Home made reflector question

puck1969

puck1969

Well-Known Member
Found this LARGE bowl in a discount store and wondered if the finish on it would be best or to paint it bright white. I have some lightbulb outlets with y "splitters" that will hold 2 bulbs. I was going to drill holes in the sides and top to fit 10 cfl's inside. I had the outlets and y splitters already.
 

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Ringsixty

Ringsixty

Well-Known Member
don't paint it. Test it first, then if needed go and paint it. But, I don't think you will have too.
 
puck1969

puck1969

Well-Known Member
Thanks Ringsixty, I figure I can polish it well but wasn't sure if it would do the trick. THANKS!
 
ProdigalSun

ProdigalSun

Well-Known Member
Good luck painting that. You plan on drilling holes in that? Better get a hammer and center punch first. How big is this hole you propose to make? If it's large I got news, you're in for a real treat. lol
 
puck1969

puck1969

Well-Known Member
ProdigalSun said:
Good luck painting that. You plan on drilling holes in that? Better get a hammer and center punch first. How big is this hole you propose to make? If it's large I got news, you're in for a real treat. lol
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I plan on poking a small hole with a nail and then drill it with a 1" drill bit, then put the y splitter through the hole into a bulb socket. Have 4 set up evenly around the outside and maybe a cfl spotlight at the top. That would give me 9 cfl's under one reflector.
 
ProdigalSun

ProdigalSun

Well-Known Member
The drill bit is going to catch and tear if it goes through. My guess is that it will get really hot making a valiant effort at getting through the stainless steel.

You are right on the money with starting the whole with a punch (or a nail). You can do that and drill a hole up to around a half an inch this way. To get an inch hole you really should look into a high speed reciprocating tool. A jigsaw with a metal blade will do in a pinch, just make sure the blade isn't too wide or you won't be able to make the curve on a 1" hole. If you can find a grinder the right shape or if you can get a dremel tool and the right tips you can make a hole in a surface like that.

Stainless steel is fucking awesome stuff but if you don't know what you are doing, it will mock you.

If you can find one, get a metal cutting hole saw.
 
ProdigalSun

ProdigalSun

Well-Known Member
If you can make it, you will have a dandy little light. I suggest punching one hole directly in the center to serve as a vent, those CFLs do get warm.
 
puck1969

puck1969

Well-Known Member
ProdigalSun said:
If you can make it, you will have a dandy little light. I suggest punching one hole directly in the center to serve as a vent, those CFLs do get warm.
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I can get a grinder from work also. I was planning on putting vent holes or having a fan on the floor aiming under the hood. I will post a picture of it when done and maybe do a grow journal on this thread.
 
ProdigalSun

ProdigalSun

Well-Known Member
LMAO.

son, you try to do that, and you're going to do 3 things in short order. 1, you're going to dull the saw. 2, you're going to at best, make a crescent shaped cut in the pot before it catches and does further irrevocable damage to the pot, and 3, you're going to hurt your wrist or smack yourself in the face with the drill as it catches the material, stops the bit, and transfers the energy back through the drill, spinning it out of your hands faster than you knew what happened.

Come to think of it, why don't you do that for us and put it on youtube. hahahaha.
 
C

candleguy

Active Member
take it you dont work in any sort of trade, we use hole saws every day, 1 you certainly wont ruin a hole saw with a little bit of stainless, 2 it has a drill bit that goes in first which acts as a pilot bit so the hole will only come out round, 3 you put your drill in a low torque setting so it cant spin out and there are millions of youtube videos as it is the tool to use.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ABIUnStC1G0

as said hope it helps op
 
Nizza

Nizza

Well-Known Member
vari bits or step drill bits are the best for drilling sheet metal! ( i do duct installs.)
candle guy is right, but know when cutting stainless its harder so you need to cut it slower, if you overheat the cutting tip it will ball and your bit is now shit until it's sharpened
basics of using a drill bit to cut something is you want all the heat to come off in the chip.
if the bit is cool while you are drilling, things should go smoothly and you'll get the most life out of the bit
id also center punch before using these, and use some oil. this also helps transfer more heat into the chip and adds life

here is a link http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5P4Fi_Hck5Y
there are much smaller step up bits too, that is a big one used to usually make starter holes so you can put your snips in
 
ProdigalSun

ProdigalSun

Well-Known Member
candleguy said:
take it you dont work in any sort of trade, we use hole saws every day, 1 you certainly wont ruin a hole saw with a little bit of stainless, 2 it has a drill bit that goes in first which acts as a pilot bit so the hole will only come out round, 3 you put your drill in a low torque setting so it cant spin out and there are millions of youtube videos as it is the tool to use.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ABIUnStC1G0

as said hope it helps op
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What I know was from doing it. I've spent most of my life tinkering in a garage as a recluse. I'm pretty handy with this stuff.
 
C

candleguy

Active Member
i was going to suggest a step bit but didn't think people would know what i meant lol, also they are quite expensive think mine was 25 for a good one where holesaws are only like 5 including the arbour
good luck with which ever one choose both will do the job well,
 
ProdigalSun

ProdigalSun

Well-Known Member
OBTW, if the bit you're using is smoking, it's probably the wrong tool for the job. It will work, but smoke is the result of heat through friction, and if you have friction, you aren't cutting properly.

Heck, you could get a 12 gauge and that will make a hole, but it's not the right tool.
 
Jack Harer

Jack Harer

Well-Known Member
White (Titanium White) is the most efficient reflector of light. If you have the means to get that jewel powder coated in Titanium White, you'll have a great reflector. Titanium White being optimal, but the whitest white you can get will be better than that polished surface for light reflection. Mirrors and polished surfaces are actually poor reflectors of light efficiency wise.I know it sounds illogical, but check it out for yourself. Google is your friend here.

BTW, step bits are the SHIT!!! No tool box can be considered complete without a good set. Ass savers time and again!!!
 
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