It has fallen to me to make up about 30 bug cages. The kind 8 year
old kids would toss Lightening bugs into. three or 4 sides wood, 3 or
4 sides window screen.
the trouble I am having is figuring out a good way to contain the
window screen. I tried staples from the Arrow T-50, but that leaves a
nasty edge. I tried cramming T-molding (from Rockler) into a slot,
but the smallest slot I can cut is .125 inches wide. The screen
slides/ pulls out past the T-moulding. I used fiberglass screen, I
was thinking aluminum screen would be too hard to fold into the slot,
and around the corners.
I could get fancy and make a rabbet, than hold the screen with a small
hunk of moulding. But that sounds complicated- remember, I need 30 of
these.
Any thoughts? Have I explained well enough what I am trying to do?
I DAGS already. A lot. Asked a few friends. No thoughts
forthcoming.
Help?!
-Dan V.
On Mon, 10 May 2004 20:59:38 -0500, Dan Valleskey <valleskey at
comcast dot net> wrote:
>
>It has fallen to me to make up about 30 bug cages. The kind 8 year
>old kids would toss Lightening bugs into. three or 4 sides wood, 3 or
>4 sides window screen.
Is making them yourself a point of professional pride, or do you just
think it will be cheaper that way? Most of the dollar stores in my
area have clear bug catching jars with air holes, and a magnifying
glass in the lid so you can get a better look.
I do think it's definitely cooler to have a homemade one. Maybe you
could even teach the kids to assemble them?
Answer -- *DON'T* use screening. Go to a _fabric_ store, and get fine-weave
nylon netting. *Much* more flexible, and a BUNCH CHEAPER, to boot. Yes, the
mesh is somewhat coarser than screening, but you're not trying to keep
_little_ critters (like gnats) in/out. You don't _need_ 'screen' fine mesh. :)
As for securing the edges, use a piece of scrap stock as a 'tack strip'.
run the fabric under the strip, and staple/nail through the strip into
the box below.o
When I was a kid, I used to build _really_ simple ones -- a solid flat
piece for the bottom, a vertical at each corner, and an 'X' across the
top. drape with a _single_ piece of nylon mesh, folded at the corners,
and tacked to the bottom of the base. for a 'fancy' one, I used the
above-mentioned 'tack-strip' to ensure a tight seal, and to provide a
toe kick' type raised base.
Before covering, Cut a hole in the middle of the bottom, with a 'bigger than
the opening' piece that just _sits_ on the inside. Add a _fat_headed_ nail
(or pan-head type screw) a little ways back from the edge of the opening, in
the middle of each side. With a similar nail/screw towards the corner of the
insert piece. Zig-zag a piece of twine around the screws to hold the 'cover'
roughly in place. When the box is 'upright, the mesh is pinned between the
base, and 'whatever' the box is sitting on. And gravity holds the 'cover' for
the opening in place. escape-proof.
To add/remove critters, _invert_ the box, undo the twine (*mostly*, that is,
one side can serve as a 'hinge'); the 'fill the hole' piece falls open,
do what's indicated with the livestock, pull the filler closed, re-wrap
the string, and return to upright.
Voila!
About the only thing that requires _any_ care in the construction process
is smoothing out the edges of the access opening in the bottom of the cage.
Possible splinter issue there.
In article <[email protected]>,
Dan Valleskey <valleskey at comcast dot net> wrote:
>
>It has fallen to me to make up about 30 bug cages. The kind 8 year
>old kids would toss Lightening bugs into. three or 4 sides wood, 3 or
>4 sides window screen.
>
>the trouble I am having is figuring out a good way to contain the
>window screen. I tried staples from the Arrow T-50, but that leaves a
>nasty edge. I tried cramming T-molding (from Rockler) into a slot,
>but the smallest slot I can cut is .125 inches wide. The screen
>slides/ pulls out past the T-moulding. I used fiberglass screen, I
>was thinking aluminum screen would be too hard to fold into the slot,
>and around the corners.
>
>I could get fancy and make a rabbet, than hold the screen with a small
>hunk of moulding. But that sounds complicated- remember, I need 30 of
>these.
>
>Any thoughts? Have I explained well enough what I am trying to do?
>
>I DAGS already. A lot. Asked a few friends. No thoughts
>forthcoming.
>
>Help?!
>
>
>-Dan V.
>
>
One guy sent me an email answer, suggested that, only he added, cut a
rabbet on the inside, to accept the screen. I like that idea. Though
I will mess with some screen spline tonight.
The fabiric thing- I dunno, I'm afraid the bug boxes wouldn't out last
the bugs. 8 year olds are pretty rough on things. (So am I come to
think of it)
Thanks all!
-Dan V.
On 11 May 2004 08:17:53 -0700, [email protected] (Phil Crow)
wrote:
>Could you use fiberglass screen (or maybe aluminum, I don't know) and
>just hot-glue it to the sides?
>
>-Phil Crow
On Mon, 10 May 2004 20:59:38 -0500, Dan Valleskey <valleskey at
comcast dot net> wrote:
>
>It has fallen to me to make up about 30 bug cages. The kind 8 year
>old kids would toss Lightening bugs into. three or 4 sides wood, 3 or
>4 sides window screen.
