Homemade scrim--done! at DVinfo.net

Oren Arieli · July 4th, 2013, 12:12 PM

It took a bit longer than expected, but I was finally able to complete my 4'x4' scrim/flag frame and fabrics. Wanting to save money over the road rag options meant getting a bit of help with the sewing. Frame was easy, square tubing, right angle connectors and flip-flop ear connectors. Fabric was sourced from my local fabric store. Stretchy white fabric works great, but is much more difficult to attach than standard (non-stretchy) muslin. I also bought some heavy black cloth for the flag. Finding a good seamstress was key, as was finding a good glue that would work with aluminum and velcro.

Huge thanks goes out to the DIY tutorial by Ryan Walters: Tutorials & Tips From Ryan E. Walters

Before/after results can be seen in the pic.

Tim Polster · July 5th, 2013, 07:34 AM

Great job. DIY can save a lot of money plus you can make it custom for your needs.

Oren Arieli · July 5th, 2013, 10:33 AM

Thanks Tim. I do have a better appreciation or Scrim Jim's (and the like), as quality work and materials are not cheap.

Tim Polster · July 6th, 2013, 10:41 AM

Your right, this space is a bit expensive. I made a 4x4 overhead butterfly for outdoor interviews out of PVC and sheer fabric from Joanne Fabrics for about $10 excluding the $30 clamp. It is not as good looking as yours but I like how I can tear it down easily and fit it into a small diameter soft case.

Allan Black · July 6th, 2013, 08:04 PM

Good job Oren, we rent the same size here watching out for any wind gusts, they can startle the talent and get you some expletives :)

We also note Ryan advises '** I DO NOT recommend building anything larger then an 8x8 frame using this method. If you need a larger frame,
rent or buy the real thing. If you build anything larger then an 8x8 frame, there is a good possibility that it will not be structurally safe'

Cheers.

Oren Arieli · July 7th, 2013, 12:28 AM

Thanks for the advice Allan. I don't plan on going larger than 4x4. For my needs, that is just fine. For windier conditions, I would probably use a 2nd C-stand or figure out an alternative. Audio is a pain during windy conditions anyway.

Craig Chartier · July 9th, 2013, 03:29 PM

That looks really good.

D.J. Ammons · July 9th, 2013, 06:40 PM

Nice! Can you tell us how much you spent on material and how that compares to purchasing the same size one ready made?

Oren Arieli · July 10th, 2013, 10:09 AM

I cut the cost down a bit by ordering enough material for 2 frames, on which went to my colleague. This cut the shipping fees down by 1/2. I would have to look back through my invoices, but I believe the material costs came in at around $140, including white fabric and black fabric,
$60 for frame tubes and connectors.
$45 for flip-flop ears (you can get away with using one when there is no wind).
$15 fabric
$20 sew-on velcro (20 yards worth). A friend did the sewing for me.

A smaller 42"x42" Wescott Scrim Jim kit runs $218 at B&H

Steve Oakley · July 16th, 2013, 07:55 PM

you can buy REAL 1X1 1/8" wall aluminum tube at a local metal supplier. they will cut to length. cost is about .50/ft or $8 to have the real stuff. haven't found a cheap source of corners yet that are metal & like the matthews which are wildly over priced when you need a couple sets. their ears are garbage for what they charge.

Tom Morrow · July 19th, 2013, 06:24 AM

Nice. I did a project a while that involved me paying $40 to a seamstress to sew about 3 yards of velcro onto a garmet. I wouldn't be surprised if paying minimum wage for the sewing would easily bring the cost back up to that of the commercial product.

>$20 sew-on velcro (20 yards worth). A friend did the sewing for me.

July 4th, 2013, 12:12 PM	#1
Oren Arieli Major Player Join Date: May 2007 Location: San Jose, California Posts: 919	Homemade scrim--done! It took a bit longer than expected, but I was finally able to complete my 4'x4' scrim/flag frame and fabrics. Wanting to save money over the road rag options meant getting a bit of help with the sewing. Frame was easy, square tubing, right angle connectors and flip-flop ear connectors. Fabric was sourced from my local fabric store. Stretchy white fabric works great, but is much more difficult to attach than standard (non-stretchy) muslin. I also bought some heavy black cloth for the flag. Finding a good seamstress was key, as was finding a good glue that would work with aluminum and velcro. Huge thanks goes out to the DIY tutorial by Ryan Walters: Tutorials & Tips From Ryan E. Walters Before/after results can be seen in the pic. Attached Thumbnails

July 5th, 2013, 07:34 AM	#2
Tim Polster Inner Circle Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Arlington, TX Posts: 2,231	Re: Homemade scrim--done! Great job. DIY can save a lot of money plus you can make it custom for your needs.

