Homemade projector screen. Stretch ceiling projector screen DIY banner screen

Hello. Today I want to tell you how I made a small projector screen.

You can, of course, buy ready-made ones, but they are usually quite expensive, and a screen is rarely needed. Therefore, we do it ourselves.

We will need:
1. Actually, the screen itself. For this, a piece of white awning fabric, or material for the production of stretch ceilings, is suitable.
2. A piece of sewer pipe with a diameter of 50 mm and a length equal to or greater than the width of our screen.
3. Two bearings 6204
4. Two cuttings for agricultural tools.
5. Two "twist-off" lids from small jars.
6. Insulating tape.
7. A piece of twine.

So, let's begin. First you need to find yourself, in fact, the screen. As I said, for this you can use a white awning fabric, or material for the production of stretch ceilings. (In that case, take a matte one. Glossy material has a lot of glare.) And you can also find the material we need according to its properties from advertisers - on this they print advertising for billboards. I was lucky - after asking around my friends, I found a real screen from the "movie mover". True, he lay in the garage for more than a dozen years, besides, a piece has already been cut out of it. But I still managed to cut a piece of the size I needed - 140 by 115 cm. (Just in case, I kept the 4:3 ratio, while laying the technical margin for the mount.)

After the screen was found, I thought about what can be used as an axis on which it will be wound. The choice fell on these cuttings for agricultural tools, 25 mm in diameter and 1 m 50 cm long. They were intended for hoes (according to the inscription on the price tag in the store), but I used them for rollers when painting walls. That's why they are like this. But it won't stop us:

First, I cut off a piece of the handle, a length equal to the width of my screen, plus two bearing widths. Then I made seats for bearings. To do this, I first made a circular cut with a hacksaw:

Then I cut off the excess thickness with a knife, making sure that the residual diameter was equal to the diameter of the inner race of the bearing, and it fit snugly into its seat:

After that, I put on the bearing and tightly fixed it. To do this, I split the stalk with a chisel:

Then he hammered a pre-made wooden wedge into the slot:

And cut off the excess:

I only loosened one bearing. The second one has not been worn yet.

For reliability, I fixed it with the second row of brackets:

After that, I wound the screen around the resulting axis, put it aside for the time being and started making a casing in which the screen would hide. I decided to make it from a plastic sewer pipe with a diameter of 50 mm:

To begin with, I cut off a piece of pipe, the length I needed, then marked two longitudinal lines on it, about a centimeter apart. As a guide, so as not to take the lines "into a spiral", I used technological inscriptions on them.

With the help of a grinder, I made a cut along these lines and cleaned it with a utility knife and sandpaper.

Attention: after cutting, a lot of debris remains inside the pipe. It must be removed by pushing a damp cloth several times through the pipe.
Next, we insert our screen into the resulting casing, passing the edge through the slot and put on the second bearing on the other side. On this side, we need to make a flywheel for winding the screen into the casing. I had such a handwheel from a children's toy lying around sewing machine:

To mount it, I used this pipe mount:

From it we need only this part:

Since the handwheel has a hole for the axle, with a diameter of 6 mm, and on our mount there is a threaded part with an M8 thread, I reduced the diameter on the emery and made a side stitch. After that, I drilled a hole at the end of the axle, on which the bearing was put on, using a 4 mm drill and screwed the resulting part there with force:

I specifically used a drill with a much smaller diameter - screwing in, the part tightly wedged the bearing.
After that I made the plugs. I made them from these mustard jar lids:

In one of them I made a hole for the shaft:

After winding up the electrical tape, I tightly screwed the covers on both sides:

And for reliability, I also wrapped it with insulating tape on top:

Next, I secured a piece of twine on which our screen will hang. I just tied it to both ends of the casing and taped these places with electrical tape so that the twine did not move to the center. Then I fixed the flywheel:

You, of course, are unlikely to find such a flywheel. Therefore, I advise you to make it as follows: cut a circle out of plywood, 10 mm thick, attach it with two screws to our wooden shaft, and screw a screw at its edge (or use a bolt with a nut) with a tube dressed on it - it will perform the role of the handle. That's how I wanted to make a handwheel, until I remembered about the finished one ..
It remains to fix the second cutting to the bottom edge of our screen. As I mentioned, I got a piece of a real screen, so this part was already sewn along the edge:

Watching movies on the projector will make you feel like in a real cinema. To get a high-quality picture, you will need to purchase or build a monitor with your own hands. Consider what materials are needed, and also describe the sequence of actions for the manufacture of this design.

The screen can be made from various materials.

