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SculptorM
Many thanks to my friend Lee for opening my eyes to this whole thing....

I have embarked on this adventure and buried myself to get it done as quick as I could. Nights & weekends taken to obsession.

Not quite done, but running, I'll try to give what details I can.

Basics:

LCD- Mag Innovision LT565 - $50 ebay
Bulb - Ushio-S400DD - Atlanta Light Bulbs - $38
Ballast - 400w HPS Quad Tap - HiDirect - $53
S15 Lens Kit - LL - $65
120V Wiring Kit - LL- $25
AC Adaptor - LL- $10
2 - 12VDC 120mm Fans - LL - $16
Pro Reflector - LL - $15
FS Mirror - LL - $34
20 pin ffc extension - LL - $15
80 mm Fan guards - $2
1- 110v 120mm Fan - Mcmaster.com - $22
Fan cordset & filter guard - Mcmaster.com - $4
Aluminum channel for case- 2 pc @ 8 ft - Mcmaster.com - $33
Set screw shaft collars -Mcmaster.com - $3
Tempered Glass - $12
XL10 Lexan - $12

Total - $409 (not including shippping)

As for the rest. I have a studio and happen to have most of the hardware, aluminum, acrylic, and birch plywood in stock or scrap. More details on that later.

After some time looking over blogs, I decided on a folded design (most thanks to Pun15her) and dug in with Rhino. I use it for most work and the precision would be helpful with this project.

First round:


After finding the fans too loud on the front I worked the design over to include a box at the bottom, with airflow to baffle the sound.

Second round (after fabrication work & analysis):


more in next post.....
SculptorM
After the frames are built:

Ripped down 1"x1"x1/8" aluminum channel on the table saw (negative rake blade set high) to proper dimensions and cut the angles with a chop saw. Cleaned the messy cut edges up with a Dynafile using scotch-brite belts, chamfered & welded with spool gun. Added strap to edges for the mounts. sanded edges down.

The base plate has some channel added for a heat sink under the bulb.

Pieces are:

Reflector mount
Tempered glass mount/Iris
Fresnel - with XL10 Lexan
LCD - No Circuit board mounts yet, get welded on later
Fresnel
Mirror mount & triangle supports
Mirror frame
4 sides

I drilled 1/2" holes in the reflector mount plate and plug-welded the heat sink channels on from the top, then ground it all down with a sanding disc on a 4" grinder. I decided after that to grind all the surfaces so the high-temp paint would bond well to the aluminum.

The smaller parts were cut on a bandsaw and edge-finished with a disc sander. Heat sink channel was cut with a chop saw and cleaned up with the dynafile (a hand-held belt polisher).

I welded 1/4"x1/2" strap to two of the walls, drilled and tapped them for 10-24 bolts. This was done with the plates clamped arounf the stack to insure a tight air flow.

pics of the parts:



The Reflector mount top:



The reflector mount bottom with heat sinks (1/2" base 3/4" leg channel):




More in the next post....
SculptorM
Frame Stack with the first generation Base Box.

Decided to stick with manual focus for the first round. Using the ol' shower drain.

Did put a height adjustment in with a pivot point. To be ammended several times later.

Saw Lemony Snicket's lately and liked the eye form. just had to do it.

These shots show the LCD board mounts. Cut with the band saw, aluminum as well, with 4-40 screws & plastic washers to mount the boards.

Fan guard & springs for reflector mount. Great thanks to bloggers for that one.

without walls:





Walls mounted:





more in the next....
tameone
Aiyyyeee!! Thats badass.. can't wait to see the image
SculptorM
Fired up for the first test.



Cued by seeing pun15hers test sheet, I drew some lines on a piece of acrylic and shot on the wall...



I kept feeling like I was in danger of blindness testing the system with the acrylic, I had to get the box wrapped with something. I had some 1/2" birch plywood at the studio, and the aluminum channel from mcmaster (originally planned for the frames, abandoned the idea of trapping the materials).

