A PACK-AWAY SCOPE SCREEN

By Eric & Margaret Hawksworth

 

Eric & Margaret are members of the Single 8 Association and we would like to thank them for the use of this artilce which appeared in the Single 8 Newsletters. Eric & Margaret would be willing to accept any unwanted single 8 films should CRC members have them.  It is assured that such films would come to a good home and be well looked after.  Their address is:- 41. Hawside Lane, Marton, Blackpool, Lancs. FY4 4AP. 

Designed to pack away into a 40" x 40" tripod screen box this easy DIY product produces a 30" x 80" `Scope screen built mainly from materials obtained from your local hardware and fabric store. 

Originally intended to fit across the back seat of our mini for easy transportation - along with the projector stand and the trusty Elmo 160, total cost £10. 

The sketch shows how the portable screen hangs on the tripod support of the 40" square screen - with this screen left vertical and unrolled. 

SCREEN SHEET.
                                This item is a piece of pure white heavy-weighted cotton twill measuring 80" off the roll and then cut down to 36" width.  The twill gives an effective slightly lenticular surface to the finished screen with excellent reflective qualities.  Margaret machined a small hem down both ends of the cloth to neaten the edges and then turned and machined 3" deep pocket hems along the top and bottom as shown.  Strips of 1" wide white elastic are sown across the ends of ends of these pocket hems and these serve to tension the screen sheet sideways after the expanding metal tubes are later fitted.

EXPANDING TUBES
                                           The two tubes that slide into the top and bottom pocket hems are modified from a pair expanding garden clothes line props.  These are galvanised steel items with plastic thumb screws and fittings available everywhere. 

Since the intention was to make the screen fit into the cardboard screen box, which actually measured 44" long, we had to trim a bit off the sliding tubes so they would fit, when closed together, into the case.  The plastic bit that is intended to fit into the clothes line is sawn off as shown.

SUPPORTING CHAIN
                                           This item is made from two pieces of thin brass chain hooked into a centrally mounted large split ring.  The chain ends are attached to the upper expanding rod by means of a split ring and bolt as shown.  Since you need to pass the chain through the upper pocket hem when assembling, one side has a dog lead type clip to hook into the big split ring.  You need to adjust the point of balance of this ring so the screen hangs truly vertical for showing.

ASSEMBLING THE SCREEN
                                                       Lay out the screen sheets and thread the two expanded tubed rods through the top and bottom pockets.  You can adjust the rod lengths by tightening the plastic thumb screws through the thickness of the cloth then stretch the tensioning elastic bands over the tube ends as indicated.  The top chains are drawn through and secured to the central split ring ready for hanging the screen to the top of the opened tripod support in the usual way.