July 5th, 2013, 10:33 AM	#3
Oren Arieli Major Player Join Date: May 2007 Location: San Jose, California Posts: 919	Re: Homemade scrim--done! Thanks Tim. I do have a better appreciation or Scrim Jim's (and the like), as quality work and materials are not cheap.

July 6th, 2013, 10:41 AM	#4
Tim Polster Inner Circle Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Arlington, TX Posts: 2,231	Re: Homemade scrim--done! Your right, this space is a bit expensive. I made a 4x4 overhead butterfly for outdoor interviews out of PVC and sheer fabric from Joanne Fabrics for about $10 excluding the $30 clamp. It is not as good looking as yours but I like how I can tear it down easily and fit it into a small diameter soft case.

July 6th, 2013, 08:04 PM	#5
Allan Black Inner Circle Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Sydney. Posts: 2,931	Re: Homemade scrim--done! Good job Oren, we rent the same size here watching out for any wind gusts, they can startle the talent and get you some expletives :) We also note Ryan advises '** I DO NOT recommend building anything larger then an 8x8 frame using this method. If you need a larger frame, rent or buy the real thing. If you build anything larger then an 8x8 frame, there is a good possibility that it will not be structurally safe' Cheers. __________________ Drink more tap water. On admission at Sydney hospitals more than 5% of day patients are de-hydrated.

July 7th, 2013, 12:28 AM	#6
Oren Arieli Major Player Join Date: May 2007 Location: San Jose, California Posts: 919	Re: Homemade scrim--done! Thanks for the advice Allan. I don't plan on going larger than 4x4. For my needs, that is just fine. For windier conditions, I would probably use a 2nd C-stand or figure out an alternative. Audio is a pain during windy conditions anyway.

July 9th, 2013, 03:29 PM	#7
Craig Chartier DVi Contributor Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Austin Texas Posts: 374	Re: Homemade scrim--done! That looks really good.

July 9th, 2013, 06:40 PM	#8
D.J. Ammons Major Player Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Nashville, TN Posts: 506	Re: Homemade scrim--done! Nice! Can you tell us how much you spent on material and how that compares to purchasing the same size one ready made?

July 10th, 2013, 10:09 AM	#9
Oren Arieli Major Player Join Date: May 2007 Location: San Jose, California Posts: 919	Re: Homemade scrim--done! I cut the cost down a bit by ordering enough material for 2 frames, on which went to my colleague. This cut the shipping fees down by 1/2. I would have to look back through my invoices, but I believe the material costs came in at around $140, including white fabric and black fabric, $60 for frame tubes and connectors. $45 for flip-flop ears (you can get away with using one when there is no wind). $15 fabric $20 sew-on velcro (20 yards worth). A friend did the sewing for me. A smaller 42"x42" Wescott Scrim Jim kit runs $218 at B&H

July 16th, 2013, 07:55 PM	#10
Steve Oakley Trustee Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: United States Posts: 1,158	Re: Homemade scrim--done! you can buy REAL 1X1 1/8" wall aluminum tube at a local metal supplier. they will cut to length. cost is about .50/ft or $8 to have the real stuff. haven't found a cheap source of corners yet that are metal & like the matthews which are wildly over priced when you need a couple sets. their ears are garbage for what they charge. __________________ Steve Oakley DP • Audio Mixer • Editor • Colorist http://stevenoakley.com

July 19th, 2013, 06:24 AM	#11
Tom Morrow Major Player Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: San Francisco, CA Posts: 416	Re: Homemade scrim--done! Nice. I did a project a while that involved me paying $40 to a seamstress to sew about 3 yards of velcro onto a garmet. I wouldn't be surprised if paying minimum wage for the sewing would easily bring the cost back up to that of the commercial product. >$20 sew-on velcro (20 yards worth). A friend did the sewing for me.