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Exo Terra screen lid mod
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<blockquote data-quote="octanejunkie" data-source="post: 200367" data-attributes="member: 3872"><p>And here's is how I did it</p><p></p><p>1. Remove factory spline from lid trying not to rip it.</p><p>[ATTACH=full]59134[/ATTACH]</p><p>I used a small flat blade screwdriver and pick to pry under the factory glue and then pull the spline out by hand.</p><p></p><p>If you rip the spline, no big deal, you can reinstall in sections. If you have to replace it you can get a roll of 5/16" window screen spline and just use that. A 8x8 lid takes 24" of spline.</p><p></p><p>2. Cut.a piece pf hardware cloth just a scootch larger than the outer edge of the spline channel.</p><p>I eye balled it but it's roughly 6.75" x 6.375" - always favor larger than smaller.</p><p>[ATTACH=full]59135[/ATTACH]</p><p>I used tin snips for this. I suggest you wear gloves, but I didn't so I had some blood stains to clean up.</p><p></p><p>3. Cut the corners of the screen so you can fold each side down.</p><p>[ATTACH=full]59136[/ATTACH]</p><p></p><p>4. Tuck the overhanging edges into the spline channel with your favorite flat blade tool. I used the end of a thick metal ruler and/or flat blade screwdriver.</p><p>[ATTACH=full]59137[/ATTACH]</p><p>Repeat on all 4 sides. Get as tight to the inside edge of the spline channel as possible without pulling the opposite side out.</p><p></p><p>This takes a bit of practice but the hardware cloth is as easy to unbend as it is to bend, so mistakes are easily corrected.</p><p></p><p>5. With the screen in place, stuff the spline back into the channel, starting at a corner and anchor with dabs of hot glue in the channel, under the spline.</p><p></p><p>[took two hands, no pic]</p><p></p><p>Drive the spline all the way in using a tool, like a wooden ruler, about 2/3 the thickness of the spline material, to get good grip and positive engagement. Repeat as necessary.</p><p></p><p>6. Load another glue stick into the glue gun and now go all the way around like a welder, dragging a semi-circle bead of glue back and forth across both edges of the channel, covering the spline and both edges of the inside of the channel.</p><p></p><p>You are looking to anchor the spline into the channel, not glue the cloth down; the pressure of the spline against the cloth tucked into the channel is holding the cloth in.</p><p></p><p>7. Let the glue dry. I used the refrigerator for this cause lazy and impatient.</p><p></p><p>Here is my finished product</p><p>[ATTACH=full]59138[/ATTACH]</p><p></p><p>I made 6 of these in a row which took about 2 hours.</p><p></p><p>A 24" roll of 1/4" galvanized hardware cloth cost me $7 at Ace Hardware/Home Depot. I got 3 cut pieces out of each 24" section I cut from the roll.</p><p>I have a crap ton of hardware cloth left.</p><p></p><p>If you want me to do your lids just send them to me along with return postage and a few bucks for materials (glue sticks and whiskey) and I'll be happy to make these for you, too. It's that easy.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="octanejunkie, post: 200367, member: 3872"] And here's is how I did it 1. Remove factory spline from lid trying not to rip it. [ATTACH type="full" alt="PXL_20210822_221501528.jpg"]59134[/ATTACH] I used a small flat blade screwdriver and pick to pry under the factory glue and then pull the spline out by hand. If you rip the spline, no big deal, you can reinstall in sections. If you have to replace it you can get a roll of 5/16" window screen spline and just use that. A 8x8 lid takes 24" of spline. 2. Cut.a piece pf hardware cloth just a scootch larger than the outer edge of the spline channel. I eye balled it but it's roughly 6.75" x 6.375" - always favor larger than smaller. [ATTACH type="full" alt="PXL_20210822_215217320.jpg"]59135[/ATTACH] I used tin snips for this. I suggest you wear gloves, but I didn't so I had some blood stains to clean up. 3. Cut the corners of the screen so you can fold each side down. [ATTACH type="full" alt="PXL_20210822_215312057.jpg"]59136[/ATTACH] 4. Tuck the overhanging edges into the spline channel with your favorite flat blade tool. I used the end of a thick metal ruler and/or flat blade screwdriver. [ATTACH type="full" alt="PXL_20210822_215336671.jpg"]59137[/ATTACH] Repeat on all 4 sides. Get as tight to the inside edge of the spline channel as possible without pulling the opposite side out. This takes a bit of practice but the hardware cloth is as easy to unbend as it is to bend, so mistakes are easily corrected. 5. With the screen in place, stuff the spline back into the channel, starting at a corner and anchor with dabs of hot glue in the channel, under the spline. [took two hands, no pic] Drive the spline all the way in using a tool, like a wooden ruler, about 2/3 the thickness of the spline material, to get good grip and positive engagement. Repeat as necessary. 6. Load another glue stick into the glue gun and now go all the way around like a welder, dragging a semi-circle bead of glue back and forth across both edges of the channel, covering the spline and both edges of the inside of the channel. You are looking to anchor the spline into the channel, not glue the cloth down; the pressure of the spline against the cloth tucked into the channel is holding the cloth in. 7. Let the glue dry. I used the refrigerator for this cause lazy and impatient. Here is my finished product [ATTACH type="full" alt="PXL_20210826_012555956.MP.jpg"]59138[/ATTACH] I made 6 of these in a row which took about 2 hours. A 24" roll of 1/4" galvanized hardware cloth cost me $7 at Ace Hardware/Home Depot. I got 3 cut pieces out of each 24" section I cut from the roll. I have a crap ton of hardware cloth left. If you want me to do your lids just send them to me along with return postage and a few bucks for materials (glue sticks and whiskey) and I'll be happy to make these for you, too. It's that easy. [/QUOTE]
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