't think anyone even read that thread. I spent about a hour taking those measurements, but then no one replied. I thought it was just for my benefit, but I guess someone got something out of it.


Quote:
Originally Posted by rampar View Post

Average about $700 AUD, cheapest Iv'e seen being $450 on ebay for 120incher, while $900 being the norm from stores.
I'd say you could generally double what you would pay in the US.

cheers,
rob

Rob,
When I first mentioned laminates, I considered it a good inexpensive alternative for those that didn't want to paint. In your case, I think it is better to paint. If you can find a turbine sprayer like the one I use from Harbor Freight, then maybe you and some other guys should buy it. Then buy the Aussie equivalent of UPW and a substrate. This should give you a screen for a good price. You might also do a search. There are some Aussies on here who have some recommended products.
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post #1267 of 2849
12/25/06 at 11:48pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by pjohnston007 View Post

I struggle to believe that (not calling you a liar at all) because here in central PA I can get a 5x8 piece of Wilsonart for under US$80.

!

You really mean US$350.00 ???

Yeah That really doesn't surprise me. You have to remember EVERYTHING is importored down there. Real quick one... WAY back when I knew some Aussie sailors that were over in the states going to some of our militarty tech schools. The conversation eventually went to computer and the difference between here and there. Now, this was the mid 80's, back when 3.5 floppies were the dominate storage... In the states you could get a pack of ten for $10 (outragegously expensive compareded to now) but in Austrailia they were paying around $10 per disk (at least that's what the guys where saying). They were flipping out over what we pay for things.

Granted it's 20 years later and I am sure the prices have come down a little, but I bet they still pay a premium over there for things we take for granted...
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post #1268 of 2849
12/26/06 at 4:46pm
Incompetent HD workers are so annoying. I talked to the local Wilsonart distributor and she laughed, but said I had to wait for HD to call to get a price so they could in turn call me back and tell me the mark up. I'm going to be really annoyed if I have to pay excessively for special order transport as the local distributor is only a couple minutes away from the store. Grrr.
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post #1269 of 2849
12/26/06 at 5:19pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by krholmberg View Post

Incompetent HD workers are so annoying. I talked to the local Wilsonart distributor and she laughed, but said I had to wait for HD to call to get a price so they could in turn call me back and tell me the mark up. I'm going to be really annoyed if I have to pay excessively for special order transport as the local distributor is only a couple minutes away from the store. Grrr.

Why are you getting it from HD as opposed to Wilsonart if they're close by? I got mine direct from Wilsonart, as have others.

mech
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post #1270 of 2849
12/26/06 at 8:02pm
Thread Starter 
Yeah ditto on what Mech said...
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post #1271 of 2849
12/27/06 at 5:28am
I searched the thread and couldn't find a exact answer. Does anyone know how thick the 5x10 sheets are?
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post #1272 of 2849
12/27/06 at 5:54am
Thread Starter 
General Purpose Type: Wilsonart Type 107- 0.048 inch nominal (1.22mm)

Vertical Surface Type: ilsonart Type 335 - 0.028 inch nominal (0.71 mm)

Postforming Type: Wilsonart Type 350- 0.039 inch nominal (1.00 mm)
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post #1273 of 2849
12/27/06 at 6:04am
Quote:
Originally Posted by wbassett View Post

General Purpose Type: Wilsonart Type 107- 0.048 inch nominal (1.22mm)

Vertical Surface Type: ilsonart Type 335 - 0.028 inch nominal (0.71 mm)

Postforming Type: Wilsonart Type 350- 0.039 inch nominal (1.00 mm)

Thanks
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post #1274 of 2849
12/27/06 at 4:06pm
We just need the vertical Surface Type... right?

I called the local Wilsonart distributor and the lady said they don't sell directly to the public. Strange, really.
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post #1275 of 2849
12/27/06 at 5:00pm
Try calling around for Kitchen and cabinet places. That is how I found mine 5x10 sheet $50, I think, its been a while.
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post #1276 of 2849
12/27/06 at 7:47pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by krholmberg View Post

I called the local Wilsonart distributor and the lady said they don't sell directly to the public. Strange, really.