After some more Rhino to get dimensions, I cut two sides with the bandsaw and bent the channel to fit the edges (by hand with 3/4" plywood circles, have a bunch for just this purpose). Then used some translucent white acrylic I had left over from projects to slip a case over the works.... Cut with the table saw and drilled with hole saws from Lowe's


Tested the rig (no LCD yet) with a paper screen thrown together with poplar and painters tape. Finally got some $8 tempertaure gauges mounted inside to check temp. With the small front hole it was running hot, mostly kept the front panel off at first.




more in the next....
SculptorM
Thanks tameone!

Still trying to get the images up. more tonight!

M
tameone
stop I want to go to bed

laugh.gif
Votey
QUOTE (SculptorM @ Sep 20 2006, 11:18 PM) *
Ripped down 1"x1"x1/8" aluminum channel on the table saw (negative rake blade set high) to proper dimensions and cut the angles with a chop saw. Cleaned the messy cut edges up with a Dynafile using scotch-brite belts, chamfered & welded with spool gun. Added strap to edges for the mounts. sanded edges down.


Uhhh, yeah. blink.gif Sounds good. unsure.gif I have no idea what those words mean. lol laugh.gif

QUOTE (tameone @ Sep 20 2006, 11:45 PM) *
stop I want to go to bed

laugh.gif


Woo! I am loving this so far. "Sculptor," if anyone else used that screen name, it would be pretentious. For you, it's a perfect fit. Keep up the good work, man. Wow.
SculptorM
So here I have it together.

Had some ffc difficulty. The extension was a little thick for the circuit board mount and the clasp wouldn't close. And I lost that little brown clip for the extension connector (spent a half hour with a flashlight crawling around the floor in my office, damn!) never did find it.

Anyway, go it working.

Also had to add full universal control to the Triplet mount (lord bless tig welding) using shaft collars from mcmaster and 1/4" stainless (true round) I pieced together a system that allows tilt in all directions, as well as vertical and horizontal movment. Obviously struggling with focus issues.

Added a fan under the Ballast to vent heat, since the circuit board is directly above and I feared destruction. I used a Lowe's rheostat to take the fan down (less noise). All wired into the LL switch along with the 12VDC fans for the light box. Put a hole the back case, slips right over the fan cover, worked well.

The wires running into the side are for the fan temp control, above the tempered glass, just below the fresnel/XL10. Gets to about 98 up there. Have it set to shut off at 80-85.

Used "solder'n'seal" connectors to extend the LCD controls (sitting on top in the first image) and heat shrink to wrap them up nice. Such a beautiful invention the s'n's are.

Bought terminal blocks, but haven't figured out where I want them yet. That'll happen a little later.

more pics....





Triplet adjustment:



More soon...
SculptorM
Thanks Votey. The sculptor part is my day job. I own a small company that creates custom craziness with steel, concrete, fiberglass, wood, and other stuff at large scale (and small).

Might have to find a way to make art with lenses now. A lot of my work is lit, just a different kind of lit, more decorative than functional. This project has opened a whole new world. So cool!

I can't be more grateful for the community of people here sharing experience with such a complex series of technical issues.

Sorry to go techie with shop talk. I figure I can explain, if anyone needs to know what these things are. I'm fortunate to have access to a variety of tools I wouldn't expect most to have. I play shop geek too much.
SculptorM
So it comes to this...

I opened up the hole in the front. and will not be keeping it, I think. I need the volume, but it looks too much like a cyclops with an open mouth I think. It does keep air flowing though. And provides a nice spot to store the cables until I can get a proper panel mount HD15 for the side. One of my emps suggested a some scattered smaller holes, might try it for fun.

I used the sledge and a vise to bend a piece of aluminum and cut out a hole for the switch with a jigsaw, cleaned up with a file. drilled a hole for the breaker. will probably replace this with something that will hold the LCD connection and a temp gauge. Not done yet.

Not happy with the front of the top cap. Sides are cool, but front needs work. I used the table saw to slot 1/2" birch and fit it to the channel. drilled and countersunk the channel to mount it. Back side is more 1" angle hacked down and polished. Screwed to the top cap, lucky I got the cut angle right on the wood top.