Choosing material and format

For the manufacture of projector displays use:

banner fabric. The most popular option. It has a high reflection index and is presented in a wide size range.
PVC film. One of the best materials for the manufacture of projector screens. It is easy to find a roll of the required size. The only drawback is the high cost.
Cardboard or fiberboard. A good option save if needed. The product cannot boast of picture quality or durability, but it performs the main task.
Thick fabric (sheet). It is recommended to paint the material with white paint or make a dark cardboard backing. This will increase reflectivity, resulting in a sharper image.
Drywall. It will help to get a high-quality picture with minimal time costs. The material is easy to process.
Wall. Apply white matte paint on it in several layers to get a dense color - the monitor for the projector is ready. Of the minuses: there is no way to move the product.
Coating for stretch ceilings. Of the advantages, we note the high quality of the picture. Of the shortcomings - low strength. The material is afraid of fire, punctures and direct sun rays.

In this video you will learn how to make a screen:

The aspect ratio of the image is one of the best factors in determining the choice of coverage. So, we can get a high-quality and clear picture on the projector display. There are five options:

for cinemas (full screen mode) - 2, 35:1;
standard - 1:1;
video format - 4:3;
widescreen - 16:10;
for TV - 16:9.

Note! If you plan to use the projector to watch modern movies or as a computer monitor, it is better to give preference to the 16:9 aspect ratio.

We calculate the dimensions

To build a display for the projector yourself, you will need to take into account several features: position the projector and the viewing angle for the audience. As a rule, the first places are no closer than two monitor heights. For example, height \u003d 2 m, which means that the first row is located at a distance of 4 meters. Thus, the eyes perceive the picture better. The bottom line of the canvas should be at a height of at least 1.2 m from the floor.

What tools and materials are needed

To make a monitor, you will need the following tools:

fiberboard sheet;
fabric for the screen (as an example, we take 2, 6: 1.6 m);
screwdriver Can be replaced with a screwdriver;
wooden beam - 4 pieces, 2500:40:15 mm;
sanding paper;
aluminum box - 5 pieces, 2500:65 mm;
self-tapping screws for fastening the structure;
pliers;
paint brush or roller, matte white paint;
furniture stapler;
construction knife or scissors for metal;
thin felt.

Do not forget to prepare the necessary material

How to make a projector screen with your own hands: an algorithm for making a screen

To make a projector screen with your own hands, follow the instructions:

Two boxes can be used as width guides. Let's cut two other aluminum profiles to 1.5 m - this is the height. The front side of the structure is sheathed with a wooden bar.
We measure from each corner a distance equal to the width of the box, cut holes with construction knife. Bend with pliers and align the edges. We fasten the metal box with a wooden bar, screwing them together with self-tapping screws.
To give stability to the structure, we install another box in the center. Here we also make holes and bend them with pliers. We attach to the beam.
We sheathe the fiberboard frame, cut off the excess and process the edges with sandpaper. It is better to attach the cover of a homemade monitor to a furniture stapler.
First lay the felt lining. It will level the surface.
We prepare a special fabric. It should not have wrinkles or seams. First we fix the canvas on side #1, proceed to stretching on side #2. Similarly, we fix the fabric from all sides. You should get a smooth, slightly stretched canvas. Cut off the excess with scissors.
Choose a shade of paint. As an experiment, we divide the canvas into three parts. The first is unchanged, the second is white paint, the third is dark gray.
As you can see, in the latter version, the picture has more saturated and clear colors. Behr 770E-2 paint is used here (you can take an analogue)
Using a paint roller, paint the canvas in two layers. After complete drying, go over the surface of the canvas with sandpaper. This will help remove dried paint grains.
To install the product on the wall, we fasten a bar to the width of the aluminum box to it. Since the display is hollow inside, it is easy to hang it on a bar.

If you love cinema, but, alas, there is not enough time to go to the cinema, then buying a home projector will be a great way out. However, the prices are really good devices very bite, and sometimes you have to save on the most necessary accessories. Today we will tell you how to make a screen for a projector with your own hands from - do not be surprised - stretch ceiling. It seems that our instruction with 14 photos will be just right for you to successfully complete this mission.

It is best to choose a matte stretch ceiling canvas for use with the projector (you can find out how to distinguish a matte canvas from a satin one at this link). The gloss will be very glare, which will seriously complicate the viewing of movies. Decide in advance on the screen size, while respecting the aspect ratio of 4:3 or 16:9.

Make an axis for the subsequent winding of the screen from the tension web on it during its inactivity. To do this, you can use ordinary agricultural cuttings with a length equal to the width of the screen. Prudently cut into them with your own hands the landing rings for the bearings and then put on the latter.

Attach a do-it-yourself screen made from a stretch fabric to the resulting axis, use a stapler to securely fix it.

