Stretching & Framing Spandex for screens

[karmavideo]

I'm going to be using spandex for 2 or 3 screens for a gig on the 25th of July. 3 screens, 2 vjs (myself & murph) It's going to be pretty cool for Des Moines, Iowa.

Frankie Bones & Adam X are coming to the Vauderville Mews, this dope, theatrical bar/live music venue with an awesome 3000 lumin video projector, a huge stage, a killer roll-down backdrop sized screen.

There will also be music outside between the buildings in a brick courtyard (that also has a stage).

We are going to make some odd-shaped screens in the designed form of some letters & some other odd shape.

Does anyone know how far you can stretch spandex?

Does anyone have a suggestion on what is the best material to use to for building these frames? We'd like to do something rounded for the shape, the letters we've got.

Thanks, much

John Bartlett - Karma Video

[holly]

It stretches less than you think. Some spandex is 2-way stretch and some is 4-way. Make sure you stretch it in all directions before you buy or just ask for 4-way stretch. Estimate that even over very large shapes it wont stretch more than 10%. Be conservative when you buy. You can always trim off or roll under any extra fabric. Asymmetrical shapes may not hang flat and you can get ripples in it. Canvas might be cheaper. Experiment and see!

[vjTranceKoder]

I've had some luck with 4-way stretch lycra (best for front projection). It holds gromets well (when doubled-over) and may be cheaper than spandex. Check it out and have a great show!

[wellREDman]

i think spandex and lycra r the same beast, just the old mid atlantic language barrier in action again

[holly]

They are trademarks. Or one is a trademark and one is generic. Essentially they are the same.

[murph]

I feel odd responding, as I'm helping you with the gig, but it might help others too... Keep some things in mind;

1) spandex really doesn't hold gromets well. I guess it depends on how much you're planning on stretching, but we found it to be sketchy at best at the quest. What we do is tie a little knot in the spandex, feed it through a washer, and cable tie the washer to the spandex, with the knot on the opposite end of the pressure, keeping the spandex from slipping through the cable tie.

2) I've never tried rear projecting it, which I think you're planning on. I suspect the 3000 & two 2600's will look just fine, but probably not as good as front projected.

3) I've been looking for a good excuse to beg dave to send some of his screens over here. Maybe this is it.

[vjpixylight]

the spandex screen that I have holds grommets nicely, and can streatch according to the manufacturer to 25% past it's size...
are you guys sure you got spandex??

Murph. it was the large screen at the back of the 2nd room at Avit....

just edited to add:

If you are having problems with the grommets not holding, here is a simple trick..

use a piece of cord(preferable nylon) and fish it thru the grommets so that each grommet will be stretched equally, when stretching the screen...the tighter you can get the nylon cord between 2 poles, the better...(this will be the top height of the screen so get that where you want it..)

With a 2nd piece of nylon cord fished thru the grommets on the bottom, do the same way you did the top, then pull down on the screen to get it stretched to where you want it, and attach it to the same poles..

this will lighten the load on each grommet tremendously, and not give you pointies at every grommet..:)

[karmavideo]

thanks for all the help, everyone. We're going to try and make these screens this week. I'll keep ya posted.

Happy 4th

John

[WileCat]

I just bought a bunch of swim suit stretchy white fabric and read about using poles to secure the ends of it. Where does a person get poles and stands to cart around if I decide to bring my own frame along sometime or another?

Thanks,
Cat

[ernasty]

The 120" spandex I bought from Rose Brand seems to stretch about 30%. I have a design for some aluminum bolt together frames that I'm making. Email me if you want a copy of the design. ernasty@meltlogic.com.

[rickmaersk]

You might find your local theatrical supplier can get products from this company. I've used the filled gauze for front projection. It's easy to attach to frames with gaffer tape. Can be fireproofed with a spray.

[URL=http://www.gi-info.com/catalog.html]

The lightsurgeons ( UK) do a show with a gauze infront of them. Some parts of their show they rear projection onto it. Sometimes you look through it to their main screens. Not as good for rear projection as PVC material.

If you need to re use odd shaped screens the best solution is a pvc surface with welded eyelets and metal frames. Cheaper solution is timber frames so you can staple the material onto it. Hybrid solution is to use steel angle instead of box section and fit a timber trim into the steel angle. This gives you a rigid frame with the freedom to use staples- good for semi permanent screens.

Rick

[stretchyscreens]

So I noticed your post give our Easy Klips a try for gripping Lycra I think its just what you need...
www.StretchyScreens.com/store

You can sort on products to left and choose EasyKlips