Cut the top plate out for the lcd control with a jigsaw and routed out the back side to flush it out (sort of). Luckily it fits tight with friction, no need to screw it in right now.

Pics of piece now..

LCD control


Case sides. No Back/Front





SculptorM
some screen shots.

Found a Da Lite 100" Tripod screen at the local university surplus for $25. Not sure what the fabric or gain is, probably 1.0.

Waiting for my High Power model B to arrive...

Anyway, test shots.

Pirates of course


Godfather (wife's all-time fav movie)
pun15her
HOLY **** !!
Wow,Sculptor. ohmy.gif
I can't believe how far the bar has been raised with this PJ! biggrin.gif
Excellent work,she looks amazing.Well done.
Great effect with the materials you used.
Cheers P smile.gif
blake
I don't even know what to say... that thing is absolutely AMAZING!! ohmy.gif biggrin.gif Are you TESCORP's brother or something...? Damn.
SculptorM
Thanks P! Great to hear you approve! Many thanks to you, as I spent some time wandering through your vertical PJ blog and it helped me get excited enough to execute this plan. It was the reference for me.

I'll probably aspire to motorize a couple elements in the future, which was one of the most enjoyable creative aspects of the vertical P build. That will happen later, as the fever pace I set must abate (my lady wants me back).

I have much enjoyed watching unique solutions emerge in this group.


Thanks blake! Wish I could say that... too much of a newbie.. just got lucky I guess. more to do yet. still working out details...
SculptorM
I briefly tried out a precondenser I have lying around, but looks like a big change in settings for my time right now, so maybe in a bit I'll get to play with that. Odd that I have had that double lens set for years and never knew what I might use it for. May be wrong for this, but I'll give it a shot.

I'll post pictures of the rig soon. pretty simple. Based on (and thanks to) Simul8r's condenser mount, but with legs to hold it over the bulb. just a test at first.

Oh, also... week and a half ago, a short time before I get the LCD running... my Dvd surround rig (sony not-dream right now) dies and will take two-three weeks to fix (IF they have the right parts). tough luck. will have to find some other sound for a little bit. Still have the computer to run things, though, just very small speaker on a laptop. The Dvd was our stereo.

Looking forward to the boom of surround with some big movie. And the 120" high power, of course.
sensibull
Funny how such stellar work can depress me ("I can't possibly match THAT.") and inspire me ("How easy he made it look!") at the same time. Kudos on your workmanship, Sculptor! Instant hall of fame inductee, by my reckoning.
Votey
QUOTE (sensibull @ Sep 21 2006, 08:12 AM) *
Funny how such stellar work can depress me ("I can't possibly match THAT.") and inspire me ("How easy he made it look!") at the same time. Kudos on your workmanship, Sculptor! Instant hall of fame inductee, by my reckoning.


Seconded, this definitely belongs in the HoF.

Godfather is my wife's favorite movie, too. post-418-1138467278.gif
samuraijack
QUOTE (Votey @ Sep 21 2006, 08:47 AM) *
Seconded, this definitely belongs in the HoF.

Godfather is my wife's favorite movie, too. post-418-1138467278.gif


Very sweet. I like the rounding on the back, and anything with wood grain in it is an automatic plus for me!
Cant wait to see it with the Dalite HP...wink.gif

SamuraiJack
tameone
this pic makes me sad.. I realize how badly I suck at wood and metal working.

SculptorM
QUOTE (tameone @ Sep 21 2006, 10:17 AM) *
this pic makes me sad.. I realize how badly I suck at wood and metal working.



thanks! I think I got lucky on that corner. I always try to get pictures of the parts that turn out. The other side is not quite so clean (note no detail shot of the front) wink.gif

The trick with the mount hole was to cut it just a hair small and sand out the sides with the sandpaper wrapped around a really square block. Can't add material back, so making it small helped... That and the plastic flexed just enough to squeeze it in....
KevinTheCake
Where are the smileys for drool, eye pop, envy, steam coming off of head,
and lust?

