I know this video is old but this is a great design. I used hoops for years and they work OK but I just built one like this and like it much better. I used 1\2 inch schedule 40 pipe. The frame I built is 4 feet x 8 feet. It's very sturdy considering the small pipe size. In case anyone wants to know about cost it was $40. The bigger the pipe the more expensive it will be. Thank you for sharing this great design.
Typically, I have trouble closing the top of a cardboard box, (I keep going round and round trying to figure out which flap will tuck under) However, I wanted to build something like a cold frame to get a head start on my garden in the Pacific Northwest. I watched your video, wrote down the parts list, had Lowes cut the PVC tubing and gather the correct pvc joints in the numbers provided in your list. I just waited at the counter until they brought me everything on the list (including the plastic!) I noticed the store had this big bin of different size spring clamps, I found a size that fit snug around the pvc pipe so i grabbed 4 of them for $20.00 thinking they might work as well or better than the tape to hold the plastic snug the the pvc (I still bought a roll of heavy duty gray tape in case ) I am proud to say I had the dang thing put together and glued in less that four hours not including time for the glue to cure. I filled the bottom long tubes with sand as one of the viewers suggested and it works great! The clamps I bought worked perfect but I found I needed more so I went back for 4 more clamps.(I still used tape as well) All I need to do now is build a raised bed box. To hell with a cold frame when I can have a greenhouse on a raised bed! With my new confidence I am excited to begin! Thank you so much for your efforts and for sharing this very informative video. I feel like I could close a cardboard box now! LOL!
You just resolve my problem. Here in Florida is not much the cold temperatures, though sometimes it gets cold. But my problem is a squirrel army that wants to eat anything that I plant. I think this will be the solution.
Nice setup you have there... You know something that you could use for holding down your plastic instead of tape? Cut yourself a few 1-2 inch parts of the same size PVC pipe that your cover is made out of, then cut those in half (you'll have to sand the edges so that they don't punch through your plastic); if you want a tighter hold for the clip cut about a third out of you pieces. Try using these instead of the tape to hold down your plastic, they will last longer, hold tighter and will not rip your plastic when you want to remove them; they clip right on and off of the frame. You could even use them in the middle of your frame to make the plastic a tighter fit without having to punch holes in your plastic to tie the plastic down (very good for keeping the plastic from flapping in the wind). Lowes and Home Depot sell 2 inch half pieces of PVC in different diameters that are already cut and the edges are rounded; but, they are expensive!! I've also seen that they have the half T's where the bottom of the T's is already cut and rounded. Thanks for the video...
You can cut 2" or 3" lengths of 1" PVC and then split out a chunk lengthwise (make sure you leave over 1/2 the diameter) and then use those as reusable clips to slip over the frame members to hold the plastic sheething. That way you can avoid the waste of replacing duct tape each year.
Nice setup, you can also use PVC clamps to hold the plastic on. They look like regular PVC but on one side it's open so they clamp over the plastic onto the PVC pipe under it. Easy on/off
Made 4 so far and intend to make 2 more. So easy to put together. I've made mods to this by adding bird netting to keep critters out of the garden and they have been painted with Fusion by Krylon in flat OD green to protect the PVC from UV. Thank you so very much for the inspiration. This has made use of so many short pieces from other projects.
Thanks! I think what I'll end up doing is constructing a "covered wagon" style covering on top of my raised bed and then I'll just keep it covered at night when it gets real cold. Maybe I can think up some kind of small fan system...
Have you thought of using shade cloth to skin the frame? It can be rolled up to gain access, can be tailored to your plant's light requirements, allows air circulation and bird protection, is light and durable and replaceable and is relatively inexpensive.
Thank you so much I built your drip system and then build this and I ran the drip system through the pvc pipes to the top part and then poked holes in the hose and then drilled holes in the pvc pipe where the holes in the hose were and at the end I put a cap so water came through the top. I really think you should try it!
I've had broccoli actually touch the top of the cover. Also, I like lots of air circulation. But you can certainly make it any size you like. This size just works for me.
I made this mostly up today in about an hour. Few of the measurements didn't add up for me so I thought I would leave what changes I needed for others. I ended up using the 4 of the 3 edged side joints of pvc in lieu of 4 of the ninety degree sections for the outside corners, and also required an extra 2 nineteen inch sections instead of 4 of the 8.5 inch cuts.
