I wanted to do a diff type of projector and thought of a wood frame projector, so when i got off from work today i modified my drawing and started ripping a 1"x4" for the actual frame for square pieces. and this is what i cam up with and,

IT ACTUALLY WORKS GOOD

first i will send the drawing i did.

and now pictures of the skeliton....Well actual projector.

Another One showing slightly in the rear and you can see the triplet also i think.

Angle from the front i just have a foamboard over it so i could get the location of the triplet by seeing the center of the light projected on it. and marked it,

That is also a good Idea for any of the projectors to line up the triplet prefectly.

you can also see the cheap acrylic mirror i have taped on it for now. not the final mirror for sure.

And now the results, all i have is a transperancy i printed out it is 9"x7" and printed i think at only 600dpi.

but the results are very prommising, and my camera worked this time somewhat.

That looks really great Joe.

One More

I like the frame aproach, Because it alows me to put what ever skin cover on it i like, after i line the inside with alumn. flashing.

So what do you guys think??

Does it pass the DIY Projector Test?

Joe

Thanks Brain comming from you that is truely a compliment....

Joe, you are what this forum is about. Not just buying a tested method and saying that's good enough. It may as well be a commercial unit if that is the way of thinking. You instead use the collective knowledge and concepts from our experiments and build something original. Even if you aren't satisfied with the end product, I say kudos for trying it.

I guess I mean, looks good!

Yeah, looks great joe!!

thanks, I'm still wondering what type of skin or shell to put on it. any ideas?

This is pretty neat Joe!



Is it structurally strong enough by itself? This would leave you options for covering wide open. If you need a little more structure, then heavier (different) covering material.

Also, as well a questioning it's strength, how heavy is it? You may be on to a new design in framing and box building that would allow everyone to build lighter and stronger!?!?

Mark

Cover it in mylar and write NASA on the side.

right now it is 31lbs with that 16lbs ballast if i use the electronic ballast then i save about 14lbs and that will make it about 17-18lbs, without a skin covering.

Stong enough, yea i think so, because i have picked it up and mover it several times by the frame at the top by the lens and the rear above the ballast and no problem.

Thats why i ripped 1x4's that seemed pretty strong but light., they are just larger than 1/2"sq. rails..i will put a lcd panel ontop of if for now and take some pics.... i have a Sharp QA1050 i can put on it. 640x480 but good for a test. and take some pics.

I was thinking of silver or simulare shuttle heat tiles... lol

I'm considering retailing electronic 400w ballasts out of China. These ballasts have many advanced features but would cost $80/each. They weigh about 2lbs each. Should I?

What are the advanced features?

More lumens out of the lamp. Longer lamp life. Auto restrike prevention. Cool operation. Fast lamp start.

I was ready to say Yes with just the weight savings!

These old ones are a little much!

BTW, How big is that? Dimensions?

Joe, I am considering a framed out design like yours and I can think of nothing better than some hand brushed aluminum or stainless steel for the skin. I just finished brushing a machine at work that was covered in dirt, now the whole thing looks like a hologram. And everyone now knows why nothing else is getting done around the place.

Got any pics of it

Joe, looking great. They make the aluminum flashing up to 24 inches wide in a roll, I think (@ Home Depot anyway). If you could sweet-talk a vinyl siding installer into letting you use his brake, your edges and corners and other bends would be very crisp and straight.

Of course, dark tinted plexiglass would be cool too...very dark tinted.

Brain, yes, if it doesn't flicker. For only a few bucks more than the monsters in use now, yes, by all means, that would be a good move. A dimmer would be a nice 'advanced feature' to have.

go for it brain!! I've been looking for a good source of these for awhile now.

Yeah Brain, I think that you should defiantly go for that ballast. I think that it would be a huge improvment.

I'm thinking of maybe plexi glass covering for my framed projector but with a carbon fiber look...

for now i will just use black foam board just to cover light and see how it preforms, and to check out the cooling.

Also when i just do a light lest i can see every mm of the fresnels even the 45deg angles at the corners. whis will be great for the whole lcd, and with no minder clips

here is a link also to my fresnels.

http://www.lumenlab.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=803&hl=

Brain,

I'd go for the ballast. Who knows if I'll ever get the one I'm owed from Lamps. :angry:

Thanks,
Zendance

Ive been considering the ice cap ballast but the price scares me if the ones from china do not flicker then id be intrested in one.
peter

OK I'll get some samples.

Hi Joe cover it with green shag carpet. That would be cool

No shagging in the forums......


LOL

Hey joe, why not cover it in something like this? lol

http://members.fortunecity.de/ti4477/r2d2_e.html

That would be kewl, just like when R2D2 did the holigram projection out of his lens....

LOL

OK I did the wireing just like the Lumenlab Plans with two switches, and left the power leads available with wirenuts at the ends for the LCD panel when i get it, (UPS tracking says on time for delivery on the 4th) sux have to wait till after the weekend to finish it.

But anywayz also put aluminium flashing all around the bottom and one side that will just slide out and that is where i will put an access door for maintinance.

I have had it running now for two hours with a test transparancy on it. Some people are concerned about heat rising and it getting to hot, but the transparancy is still just barely warm to the touch so i do not think after making the proper air tunnel between the fresnel and LCD that i will have any problems.....

Here is a pic... and that is the HTPC i built to run the projector 2.4 gig, 512 mem. and a DVD-RW, 3dfx graphics card, still need a tuner card though for video in.

Oh yea can you tell I Live in Texas?

joe2000chevy, you should put some cad pics or pics showing the dimension of the back side cause i am trying to build one like yours but the back confuses me

ok i will try to add a lot of diminsions tommarrow and upload a new picture.

Oh also be aware that my lens will actually be in a sliding mechinisum or sliding box of somesort to alow for focusing. i have also been looking at threaded pvc pipe a 3"

I have it i will take a pictur of it and also with the lens inside it, looks like it will work well.

Looking really nice Joe2000chevy, it is coming together really well!

2ndSeason

Emergency space blanket, camping section of Wal-mart, $1.97 plus tax, frigging thing unfolds to a huge size...

Might be good for a light tent.

Use a hairdryer and it might shrink wrap onto that frame!

Hey Joe,
Love the concept, and implementation of your design. Simply awesome!! Would love to build something similar, however where have the CAD drawings gone?? BTW I would not recommend the camping blanket or anything else flammable. In the event of a catastrophic light failure (explosion) your skin should not be made of anything that will ignite easily. That is of course unless...........you implement a smoke detector/sprinkler system within your next revision??

I want to post them with the correct diminsions for everything when i have it up and running that way no one starts to build one and find an error or anything. Like any DIY you make minor adjustments while you build it. But i can asure you it works very good. I whould have my projector finished this week, and will post more pics.

Joe,

I'm going through thethreads and I wondered if you had any updates on your upright projector. I'm also looking at going with an upright version to fit my room dimensions. Did you fininsh the drawings or have any more pictures?

Doug

I love this design concept. I haven't ordered anything yet other than the guide but I would love to see how your projector finally turned out because, frankly ... I want to copy it . By the way, this is my first post in this forum but this idea of a DYI projector has got to be the greatest thing since sliced bread! Can't wait to get started.