That is a work of art! I now feel inadequate.
BoomerBrian
That is very nice craftsmenship. I am impressed. biggrin.gif
DarkMeat
Well it's been said before but damn good job so far. Looks like it's almost done and it's great the way you used everything from wood to plexi and metal for the enclosure deffinately looks like a professional job.

DM
SculptorM
Thanks to everyone for the comments. I'm happy the jaunt into this hobby has worked out so far.
I've left out a lot of details, the AG strip and other stuff, no lack of frustrating moments in the evolution. Most fun was losing that teeny ffc connector clip. Found a couple lost things looking for it. taped the big half of the connector on and holding my breath.

Looking forward to the first official use. Still a few details to work out. Should have my 2.8 screen tomorrow. Putting up some hardware to hang it tonight. Now just waiting for the sound to come back from the shop.

Hoping to find a HD 15 f-to-f to mount the cable into the side. May get it tonight if the shopping trip succeeds. Need to get the cable tongue out of the front.

Mounting that and the temp monitor will be fun. A few other details to clean up. probably playing with the front hole(s) and thinking about an intake filter (dust bad). should have enough scrap plex to play. That and cleaning up the top plate a little...

still want to play with the precondenser idea. must tend yard first, and tackle some less technical art & lighting.

Will start thinking about gear motor focus as well, though I love the adjustment in the current setup. That'll come later.
SculptorM
Been thinking I should work on the triplet area a little to seal it. I remembered seeing a swirl of dust fly in at top speed. I have suction from the back side (ballast cooler) and the air can only come through that opening and leave dust behind on the fresnel. May think about a gasket of some sort.

Last test has dust showing up in a few places, distracting.

something else to think about I suppose. Maybe a vent up top on the back to keep the air flow proper.

hmmm..
SIMUL8R
Nice piece of work Sculptor, very nice.
dajyn
Great projector project Sculptor...Your efforts are remarkable to say the least biggrin.gif Some comments about your LCD: I also installed a MAG 565 in my first PJ. It gave great image results (unfortunately damaged it a little bit while testing on an OHP - those darn RF-filter "magnets"). And the FFC is held together with only hope and a prayer at times. On the negative side I had poor black levels in areas of the screen. Seems to be the LCD itself - light leaking through - but not entirely sure. So I'd be interested in hearing how your image quality turns out?

And sorry for getting further off track. But that's really an interesting "attic" you are projecting inside. Nicely decorated - did you furnish that also yourself?
SculptorM
QUOTE (dajyn @ Sep 21 2006, 10:27 PM) *
Great projector project Sculptor...Your efforts are remarkable to say the least biggrin.gif Some comments about your LCD: I also installed a MAG 565 in my first PJ. It gave great image results (unfortunately damaged it a little bit while testing on an OHP - those darn RF-filter "magnets"). And the FFC is held together with only hope and a prayer at times. On the negative side I had poor black levels in areas of the screen. Seems to be the LCD itself - light leaking through - but not entirely sure. So I'd be interested in hearing how your image quality turns out?

And sorry for getting further off track. But that's really an interesting "attic" you are projecting inside. Nicely decorated - did you furnish that also yourself?


no problem, will address the "attic" in a moment...

Yeah, the ffc thing is a bit of a pain. I used some light adhesive tape to help it stay put, and it seems to be holding (except now I've said it, it probably won't).

I haven't started any true analysis of color or contrast yet, as I don't trust the $25 screen I found and paper surely doesn't do it. When I get the new screen up, probably this weekend, I'll be checking it out more.

Nothing has popped out at me saying "bad" except focus issues, which I don't recognize as much when a movie is on as I did with the acrylic test panel or with test patterns from the wonderful pgen program. But it is still an issue. Tilting the screen helps, but only so much. Thus the super adjustment on the triplet mount.

Main thing is being able to see over the piece when sitting down. With my little baffle box it rides over 28 inches high, which is one of the reasons for the 120" screen, back up the pj.