Nice job, I will use your idea in the garden to start the plants off, AND for a chicken tractor I am getting ready to make, as I like the sloping roof. thanks again
pretty good nice build i use pvc for everything including making big cages for my chickens and pigeons, could take the beating of the sun in in zone 12a belive it or not
Hey man great idea! I bet you could modify that thing to water your garden as well. Just add a hose connection and voila' wherever you put a pin hole you have a spray nozzle. Just a thought. Peace
I enjoyed your video, love the design. It's nice and not too small. I will make something like yours and will use chicken wire on the inside to keep out the groundhogs and squirrels, and in the fall I'll add the outside polyethylene sheeting for growing through December or January. Thanks again for the ideas.
great design, well built, and portable ,,, i have many boxes of the same size, but only have used hoops, having to install them each bed,,,,, but i like the portabilaty ,
We made one of these, albeit a little longer, to contain or chickens so that they can noodle around in areas where we want them to. We covered it with bird netting.
Nice job... It's definitely worth taking the time to protect your plants... pvc piping is great for building these types of quick garden structures... I have been having a bit of a problem with fruit fly the past couple of years and I am thinking about protecting my tomatoes with some flyscreen covered domes... Might help, combined with traps.. Thanks for the video :)
Try aquaponics.. No weeding, no watering, no fertilizing and you raise fish at the same time. But, your greenhouse idea is great for an aquaponics growbed. And as far north as you are you can raise trout aqnd other cold water fish. GOOD LUCK!!
Well....ventilation problems can be obviated with using 'wood chips' which do two things; 1) insulate the "stuff underneath" and 2) keep the "stuff" underneath hydrated. You don't need a green house at all for anything but "extending one's growing season".
Me: "I'm gonna build a full-size, walk-in greenhouse!" Me, after doing a few hours of research, realizing I have no idea how to build anything: "Maybe just a mini greenhouse!"
One thing about PVC pipe if you mess it up easy to buy a connector and use the same peace again... A lot of places like Home Depot will even cut it for you.. I buy them in 5 feet length. cost a little more but I have a car they fit good in them, do not have to cut them, just buy some connectors about a dozen tees and two way connectors,
looks nice so I stopped by to see it. I was thinking it would be good to put a watering thing along the top ridge. either separate with little sprayers or just by using the pipe there...I don't know zip tying sprayers to the top with a timer would be cool.
Awesome! I am going to build this for next year's beds. I do have one suggestion because I noticed when you lifted it that the short 2-foot pieces would bend down because they're not glued. I would suggest that you put a 7 to 8-foot piece of 1/2 inch electrical conduit down the length of the 2 bottoms and the top. Just lay it in there loose. That will let you move this whole thing around without it bending and possibly coming apart while you're moving it. That worked REALLY great for my large pvc framed political signs.
Great idea! I shall copy. (Had been trying to cut thick pieces of wood to size with rubbish tools, ha,ha.and job going slowly). As soon as I can I'm going down the plumber's outlet and going to make a project similar to yours - though I thought, whilst using pvc pipes - why not attach them to guttering and have a self-watering greenhouse? Havent quiet got all thoughts/attachments in head yet, but sure it can't be that difficult. Anyhow., THANK YOU for great vid.
nice, what you could do, if you are bored is put the plastic on a roll, mount it to the side, then do the same on the other side for your shade cloth. Best
This is a great plan except for one missing part on the parts list: 4 90degree 3/4" fittings for the corners. Had to make a special trip. It would also be helpful if the directions included a list of where each of the lengths of PVC pipe is used. It was a bit confusing, but we did it and it looks and works great! Thanks!
Happy Father's Day!!! Thank you for this 6+ year old video. I won't ask you to identify which parts go where, but maybe you can confirm, if I have figured this out correctly. 10 - 4" - horizontal roof structure > 10 - 13" - vertical base > 10 - 24" - 45 degree roof trusses? > 8 - 19" - horizontal base (length) > 3 - 46" - horizontal base (width) > 8 - 8.5" - ???? > Also, the horizontal roof truss is seemingly comprised of 4 pieces which should seemingly be the same length as the 8 horizontal base (length) pieces making for 12 pieces of 19" inches in length, not 8. So, what are the eight 8.5" pieces for, sir? Thank you for taking the time to reply to my enquiry. Thank you, again, for this beautiful concept that I will by copying.
