Help completing windscreen project


 
N

Nathan Cole

New member
Hello, I've built a windscreen out of plywood thanks to the excellent suggestions of Tom Raveret. My problem, since I really have never built anything, is that I misread the packaging for the hinges that I bought. After assembling one of my two screens, I found that the screws had gone all the way through the 3/4 inch plywood. I'm thinking that it's plenty sturdy, but of course I don't want 80 jagged points coming out of my screens!

Is there a way to just saw off or grind down these screws that are poking out? A Dremel, perhaps? I don't have one, so if you think that's a good idea, please let me know what attachment I would need to get.

I could just cover them as well, I suppose, except that those in the last picture are already preventing the "feet" from lying flat.

Here are some pics:
IMG_2700.jpg

IMG_2701.jpg

IMG_2702.jpg

IMG_2703.jpg


Thanks again, Nathan
 
Hi Nathan,

You are off to a great start. But rather than using wood screws, try nut and bolts. That is what I used and my design is very similar to yours windscreen . I also used 4" door hinges to connect all four 1/2"x2'x4' plywood panels thus eliminating the need for feet and allowing the screen to fold up nicely. I also use tie-downs for exceptionally windy day. I attached four eyelet screws at the top of the screen for this purpose. And don't forget to weather seal it when completed. Before I could weather seal mine it rained and I had to replace two of the panels
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Hope this helps,

Chad
 
Hi Nathan.
A hacksaw or a mill file should make short work on Knocking down those points on your screws.
They are pretty soft as a material, and at one time they were all made in brass.
If it was me, I would just use a hammer to clinch (bend) the points. As always, you should use proper eye protection, as sometimes a piece will break away and fly back.
OBTW Nice Job!!

Tim
 
Thank you all. Nice pictures Chad and Jim, and I really want a yard someday...

To Jim, the feet are supposed to be able to be weighed down with paving stones/bricks/whatever's at hand. Chad, what do the tie-downs tie to? I mostly did the two-piece version because I end up taking my WSM to friends' places often and so I'm going to have to move this screen. Unless I bulk up I'm not moving four of those 3/4 inch boards at once...

Also Chad, can you tell me how you sealed your screen? I've never done that either. Especially the edges of my boards are pretty splintery.

+1 for eye protection! I'll let you know how this goes.
 
Is that exterior rated plywood? Cause that looks like 12 ply cabinet plywood which is smooth on both sides and rated for interior use. If it is interior rated, you could seal with any latex or oil based stain or paint, but don't store or leave it out in the rain at all as the adhesives are not waterproof, and your panels will de-laminate.

HTH

Tim
 
It is smooth on both sides; you probably have a better idea what it is than I do, from looking at that third picture. It was labeled as birch 3/4 inch ply at Home Depot.
 
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Nathan Cole:
...the feet are supposed to be able to be weighed down with paving stones/bricks/whatever's at hand. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>
Any good gust of wind will take it down dispite the weight of bricks etc. ... unless you use those feet with bored holes to drive spikes thru them and into the ground...
 
That's still a very nice windscreen Nathan!
Just try to keep the Birch ply somewhat out of rain. You still will get many years of use...

Tim
 
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content"> Chad, what do the tie-downs tie to? I mostly did the two-piece version because I end up taking my WSM to friends' places often and so I'm going to have to move this screen. Unless I bulk up I'm not moving four of those 3/4 inch boards at once...

Also Chad, can you tell me how you sealed your screen? I've never done that either. Especially the edges of my boards are pretty splintery.

+1 for eye protection! I'll let you know how this goes. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

When I tie down the screen, and I only do this on 5 mph+ or gusty days, I tie it down like a tarp; three corners to three other corners like the base of the patio roof and the deck. I have eyelets in the top of all four panels but a small hole at the top of each panel would also work. I've cooked on some fairly windy days and have had no trouble keeping the screen in place once tied down.
I used Thompsons Water Sealer on all sides of the screen including the edges. But as Tim mentioned, it's only weather proofed, not water proofed. Cooking while it's raining is okay for short cooks but I don't use it for anything longer than six hours, or if it's pouring rain.

Chad
 
I added some newer photos of the wind screen. I smoked a rib roast today and there was slight breeze coming out of the south. The screen did the job right, my temps never wavered from 235. I used this smoking method and it came out almost identical.
 
Thanks Chad, great pics. I had the chance to test things out last night, on the 18th floor balcony of another Chicago condo. Pretty swirly up there! It was definitely my steadiest cook yet (spare ribs for 4 hours) so hopefully wind protection had something to do with it.

In the future, I'm going to look into your tie-downs since they look easy to incorporate, as well as the chain/latch.
 
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