PVC or Metal Framing?

[adstotz]

Looking to build a frame that is roughly 15' x 8.5' x 1'. I've seen some folks using metal piping and others using PVC (of different diameters). Any experience on flex and sturdiness? Is PVC good enough or only metal will do?

[Boo Radley]

1" EMT pipe from Lowes ,with fittings from www.tarps.com makes a good solid frame that goes up and down easily.

[Dax]

I second the 1" EMT pipe.

[wbond]

Third the 1" emt and use tarps site for fittings. Works great

[leoapd]

I have not looked yet, but Lowe's not offering fittings for 1"EMT? Redoing my setup, and plan on EMT frame...8'5 high by 9 wide...probably go 10 deep.

[Mazenblue]

1" EMT pipe from Lowes ,with fittings from www.tarps.com makes a good solid frame that goes up and down easily. Boo is right, I have two of these. You can custom fit it for just about any size you need. I think it was about $60.00 for the fittings and the emt is about $ 7.00 a piece.

[liturbo]

I use 1" emt for my frame and it wirks well. My screen ihas pockets on all 4 sides that uses 3/4" pvc covered with foam pipe insulation to keep the screen taught and flat. The pvc pipe used on the bottom of my screen has cracked in multiple places from impact with the golf ball. So, depending on your screen and net design if ball impact is possible the pvc won't last long. Also even 1" pvc is very flexible and @ 9-10ft in length it will need support in the middle to prevent sagging. I am going to replace it with emt pipe. Hope this info is helpful.

[wbond]

Sounds like you have the same screen i do. Instead of possibly putting emt inside the pockets, have you considered those tarp clips that have been mentioned? So far, i'm not sold on the pvc inside the pocket more so do to the lack of tension vs getting broken or cracked.

I use 1" emt for my frame and it wirks well. My screen ihas pockets on all 4 sides that uses 3/4" pvc covered with foam pipe insulation to keep the screen taught and flat. The pvc pipe used on the bottom of my screen has cracked in multiple places from impact with the golf ball. So, depending on your screen and net design if ball impact is possible the pvc won't last long. Also even 1" pvc is very flexible and @ 9-10ft in length it will need support in the middle to prevent sagging. I am going to replace it with emt pipe. Hope this info is helpful.

[gene438]

I echo the above, I went with 1" emt and a corner kit from Amazon...my total cost was about 120 for frame and another 100 for the heavy duty tarp.

[leoapd]

What are the dimensions of your setup? I can only go 8.75 high, but won't be swinging inside enclosure

[gene438]

Screen is 9 x 10 and the enclosure goes out 5 ft

[Wundej]

I use 1" emt for my frame and it wirks well. My screen ihas pockets on all 4 sides that uses 3/4" pvc covered with foam pipe insulation to keep the screen taught and flat. The pvc pipe used on the bottom of my screen has cracked in multiple places from impact with the golf ball. So, depending on your screen and net design if ball impact is possible the pvc won't last long. Also even 1" pvc is very flexible and @ 9-10ft in length it will need support in the middle to prevent sagging. I am going to replace it with emt pipe. Hope this info is helpful.

Agree on the PVC cracking. I built a 10x10x8h of 1.5" pvc to use outside with a harbor freight mesh tarp. 3rd swing with it, PW and hit perfectly in the middle of the top/far pipe. Face-Palm moment there. So now I'm going to change the setup so the tarp drops in front of the top pipe. It'll require more ties, but shouldn't be bad.

[liturbo]

wbond I just purchased the tarp clips from the Amazon site that was listed in another post last week. I like the full framing idea using some form of pipe in the pockets of my Supertex screen. I have no waves using this method but it is a cumbersome setup especcially if you have to take it down for any reason. I have removed the pvc piping from the bottom pocket and used the tarp clips instead to create a rollback setup at the bottom of my screen. The clips hold well but I have not yet used them for the top and sides of the screen. That said, I will give the tarp straps a try soon since I need to disassemble my setup to move it to another part if my garage. wbond have you tried the tarp clips on the full screen and if so how do they work?

[wbond]

I haven't tried the tarp clips yet. When they sent me the screen they didn't include the straps so i had to use velcro strap. They sent me the straps that are supposed to be used with the screen, so i'm going to change it out to those and see if i like them better. If not, i will go to the tarp clips. I only secure the top and sides. The bottom hangs freely.

[liturbo]

My experience with using the straps that come with the Supertex screen has been good. The supplied straps are a little bit difficult to synch tightly to the frame but they work fairly well only occasionally needing to be retightened. My reason for going with the tarp straps (if they work) is that I think a setup using them will be easier to disassemble.

[adstotz]

Thanks everyone for the answers. Super helpful! I'll be going with 1" EMT and fittings from tarps.com. I can let anyone know how it goes when its complete.

[wbond]

Good luck with your setup. Post some pics when you are finished.

[captain597]

I'm just starting my build too. I went with 1" conduit. Seems sturdy enough. My dimensions are 9' w x 8.5' h x 5' deep. I am gonna pain it black and I am currently waiting on delivery of netting from West Coast. I haven't pulled the trigger on an impact screen, that might be a few months down the road when I buy a projector.