I love your greenhouse design, and I wanted to make one for my cinder block 4 x 4 (interior dimensions) raised bed. I was hoping to make it slightly larger so that it would sit on the cinder blocks rather than inside my garden bed, but I wasn't sure how long I should cut all my PVC. I was also hoping to secure the green house with PVC inside the holes in the cinder blocks. Could you please help me out with the dimensions needed for my particular garden bed?
I would ventilate as much as possible and watch the temps. If ventilation brings in too much cool air, then close it up more. But you need constant circulation
I got too eager to start tomato seedlings and they really need to go out soon...but, maybe about 3 weeks too early here in Missouri. I am building this tomorrow instead of starting new seedlings lol.
very smart guy,i was wondering about why just didn't use the 90 degrees elbows,thank you sir this help me over here in the caribbean...................for those who are thinking in the caribbean is always sunny well in my case i am providing a shade for the nursery as well wind reduction.......taa-daaahhh
+StreetKingz4Life The 45 degree elbows are there so that the snow is able to slide down the sides of the frame instead of sitting on top of the frame. With you being in a sunny climate, simplify the design by just using 90 degree eblows and you will be good to go!
The 45 degree sides isn't just for snow. 90 degree elbows would still be a problem for warm climates because of rain ponding on the square top and then eventually collapsing and/or ruining the plastic and even possibly ruining the frame itself. 45 degree sides or round sides (also known as hoop design) are the only way to go.
What do you think about putting hinges on one side and a latch on the other? Then you could just kind of flip it off, out of the way when you want to get in there and mess around and then flip it back on when you are finished. I think that is what I am going to do.
I am going to use four 3/4 in. snap saddles two on each side as hinges so I can unsnap and tip either way. www.homedepot.com/p/FIMCO-3-4-in-Snap-Saddle-9026SP/202534479
I know this video is old but this is a great design. I used hoops for years and they work OK but I just built one like this and like it much better. I used 1\2 inch schedule 40 pipe. The frame I built is 4 feet x 8 feet. It's very sturdy considering the small pipe size. In case anyone wants to know about cost it was $40. The bigger the pipe the more expensive it will be. Thank you for sharing this great design.
Typically, I have trouble closing the top of a cardboard box, (I keep going round and round trying to figure out which flap will tuck under) However, I wanted to build something like a cold frame to get a head start on my garden in the Pacific Northwest. I watched your video, wrote down the parts list, had Lowes cut the PVC tubing and gather the correct pvc joints in the numbers provided in your list. I just waited at the counter until they brought me everything on the list (including the plastic!) I noticed the store had this big bin of different size spring clamps, I found a size that fit snug around the pvc pipe so i grabbed 4 of them for $20.00 thinking they might work as well or better than the tape to hold the plastic snug the the pvc (I still bought a roll of heavy duty gray tape in case ) I am proud to say I had the dang thing put together and glued in less that four hours not including time for the glue to cure. I filled the bottom long tubes with sand as one of the viewers suggested and it works great! The clamps I bought worked perfect but I found I needed more so I went back for 4 more clamps.(I still used tape as well) All I need to do now is build a raised bed box. To hell with a cold frame when I can have a greenhouse on a raised bed! With my new confidence I am excited to begin! Thank you so much for your efforts and for sharing this very informative video. I feel like I could close a cardboard box now! LOL!
Great idea. Cheap, simple, lightweight, and low maintenance. One of the best concepts I've seen on youtube for this type of stuff. Thx for posting.
You just resolve my problem. Here in Florida is not much the cold temperatures, though sometimes it gets cold. But my problem is a squirrel army that wants to eat anything that I plant. I think this will be the solution.
Thanks dude, I needed to see the thing you made, so I could get closer to the thing I am making.
Nice setup you have there... You know something that you could use for holding down your plastic instead of tape? Cut yourself a few 1-2 inch parts of the same size PVC pipe that your cover is made out of, then cut those in half (you'll have to sand the edges so that they don't punch through your plastic); if you want a tighter hold for the clip cut about a third out of you pieces. Try using these instead of the tape to hold down your plastic, they will last longer, hold tighter and will not rip your plastic when you want to remove them; they clip right on and off of the frame.
You could even use them in the middle of your frame to make the plastic a tighter fit without having to punch holes in your plastic to tie the plastic down (very good for keeping the plastic from flapping in the wind). Lowes and Home Depot sell 2 inch half pieces of PVC in different diameters that are already cut and the edges are rounded; but, they are expensive!! I've also seen that they have the half T's where the bottom of the T's is already cut and rounded. Thanks for the video...
