| Making new window screens [message #185431] |
Sat, 22 September 2012 18:57  |
Coelli
Messages: 136
Registered: July 2012
Location: Los Angeles
Karma: 0
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Our '76 Eleganza came sans window screens and I'd like to try making them. The rounded corners are the tricky part.
Has anyone made new screens/frames, and how did you tackle the corners?
I'm considering a couple of ideas...
- conduit bender?
- heat and bend?
- cut into the frame at the bend so it curves more easily?
- pack the spline channel with something so it doesn't collapse.. suggestions?
Any guidance would be appreciated. Thanks!
Meghan
Meghan
1976 Eleganza II, Los Angeles, CA
Classic GMC Motorhomes Group on Facebook
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| Re: Making new window screens [message #185497 is a reply to message #185482] |
Sun, 23 September 2012 17:05  |
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mike miller
Messages: 3576
Registered: February 2004
Location: Hillsboro, Oregon
Karma: 0
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| Dan Borlase wrote on Sun, 23 September 2012 09:43 |
... My thought is to bend an aluminum rod to the shape of the inside grove in a "c" shape with a 4th side welded to the "c" vertically to complete the square. Then I will split ruber tubeing down the center and use that to hold the screening by friction fit on to the frame. ...
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My thought agrees with Rob... mostly. You would most likely be happier with a set of used screen from a parted out coach or from someone upgrading their windows. You can re-screen the old frames.
They are light so shipping shouldn't be that bad for a full set contained in a flat-pack type cardboard box.
There are two types of screens. As they are totally different, be sure an get screens that match you windows. For info:
1973 to mid 1975 came with multi piece frames, latches that bolt through holes in the window (like the cockpit windows) and screens that need to be moved to reach the latches.
Mid 1975 they changed to single piece frame windows with a latch located the center of the window, reachable without moving the screen.
Most of the major upfitters used the same windows as GM for the same years.
IIRC: There are four sizes of windows used in the "house" part of GMC's: Couch/dinette, bedroom, kitchen/door and a size only used in 23 foot coaches for a kitchen window. (And I THINK that was only in the early 73/74 23 footers.)
Mike Miller -- Hillsboro, OR -- on the Black list
(#2)`78 23' Birchaven Rear Bath -- (#3)`77 23' Birchaven Side Bath
More Sidekicks than GMC's and a late model Malibu called 'Boo'
http://m000035.blogspot.com
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| Re: Making new window screens [message #185503 is a reply to message #185431] |
Sun, 23 September 2012 18:22 |
Coelli
Messages: 136
Registered: July 2012
Location: Los Angeles
Karma: 0
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Thank you guys so much for the advice - as serendipity would have it, Phil Hernandez had a set of front and rear screens he gave me for a song when we went to his place today for some other parts. I was positively dancing when he said he had a set just sitting around!
Dan, I'm glad to hear your kitty came back and so quickly. We have small dogs so once we're finally road-ready, I definitely want to be able to open the windows without too much worry about escapees.
Meghan
Meghan
1976 Eleganza II, Los Angeles, CA
Classic GMC Motorhomes Group on Facebook
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| Re: Making new window screens [message #185534 is a reply to message #185482] |
Mon, 24 September 2012 01:01 |
Coelli
Messages: 136
Registered: July 2012
Location: Los Angeles
Karma: 0
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| Dan Borlase wrote on Sun, 23 September 2012 09:43 |
Megan...I have been thinking of this project ever since our new kitty "escaped" through one ot the rear windows...gone for the night but showed up the next morning. My thought is to bend an aluminum rod to the shape of the inside grove in a "c" shape with a 4th side welded to the "c" vertically to complete the square. Then I will split ruber tubeing down the center and use that to hold the screening by friction fit on to the frame. Obviously the correct dimentions will be critical although I dont intend to "slide" the screens open...I'm only interested in keeping the cat in and the bugs out. I'll post the sucess/failure of the effort as it unfolds....Dan
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Dan, I lucked into a set of OEM screens today but found this tonight when looking for something else:
http://www.rvwindow.com/4.html
The very first product on the page looks like it might be corners you can use with regular straight screen frame to fit Hehr windows. Worth a shot!