Anyway. I'll check it out.... nice to know someone else has used that monitor.

I'll post what I find.

-----------departure----------

As for the attic, yeah it's a nice place to hang out, my living room. It's the main place my wife and I are when we are home.

I took some pics when she dressed it up for a party last christmas. to join you in wandering off topic... one is below. I made most all the lighting (obviously not the arco) and a few pieces of furniture (obviously not the barcelona). My wife lets me have my way with the downstairs, she gets to put the Toile upstairs. She lets me get away with what I want because I make the stuff...



Anyway. We like the couch for movies, so the den takes back seat for my little obsession. It goes here.


---------Back to PJ---------
dajyn
Wow, even more impressive than the projector. I see you are an artist...in wood, metal, even plastic smile.gif I should have called it your "loft"... wink.gif

28" seems tall - but that's still a lot lower than my first PJ. Think Washington Monument with a lens and mirror on top... biggrin.gif

That thing had too many defects to count. But sometimes you can sit down and ignore them all and truly become mesmerized by the results. I've seen a lot of commercial PJ's and they all have their strengths and weaknesses. Our DIY PJ's can hold their own at times with the best of them. That is truly the amazing part in my mind...that I can even make that statement.
SculptorM
QUOTE (dajyn @ Sep 21 2006, 11:24 PM) *
Wow, even more impressive than the projector. I see you are an artist...in wood, metal, even plastic smile.gif I should have called it your "loft"... wink.gif

28" seems tall - but that's still a lot lower than my first PJ. Think Washington Monument with a lens and mirror on top... biggrin.gif

That thing had too many defects to count. But sometimes you can sit down and ignore them all and truly become mesmerized by the results. I've seen a lot of commercial PJ's and they all have their strengths and weaknesses. Our DIY PJ's can hold their own at times with the best of them. That is truly the amazing part in my mind...that I can even make that statement.


Thanks. The fun part of the house is the contrast from inside to out. Looks like a good ol' 60s split level ranch outside.

anyway, Yes 28" is tall. I struggled and decided to keep the fan system muted. My first design was 25" and loud. The fan sound just bounced off the back wall. I have battled the fear of not seeing over it, but it works great in our space, just below screen bottom.

I need to take pics of the base box sometime (the reason it is tall). I built in an airflow pattern with a pvc pipe quarter, a ramp, and a pvc half pipe to route air back, forth, down, and out to muffle the fan noise. it's kind of crazy. I read in a blog to consider air like water and you get the picture of the best system details. I used that as a guide for the box.

I periodically cast concrete countertops for work and I just built it like a water-tight concrete mold. Caulked joints and clean connections. I'll get a picture of it sometime soon.

I'd agree that these can hold there own for quality. I have the guys next to us in the building at work excited and amazed, though not to the drafting point to get involved. One had complained about store-bought projectors and seemed amazed at what this one put out. Pretty cool to see that.


It's a cool thing to see that look in somebody's eyes when they get it....
SculptorM
The dvd dream is back, so the pj should be up and running this weekend. shipment tracking says the screen is "out for delivery" so that should be in today.

just have to break down the paper screens and make the place look less like a projector shop.

no luck with the Hd15 connector. probably just order one online. maybe go all the way to a panel mount cable from datapro.


On a fun note. Had a crazy thought about the front and back panels. Just completed a couple lights for a parade home and the designer I worked with sourced a cast material called 3form (company that makes it). They put all kinds of cool stuff and patterns into cast sheets for all applications. first time I've used it, but will probably be putting it into the light in my dining room. Thought how cool if it was in the projector, not this style, just something funky. The have a reclaim section on thier site where it's not quite as expensive (normally $25/sq. ft.). The pic is one of so many patterns they have.

pic of the stuff in lamp at studio (lamp is 1 ft.x 1 ft. x 6 in.)



