I've been asked to make a "blackout" for the window of a baby that wakes
up at the first trace of morning sunlight. (They have blackout lined
curtains, but they are looking for darkroom type performance).

In this case neatness and convenience is more important than cost.

Obviously it would not be difficult to make a simple wooden frame,
covered with blackout material and held in place with magnets or velcro,
but it struck me that square plastic tubing connected with corner pieces
like Dexion Speed Frame should be quick and neat.

Googling finds plenty of plastic tube

http://www.componentforce.co.uk/cate...n-square-tubes

but their corner connector prices are silly. Does anyone know of a
supplier? (I know I could mitre or construct something like a cross
halving using PVC solvent adhesive, but that seems like too much work).

As an alternative I am just thinking about a sheet of 3 or 5 mm black
acrylic, again fixed with magnets or velcro.

Thoughts?

Try Googling "Fly Screens", we bought some last year which consisted of aluminium rectangular sections which were connected with plastic push in corners the frames are held in place with neodymium magnets lined up with small steel pieces in the plastic corner. The fly mesh could easily be replaced with a blackout material. I cannot remember the company we bought ours from but Google turned up plenty which were similar to each other. The frames come in a number of standard sizes which you cut down to fit your particular windows.

Richard

On 16/10/2015 22:54, Tricky Dicky wrote:
Try Googling "Fly Screens", we bought some last year which consisted of aluminium rectangular sections which were connected with plastic push in corners the frames are held in place with neodymium magnets lined up with small steel pieces in the plastic corner. The fly mesh could easily be replaced with a blackout material. I cannot remember the company we bought ours from but Google turned up plenty which were similar to each other. The frames come in a number of standard sizes which you cut down to fit your particular windows.

Richard


A fine bit of lateral thinking, these look like exactly what I am after.
Will research the options when I get the dimensions.

newshound wrote
Tricky Dicky wrote

Try Googling "Fly Screens", we bought some last year which
consisted of aluminium rectangular sections which were
connected with plastic push in corners the frames are held
in place with neodymium magnets lined up with small steel
pieces in the plastic corner. The fly mesh could easily be
replaced with a blackout material. I cannot remember the
company we bought ours from but Google turned up plenty
which were similar to each other. The frames come in a number of
standard sizes which you cut down to fit your particular windows.

A fine bit of lateral thinking,

Yes.

these look like exactly what I am after.

Yes, but a sheet of ply is even simpler and easier to do.

Will research the options when I get the dimensions.

On 17/10/2015 22:18, Rod Speed wrote:
newshound wrote

Yes, but a sheet of ply is even simpler and easier to do.

Not once you add in sanding the edges nicely, and painting or
varnishing it.

On 16/10/2015 21:37, newshound wrote:
I've been asked to make a "blackout" for the window of a baby that wakes
up at the first trace of morning sunlight. (They have blackout lined
curtains, but they are looking for darkroom type performance).

In this case neatness and convenience is more important than cost.

Obviously it would not be difficult to make a simple wooden frame,
covered with blackout material and held in place with magnets or velcro,
but it struck me that square plastic tubing connected with corner pieces
like Dexion Speed Frame should be quick and neat.

Googling finds plenty of plastic tube

http://www.componentforce.co.uk/cate...n-square-tubes

but their corner connector prices are silly. Does anyone know of a
supplier? (I know I could mitre or construct something like a cross
halving using PVC solvent adhesive, but that seems like too much work).

As an alternative I am just thinking about a sheet of 3 or 5 mm black
acrylic, again fixed with magnets or velcro.

Thoughts?


It's possible but unlikely that the Velux range of blackout blinds would
fit. I've got a couple and they're excellent. At worst you could adapt
their design perhaps?

--
Cheers, Rob

"newshound" wrote in message
...
I've been asked to make a "blackout" for the window of a baby that wakes
up at the first trace of morning sunlight. (They have blackout lined
curtains, but they are looking for darkroom type performance).

In this case neatness and convenience is more important than cost.

Obviously it would not be difficult to make a simple wooden frame, covered
with blackout material and held in place with magnets or velcro, but it
struck me that square plastic tubing connected with corner pieces like
Dexion Speed Frame should be quick and neat.

Googling finds plenty of plastic tube

http://www.componentforce.co.uk/cate...n-square-tubes

but their corner connector prices are silly. Does anyone know of a
supplier? (I know I could mitre or construct something like a cross
halving using PVC solvent adhesive, but that seems like too much work).

As an alternative I am just thinking about a sheet of 3 or 5 mm black
acrylic, again fixed with magnets or velcro.

Thoughts?

You could use those large sheets of hollow plastic that
are used for signs, cover that with the blackout curtain
material. Nice and light and surprisingly rugged.