Meghan
Meghan
1976 Eleganza II, Los Angeles, CA
Classic GMC Motorhomes Group on Facebook
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| Re: [GMCnet] Making new window screens [message #185556 is a reply to message #185535] |
Mon, 24 September 2012 09:15 |
jhbridges
Messages: 8412
Registered: May 2011
Location: Braselton ga
Karma: -74
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Well, what I need is something to keep a 125pound dog from exiting the coach through the screen. I currently keep the window over the couch closed cos that's where he lounges unless he's flopped under teh A'c on the floor. The screens fitted to the coach ain't even going to slow him down if he decides something needs attention outside.
--johnny
'76 23' transmode norris
'76 palm beach
From: Mickey Space Ship Shuttle <mickeysss@me.com>
To: gmclist@temp.gmcnet.org
Sent: Monday, September 24, 2012 2:08 AM
Subject: Re: [GMCnet] Making new window screens
This is a great design. Great for pets and could be used for any door. Magnetic window screens would also be interesting.
https://www.buymagicmesh.com/?tag=im%7Csm%7Cgo%7Cgn&a_aid=011&a_bid=d330313e
Here is a mild solution for sun at the door. interesting.
http://www.shadyboy.com/
Mickey
77 palm beach ball
anaheim ca.
On Sep 23, 2012, at 11:01 PM, Meghan wrote:
>
>
> Dan Borlase wrote on Sun, 23 September 2012 09:43
>> Megan...I have been thinking of this project ever since our new kitty "escaped" through one ot the rear windows...gone for the night but showed up the next morning. My thought is to bend an aluminum rod to the shape of the inside grove in a "c" shape with a 4th side welded to the "c" vertically to complete the square. Then I will split ruber tubeing down the center and use that to hold the screening by friction fit on to the frame. Obviously the correct dimentions will be critical although I dont intend to "slide" the screens open...I'm only interested in keeping the cat in and the bugs out. I'll post the sucess/failure of the effort as it unfolds....Dan
>
>
> Dan, I lucked into a set of OEM screens today but found this tonight when looking for something else:
>
> http://www.rvwindow.com/4.html
>
> The very first product on the page looks like it might be corners you can use with regular straight screen frame to fit Hehr windows. Worth a shot!
>
> Meghan
> --
> Meghan
> 1976 Eleganza II, Los Angeles, CA
> http://www.facebook.com/ClassicGMCMotorhomes
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
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Foolish Carriage, 76 26' Eleganza(?) with beaucoup mods and add - ons.
Braselton, Ga.
I forgive them all, save those who hurt the dogs. They must answer to me in hell
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| Re: [GMCnet] Making new window screens [message #185561 is a reply to message #185556] |
Mon, 24 September 2012 10:58 |
Coelli
Messages: 136
Registered: July 2012
Location: Los Angeles
Karma: 0
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Senior Member |
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| Johnny Bridges wrote on Mon, 24 September 2012 07:15 |
Well, what I need is something to keep a 125pound dog from exiting the coach through the screen. I currently keep the window over the couch closed cos that's where he lounges unless he's flopped under teh A'c on the floor. The screens fitted to the coach ain't even going to slow him down if he decides something needs attention outside.
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You can own the first GMC with bars on the windows. 
My little guys (8 and 16 pounds) are more likely to put a hole in the screen and then go through it - I wouldn't leave them alone in the coach with the windows open because of that. They're less likely to do it if we're around. Maybe I'll see if there's a way to make a hardware cloth shield for the bottom part... Man, if it's not one thing it's another.
My next challenge is finding replacement tracks for the screens if that's possible. The ones in the rear are missing and the ones in front are so brittle they won't last long. Awesome thing about a Nevada coach is the lack of rust; not awesome thing is that all of the plastic in the interior is dried out and brittle from years of baking.
Meghan
1976 Eleganza II, Los Angeles, CA
Classic GMC Motorhomes Group on Facebook
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