here's the plan....


go to home depot, get enough pvc to make a 42x78 frame, get joints and all that, and some matte black spray paint.

go to a fabric store, and get some rip-stop nylon for the net.

should be interesting.. still thinking of ways to fasten the fabric to the tubes

I've done that. All you really have to do to fasten the fabric is fold the corners so that it stays on like a fitted sheet does on your mattress. Also, it's a good idea to sand down the ends of the pvc pipe so that you can easily get them out of the fittings... they typically fit really tight; I had a hard time pulling them apart till I sanded down the ends.

thank you. i've never touched rip-stop nylon so i didn't know what the material was like.

you may find that this panel is only a bit more expensive than the fabric.
It has elastic across each corner to hold it onto the frame.
The page also shows some clips they sell to secure the fabric to the tubes.

Another option is to buy some PVC pipe that will just fit over the pipe you're using for the frame, then cut away enough of it so it will form a clip.

Painting the tubing is probably a waste, since it is likely to come off and get all over the fabric.

dmward, which panel?

sorry, meant to add this link: http://www.calumetphoto.com/item/RM7360/

dmward wrote:
sorry, meant to add this link: http://www.calumetphoto.com/item/RM7360/

thank you, dmward. but i was looking for black... and i found the BLACK\SILVER on calumet but i'm finding it hard to spend 67 dollars on it.

I tried painting a similar thing and the paint flaked off in short order, Either use really good paint. or maybe a matte clear coat or sand down the shinyness of the tubes. But the best way is to not paint it.

mluckasavage wrote:
still thinking of ways to fasten the fabric to the tubes

A 3/4" or 1" wide piece of elastic sewn diagonally to each corner does the trick pretty well (like this: http://owney.smugmug.com/photos/275546902_PWHru-L.jpg).

I'd also suggest cutting and sewing your fabric first, then building the frame to fit. Much easier to get a nice, tight setup that way.

I wrapped the nylon around the frame I built and then glued small velcro pieces around the perimeter. Works well.