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Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community @Steve5. It's brilliant to have you join us, and many thanks for your question about constructing a pool pump cover.
Are you referring to the image I posted early in the discussion? I can't see any other referenced projects made from timber strips.
Here's another rendering that might give you a better idea of how you could construct something similar. 42 x 18mmscreening can be used to clad the frame. The lid is of very simple construction. It's just screening held together with some battens. This makes it very lightweight and easy to lift.
Please let me know if you have any questions.
Mitchell
Keep us updated on your build @Steve5, and please reach out again if you have questions or get stuck.
Mitchell
Hi,
I’ve completed the frame which is 1.4m high in the back and 1.0m high in the front.
The depth of the box is 1.2m and the width of the front is 1.5m resulting in the following panels:
- Roof 1.5m X 1.26m
- Side panels 1.2m X 1.0m (top triangle open for ventilation?) or
- Side panels 1.2m X 1.0/1.4m trapezoid
- Front panel 1.5m x 1.0m
Gas struts will be used to keep the roof open when backwashing, etc.
I’ll need to access the pump skimmer and chlorine doser on the right side on a regular basis so a hinged door will be convenient. I’ve built gates with hinges on the outside, but not sure how to attach hidden hinges. Thought about clamping panel to the frame, attaching hinge to the outside and then drilling holes through the panel into the frame then moving hinge to the inside using drill holes for alignment. Any suggestions on the type of hinge/latch and installation would be much appreciated.
A heat pump will be installed in the left side of the box which doesn’t need regular access so a removable panel might be easier than a hinged door. Maybe 4 pins the panel fits onto and then clips to hold it in place? Can you suggest anything?
I’d like to use merbau fence panels for all sides instead of the 42 x 18mm screening, but I’ll need to use more than one panel per side. Can the 42 x 18mm screening be used to build frames for the fence panel doors? Is there an easy way to connect 2 merbau panels together and use them for a door and/or roof?
Thanks!
https://www.bunnings.com.au/specrite-1800-x-902mm-84-44mm-fence-panel-merbau-slats_p8500281
https://www.bunnings.com.au/specrite-600-x-33mm-1-8m-fence-panel-merbau-pre-oiled_p8500298
https://www.bunnings.com.au/42-x-18mm-2-7m-fj-pre-oiled-merbau-screening_p0177440
https://www.bunnings.com.au/goliath-535mm-200n-black-gas-strut_p4230060
Hi @Steve5,
Butt hinges can be recessed slightly into your frame and fixed in place. You can then screw the other side of the hinge to your doors. This will leave the door only minimally spaced away from the frame. There will be no gap if you also recess the hinge into the door. What type of latch were you looking for? A simple magnetic catch would hold the doors closed.
Having a removable panel sounds like a great idea. Instead of the pins that could get jammed through the timber swelling, I recommend using an Everhang 13.5kg Magnetic Pull Latch Set. A couple of these and they would hold your panel in place perfectly.
The 42 x 18mm screening can be used to build frames for your panels. The easiest way to join two of the panels is likely running some lengths 42 x 18mm across their width and screwing them into the panels.
Please let me know if you have further questions. I can't wait to see your project finished.
Mitchell
The kit comes with north and south-facing magnets that latch together @Steve5. If the weight of the panel is sitting on the frame, you'd only need a set of magnets in the top two corners to hold it in position. If you want the magnets to hold the panel's weight entirely, you could use one set in each corner of the four corners, but they are exceptionally strong. I installed one set on a door, and it's pretty hard to pull it open. If you used four sets, I'd be concerned whether you could get the panel off again.
Mitchell
Great question @theoekiwi.
Let me tag one of our resident Bunnings D.I.Y. experts in @EricL to share his thoughts on what he would use. @Jewelleryrescue and @ProjectPete might also like to join in the conversation.
And have you seen @MitchellMc's step-by-step guide How to build a pool pump cover?
Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community. It's wonderful to have you join us and we look forward to seeing your project come together.
Jason