I had the same problem so I ended up ordering it from Lowes (just got back from picking it up).
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post #1277 of 2849
12/27/06 at 9:30pm
The wilson art locator has a toggle to go from distributer to dealer.
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post #1278 of 2849
12/28/06 at 5:52am
Hey I have re-read the 1st post but still am not finding if the 4 x 8 sheets are truly 48" or are they 49" ? I'll be going with a 100" screen soon and I don't want to get a 5 x 8 if a 4 x 8 will work for me.
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post #1279 of 2849
12/28/06 at 8:19am
Quote:
Originally Posted by GraveLayer View Post

Hey I have re-read the 1st post but still am not finding if the 4 x 8 sheets are truly 48" or are they 49" ? I'll be going with a 100" screen soon and I don't want to get a 5 x 8 if a 4 x 8 will work for me.

My 5X8 was 60", so I would hazard a guess that the 4X8 sheets are 48". The only material that I recall being wider than advertised is do-able.

mech
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post #1280 of 2849
12/28/06 at 9:13am
Quote:
Originally Posted by krholmberg View Post

Incompetent HD workers are so annoying. I talked to the local Wilsonart distributor and she laughed, but said I had to wait for HD to call to get a price so they could in turn call me back and tell me the mark up. I'm going to be really annoyed if I have to pay excessively for special order transport as the local distributor is only a couple minutes away from the store. Grrr.


Hd wanted to charge me $65.00 plus taxes for a 4x8 sheet of DW. I took a sample over to the paint center and had them match the sample. Had them mix a quart of Behr eggshell UPW and rolled two coat on my blackout cloth and what do you know....I have the same thing for 9 bucks....priceless
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post #1281 of 2849
12/28/06 at 9:57am
Quote:
Originally Posted by tbase1 View Post

Hd wanted to charge me $65.00 plus taxes for a 4x8 sheet of DW. I took a sample over to the paint center and had them match the sample. Had them mix a quart of Behr eggshell UPW and rolled two coat on my blackout cloth and what do you know....I have the same thing for 9 bucks....priceless

That seems like a reasonable price for the WADW. However, I agree; you are sure to get much more more bang for the buck value from your $9 upgrade than you would have from a WADW at 6 times the cost. The law of diminishing (marginal) returns applies very nicely to most projection screens and especially to the DIY variety.
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post #1282 of 2849
12/28/06 at 10:05am
Quote:
Originally Posted by tbase1 View Post

Hd wanted to charge me $65.00 plus taxes for a 4x8 sheet of DW. I took a sample over to the paint center and had them match the sample. Had them mix a quart of Behr eggshell UPW and rolled two coat on my blackout cloth and what do you know....I have the same thing for 9 bucks....priceless

There's been much discussion regarding taking a professional screen, having it scanned by a paint computer, and then having a quart of paint mixed up to match it. I think the same applies to Laminates. Most of the laminate folks don't want to paint. As to the price, with the BOC, framing, rollers, paint trays, etc., you're probably right at the same price as a 4X8 sheet of DW and some mirror clips. I'm sure Clarence, who previously had a painted wall, could espouse about the pro's and con's of paint vs. laminate. This is not to say that what you have isn't a close match to the DW, just that it's not the same thing for 9 bucks. The key is that you're happy with it. And that's all that counts.

mech
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post #1283 of 2849
12/28/06 at 10:42am
Thread Starter 
A lot of the 'scanners' don't really do a breakdown as much as a color 'match' to something they already sell. Not all stores are like that, but it's something to keep in mind.

The white color itself isn't the issue or the key. Some people prefer not to have to bother with painting and the laminates have been tested for color balance and gain.

I'm not trying to pick nits here, but your screen wasn't exactly $9, that was just what you paid for the paint itself. You have to take into account the cost of the BOC, the materials to build the frame, and the time to put it all together. I wouldn't include any border since that is something any DIY screen will need no matter what the method use is. I'll agree that when you include the cost of the paint your total for the screen itself (no border) was probably in the $30-35 range, so about half the price. Painting a wall would be cheaper yet, but personally I'd go with Rosco's white paint or UPW before taking a laminate sample over to the paint counter...

