Ok I'll admit first off that I'm slack and didn't check to see if there already was a topic like this... but I just thought it might be an idea to have a topic devoted to things people learnt while making their first (second, third etc) projector either through making mistakes and correcting them... or just through good ideas.

I'm still in the early stages of putting mine together and the best I can come up with so far is that whole using guides for your saw when cutting... only way to get straight cuts (well with a hand saw anyway... and that's all I have to work with).

So anyone else want to post what they've learnt that may help future builders/rebuilders?

too many to list but one that i think is really important is as soon as you get the lcd out glue down those ffc so you dont tear them I have been lucky so far

buy the lcd first then build around it. its harder to change your mind once you have the lcd at hand.

Never make your setup involving delicate parts (ie. LCD) too temporary. Things will break!

Never leave an LCD sitting alone while you are operating on it, not even for a minute. Take it with you if you have to. Left alone, you put it a risk of being hunted by the evil LCD reaper

DJ

Lamps burn skin.

measure once cut twice,, no other way around.I think build slowly and in a progessive way and ask alot of questions on way if you are not sure as you get a ton of help on this site..............LL

Heh. Learn from the mistakes of others, you'll never live long enough to make them yourself.

Electricity is dangerous, treat it with respect.

My own mistakes involve the awesome destructive potential of my cat. I now never do any work with anything remotely breakable without locking her out of the room.

Never, never, never begin anything unless you're in a totally relaxed and focused frame of mind and are as guaranteed as possible that you won't be interrupted. At least for the expensive and not-easily-replaced stuff as well as the potentially life-threatening stuff. This is why it's taking me years to finish. Life used to be simpler.

Edit: Don't be afraid to ask but do your homework first. This is a friendly place. And patience, patience, patience.

That's why I never even considered touching my LCD before I had my cat locked away... and the kids weren't around (They are my partners and we have them half the week the other half they go back to their dad... that's my play time )

So yeah... I guess I'd second the "make sure you have a nice clear peaceful work area"

Oh and I do plan on learning from other's mistakes (hence this topic) and I already have learnt much from people on here... so thanks everyone very much.

Also just learnt from my brother that I may be able to drill the pop rivets out of the highbay light fitting I managed to pick up recently

If you can, draw everything out to scale either the old fashioned way or using software like CAD. If you don't have or know CAD, use Google SketchUp like myself and others do. Being able to build something in software exactly how you want it is a great way to prevent mistakes. Don't get lazy with the sketches. Draw out EVERY aspect of your projector to scale. It saves money... but definitely not time!

dont, DONT set your deadline for november 10 for the Cotto/Mosley fight when you(me) dont even have all the components!!!!! How are you gonna build a folded design without the mirror?? the tv box?? DONT BE CRAZY

Hah, great thread. Out of curiosity, why is it "measure once cut twice"? Shouldn't it be the other way around....?


And how are you supposed to glue FFCs?

I've never mentioned this but several months ago I lost at least a quarter tip off my right thumb when I was using a power planer while building my son's 7" portable dvd projector. Really, really STUPID move on my part trying to plane a very shallow piece of lumber. Several months later and many embarrassing excuses (obvious big white bandange on thumb) I strickly approach power tools with a right state of mind (clear minded) and with utmost due caution and never, never take them for granted or be overly confident in my building skills. Now I have a permanent scar that affects my ability to hold small items with my dominent right hand which could have been worst like several fingers good have been lost in a roller of 3 blades going 3500 rpm.

Folks, regardless of blockades, mistakes, confusion or whatever in any build, please, please do not and I repeat do not take safety for granted, out of the equation, or try to cut corners just for a build. It's really not worth it!!

The LCD reaper comes in many forms

Remembered this last night (or was it this morning?). My 17" was billed as 4:3 aspect ratio. It's actually 5:4. Click here for details if'n yer int-rested. Now this may seem insignificant but when I ran the numbers I found a 100" diagonal screen was PERFECT for my setup. As it turned out due to the difference my projection was too tall for my screen and I was a bit boned. Eventually I will be able to work around this but the take-home message is don't believe everything you read. Some stuff is obviously conjecture and/or opinion and that is obviously to be taken with a grain a salt but when you buy something with "4:3 Aspect Ratio" printed on the dang box I think it's reasonable to expect it is what it says it is.

@SIM: Sincerely sorry you learned the hard way but I simply must point out that SLOW Durachko's thumbs are usually up his butt so they're fairly safe. Now, I gotta see if the Kontron sales rep is finished in the toilet.

Amen.
I was routing a vally into some wood for my fresnel mount & some how managed to catch the very tip of my finger on the blade.

nothing serious, but it ended my play time early & i'll have a stupid finger tip bandage on for the rest of the week.

It happened because I was concentrating on the wood & forgot to keep track of my hand.
And, because I didn't have the healthy fear for my router table that I have for my table saw.
I fear the saw.
FEAR IT!!

It has never hurt me, but my buddy lost some fingers on one.

I learned that lesson when I was very young. My father (Who is a general contractor) accidentally ran the tip of his finger down the tablesaw. It took a 1/8" wide strip (not very deep) from the last knuckle and down his fingernail of his right ring finger. That was enough for me to realise just how fast a powertool can change the rest of your life. It literally takes only an instant of inattention.

I treat powertools the same way that I treat weapons. With a great deal of respect. Whenever I am dealing with one, it has my full attention.

I also believe that a dull knife (chisel, saw, or other cutting implement) is a dangerous one Well cared for tools are the safest ones

I second and third the above cautionary tales re: power tools. A table saw mishap last year resulted in severely torn ligaments in my thumb, which surgery has yet to correct. And who can forget joewerb's accident. That's a stiff price to pay for a Hall of Fame projector.