>
>the trouble I am having is figuring out a good way to contain the
>window screen. I tried staples from the Arrow T-50, but that leaves a
>nasty edge. I tried cramming T-molding (from Rockler) into a slot,
>but the smallest slot I can cut is .125 inches wide. The screen
>slides/ pulls out past the T-moulding. I used fiberglass screen, I
>was thinking aluminum screen would be too hard to fold into the slot,
>and around the corners.
>
>I could get fancy and make a rabbet, than hold the screen with a small
>hunk of moulding. But that sounds complicated- remember, I need 30 of
>these.
>
>Any thoughts? Have I explained well enough what I am trying to do?
>
>I DAGS already. A lot. Asked a few friends. No thoughts
>forthcoming.
>
>Help?!
>
>
>-Dan V.
>
get the right size cutter- either a wing cutter or a straight bit- to
cut the slot for that rubber bead that holds the screen in... what's
that stuff called....?
I made some of these "Critter Catchers" and used the cloth ? screen and =
just stapled it. It worked fine and with the cloth screen there was no =
threat of injury to small hands.
Puff
"Dan Valleskey" <valleskey at comcast dot net> wrote in message =
news:[email protected]...
>=20
> It has fallen to me to make up about 30 bug cages. The kind 8 year
> old kids would toss Lightening bugs into. three or 4 sides wood, 3 or
> 4 sides window screen. =20
>=20
> the trouble I am having is figuring out a good way to contain the
> window screen. I tried staples from the Arrow T-50, but that leaves a
> nasty edge. I tried cramming T-molding (from Rockler) into a slot,
> but the smallest slot I can cut is .125 inches wide. The screen
> slides/ pulls out past the T-moulding. I used fiberglass screen, I
> was thinking aluminum screen would be too hard to fold into the slot,
> and around the corners.
>=20
> I could get fancy and make a rabbet, than hold the screen with a small
> hunk of moulding. But that sounds complicated- remember, I need 30 of
> these.
>=20
> Any thoughts? Have I explained well enough what I am trying to do?
>=20
> I DAGS already. A lot. Asked a few friends. No thoughts
> forthcoming.
>=20
> Help?!
>=20
>=20
> -Dan V.
>=20
>
In article <[email protected]>,
Dan Valleskey <valleskey at comcast dot net> wrote:
>
>It has fallen to me to make up about 30 bug cages. The kind 8 year
>old kids would toss Lightening bugs into. three or 4 sides wood, 3 or
>4 sides window screen.
>
>the trouble I am having is figuring out a good way to contain the
>window screen. I tried staples from the Arrow T-50, but that leaves a
>nasty edge. I tried cramming T-molding (from Rockler) into a slot,
>but the smallest slot I can cut is .125 inches wide. The screen
<...snipped...>
>-Dan V.
>
>
Just put in a few staples to hold the screen than brad a batten over
the edges. Slice some 1/4" strips off a 1X for the battens. I've also
seen some that had a strip of cloth or ribbon glued over the screen
edge.
--
Larry Wasserman Baltimore, Maryland
[email protected]
oh hell- staring me right in the face- of course, screen spline.....
boy do i feel stupid. and I hate to admit- I've been puzzling over
this for a while now.
Thanks! a BUNCH!!
-Dan
On Tue, 11 May 2004 03:39:52 GMT, "Rob Stokes" <[email protected]>
wrote:
>Screen spline is quick and easy. Route/dado the channel into the stock
>before you cut and miter it (glue and brad the corners). Cut and fit the
>screen and press in the spline, then trim off the excess. Screen install
>kits (inc. roller wheel) are cheap and available.
>
>Good luck
>Rob
Screen spline is quick and easy. Route/dado the channel into the stock
before you cut and miter it (glue and brad the corners). Cut and fit the
screen and press in the spline, then trim off the excess. Screen install
kits (inc. roller wheel) are cheap and available.
Good luck
Rob
--
http://www.robswoodworking.com
"Dan Valleskey" <valleskey at comcast dot net> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
>
> It has fallen to me to make up about 30 bug cages. The kind 8 year
> old kids would toss Lightening bugs into. three or 4 sides wood, 3 or
> 4 sides window screen.
>
> the trouble I am having is figuring out a good way to contain the
> window screen. I tried staples from the Arrow T-50, but that leaves a
> nasty edge. I tried cramming T-molding (from Rockler) into a slot,
> but the smallest slot I can cut is .125 inches wide. The screen
> slides/ pulls out past the T-moulding. I used fiberglass screen, I
> was thinking aluminum screen would be too hard to fold into the slot,
> and around the corners.
>
> I could get fancy and make a rabbet, than hold the screen with a small
> hunk of moulding. But that sounds complicated- remember, I need 30 of
> these.
>
> Any thoughts? Have I explained well enough what I am trying to do?
>
> I DAGS already. A lot. Asked a few friends. No thoughts
> forthcoming.
>
> Help?!
>
>
> -Dan V.
