Starting new build, 12' x 8' EMT enclosure

[Shardak]

I have had a Netreturn Pro, with a couple different impact screens, for the last 2 years. I like it, but wanted to go larger, and wanted a screen that I can get perfectly flat.

Today I picked up the 1" EMT. I ordered the corner fittings from Carls. I paid too much for the fittings, tarps.com has the same items for 50% less than Carls (didnt see that till I placed the order)

I am going to purchase the new Par2Pro SQ screen as well. Not sure on what else I will need. At least blackout fabric, and possibly some kind of backstop netting.

I will post some pics along the way to help out anyone else considering a DIY build.


So far I have purchased:

- 14 sections of 1" EMT (Home Depot, $100)

- Fittings from carls place ($150...you can get the same from tarps.com for $75)
6 x F3
2 x F4 - 90°
4 x FC
2 x FL
2 x FT

- 50pcs 9" ball bungee's ($16 amazon)



Still need:
- screen (par2pro SQ)
- blackout fabric (no idea)
- netting (is it needed?)
- backstop behind screen (does it reduce bounce/noise, increase screen life?)

[Shardak]

Last night I wrapped the sides and back of the enclosure with a massive piece of 16oz commando cloth. There is now no light hitting the wall behind the screen. Honestly I cant really see any image quality changes, but its nice to be totally blacked out.

I think I have only a couple tasks remaining.

1) I ran out of pipe clamps, so ordered another package of them. I was using the 1" version, which is really tight on 1" EMT. So I have ordered the 1.25" version, hopefully it wont be too loose.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B075YFPVHG/

2) I have ordered a 12 foot section of commando cloth to cover and hide the screen baffle that runs on a wire rope in front of the top crossbar. I ended up making a sleeve filled with pipe insulation as the baffle. It seems to work pretty well, but the wire rope that it hangs from is visible. So I am going to drape a piece of commando cloth over the baffle and back to the crossbar. This will cover up the wire rope and turnbuckle.

3) I may get some padded gym-flooring or something similar to lay in front of the screen. I get some balls bouncing high off the floor as I have no padding there now, just a Big Moss putting green.


I am nearly complete. Very happy with how it turned out.


Here is a pic of the setup in action last night. I think its helping my game...I was hitting laser straight 7 irons for about an hour last night.

[wbond]

Come on, you couldn't hit the centerline!!!

JK, nice shot and that setup looks really nice.

[Golfbeat]

Is that a 4:3 ratio or 16:9? It looks quite wide?

[Shardak]

16:9

I sometimes use 4:3, which fills the screen more. But I think I like the wide-ness of 16:9, even if it doesnt fill the height of the screen.

[Timdm3]

Looks great Shardak . How is your new screen holding up? I've got a few hundred shots on mine and no signs of wear yet.

[Shardak]

Looks great Shardak . How is your new screen holding up? I've got a few hundred shots on mine and no signs of wear yet.

I havent been hitting too much, as I have been re-organizing my whole garage along with building this enclosure. Probably have less than 300 shots total. So far, there is no sign at all of any wear. Its great.

[Shardak]

I have been using my projector for audio, and decided to upgrade the sound.

Q Acoustics 3020 speakers
SMSL AD-18 amp

Now I can listen to music at least. The projector speaker sounded so bad I never attempted it. These speakers sound OK, perfect for the garage.

[Pgmcl]

Thanks for the recipe, built this over last three weeks, went 12x10 to maximize short irons. Used Carl’s premium on screen, really like it. Need to decide if commando cloth is enough shank protection - may need to beef up the sides. Using a true strike mat but have some waves in gel pad not sure if it’s from the cold weather up here in MA. Time will tell. Love the details on this forum.

[geneazevedo]

Did the 1.25" version work better or was it too big? I think this is about the only thing I have left to do!

1) I ran out of pipe clamps, so ordered another package of them. I was using the 1" version, which is really tight on 1" EMT. So I have ordered the 1.25" version, hopefully it wont be too loose.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B075YFPVHG/

[Shardak]

Did the 1.25" version work better or was it too big? I think this is about the only thing I have left to do!

Yes the 1.25" version of the pipe clamp fits perfect. Its still very tight, the fabric its clamped to will not move at all.

[Shardak]

Today I added a screen-saver net. I often hit balls without the projector, and hate hitting into an expensive impact screen when I dont need to.

So I ordered netting from west coast netting. It is 13' x 8.5'. I didnt realize that a 13 foot wide net is only 13 feet wide when stretched drum-tight. I should have ordered probably 16 feet wide to fit my enclosure better. But its good enough I suppose. Was about $100 shipped. Its this stuff..rope edge, clear coated:

http://www.westcoastnetting.com/netting-products/sports/golf-barrier/impact/knotted-18-4-207.html

Its installed like a shower-curtain. Its hanging from a wire-rope using small carbiners. When not in use, I just slide it to the left, and can hide it under the cloth that I use for side barriers.

[Fhacker]

Great idea. Have u tried to project also with the net in place r is it too distracting r messes up image too much?

FYI. I now have neturn pro like u had and I have been monitoring your build if and when I go to more permanent setup for ideas. U have provided some great insight and your sim looks fantastic. Thanks

[Shardak]

Great idea. Have u tried to project also with the net in place r is it too distracting r messes up image too much?

FYI. I now have neturn pro like u had and I have been monitoring your build if and when I go to more permanent setup for ideas. U have provided some great insight and your sim looks fantastic. Thanks

Here is what it looks like with the projector on. I guess its playable, but you wouldnt want to do it.

[gnomike]

Shardak - You could have just answered Fhacker's question, but instead you took the extra time to post a pic for everyone to get a clearer idea. Very cool of you. Big thumbs up.

[Fhacker]

Yes thanks for the pic. I agree distracting. Wonder if black netting would be less though. Still a good idea, as I have read about many screens wearing out fairly fast. Only had net on net return so far. For the expense of a new screen it may be worth doing. Will keep in mind if and when I do a permanent screen. Your posts r very informative. Thanks again

[SlipperyPete]

Yes the 1.25" version of the pipe clamp fits perfect. Its still very tight, the fabric its clamped to will not move at all.

Shardak, you mention 1.25” clamps, wondering where you picked those up? I see some on amazon but they are white, is this what you used? And would you recommended those over the 1” if I’m wrapping commando cloth as you’ve done? Thanks so much for posting all this info, I’ve been stealing a lot of this info to help with my build.

[Shardak]

Shardak, you mention 1.25” clamps, wondering where you picked those up? I see some on amazon but they are white, is this what you used? And would you recommended those over the 1” if I’m wrapping commando cloth as you’ve done? Thanks so much for posting all this info, I’ve been stealing a lot of this info to help with my build.

I got the black 1.25 inch version from amazon, they dont appear to be listed anymore.

You can use the 1 inch size, but they are very difficult to get on. You have to bend them open a bit before putting them on the pipe.

[Golfbeat]

Shardak, you mentioned that you use both 4:3 and 16:9 for projection. Do you move the projector to do this?

[Shardak]

Shardak, you mentioned that you use both 4:3 and 16:9 for projection. Do you move the projector to do this?

The projector has a zoom lens with enough range to fit 4:3 or 16:9 images without needing to be moved.

[Golfbeat]

The projector has a zoom lens with enough range to fit 4:3 or 16:9 images without needing to be moved.

What projector do you use?