once again we've used the beautiful weather here in the southwest to enhance our new home (and boy does it need some enhancing!).  our project this weekend was replacing the old, battered, shredded aluminum framed screens with new ones (found some really cool kits at local home improvement store).

anywho, we've got the basics down, but are finding that we lack the finesse to have a nice taut screen.  not to mention that the spline roller tool is an absolute pain in the arse to control.  my question to you guys:  got any tips o' the trade to help make the job easier or the results better?

thanks in advance.

I've had good luck having a helper.  I'd nail in one of the short ends, then have a helper hold the other short end around me while I nailed it in.  It required putting the spline in in four sections, but you have a taut (lengthwise) screen when you nail the sides down, and you don't get any wrinkles that way.  Also, BE PATIENT.

FFZ

Do you have a ROLLING spline tool or just one of the cheap knife types?
The rolling ones work the best, but you really need 4 hands.

I'm no expert at it either, but I've had better luck with metal screening, instead of the plastic stuff.

yeah, we got one of those rolling ones.  which occassionally rolls right out of the track and full speed ahead over the fingers trying to keep the spline in line.  ouch!

waldo, i'd love to just have new windows installed but we don't have the funds for that right now.  i really hate aluminum windows.  hate 'em.