Might add a little crazy accent to the piece, depending on what pattern you find. Expensive detailing I suppose. Just a wild hair thought..
SculptorM
Now that I'm awake.... Don't like that idea any more. would have to be so subtle as to not be worth it. The clean white is so nice

"look, it's the george-of-the-jungle projector!"

must remember to drink coffee before being creative in the morning. Urgh. Must work now.
dajyn
But great for kids - you could put imprints of cartoons, etc. smile.gif

That's why I gave away my PJ to my brother's family (3 little boys) - they won't care or even notice all the flaws it has...

Maybe that's why they like me so much... biggrin.gif

lot's of neat free things, don't notice all my "flaws"...
Mohanned
Wow.

Great PJ. Great house. Good stuff. Love the metal on wood. It's very 21st century kitchen (that's not intended to be a backhanded compliment, though it sounds like one). Me like.
SculptorM
QUOTE (Mohanned @ Sep 22 2006, 02:44 PM) *
Wow.

Great PJ. Great house. Good stuff. Love the metal on wood. It's very 21st century kitchen (that's not intended to be a backhanded compliment, though it sounds like one). Me like.



compliment accepted, thanks! now if I can just make the kitchen look like my projector.....

might look into getting parts laser cut for the future project. have to find out the cost from my supplier of that stuff. might be cheaper than the madness...
dajyn
Are you thinking of laser-cutting parts for a new projector?

I wonder if anyone has tried that yet...

I've thought about it, but might simply start with a lightbox / light engine assembly - much smaller. biggrin.gif
JLRAS21
I must add my compliments to the project. Best new look I have seen on here in a while.

Keep up the good work and looking for to your next piece of art!
tameone
QUOTE (dajyn @ Sep 22 2006, 03:42 PM) *
Are you thinking of laser-cutting parts for a new projector?

I wonder if anyone has tried that yet...

I've thought about it, but might simply start with a lightbox / light engine assembly - much smaller. biggrin.gif


Hirudin's projector has a bunch of parts cut from titanium. don't know if they were lazer cut of CNC'd but they're awesome.
SculptorM
QUOTE (tameone @ Sep 22 2006, 03:50 PM) *
Hirudin's projector has a bunch of parts cut from titanium. don't know if they were lazer cut of CNC'd but they're awesome.



mmm titanium. nice. must dig in when I have perusal time. Thanks for the tip!


dajyn,

yes, after breathing aluminum fumes and dust for a while I thought it might be great. Just haven't heard back from my contact about the details. have to get the Cad together to communicate for pricing as well.

might look into a profile that works universally as well. These frames have some funky dimensions and angles that make it trickier. lots of cleaning straight edges. would love to eliminate that part of the work.


Screen came in.. hoorah! so clean and pretty... may have to test it tomorrow, though. Friday night may hold beverage relaxation.
dajyn
I just had a thought: Perhaps we could collaborate together on a new projector design?... wink.gif

What is your CAD system? I use UGS and can get laser-cut parts made here at work for "personal" use at "cost of materials".

I don't mean to put any pressure on you at all. It's just an idea. biggrin.gif

You are obviously a very creative and talented designer.

Lots of people have made great strides creating new PJ designs that have inspired others to copy or duplicate and even sell versions to others.

But I haven't seen yet a pre-fab or kitted all metal PJ design. Seems like there's an opportunity out there to come up with something unique and of value. But first and foremost, I think it would have to be simple in design and construction - at least that's my thought. smile.gif
basstich
QUOTE (dajyn @ Sep 22 2006, 04:23 PM) *
I just had a thought: Perhaps we could collaborate together on a new projector design?... wink.gif

What is your CAD system? I use UGS and can get laser-cut parts made here at work for "personal" use at "cost of materials".

I don't mean to put any pressure on you at all. It's just an idea. biggrin.gif

You are obviously a very creative and talented designer.

Lots of people have made great strides creating new PJ designs that have inspired others to copy or duplicate and even sell versions to others.