On Friday, 16 October 2015 21:38:08 UTC+1, newshound wrote:
I've been asked to make a "blackout" for the window of a baby that wakes
up at the first trace of morning sunlight. (They have blackout lined
curtains, but they are looking for darkroom type performance).

In this case neatness and convenience is more important than cost.

Obviously it would not be difficult to make a simple wooden frame,
covered with blackout material and held in place with magnets or velcro,
but it struck me that square plastic tubing connected with corner pieces
like Dexion Speed Frame should be quick and neat.

Googling finds plenty of plastic tube

http://www.componentforce.co.uk/cate...n-square-tubes

but their corner connector prices are silly. Does anyone know of a
supplier? (I know I could mitre or construct something like a cross
halving using PVC solvent adhesive, but that seems like too much work).

As an alternative I am just thinking about a sheet of 3 or 5 mm black
acrylic, again fixed with magnets or velcro.

Thoughts?

Why not just use a sheet of thin ply?
No fancy frame needed and cheap.

Turn the cot round...

It/they has to get used to the bright shiny thing...

Anyhow, these days isn't it time by sunrise they were waking up and feeding it anyway?

Jim K

"JimK" wrote in message
...

Turn the cot round...

It/they has to get used to the bright shiny thing...

Anyhow, these days isn't it time by sunrise they were waking up and feeding
it anyway?

Jim K

+1

On Sat, 17 Oct 2015 12:52:54 +0100, Richard wrote:

Turn the cot round...

It/they has to get used to the bright shiny thing...

+1

+1

1st Rule of Parenting: Don't reward a child for any unacceptable
behaviour.

"Reward" is from the childs point of view, not the parents point of
view, or what the parents think of as a reward.

So child waking up and crying a bit beacuse it's on its own, gets a
reward for that behaviour when a parent attends the child and
comforts settles them. Child likes this so does it again and gets
rewarded again... Parent can do a quick check but only a quick check
then leaves. Child may make a bit of a fuss, but parent has to
resist. Without the reward child will soon stop trying to gain
attention when waking early.

Any parent ought to be able to tell from the cry wether the child
really needs attention or is just "trying it on".

--
Cheers
Dave.

"Dave Liquorice" wrote in message
ll.co.uk...

On Sat, 17 Oct 2015 12:52:54 +0100, Richard wrote:

Turn the cot round...

It/they has to get used to the bright shiny thing...

+1

+1

1st Rule of Parenting: Don't reward a child for any unacceptable
behaviour.

"Reward" is from the childs point of view, not the parents point of
view, or what the parents think of as a reward.

So child waking up and crying a bit beacuse it's on its own, gets a
reward for that behaviour when a parent attends the child and
comforts settles them. Child likes this so does it again and gets
rewarded again... Parent can do a quick check but only a quick check
then leaves. Child may make a bit of a fuss, but parent has to
resist. Without the reward child will soon stop trying to gain
attention when waking early.

Any parent ought to be able to tell from the cry wether the child
really needs attention or is just "trying it on".

Ooh, look. Another successful parent.

On Mon, 19 Oct 2015 06:03:25 +0100, Richard wrote:

1st Rule of Parenting: Don't reward a child for any unacceptable
behaviour.

"Reward" is from the childs point of view, not the parents point
of
view, or what the parents think of as a reward.

Ooh, look. Another successful parent.


Smiley noted. Both kids(*) know that "I want, doesn't get". They have
to ask nicely and/or justify the desired outcome. In some ways it has
backfired as both are now extremely good at justification and
negociation of their real wants.

(*) Kids one is now an "adult" and is on the first steps of the steep
"welcome to the real world" learning curve. Food doesn't appear by
magic, niether does money to buy the food, heat and light isn't free,
etc etc...

--
Cheers
Dave.

On Saturday, October 17, 2015 at 9:28:15 AM UTC+1, JimK wrote:
Turn the cot round...

It/they has to get used to the bright shiny thing...

Anyhow, these days isn't it time by sunrise they were waking up and feeding it anyway?

Jim K

What about fresh air?

Jonathan

On Friday, 16 October 2015 21:38:08 UTC+1, newshound wrote:
I've been asked to make a "blackout" for the window of a baby that wakes
up at the first trace of morning sunlight. (They have blackout lined
curtains, but they are looking for darkroom type performance).

In this case neatness and convenience is more important than cost.

Obviously it would not be difficult to make a simple wooden frame,
covered with blackout material and held in place with magnets or velcro,
but it struck me that square plastic tubing connected with corner pieces
like Dexion Speed Frame should be quick and neat.

Googling finds plenty of plastic tube

http://www.componentforce.co.uk/cate...n-square-tubes

but their corner connector prices are silly. Does anyone know of a
supplier? (I know I could mitre or construct something like a cross
halving using PVC solvent adhesive, but that seems like too much work).

