Anyone made a retractable awning?

[GarageEnvy]

What I'm going for is an awning like those Sunsetter manual models with the articulating arms. I've never been around one so I don't know how the mechanism works. I'm actually planning on using this in a vertical deployment for a backyard movie screen. I've been poking around Backyardtheater.com a bit and I know there are plenty of frame ideas but I'm stuck on the idea of retractable. My audio/video contractor friends says the commercial indoor retractable models are a no-go for outdoors. I thought I'd be able to scrounge an old awning off a house or RV with bad fabric but no luck so far. This has to be an "on the cheap" project so I'm now thinking of how to use old scrap and repurpose old stuff. Any ideas on making a retractable screen are appreciated. The material is cheap and easy to come by in any size I want. The desired dimension is 13' wide by 7' tall.

 

[Bruce4310TX]

Maybe try the tarp rollers for dump truck and dump trailers e-bay has them for 2 to 3 hundred bucks. might be able to make it work elec and manual type.

 

[GarageEnvy]

The idea spinning around in my head was very similar to that. However, my concern was sag in the middle. I was thinking about tubing closer to 2" and using bearings. I sure like the simplicity of your idea. Let me know how it works out.

 

[mjb]

I had my camera out while sitting on the deck and thought of this thread. I took some shots of the awning. Hopefully is gives you an idea of how it operates.

 

[bad_idea]

mjb,
I saw the last picture and had to scroll up to check what your location is. I guessed San Diego and I guessed right. Beautiful city. Great view.

Sorry I have no input on your movie screen though. Other than K.I.S.S. I find myself over engineering things and in process wasting my time. If the simpliest solution fails, then it is time to step it up to something a little more complicated. Anywho, have a good one.

 

[Dz_speed]

What I'm going for is an awning like those Sunsetter manual models with the articulating arms. I've never been around one so I don't know how the mechanism works. I'm actually planning on using this in a vertical deployment for a backyard movie screen. I've been poking around Backyardtheater.com a bit and I know there are plenty of frame ideas but I'm stuck on the idea of retractable. My audio/video contractor friends says the commercial indoor retractable models are a no-go for outdoors. I thought I'd be able to scrounge an old awning off a house or RV with bad fabric but no luck so far. This has to be an "on the cheap" project so I'm now thinking of how to use old scrap and repurpose old stuff. Any ideas on making a retractable screen are appreciated. The material is cheap and easy to come by in any size I want. The desired dimension is 13' wide by 7' tall.

Howdy neighbor.
I've been thinking about a Similar set up for my back patio, however My back yard lawn is this springs project. When it comes time for the awning I plan to reference the awnings we use (http://www.girardrvawnings.com/) at work for high end transporter builds. I know they aren't budget friendly, but the articulation should set you on the right track.

 

[GarageEnvy]

Thanks for the links and the photos. They were very helpful. After looking at the cost of used projectors and how affordable fixed screens are, I think I'm going with a fixed screen and putting some money toward the projector and speakers. I'll definitely be using these as reference material when I do the retractable version though.