Its a neat design, where the plastic sheet can be comfortably placed unlike the triangle shaped top. Thanks a lot for sharing!
Really liked the way it seemed sturdy and can be taken apart and stored flat. Thanks!
This is very very nice. THANK YOU. I see all kinds of possibilities. Shading cloth, bug screen, plastic - all depending on time of year.
Admire the simplicity of this video. Thank you for sharing!
This is the cutest mini greenhouse! This is what I wanted to make for my little garden! Thanks for posting😍
You can cut 2" or 3" lengths of 1" PVC and then split out a chunk lengthwise (make sure you leave over 1/2 the diameter) and then use those as reusable clips to slip over the frame members to hold the plastic sheething. That way you can avoid the waste of replacing duct tape each year.
Nice setup, you can also use PVC clamps to hold the plastic on. They look like regular PVC but on one side it's open so they clamp over the plastic onto the PVC pipe under it. Easy on/off
Just built one using 1/2 inch pipe. Our cost is about $80 in pvc pipe and fittings as of Oct 2022 for the frame.
thanks for your video i like your design much better than the hoop design.
Dude, that's just genius. I'm gonna do that this weekend.
Made 4 so far and intend to make 2 more. So easy to put together. I've made mods to this by adding bird netting to keep critters out of the garden and they have been painted with Fusion by Krylon in flat OD green to protect the PVC from UV.
Thank you so very much for the inspiration. This has made use of so many short pieces from other projects.
Thanks, that's awesome.
Thank you! If you hadn't posted this, I wouldn't have made them.
Please keep us abreast of the latest in your garden.
This will be a lot easier to do my beds a lot smaller but I love the way you put it together thank you
I'm thinking of making one of these for my brassicas and cover it with mosquito netting to keep out the pests!
Good plan
Thanks! I think what I'll end up doing is constructing a "covered wagon" style covering on top of my raised bed and then I'll just keep it covered at night when it gets real cold. Maybe I can think up some kind of small fan system...
awesome idea. I'm sure anchoring or using bricks to hold it down would also prevent it from blowing off or over. thanks for sharing
Have you thought of using shade cloth to skin the frame? It can be rolled up to gain access, can be tailored to your plant's light requirements, allows air circulation and bird protection, is light and durable and replaceable and is relatively inexpensive.
gary baugh Don't know why it wouldn't work. Although not sure how expensive it would be.
Thank you so much I built your drip system and then build this and I ran the drip system through the pvc pipes to the top part and then poked holes in the hose and then drilled holes in the pvc pipe where the holes in the hose were and at the end I put a cap so water came through the top. I really think you should try it!
Sounds interesting. You should make a video!
Thats awesome. But wow you are the fastest worker I ever saw! Smile
I really wished I would have found this last fall. I love love love this idea.
This will make a great anti pigeon tent. Thank you for the list of supplies and construction instructions! Happy growing!
I've had broccoli actually touch the top of the cover. Also, I like lots of air circulation. But you can certainly make it any size you like. This size just works for me.
Just what I needed in Oklahoma our summers are intense and I can swap out the plastic for shade cloth.
Thanks
Very warm. You need to monitor it closely especially in summer. In fact I don't even use it during summer months.
This is exactly what I need!
Pretty smart construction! I'm looking for something to put on top of my dog's kennel to turn it into a greenhouse!
This is awesome! You are very clever!
Thank you for sharing 🤗🤗🤗
good idea for vegetable and flowers !
Thanks , it is so easy and no special material , thanks
You're welcome
I made this mostly up today in about an hour. Few of the measurements didn't add up for me so I thought I would leave what changes I needed for others. I ended up using the 4 of the 3 edged side joints of pvc in lieu of 4 of the ninety degree sections for the outside corners, and also required an extra 2 nineteen inch sections instead of 4 of the 8.5 inch cuts.
+empyrealpalliate otherwise the count and measurements were exact! Thanks for the easy build.
+empyrealpalliate oops I meant I used 4 3 edged side joints instead of 4 of the t-joints.
Exactly what I was looking for! Thank you so much!!!!!!!!
That is something I am seriously considering when I have more time.
Like It, gives you best of both worlds.
Thank you for sharing a useful idea. It's really well designed. It helps me a lot.