The casing is made from any material at hand, in this case we suggest using a plastic sewer pipe of suitable thickness. Using a grinder, make two incised lines parallel to each other with a distance of no more than a centimeter between.

After preparing the casing, insert the screen into it through the resulting slot. From below, attach the screen from the stretch fabric with a stapler to another handle.

A homemade projector screen has such a set of advantages over purchased models - cheapness and individuality. Yes, with minimum investment you can make a screen of any size and any proportions, based on your personal needs, the capabilities of the projector, the size of the room. Let's find out how to make it.

What requirements must the screen meet?

Any special surface onto which an image is projected must have certain properties, otherwise there is no difference between a screen and plain white plaster on a wall. What are these properties?

Smooth and flat surface. The correct geometric shape of the surface is necessary for the absence of distortion. This is especially important if you want to watch movies or play games with a 3D effect - bumps and curves in the surface will deform the image.
High reflectivity. If the screen material absorbs light instead of reflecting it, the picture will be dull and inexpressive, or you will have to look for a projector with a higher brightness (see how to choose a projector), but the higher the brightness, the higher the price, and more often you will have to change expensive lamp, pay more for electricity. Yes, it's easier to choose. right material, given that the screen surface should not be glossy, but should only reproduce color, and not mirror it.

Noticeable differences in the reflectivity or color intensity of the material are unacceptable, because otherwise the overall visual impression immediately deteriorates.

light weight. Most likely, the screen will be located next to electronic equipment - a projector, a personal computer, a TV, an audio system. There is a risk of a screen with a large weight falling onto a fragile device, from which it may fail.

Based on the requirements put forward, in our review we will not consider the design of a flexible screen that can be rolled up. Moreover, there is no option with an electric drive for folding, since this:

greatly increases the cost of materials for manufacturing (box, electric drive);
requires a lot of labor;
there is a high probability of assembling a poor-quality structure; as a result, the flexible web may deform or even deteriorate when folded.

We will produce a cheap stationary screen that can be made alone and in a few hours. No special skills are required - it is enough to be able to use ordinary tools.

Homemade screen sizes

We need to immediately decide what aspect ratio our design will have. There are the following standards (in order of prevalence):

3:4 (old TV video format);
16:9 (HD-TV);
2.35:1 (IMAX format).

The remaining standards are relatively uncommon - they are rarely used to watch movies.

If you plan to watch mostly new generation movies or use the screen as a computer monitor, it is better to choose the 16:9 aspect ratio.

What to make a screen for a projector?

For self-manufacturing Do-it-yourself projector screens usually use such materials (we list them together with the advantages and disadvantages):

raincoat fabric. A good option. Not afraid of moisture, touches of hands, tobacco smoke.
Dense canvas. Thick fabric is used, such as new sheets white color. To improve the reflectivity, the fabric can be additionally dyed with white paint. You can also make an opaque reflective substrate, for example, from dense black polyethylene.
Vinyl. One of the best options in terms of display quality, however, some problems are possible. The price of vinyl is quite high, you will have to look for a roll of a suitable width, and most importantly, you need to be extremely careful when working with it so as not to tear or stretch the material. In addition, the surface of the final product will also be very sensitive.
Stretch ceiling. If you have the skill of installing "French" ceilings, this may be your option. You just need to choose the right fabric. Pull it onto a frame from a corporate profile - and a great screen is ready!
. One of the most popular options. It has high strength (after all, the material is intended for outdoor advertising, exposure to frost, direct sunlight and wind). Has a good reflectivity. Banner rolls on the market come in a wide range of sizes, making it easy for you to choose the right width for your fabric.

Home craftsmen who have experience in making screens recommend taking a fabric with an opaque inner layer (“blackout”).

fibreboard/cardboard. A good option at the very last limit of cheapness, on the verge of losing screen properties. The final product will not be waterproof, durable and impressive, but it will perform its function quite well.
Drywall. Another popular option. The material is very easy to process, but fragile and relatively heavy. Aligning the deformed area, if it appears, is almost impossible. It is enough to cut a rectangle of the desired size and paint it with matte white paint.
Paint on a specially prepared section of the wall. One of the most simple options. Pros - making such a screen is simple, fast and cheap. In addition, such a screen will never fall. Cons - it cannot be moved if the need arises.

Summing up, we see that there are only two approaches: painting a section of the wall / drywall or using some sheet material, which is usually stretched over a removable frame.

Making a screen by painting a wall

A good option for those who are sure that the furniture will not move, and the walls will not be repainted. The advantage of the technology is that you can paint the entire wall, and thus be able to increase or decrease the image area. Although sometimes craftsmen make a black frame to emphasize the position of the screen in the interior.