But I haven't seen yet a pre-fab or kitted all metal PJ design. Seems like there's an opportunity out there to come up with something unique and of value. But first and foremost, I think it would have to be simple in design and construction - at least that's my thought. smile.gif


I couldn't have said it any better. With the precision of this layout, there is no reason that this could not be reproduced for a folded or NON folded pj.

biggrin.gif biggrin.gif sign me up biggrin.gif biggrin.gif
dajyn
Thanks for the idea support, basstich. smile.gif But I may have come across too strongly on the "collaboration" part. In reality it is very difficult to get two people to agree on doing something the same way. I think our forums are perfect examples of that. biggrin.gif Especially for people who are very creative and artistic, perhaps. Again, I think the forums are full of these people as well. I am not any different in reality.

But in my job, I must work with others in a team, to accomplish a greater goal that could not be achieved alone. Actually working in a team can be very enjoyable and rewarding as we all know.

But you really do need to have very strong ties with someone, such as through "blood" or years of friendship to collaborate and cooperate on projects outside of the work environment.

So you don't have to respond to my proposal, Sculptor. I think if you had a design mostly done and were looking for help from someone, such as myself or others, then we probably could pitch in - to help you get the rest of the way there. That's all... biggrin.gif
SculptorM
Thanks for the interest!

All comes down to time, I suppose. Thus my desire to check out laser parts. I have to keep the pj to the off hours unless it can make our billing rate at work (fat chance). and my lady would like me back for a bit. must be efficient with my time. Today and tomorrow my friend is named Mulch.

I have a bit on the biz website about dialogue and interaction with clients that expresses a similar sentiment about collaboration. I love working with people to achieve a goal of a cooler world. Have to make it profitable most of the time (tough sometimes in the custom world I work in), but it is the source of our energy and sales point for the work. Cool energy swirling around in live, work, and play places. makes life worth living.

As long as patience goes along with it, I'd love to bat around ideas. Sharing problems and their solutions, technical and creative, is the driving force behind all this anyway, at least in my mind. Thus 17,000 people on a forum.

Still have some issues to resolve with the design. I think I'll be painting the back to the front panel white, or at least muting the transulcence. The high power screen picks up every little trace of light off the front. Still keeping the look, just backing off the glow a little.

Tonight should be the first official run through with the surround system and the new screen. letting it hang out all day to settle.

Will get some screen caps if I can. Briefly tried out the screen early evening yesterday. Spectacular difference!

Look forward to drumming up ideas to throw around. will keep working out the details.
SculptorM
QUOTE (dajyn @ Sep 22 2006, 06:23 PM) *
What is your CAD system? I use UGS and can get laser-cut parts made here at work for "personal" use at "cost of materials".



forgot to reply on that. mentioned it in passing earlier... Rhinocerous 3d. Many file formats. good for translating.

Also have AutoCad, but mostly for reviewing Arch. Plans, don't know it well.
cromaclearcrt
Sculptor,

Just found your thread....mate you either got to much time on your hands or you work very fast..either way outstanding result and workmanship...you sure you havnt done this before !? biggrin.gif

An inspiration to us all no doubt about it !
mydiazclan
Sculptor,

That's one of the prettiest things (projector) I seen. Very Very Nice!
SculptorM
QUOTE (cromaclearcrt @ Sep 23 2006, 09:24 PM) *
Sculptor,

Just found your thread....mate you either got to much time on your hands or you work very fast..either way outstanding result and workmanship...you sure you havnt done this before !? biggrin.gif

An inspiration to us all no doubt about it !



I wondered about time myself, since I went nuts for a few weeks (and my wife decided half way through that this idea was horrible). Since I was a kid I always had to try something new once or twice a year and get buried learning top speed. Now my business is creating custom installations, functional and non (that "art stuff"). I can't seem to escape the need.

So for myself and others I'll perform this exercise publicly. Here's what I can remember: skip to the bottom for hours if you don't care to trudge through the muck.

