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Retractable screen bottom weight

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  • Retractable screen bottom weight

    I am trying to replace the 1in EMT at the bottom of my garage sim retractable screen. The EMT bent after a direct hit and ball came flying back. I tried 1in PVC and that worked well until a direct hi-speed hit when the PVC shattered inside the bottom hem of the screen. Someone suggested 1in CPVC Schedule which I will try as soon as I can locate a nearby supplier. Has anyone come up with anything better that weights screen down, limits bounce back on direct hits and works with a retractable screen that gets put away after each use?

  • #2
    EMT wrapped in pipe insulation. If that doesn't work, rigid pipe will.

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    • #3
      Standard pipe insulation does very little if any to slow down the ball. Some have used a firehose filled with sand on the bottom of the screens. I think it comes in different diameters to fit your needs.

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      • bubbtubbs
        bubbtubbs commented
        Editing a comment
        That's actually a really great idea. I've been using 1/2" rigid with a pool noodle around it.

        What about behind the screen in case one sneaks under the weight? Sandbags? Foam wedges?

    • #4
      For what it's worth, I went the route of filling a pool backwash hose with play sand and I'm currently searching for new options myself. I found that the sand slowly pushes away from the middle (due to wormburners) which causes waves in the screen because the tube became lumpy and uneven. I also think there's too much weight as I get a lot of bounce back. (Nothing dangerous but it's annoying that balls roll around my dirty garage floor because the bounce back overshoots the landing turf.). I'm hoping to find a a solution based on a straight rigid material that wont cause dangerous ricochets. I'm yet to find anything though.

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      • #5
        1-inch flat aluminum bar to fill the hem and gutter foam placed in front of the screen bottom to deflect worm burners. If you zoom in on the screen pic you'll see the wedges on the floor in front of the screen,
        Click image for larger version  Name:	image_34537.jpg Views:	4 Size:	71.2 KB ID:	404064
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        Last edited by BoxerGarage; 04-09-2024, 10:05 AM.

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        • andy2001
          andy2001 commented
          Editing a comment
          I've considered that but with a retractable setup I don't love the idea of needing to place the foam wedges in front every time I set up. All things considered, it doesn't really add much time or effort but it's an additional step and something else to store away. At this point it might be the best option, though.

          For the flat aluminum bar, how long is it and how many did you need? Did you do anything to join the bars so the screen doesn't fold/wave in between the bars?

      • #6
        My aluminum bar is 16 feet. So, no piecing together and no wave in my screen.

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        • #7
          Oh interesting. Did you just have that delivered from Home Depot or something? I'm liking this idea more as I think about it. Also, how do you find the bounceback to be?

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          • #8
            The aluminum flat bar is 1.25" x 16' and was part of the retractable screen kit that I purchased from Gungho Golf. Additionally, there are four stainless steel clamps that secure the sreen to the bar. The additional clamps add weight and prevent the screen from bunching up in the middle after that ball hits the scree. I would guess that you could probably get the 1.25" aluminum from Home Depot. I would also suggest that you call Gungho Golf especially if you're ]trying to get the stainless steel clamps. Regarding bounce back, I have no trouble. I would not advise trying the aluminum bar without the gutter foam though. The gutter foam is a must have.

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            • #9
              Much appreciated. Thanks for the tips.

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              • #10
                Our company used to do foam wedges at the bottom and sides. We now fold the bottom over and sew a channel at the bottom, then run a long bungie cord through it, This allows you to have a nice clean bottom and you can adjust the tension easily by how tight you tie it to the side pipes. This also provides better cushion when you hit your driver with 2 degrees LA. You won't have to dodge that golf ball coming back at you... This might be something to think about for your next screen as your wife's sewing machine will not likely fair very well against the screen material. Some of our customer's photos on our site will show both wedges and bottom bungie......
                Keith
                Bullseye Golf Sims
                Last edited by keither5150; 04-10-2024, 01:46 AM.

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