DIY projection screen

[Driver_King]

I heard someone say that they made a DIY projection screen that they use that is very good for very cheap. Where is that link? I had an idea of using PVC for the edges and using pool screen material that is nicely meshed together and painting it white. Is that a bad idea?

[Blu-Dog]

Originally Posted by Driver_King

I heard someone say that they made a DIY projection screen that they use that is very good for very cheap. Where is that link? I had an idea of using PVC for the edges and using pool screen material that is nicely meshed together and painting it white. Is that a bad idea?

Depends on where you're doing it...before I went with an LCD, I was looking at this stuff, folks seem to like it.

http://www.goosystems.com/

I'd start there. My research is about two years old, there is probably updated info on how to do treatments to fabric, and what to use. I was just going to put it directly on a wall.

[My_Two_Cents]

Here's a good one I found some time ago:

http://www.projectorcentral.com/diy_screen.htm

[Rob71]

http://www.buildyourownprojectionscr...log/c1_p1.html

I was going to try these guys, but I was on Beta Man's thread the other day and he mentioned white laminate. I just so happen to have a roll of white laminate laying around the shop so...

Now i just have to buy my projector a little sooner than I was planning.

edit: Wilsonart Designer White pattern number: D354-60

[Beta Man]

I made my screen from Black-out-cloth, 1x4 pine (the fancy kind though), and black velvet tape (from the DIY projector screen website listed above)


It looks GREAT, and I didn't paint it.... I did buy a package of fabric staples for my staple gun though..... it's a very nice, and VERY taught screen.... because the BOC can be stretched pretty well....... I wish I had a complete "step by step" summary with pictures, but honestly, measuring, cutting, stretching (which I did myself, and would have been easier with help) and adding the border, probably took all of an hour or so

I needed to add wood blocks on the back of the upper frame, and did a "hook and eye" to hang it from my angled attic ceiling/wall

I need a new picture, because I've raised the screen almost TWO FEET since I couldn't reposition the projector the way I wanted to, and the screen was hung too low.


Here's the screen before I moved it.... heck.... a couple of them, there weren't even speakers at the house yet

[Driver_King]

Would this screen work well? Don't forget I have a tiny room and can't utilize a larger screen.

[Driver_King]

Originally Posted by Beta Man

Whenever I get a dedicated Home Theater Room, that's the screen I'd make.

[LifeOfAPirate13]

Thats pretty awesome for a DIY screen.

[Beta Man]

Originally Posted by Driver_King

Would this screen work well? Don't forget I have a tiny room and can't utilize a larger screen.

sure it'd be small...... but the problem with that one is the 1:1 aspect ratio...... you don't want that.

[Snowgod]

I also used the Blackout Cloth (JoAnne Fabrics) and stretched it on a 1x4 wooden frame. I have painted it with Black Widow screen paint (mix it yourself) after 2 coats of Kilz 2 as a primer. Basic BOC screen was better than I expected but the Black Widow screen paint is wonderful.

[Driver_King]

How much did that cost you?

[Beta Man]

Originally Posted by Driver_King

How much did that cost you?

Mine cost about $65 or so because the border tape is pricey (but well worth it) If you wanted to add the paint, the cheapest way, would be to use extra coats (no primer so you only have to buy one type of paint) and you'd only need a quart or so.... so add $10

[Driver_King]

That's a pretty good price there. I only need a 60" or so screen. Any ideas on where I could get that size screen?

[Beta Man]

Originally Posted by Driver_King

That's a pretty good price there. I only need a 60" or so screen. Any ideas on where I could get that size screen?

What projector???? It shouldn't cost that much for one on Amazon..... otherwise give that "Designer White Wilson art Laminate" a shot..... you can buy one piece large enough to cut into 2 screens for $40 or so

Home Depot carries it.

[Driver_King]

Alright, I may be checking that out later.

[Cwoodall334]

I would try out the laminate route. I had a DIY screen I made with blackout cloth, and the screen was fine for a bit. The only problem was after a while, the cloth began to lose it tension, and then wrinkles began to appear. I was going to remove some of the staples to fix the problem, but I put so many staples into it that it just didn't seem worth it to me. I got my laminate the other day from Lowe's (it was like $46 + tax) and it works great. There's no hot spotting and no wrinkles, nor will there ever be wrinkles. Anyways, just something to think about.

[Driver_King]

$46 for everything?

[allstar780]

I have a friend who made a 120" screen and it looks great... i'm not sure what he used but it was impressive... his PJ is about 2 years old and its a 720P panasonic... so its a decent PJ but the screen really impressed me the first time i saw it... it cost him about $100 for all the materials and he's changed houses since he first made it and it survived the move fully assembled just fine... i'll see if i can convince him to type up a quick how-to as he's made 2 or 3 before and the last one he made before this one was almost 6 feet tall and looked amazing... i've only seen pictures but it looked probably about as good as beta's :P

[Cwoodall334]

Originally Posted by Driver_King

$46 for everything?

$46 for the laminate.

[Rob71]

Originally Posted by Cwoodall334

I would try out the laminate route. I had a DIY screen I made with blackout cloth, and the screen was fine for a bit. The only problem was after a while, the cloth began to lose it tension, and then wrinkles began to appear. I was going to remove some of the staples to fix the problem, but I put so many staples into it that it just didn't seem worth it to me. I got my laminate the other day from Lowe's (it was like $46 + tax) and it works great. There's no hot spotting and no wrinkles, nor will there ever be wrinkles. Anyways, just something to think about.

What did you use for your frame? I have a tank of spray adhesive(I build counter-tops) and am considering just adhering it to the wall and then just make some moulding to trim it with. Only downside I can see is once it's up, it's there for good.