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worked a few nights on cad sorting it out before parts came in. maybe 5 hrs

8/24-25 parts arrive

8/26-27 weekend - 13 hrs +or- in shop. frames built. no heat sink on bottom.

week of 8/27-9/2 maybe 8 hrs +or- in 1 hour chunks (early morning and early evening)
framework & early box base done. heat sink on bottom & LCD mount plates - alumium painted
eye-shaped triplet mount with early pivot only-design

weekend 9/2-9/3 - another 13 hr +or- run at shop(wife out of town).
Case sides/aluminum trim/cut acrylic. evolution of base box into zig-zag baffle for sound

week of 9/3-9/9 similar early morn and early eve. total 8 hrs +or-.
misc details detail fuzzy.

weekend-9/9-9/10 a few hours.
added to focus mechanism. added fan to back instead of front forcing in.

9/10 - 9/15 8 hrs same manner.
LCD in place. Triplet rig enhanced. Switch mount in place. Up and running.

weekend 9/16-17 5 hrs. sanded box & sealed. polished aluminum.

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Total around 63 hours basic layout and fabrication- Still details left to finish (much slower pace, I feel)


That's just what I can remember. I suppose time spent wondering what I was going to do next should count for something. No telling. I dawdled on Rhino playing with thoughts numerous times. and of course hours tinkering with focus & lighting. That was probably part of the misc fuzzy detail part.

I have a friend, fellow sculptor, and mentor in California who's last repsonse to it was "Holy time-sucker, Batman!" Previously he had asked me to put a price on it (at billing rate). wouldn't answer him.

Glad I'm beyond the main push, just had to get it done. I usually pick something new every six months or so and dive in. It was just too tempting.

It's awesome to see a worldwide community of people all thinking differently about one system.
DarkMeat
Way to go man I'm an art teacher and she does look like a piece of fine work.... never got into the instalation thing went the easy way out graphic design and painting smile.gif. All I can say that your instalation skills seemed to have made this one pretty easy for you although you might find yourself tinkering with lighting and your video output like many of the guys in here have come to find out the hard way...

You wouldn't happen to have a website up with any of your work would you?

DM

Man you really make me want to take that woodworking class at the local technical school... smile.gif
SculptorM
QUOTE (DarkMeat @ Sep 24 2006, 01:52 PM) *
Way to go man I'm an art teacher and she does look like a piece of fine work.... never got into the instalation thing went the easy way out graphic design and painting smile.gif. All I can say that your instalation skills seemed to have made this one pretty easy for you although you might find yourself tinkering with lighting and your video output like many of the guys in here have come to find out the hard way...

You wouldn't happen to have a website up with any of your work would you?

DM

Man you really make me want to take that woodworking class at the local technical school... smile.gif


Three cheers to teaching. Best way to make an impact (I'm a little biased, my wife teaches).

You're right. The tinkering goes on. Though I don't have as much time now. Life comes back. I think the triplet adjustment allows for a lot of play, and I keep using it to work on focus when the issue may be below in the fresnel mount.

Need to tweak the light rig so it can move in and out more easily. I was just anxious to get it up and running and it takes full removal of stack to work on the part. I have t-nuts in the base and the rig is tied down, so I have to start a the top. time consuming.

I need to widen the top fresnel mount since keystone adjusment cuts the top and bottom a little. And it seems a little fuzzy at those edges. I think I may have designed it just a hair to close to the pure pixel size.

Most of what I want to do requires dissasembly. The only thing tough about the threaded rod stack is all that up and down with the nuts to take it apart. I use the dynafile to race the nuts up and down quickly.
Would love to find a way to stabilize the system and still allow for easy removal. Perhaps a sled system, as my friend Lee suggested recently.

I have someone interested in the metal parts, and need to feel good about the final solution.

If this can get you into a class... cool. I always say that everyone has the ability to do these things, it just takes the internal drive and access to the right equipment. You should go for it!

Creativity is never limited by only having $50 worth of tools. Only what you can (safely) dream up to do with them.


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Though I have pictures of my gallery art, I don't keep a web page of that work. It's mostly personal, for shows and fundraiser donations.

The big stuff I make is here: McConnell Studios

here's a new one:
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