Nice job, I will use your idea in the garden to start the plants off, AND for a chicken tractor I am getting ready to make, as I like the sloping roof. thanks again
pretty good nice build i use pvc for everything including making big cages for my chickens and pigeons, could take the beating of the sun in in zone 12a belive it or not
Hey man great idea! I bet you could modify that thing to water your garden as well. Just add a hose connection and voila' wherever you put a pin hole you have a spray nozzle. Just a thought. Peace
I enjoyed your video, love the design. It's nice and not too small. I will make something like yours and will use chicken wire on the inside to keep out the groundhogs and squirrels, and in the fall I'll add the outside polyethylene sheeting for growing through December or January. Thanks again for the ideas.
Good idea with the wire.
nice greenhouse for a garden bed
great design, well built, and portable ,,, i have many boxes of the same size, but only have used hoops, having to install them each bed,,,,, but i like the portabilaty ,
Thx
really good Idea thanks I will be building on of these for one of my 4 raised beds and use it as my green house seed starter. Thanks
Just what I was looking for!!! 💙🙂 Thank you
Thanks for charing your greenhouse bright idea ...I was thinking about this for awhile now I got it.Thanks my friend
this would work over a small pond for the winter as well too like a 10 x 6 pond easy to handle & work with.
We made one of these, albeit a little longer, to contain or chickens so that they can noodle around in areas where we want them to. We covered it with bird netting.
You have such great yet simple ideas. You are amazing! 👍👍👍
Thanks
Nice to know I'm not the only one that does that : )
Very nice video, thanks for the great ideas.
Great little Greenhouse and easy to build. Thanks for sharing! I'll certainly check out your website too, I need some more Heirloom seeds.
Nice job... It's definitely worth taking the time to protect your plants... pvc piping is great for building these types of quick garden structures... I have been having a bit of a problem with fruit fly the past couple of years and I am thinking about protecting my tomatoes with some flyscreen covered domes... Might help, combined with traps.. Thanks for the video :)
Good work! Seems I can replicate this if I am able to get 45 degree joints!
Try aquaponics.. No weeding, no watering, no fertilizing and you raise fish at the same time. But, your greenhouse idea is great for an aquaponics growbed. And as far north as you are you can raise trout aqnd other cold water fish. GOOD LUCK!!
Thanks for this plan. It is just what I needed.
From Brasil
great design. loved it
That's a really cool greenhouse idea!
Yep you sure could. Good idea.
I want to build a walk in greenhouse like this with pvc pipes :)
Interesting. I see it covered with crop netting to keep the pigeons off my sprouting broccoli. Thanks
Well....ventilation problems can be obviated with using 'wood chips' which do two things; 1) insulate the "stuff underneath" and 2) keep the "stuff" underneath hydrated.
You don't need a green house at all for anything but "extending one's growing season".
Yes it is full. These are my grape arbors and grapes need at least 4' of soil. Also, I don't have to bend over when I plant other things in the bed.
Love this! Simplest video I've seen yet.
Me: "I'm gonna build a full-size, walk-in greenhouse!"
Me, after doing a few hours of research, realizing I have no idea how to build anything: "Maybe just a mini greenhouse!"
One thing about PVC pipe if you mess it up easy to buy a connector and use the same peace again... A lot of places like Home Depot will even cut it for you.. I buy them in 5 feet length. cost a little more but I have a car they fit good in them, do not have to cut them, just buy some connectors about a dozen tees and two way connectors,
Nice Job. Could you use a shade cloth in a hot climate with your design?
the thin shiney silver tape found in the heat/ac section works much better.
Thanks for the info
looks nice so I stopped by to see it. I was thinking it would be good to put a watering thing along the top ridge. either separate with little sprayers or just by using the pipe there...I don't know zip tying sprayers to the top with a timer would be cool.
Awesome! I am going to build this for next year's beds.
I do have one suggestion because I noticed when you lifted it that the short 2-foot pieces would bend down because they're not glued. I would suggest that you put a 7 to 8-foot piece of 1/2 inch electrical conduit down the length of the 2 bottoms and the top. Just lay it in there loose. That will let you move this whole thing around without it bending and possibly coming apart while you're moving it. That worked REALLY great for my large pvc framed political signs.
