So the time came to redo my reflector.
As some of you guys know i am a bit of a diy nut , the first attempt at a reflector turned out ok but i always felt it could be better . I hate the fact that such a simple item could cost so much but none of us can dispute how important a good reflector is for our grows.
Here is where we get to the fun part i decided how hard could it be .....
So here is my diy guide , i doubled my light output according to the meter.
This was my first poor attempt
Tools:
Drill
4mm drill bit
Rubber Mallet
Pencil
Tape Measure
Square
Pop rivet gun
2 x Clamps
work bench
Joint
Coffee
Materials:
Aluminium Plate 450mm x 900mm ( not mirror , rather get slightly brushed)
6 x pop rivets
4 x 1m chain ( look in the linen shops for cheap chain)
1 x cup hook
1 x L bracket
1 x E40 Lamp holder'
2 x 40mm Machine Screws
Step 1:
There are always 2 sides to the alu , one side will stay protected with the laser film for the whole build.
Measure out the halfway point on the sheet of Alu on the film side and draw a line with your square .Then measure out 25mm each way of your centre point and draw a line with the square (film side).
Step 2:
Now clamp the sheet down to the work bench( film side up) lining up the outer line with the corner of the work bench. By clamping down the sheet and lining up the edge with the line you going to give yourself a nice bend. Once clamped down and lined up with the edge take your rubber mallet and hammer the bend into the sheet. Now line up the other side and repeat the process to give yourself 2 nice straight clean bends in the sheet and a 50mm flat centerpiece.
Step 3:
Now that you have a sheet that looks like it has 2 wings but if left like this will just through all your light away. Find something you can shape your 2 wings with i found a gas bottle has a good profile to follow, if making a smaller version find something that has a good shape to follow.
Now put your wing film side down over your template and use the rubber mallet to beat out the form ( place a towel over the template to protect the sheet ) repeat on both sides until the desired form has been reached.this process is key to the whole build , take the time to get the curve perfect. Take a lvl and check your curves are equal and fine tune.
This is what i use to beat the form
Step 4:
Now we have our form , take the L bracket and place it on the centre line you draw earlier. Mark the holes and drill them with the 4mm bit. Take the pop rivet gun and attach the bracket to the sheet. Drill a 4mm hole in each corner for the chains.
Step 5:
Take the 4 pieces of chain and pop rivet 1 to each corner. Take the E40 lamp holder and attach it to the bracket wit the 2 machine screws.
Step 6:
Remove film and install into cab!
DONE
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