The paint color can be white, light gray or even black. The most common color is, of course, white. However, when watching old black-and-white films, a black background color is better, otherwise the balance of contrasting colors looks completely unnatural. Grey colour is a compromise solution, best suited to conventional 2-D films.

The work plan is as follows:

Wall preparation

Preparing the wall:

alignment. Use the building level to determine the verticality and smoothness of the wall. You can re-plaster the wall if necessary.
Padding. The primer paint should be matte and provide the outer layer of paint with the maximum smoothness of the texture.

Coloring

We turn to the choice and application of paint. There are many options on the market for "projector-like" wall painting - all of them are called "screen-paint". There are quite expensive varieties that need to be applied in several layers. They can cost hundreds of dollars. But you can use the paint screen and easier - for 300 rubles of the bank.

It is best to apply the paint with a roller. So you will avoid uneven distribution of paint, hairs that have fallen out of the brush and stuck to the wall, and in general it is faster to paint with a roller.

improvised frame

Most DIYers frame the screen in black, either by painting the frame with black paint or by applying thin magnetic strips to special screen paint (the strips are usually included). But this can be left out in order to save “wiggle room” and not feel uncomfortable watching a movie with a 3:4 aspect ratio inside a 16:9 frame.

Making a screen with linen material

In this case, the work is carried out in two stages:

The first stage is the manufacture of the frame

You need a rigid frame, on which you will need to stretch the canvas. It can be made from wooden beams or metal profile, for example, duralumin. The upper part of the frame, which carries the main load, can be taken from an already finished structure. For example, from tubes for attaching curtains (usually they come with ceiling mounts). It all depends on your idea: where exactly, and how the screen should fit into the interior.

Consider the option of making a frame made of wood. In this case, we need:

straight straight bars of the required length;
metal boxes (profile) made of aluminum or duralumin;
metal corners for rigid fixation of frame parts among themselves;
fabric to create a surface (it is better to take a little more than necessary);
substrate material (thin felt, polyethylene);
tools and consumables (tape measure, construction knife / tailor's scissors, screwdriver, furniture stapler with brackets, sandpaper, hanging ears, self-tapping screws).

The frame must consist of at least 5 parts: four form the perimeter (the actual frame), and the fifth (maybe the sixth) must be inserted between the long sides, adding structural rigidity, otherwise the frame may be warped or twisted (“screw”). It is possible to use strips of dense fabric for mutual tension of opposite sides, but this should be done only after the formation of an exact rectangle.

After sawing the bars, all ends and ribs must be cleaned with sandpaper. You can verify the correct shape of the frame by measuring the diagonals: if the distance between the opposite corners is the same, then the bars converge exactly at a right angle:

The second stage - stretching the canvas

When the frame is ready, you can stretch the canvas (vinyl, raincoat fabric). Work is best done on a soft surface so as not to damage the fabric. We lay felt or polyethylene, if necessary. Next, with a stapler, we nail the material to the tree in this order:

We start from any corner.
We choose an angle along the short side, stretch the material a little and fasten it.
We start from the already nailed short side, shooting the stapler alternately on opposite sections of the long sides. Each time before attaching, the fabric is slightly stretched so as not to leave wrinkles. So we move to the edge of the frame.
We fix the fabric on the second short side and in the last corner.
We finish the work by cutting off excess material with a knife.

If desired, you can additionally paint the surface with a special paint.

We attach ears to the frame for hanging. You can make a contrasting black frame to give a noble look.

In the following video, you can see how a screen with a diameter of 3 m is made from a material for stretch ceilings - a satin whip, which is attached to an aluminum frame:

Video: Homemade PVC banner and cornice screen

In the video below, a home craftsman shows how he assembled a projector screen from the simplest materials at hand:

We found out how and from what you can create an inexpensive and enough quality screen for home projector. We hope that our tips were useful to you, and you will be able to assemble a decent design for your home theater!

In contact with

Studying the topic of a homemade screen on the Internet, you can see that the opinions of projector owners are divided on this issue. Some believe that screen manufacturers use special technologies in the production of projection surfaces. Others accuse the former of naivety and offer solutions that, in their opinion, are much cheaper and no worse than industrial screens. In principle, everything is clear with the arguments of supporters of ready-made screens, and therefore it will be interesting to study the arguments of the second side.

Projector Screen Material

If we undertake to calculate the approximate cost of a home-made screen, then the following picture will come out. Screen size 3.2x2.4 (starting from standard sizes banner sheet) has an area of 7.68 m2. With an approximate cost of a quality canvas of $ 10 per square meter comes out to $76.8. Let's make an extra charge on the frame and get the cost of the screen about $ 100. In the store, screens of this size are sold starting at $300.