Im going to start to build my projector once i get the lumenlab pro lens kit, i have a liquid video 17"er in in my sights, m135 ballast, ig,cap,socket on teh way also, with a venture bulb (2nd thoughts about the coil, would of rather got a elec, oh well i can always upgrade later) and the of course the pro lens kit when they are in stock.
when i get the lenses im going to home depot for some .5" MDF 4'8' sheet

This is where i need help
I need to know where to find out what dimensions my projector has to be (reflector to light, light to glass, glass to fresnel, fres to lcd, lcd to fres, fres to trip) and i dont think the hight and width should be a problem (lcd size), but what else do i need, wire nuts? 120 mm fans? flat black spray paint? lexan or tempered glass (which is better)? anythign else?
i want to hang everything in hand when i get the lenses so i can start building
thanks so much

The center of the bulb goes at the focal point of your reflector, so not really a distance between them as they kind of go together. You can put the glass/lexan wherever you want to. Glass would be better if you're going to get real close to the bulb with it. The rear fresnel sits it's focal length away from the bulb (e.g. 220 mm) There needs to be enough distance between the fresnels and the panel or the grooves will show up. 5/8" spacing I think. Add another focal length from the front fresnel to the triplet (e.g. 330 mm). Make sure you leave yourself some room for adjustments and tuning as every application will differ. Also make sure of the focal lengths of your specific optics. I just used the numbers I knew.

The ballast will be fine to start. That's the beauty of the lumenlab pj, you can change it whenever you want.

As far as what else you need to buy, I think it's impossible to get all at once. You may have to keep getting stuff as you go. Try and think ahead of every little detail. Are you framing fresnels, or just sliding them into channels? Will you have some kind of keystoning gadget? What will you do for a focus assembly? Are you going to use flashing in the light chamber? I recommend the Evercool PCAC's instead of 120mm fans. You'll probably want to pick up some blackout cloth at a local JoAnn Fabrics.

Do lots of reading, and check out all the PLOG's. There's some real detailed stuff in there, some quite inspiring. Good luck.

i believe pvfjr is referring to the standard lenses/fresnels in terms of his numbers (correct me if i'm wrong)... the pro lenses which you're referring to for the 17" lcd are 220mm for the rear and 650mm for the front (off the top of my head for the new corrected lenses, don't remember) but apparently they're still supposed to be mounted at ~770mm?? (i don't understand that however)

i've got 2 PCAC's on the way as well, they're extremely quiet for the huge amount of air they move, plus they come with their own little 'cover' if you will.

pvfjr makes a lot of other good points however, lots of choices depending on how 'fancy' you wanna get in your assembly. you pretty much have to read through the existing plogs and conceptualize your own projector based on what you like/don't like in them (or have the time/tools for).

good luck.

Ive been reading as much as i can on these forums, i would like to use channeling but id have to make it so i can adjust it (i dont want to install in soem channelingon the box and realize i need to move it over .5 if an inch) so i might go for making a frame and making sure its really tight.

Good catch araczynski. I hadn't noticed that he had the pro kit. I think the distance between the front fresnel and the triplet may depend on the triplet's focal length, not the fresnel. I think they were just matched in the 15" plans.

Home Depot for lumber supplies?

Before you go, take a sheet of paper and draw out all the simple cuts for your lumber. Then have them make all the simple cuts for you on their panel saw. With this project (assuming you use the basic box, and not a folded design) all you will have to do is assemble the box at that point. It will save you very much time, and if you are like me, they will make better cuts on their panel saw, then I could at home with my skill saw.