As an alternative I am just thinking about a sheet of 3 or 5 mm black
acrylic, again fixed with magnets or velcro.

Thoughts?

I'm not seeing anything difficult in mitre cutting the cornrs and sticking with solvent. If you lack a suitable saw, it might be time to get one

Almost any sheet material would do. Paint the windowframe black.


NT

newshound wrote:
I've been asked to make a "blackout" for the window of a baby that wakes
up at the first trace of morning sunlight. (They have blackout lined
curtains, but they are looking for darkroom type performance).

In this case neatness and convenience is more important than cost.

Obviously it would not be difficult to make a simple wooden frame,
covered with blackout material and held in place with magnets or velcro,
but it struck me that square plastic tubing connected with corner pieces
like Dexion Speed Frame should be quick and neat.

Googling finds plenty of plastic tube

http://www.componentforce.co.uk/cate...n-square-tubes

but their corner connector prices are silly. Does anyone know of a
supplier? (I know I could mitre or construct something like a cross
halving using PVC solvent adhesive, but that seems like too much work).

As an alternative I am just thinking about a sheet of 3 or 5 mm black
acrylic, again fixed with magnets or velcro.

Thoughts?

22mm overflow pipe and pushfit 90 degree bends? or cut down Tee to get
right angle outside corners if 90 bends leak light.

On Fri, 16 Oct 2015 21:37:55 +0100, newshound
wrote:


In this case neatness and convenience is more important than cost.

Obviously it would not be difficult to make a simple wooden frame,
covered with blackout material and held in place with magnets or velcro,
but it struck me that square plastic tubing connected with corner pieces
like Dexion Speed Frame should be quick and neat.

Eastfix,
http://www.aluminiumwarehouse.co.uk/...180/index.html

Along the outside edges use something like
http://www.diy.com/departments/bq-fo.../236637_BQ.prd

Make the frame very slightly too small (no more than 5mm) and when in
place tap it outwards into the final position.

On 16/10/2015 21:37, newshound wrote:
I've been asked to make a "blackout" for the window of a baby that wakes
up at the first trace of morning sunlight. (They have blackout lined
curtains, but they are looking for darkroom type performance).

In this case neatness and convenience is more important than cost.

Obviously it would not be difficult to make a simple wooden frame,
covered with blackout material and held in place with magnets or velcro,
but it struck me that square plastic tubing connected with corner pieces
like Dexion Speed Frame should be quick and neat.

Googling finds plenty of plastic tube

http://www.componentforce.co.uk/cate...n-square-tubes

but their corner connector prices are silly. Does anyone know of a
supplier? (I know I could mitre or construct something like a cross
halving using PVC solvent adhesive, but that seems like too much work).

As an alternative I am just thinking about a sheet of 3 or 5 mm black
acrylic, again fixed with magnets or velcro.

Thoughts?


Thanks to all for the suggestions; "fly-screens" look like the best bet
to me at the moment (but still thinking about sheet material).

newshound Wrote in message:
I've been asked to make a "blackout" for the window of a baby that wakes
up at the first trace of morning sunlight. (They have blackout lined
curtains, but they are looking for darkroom type performance).

In this case neatness and convenience is more important than cost.

Obviously it would not be difficult to make a simple wooden frame,
covered with blackout material and held in place with magnets or velcro,
but it struck me that square plastic tubing connected with corner pieces
like Dexion Speed Frame should be quick and neat.

Googling finds plenty of plastic tube

http://www.componentforce.co.uk/cate...n-square-tubes

but their corner connector prices are silly. Does anyone know of a
supplier? (I know I could mitre or construct something like a cross
halving using PVC solvent adhesive, but that seems like too much work).

As an alternative I am just thinking about a sheet of 3 or 5 mm black
acrylic, again fixed with magnets or velcro.

Thoughts?



Have you considered roller blinds behind the curtains? We fitted
therm to both our kids rooms and they give more or less darkroom
performance.
--
Biggles


----Android NewsGroup Reader----
http://usenet.sinaapp.com/

On Sun, 18 Oct 2015 01:28:20 +0100 (GMT+01:00), Biggles wrote:

Have you considered roller blinds behind the curtains? We fitted
therm to both our kids rooms and they give more or less darkroom
performance.

Ikea's Tuplur black-out blinds look good (haven't seen them 'in the flesh'
yet) and don't have brat-strangling cords on them.
Not sure about this, but if fitted with the pulled-down blind to the wall
(most I've seen are the other way round for neatness) the effect might be
better.
--
Peter.
The gods will stay away
whilst religions hold sway

On 16/10/2015 21:37, newshound wrote:
I've been asked to make a "blackout" for the window of a baby that wakes
up at the first trace of morning sunlight.

snip

Thoughts?


https://goo.gl/WQFyhQ

Cheers
--
Syd