Looking for guidance on polycarbonate screen top build

[snowbanked]

Hi,
I would like to build a polycarbonate border screen top similar to those that you can order professionally made (Octo Lids, ect.) Just reaching out to the community to see if anyone had success in this area. I would like to avoid using any window screen border if possible.

Thanks!

 

[reefwiser]

Takes some tools and experience with working with polycarbonate. Many times the cost of the tools cause it to be easier to buy than build your own.

 

[NinjaTiLL]

To make it look nice, you probably aren't going to use hand tools. Those companies probably use CNC machines to cut their materials. You can use a diy-grade CNC machine such as the MPCNC (https://www.v1engineering.com/specifications/) but now you have to learn CAD and "slicers" that generate the machine code (called GCode). If you use powered hand tools, at the minimum you probably need a jigsaw and/or router and get into using clamped guide rails to make your cuts very straight. Good luck. It's easier to buy from someone who does this often and charges a fair price for all the investment in their tools, research and development time, and production time.

 

[laverda]

If you have a good router and bits and are fairly skilled with it you should be able to make one. Just take your time. I am thinking about doing one myself for my new Mangrove Lagoon. I will probably use acrylic as I have plenty of it around already.

 

[snowbanked]

Thanks for the input on polycarbonate machining. I decided to go the quick route and I'll be installing a DD Jumpguard Pro (DIY screentop kit with window extrusion). Long term I think I'd like a polycarbonate top and I would be interested a DIY CNC build to get there but for me that would be a multi-month project to get going. Iaverda, I have heard that acyrlic can warp when used for a screen top, it absorbs moisture more than polycarbonate.

 

[laverda]

Thanks for the input on polycarbonate machining. I decided to go the quick route and I'll be installing a DD Jumpguard Pro (DIY screentop kit with window extrusion). Long term I think I'd like a polycarbonate top and I would be interested a DIY CNC build to get there but for me that would be a multi-month project to get going. Iaverda, I have heard that acyrlic can warp when used for a screen top, it absorbs moisture more than polycarbonate.

Yes acrylic defiantly will warp in flat sheets with one side exposed to moisture. I have plenty of acrylic though and it is thick enough that I don’t think it will be an issue for a frame work structure. If nothing else it will be good practice before making one of polycarbonate.

 

[lagoon360]

Reading through I learned something new, that polycarbonate doesn't warp as much as acrylic from moisture. I lasercut the round frame for my mesh top out of acrylic and do notice a bit of warping. One thing to keep in mind if going that route is that polycarbonate cannot be lasercut.