There are two designs for mosquito net frames, both made out of 7/8 inch Outside Diameter - OD (same as ¾ inch Inside Diameter – ID) PVC tubing
Classic Design
Classic Design Without Net
The Classic Design uses a
single one-piece center ridge
pole, two cross-pieces and
four one-piece legs.
The elbows and T on each
cross-piece are the only pieces
that are glued together, the legs
and ridge-pole are not glued to
the other fittings on the frame
Classic
Design Broken Down
The Classic Design breaks down
into 7 pieces, with the largest
piece the ridge pole (76 inches).
The pieces are (top to bottom)
the ridge pole, the four legs, and
the two cross-pieces.
Classic Design Cross-Piece Detail
The Classic Design uses
cross-pieces consisting of
an elbow at each end and
a single T in the middle.
It is important when gluing
together the cross-pieces to
ensure that all angles are
square (90 degrees) so
that the legs are vertical.
The final structure (with the mosquito net) looks like this:
Classic Design Measurements (all are for 7/8 in OD, ¾ in ID PVC pipe)
Ridge pole (1 piece) – 76 in
Legs (4 pieces) – 47 in
Cross-pieces (2 pieces) – 26 in (will be cut in half and T inserted in middle)
Additional pieces required:
90 degree elbows – (4 pieces)
T-s – (2 pieces)
Construction:
1. Cut the PVC to length as per the measurements (above).
2. Cut the cross pieces in the middle, making four 13 inch pieces.
3. Glue the two parts of each cross-piece to the sides of the T’s, leaving the base of the T free.
4. Glue the elbows to the ends of the cross-pieces, making sure the center of the T makes a right angle with the elbows. The two elbows should be aligned with each other.
5. Insert the legs into the elbows on the cross-pieces
6. Insert the ridge pole into the Ts on the crosspieces.
7. Cover with mosquito net.
8. Tape legs to legs of cot with duct tape (if desired).
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Compact
Design
The Compact Design uses a pair of two-piece ridge poles to keep the mosquito net from sagging along the edges. It also uses two-piece legs so that it can be used without a cot.
The compact design breaks
down into 14 pieces, with the
largest piece the ridge pole
pieces (36 inches). The pieces
are (top-to-bottom) the ridge
pole halves (4), the cross-pieces
(2), the lower leg pieces (4), and
the upper leg pieces (4).
The Compact Design uses
cross-pieces consisting of two
elbows and two T-s, with the
elbows and the T-s connected
with short pieces of PVC (the stubs).
The Compact Design also
uses two-piece legs coupled
with straight couplings. The
couplings are glued to the leg
extensions.
The Compact Design also
uses end-caps as feet. The
end caps are glued to the
lower leg pieces.
The compact design uses
a screw coupling to connect
the two halves.
Compact Design Without Leg Extensions (Short Version)
Compact Design Without Leg Extensions Covered With Netting
Compact Design Measurements (all are for 7/8 in OD, ¾ in ID PVC pipe)
Ridge Poles (2 pieces) – 70 inches (will be cut in half)
Leg extension (upper half) (4 pieces) – 24 inches
Leg (lower half) (4 pieces) – 22 inches
Cross- pieces (2 pieces) – 26 in
Cross-piece stubs (4 pieces) – 1 ½ in
Additional pieces
90 degree elbows - (4 pieces)
T-s – (4 pieces)
Straight couplings - (4 pieces)
End caps - (4 pieces)
Screw couplings (4 pieces/2 units) (two male, two female)
Construction:
1. Cut the PVC to length as per the measurements (above).
2. Cut the ridge poles in the middle, making four 35 inch pieces.
3. Glue a coupling to the end of each ridge pole (two female couplings, two male couplings)
4. Glue the side of a T to the end of each cross-piece, making sure that the T’s are aligned up exactly with each other. Leave the base of the T unconnected
5. Glue a stub to the other side of each T.
6. Glue an elbow to each stub, making sure the elbows are aligned with each other and are at right angles to the base of the T’s.
7. Glue one coupling to the end of each leg extension.
8. Glue a cap to the end of each leg
9. Connect the two halves of each ridge pole by screwing the connectors together
10. Connect each leg extension to a leg
11. Insert the legs into the crosspieces (note that the legs can go either into the Ts or the elbows.
12. Insert the ridge poles into the cross-pieces
13. Cover the frame with mosquito net.
14. Tape legs to legs of cot with duct tape (if desired).