>
>
Answer -- *DON'T* use screening. Go to a _fabric_ store, and get fine-weave
netting mesh. *Much* more flexible, and CHEAPER, to boot. Yes, the mesh is
somewhat coarser than screening, but you're not trying to keep _little_
critters in/out. You don't _need_ 'screen' fine mesh. :)
As for securing the edges, use a piece of scrap stock as a 'tack strip'.
run the fabric under the strip, and staple/nail through the strip into
the box below.o
When I was a kid, I used to build _really_ simple ones -- a solid flat
piece for the bottom, a vertical at each corner, and an 'X' across the
top. drape with a _single_ piece of nylon mesh, folded at the corners,
and tacked to the bottom of the base. for a 'fancy' one, I used the
above-mentioned 'tack-strip' to ensure a tight seal, and to provide a
toe kick' type rased base.
Before covering, Cut a hole in the middle of the bottom, with a 'bigger than
the opening' piece that just _sits_ on the inside. Add a _fat_headed_ nail
(or pan-head type screw) a little ways back from the edge of the opening, in
the middle of each side. With a similar nail/screw towards the corner of the
insert piece. Zig-zag a piece of twine around the screws to hold the 'cover'
roughly in place. When the box is 'upright, the mesh is pinned between the
base, and 'whatever' the box is sitting on. And gravity holds the 'cover' for
the opening in place. escape-proof.
To add/remove critters, _invert_ the box, undo the twine (*mostly*, that is,
one side can serve as a 'hinge'); the 'fill the hole' piece falls open,
do what's indicated with the livestock, pull the filler closed, re-wrap
the string, and return to upright.
Voila!
About the only thing that requires _any_ care in the construction process
is smoothing out the edges of the access opening in the bottom of the cage.
Possible splinter issue there.
In article <[email protected]>,
Dan Valleskey <valleskey at comcast dot net> wrote:
>
>It has fallen to me to make up about 30 bug cages. The kind 8 year
>old kids would toss Lightening bugs into. three or 4 sides wood, 3 or
>4 sides window screen.
>
>the trouble I am having is figuring out a good way to contain the
>window screen. I tried staples from the Arrow T-50, but that leaves a
>nasty edge. I tried cramming T-molding (from Rockler) into a slot,
>but the smallest slot I can cut is .125 inches wide. The screen
>slides/ pulls out past the T-moulding. I used fiberglass screen, I
>was thinking aluminum screen would be too hard to fold into the slot,
>and around the corners.
>
>I could get fancy and make a rabbet, than hold the screen with a small
>hunk of moulding. But that sounds complicated- remember, I need 30 of
>these.
>
>Any thoughts? Have I explained well enough what I am trying to do?
>
>I DAGS already. A lot. Asked a few friends. No thoughts
>forthcoming.
>
>Help?!
>
>
>-Dan V.
>
>
On Mon, 10 May 2004 20:59:38 -0500, Dan Valleskey <valleskey at
comcast dot net> wrote:
>
>It has fallen to me to make up about 30 bug cages. The kind 8 year
>old kids would toss Lightening bugs into. three or 4 sides wood, 3 or
>4 sides window screen.
>
>the trouble I am having is figuring out a good way to contain the
>window screen. I tried staples from the Arrow T-50, but that leaves a
>nasty edge.
Staple, but tap them in a bit more firmly if possible; OK if
preassembling and can hammer onto a firm surface. Just don't overdo
it. Then cover with a thin strip of [decorative] wood to hide the
staples. they're just bug cages, so you might get away with a little
glue to hold the cover-strips.
Bill.
On Thu, 13 May 2004 19:18:04 GMT, [email protected] (Xane T.)
wrote:
>
>Is making them yourself a point of professional pride, or do you just
>think it will be cheaper that way? Most of the dollar stores in my
>area have clear bug catching jars with air holes, and a magnifying
>glass in the lid so you can get a better look.
>
>I do think it's definitely cooler to have a homemade one. Maybe you
>could even teach the kids to assemble them?
yes- cooler to have homemade. and they may be able to screw something
or another on them. and wife has planned to let tegh kids decorate
the heck out of them.
Last year we did small modular boats. We are also looking at little
prop thingamajiggys for this year. Next year- maybe water canons!
I'm full time Mr. Mom right now, I have a little time here and there
to work on this stuff.
-Dan
glad to help <g!>
Rob
--
http://www.robswoodworking.com
"Dan Valleskey" <valleskey at comcast dot net> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
>
> oh hell- staring me right in the face- of course, screen spline.....
>
> boy do i feel stupid. and I hate to admit- I've been puzzling over
> this for a while now.
>
>
> Thanks! a BUNCH!!
>
> -Dan
>
> On Tue, 11 May 2004 03:39:52 GMT, "Rob Stokes" <[email protected]>
> wrote:
>
> >Screen spline is quick and easy. Route/dado the channel into the stock
> >before you cut and miter it (glue and brad the corners). Cut and fit the
> >screen and press in the spline, then trim off the excess. Screen install
> >kits (inc. roller wheel) are cheap and available.
> >
> >Good luck
> >Rob
>