DIY Batwing reflector with cool tube

[havefungodumb]

Aluminum sheet $20.00
S strips @ .89 $4.00
2 5' long angle pieces $14.00

thats all i need right for a reflector? and the bender? to bend the aluminum sheet

 

[VictorVIcious]

Aluminum sheet $20.00
S strips @ .89 $4.00
2 5' long angle pieces $14.00

thats all i need right for a reflector? and the bender? to bend the aluminum sheet

You might not even need that much, this reflector is 40" wide, you may not need it that big. If I were making this again, and I will in the next few weeks, I would just use some steel cable from corner to corner instead of the angle pieces. It would weigh and cost less. I bought the bender because I knew I would use it more than once. I probably won't use the s strips either, just bend an inch on the end instead of the 3/8, that should work as well. This was the first go around with doing this.
If you know someone that has access to a roll former, you might be able to have this made from one solid piece. . VV

 

[havefungodumb]

s strips are the end pz's?

steel cable?

sorry im a foo with this home hardware shit but i do true love it i sware

be back tomorrow morning to anwser better, thanks later

 

[VictorVIcious]

s strips are the end pz's?

steel cable?

sorry im a foo with this home hardware shit but i do true love it i sware

be back tomorrow morning to anwser better, thanks later

Yes, I used them for the outside edge, they are made for sheet metal joining.
The steel cable I am talking about would be like 3/32". It's available by the foot in the big box stores and they have Lead Wire Splicing Sleeves. You can make cables that have a high tensile strength out of them, for hanging lights etc.
I have been a member here for over two years and started 10 threads now, 7 of those are DIY threads, welcome to my world. I can save you money because I have made a lot of mistakes. You might be able to avoid them. VV

 

[havefungodumb]

so really all i need is the aluminum bender and the pz of metal correct? im reading what you write just having a hard time understanding so ill try to reply to understand you more clear for when i go to buy.

i went over the pics again and it looks like you have 2 pz's becauce u want a cooltube(which i dont need) how much is a roll former? if i cant find 1, cause i thought thats what was done here guess i didnt look at pictures clear enough you joined 2 pz's but at the start you had it bent to just how i liked it right.

will the bender do that for me?

once i got the aluminum shaped how did you attached the socket to hood

 

[havefungodumb]

Yes, I used them for the outside edge, they are made for sheet metal joining.
The steel cable I am talking about would be like 3/32". It's available by the foot in the big box stores and they have Lead Wire Splicing Sleeves. You can make cables that have a high tensile strength out of them, for hanging lights etc.
I have been a member here for over two years and started 10 threads now, 7 of those are DIY threads, welcome to my world. I can save you money because I have made a lot of mistakes. You might be able to avoid them. VV

i dont want to cut the metal?
what else will the cables do besides hang lights?

im going over ur threads right now thanks for replying to my dumb ass questions.

 

[havefungodumb]

that flood table looks nice in your DIY section .

i think i might try that, not the best with wood tho might get a friend to help me.

 

[VictorVIcious]

so really all i need is the aluminum bender and the pz of metal correct? im reading what you write just having a hard time understanding so ill try to reply to understand you more clear for when i go to buy.

No, you also need the flat aluminum piece 1 1/2" by 1/8" to join the two pieces together.

i went over the pics again and it looks like you have 2 pz's becauce u want a cooltube(which i dont need)

Yes you do need it, if you want to be able to control the air quality in your room.

how much is a roll former? if i cant find 1, cause i thought thats what was done here guess i didnt look at pictures clear enough you joined 2 pz's but at the start you had it bent to just how i liked it right.

will the bender do that for me?

once i got the aluminum shaped how did you attached the socket to hood

A roll former is an industrial piece of equipment, your not going to buy one at your corner store.
The way I had it formed at first changed when I got the cool tube. Your last question is why the cool tube makes this simpler, it already has the socket and cord, factory installed. I could not make that cool tube for what it costs to buy, it was $100.00. The hardware for attaching chains to hang the light are part of the cooltube as well.
It would require more work to make this without the cool tube than it will with it. VV

 

[havefungodumb]

lol dang more work without it..

whatttt no way

 

[VictorVIcious]

lol dang more work without it..

whatttt no way

Since you dont need the width i have you could do it in a single piece WITH the cool tube very easy. It would just require drilling two small holes in the sheet, the cool tube has studs you could attach it over and it already has knurled nuts on them. You just need to stop by the house I could show you all of this in a few minutes. VV

 

[havefungodumb]

lol that would be awesome

arnt cooltubes like 100 bucks tho?

online that is.

i wanted to try a small vert grow that would be cool.

 

[VictorVIcious]

lol that would be awesome

arnt cooltubes like 100 bucks tho?

online that is.

i wanted to try a small vert grow that would be cool.

If you are going to hang the light vertical all you need is the cool tube, since your plants sit around the light you don't have to reflect it, just let it shine. VV