Great idea! I shall copy. (Had been trying to cut thick pieces of wood to size with rubbish tools, ha,ha.and job going slowly). As soon as I can I'm going down the plumber's outlet and going to make a project similar to yours - though I thought, whilst using pvc pipes - why not attach them to guttering and have a self-watering greenhouse? Havent quiet got all thoughts/attachments in head yet, but sure it can't be that difficult. Anyhow., THANK YOU for great vid.
nice, what you could do, if you are bored is put the plastic on a roll, mount it to the side, then do the same on the other side for your shade cloth.
Best
I love it
This is a great plan except for one missing part on the parts list: 4 90degree 3/4" fittings for the corners. Had to make a special trip. It would also be helpful if the directions included a list of where each of the lengths of PVC pipe is used. It was a bit confusing, but we did it and it looks and works great! Thanks!
Whoops sorry about that.
Happy Father's Day!!! Thank you for this 6+ year old video. I won't ask you to identify which parts go where, but maybe you can confirm, if I have figured this out correctly. 10 - 4" - horizontal roof structure > 10 - 13" - vertical base > 10 - 24" - 45 degree roof trusses? > 8 - 19" - horizontal base (length) > 3 - 46" - horizontal base (width) > 8 - 8.5" - ???? > Also, the horizontal roof truss is seemingly comprised of 4 pieces which should seemingly be the same length as the 8 horizontal base (length) pieces making for 12 pieces of 19" inches in length, not 8. So, what are the eight 8.5" pieces for, sir? Thank you for taking the time to reply to my enquiry. Thank you, again, for this beautiful concept that I will by copying.
wow so beautiful sir
Thanks
Going to copy your design for my raised bed. great design.
this would be a great shade cover for my partially raised rectangular koi pond .Thank you
This is just what I needed!
Great idea!
That is really cool and thanks for sharing it!
I love your greenhouse design, and I wanted to make one for my cinder block 4 x 4 (interior dimensions) raised bed. I was hoping to make it slightly larger so that it would sit on the cinder blocks rather than inside my garden bed, but I wasn't sure how long I should cut all my PVC. I was also hoping to secure the green house with PVC inside the holes in the cinder blocks. Could you please help me out with the dimensions needed for my particular garden bed?
Great design! Thanks for sharing!
YW
great idea.
I would ventilate as much as possible and watch the temps. If ventilation brings in too much cool air, then close it up more. But you need constant circulation
Love Your idea !
Excellent, thanks for sharing 🌿
Love it, great job!
Thanks
This is really cool! I'm wondering if you think it might work as a portable chicken tractor?
Excellent vid 👏
Thanks
Great vid thanks!
I got too eager to start tomato seedlings and they really need to go out soon...but, maybe about 3 weeks too early here in Missouri. I am building this tomorrow instead of starting new seedlings lol.
Or build this for seedlings: czcams.com/video/E3heshLQspQ/video.html
Another good one
Thanks for sharing !
About how much does it cost to build the PVC structure?
great idea... thank you for sharing.
I could have used this 2 yrs ago. Abnormal summer rains killed all my vegs. Critters ate my netted strawberries too.
very smart guy,i was wondering about why just didn't use the 90 degrees elbows,thank you sir this help me over here in the caribbean...................for those who are thinking in the caribbean is always sunny well in my case i am providing a shade for the nursery as well wind reduction.......taa-daaahhh
+StreetKingz4Life The 45 degree elbows are there so that the snow is able to slide down the sides of the frame instead of sitting on top of the frame. With you being in a sunny climate, simplify the design by just using 90 degree eblows and you will be good to go!
Bryan B Thank you sir...
The 45 degree sides isn't just for snow. 90 degree elbows would still be a problem for warm climates because of rain ponding on the square top and then eventually collapsing and/or ruining the plastic and even possibly ruining the frame itself. 45 degree sides or round sides (also known as hoop design) are the only way to go.
NunOfYourBiz plus i just like the ergonomic thrifty look of it
Sweet, good work. Thanks
Thanks for the video. I bet this does a lot toward keeping it warm in there. Would it be better with clear plastic, or is clear even available?
What do you think about putting hinges on one side and a latch on the other? Then you could just kind of flip it off, out of the way when you want to get in there and mess around and then flip it back on when you are finished. I think that is what I am going to do.
I am going to use four 3/4 in. snap saddles two on each side as hinges so I can unsnap and tip either way. www.homedepot.com/p/FIMCO-3-4-in-Snap-Saddle-9026SP/202534479
I know this comment is super-old, but there is actually a video here on YT where a guy builds what you’ve described here.