I agree with mech that if you are happy that's all that matters, but it's not exactly the same thing either... the white may be close but the texture and matte surface sheen are not going to be the same. Will it matter that much? Probably not for most people. Also for a 4x8 size screen there are other options that are cheaper and work fantastic. I think the laminate niche is primarily the single sheet substrate over 4x8 size.

For any of the new people reading through this thread, I would also check out other local sources aside from Lowes or Home Depot. Lowes and HD are everywhere and easy, but definitely not always the cheapest.
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post #1284 of 2849
12/28/06 at 11:01am
Quote:
Originally Posted by GraveLayer View Post

Hey I have re-read the 1st post but still am not finding if the 4 x 8 sheets are truly 48" or are they 49" ? I'll be going with a 100" screen soon and I don't want to get a 5 x 8 if a 4 x 8 will work for me.


I just pulled my 4x8 sheet of FG out of the box and measured it...it's 49"x97".
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post #1285 of 2849
12/28/06 at 11:14am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Nick Smith View Post

I just pulled my 4x8 sheet of FG out of the box and measured it...it's 49"x97".

That is great news!

HD doesn't have it in stock but Lowes stocks the 4 x 8 sheets and they only want $35 I'll head up with a tape measurer Hell even if my screen is just shy of 100" that's fine as I don't have to wait 2-4 weeks for delivery
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post #1286 of 2849
12/28/06 at 11:20am
Quote:
Originally Posted by GraveLayer View Post

That is great news!

HD doesn't have it in stock but Lowes stocks the 4 x 8 sheets and they only want $35 I'll head up with a tape measurer Hell even if my screen is just shy of 100" that's fine as I don't have to wait 2-4 weeks for delivery

Hopefully they'll have FG in stock for you. My local HD and Lowes had some panels in stock, but none of them were Designer White or Fashion Grey.

GL
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post #1287 of 2849
12/28/06 at 1:26pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by GraveLayer View Post

That is great news!

HD doesn't have it in stock but Lowes stocks the 4 x 8 sheets and they only want $35 I'll head up with a tape measurer Hell even if my screen is just shy of 100" that's fine as I don't have to wait 2-4 weeks for delivery

Are you sure you are looking at the right stuff? I saw some white formica 4x8 sheets for $35, but it wasn't the rights stuff...the right stuff ended up costing me $70.
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post #1288 of 2849
12/28/06 at 4:13pm
Well employee meat-head factor strikes again. I called ahead. I specified Wilsonart D354-60 and was told "Yep we have the 4 x 8 in stock" (Lowes). I get there and they only have Famica(sp?) Laminate in stock. They had Dove White and it was $47 for a 4x8 sheet. They have the wilsonart available "in stock" in a warehouse so I'll get it in less then a week. Price was $67.20. Tried as I might to get it for the $35 price I was quoted on the phone before I came to the store but it wasn't to be.
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post #1289 of 2849
12/28/06 at 11:33pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by GraveLayer View Post

Well employee meat-head factor strikes again. I called ahead. I specified Wilsonart D354-60 and was told "Yep we have the 4 x 8 in stock" (Lowes). I get there and they only have Famica(sp?) Laminate in stock. They had Dove White and it was $47 for a 4x8 sheet. They have the wilsonart available "in stock" in a warehouse so I'll get it in less then a week. Price was $67.20. Tried as I might to get it for the $35 price I was quoted on the phone before I came to the store but it wasn't to be.

Wait for it, you won't be sorry.
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post #1290 of 2849
12/29/06 at 1:21pm
Well, I haven't heard back from Wilsonart and there website doesn't show a location near me. I ended up ordering a 5'x8' sheet of DW-60 from Lowes. I was annoyed at having to pay $91 but eventually I'll forget it . I'm stoked at the idea of a 110" diag screen from a seated distance of 12'. Perfect for my 1080p PJ that is coming late Jan/early Feb. I can't stop grinning . I already have the velvteen so I should have the frame already finished by the time the laminate arrives.
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