DIY Reflector on the cheap - Micro Grows - International Cannagraphic Magazine Forums

hoosierdaddy · 01-31-2009, 10:22 PM

Many have been interested in my old DIY reflector that I used with 150hps.
I still use the reflector in my stud box.
I'll go over this thing quickly, as there isn't much to it.

You will need:
Piece of aluminized insulation board.
(I use Dow SuperTuff R x 1/2" this comes in an 8x10 sheet for about $12)
Roll of aluminum tape.
Knife (carpet knife is best)
Straight edge (yardstick)
Piece of uni-strut or some sort of mounting bracket

I made my reflector 18" deep
I cut a piece of SuperTuffR 18" x 26"

Then I make a small cut on one side of the board every two inches...do NOT cut all the way through the board..all you want to do is cut through the aluminum sheet on that side only. And you want to cut THE BLUE SIDE!
Leave the aluminum side for reflection.
Best to make 2" marks on both ends of the board and then lay your yardstick down lining them up, then lightly cut the top layer.

Once you have the one side cut every two inches, lay each section on a table edge and break that piece. It will not come off, and will break cleanly with a swift downward motion. Practice on some scrap first if you are uncomfortable with this. First time you will see it breaks like magic.

Once you have all the sections broken, open each section up until the gap is 1/8", then tape it with a small piece of alum. tape so it stays.

When you get done, you will have this:

Mount on a channel or piece of uni-strut to hold your light base, and hanger, and you are done.

This configuration can be used with two 150hps bulbs facing each other. I used the now discontinued econolights vapor tights.

blynx · 02-01-2009, 01:00 PM

Great idea, thanks for sharing this with us!

JamieShoes · 02-01-2009, 03:02 PM

really solid design!

02-02-2009, 01:58 AM

Thanks a lot for posting this Hoosier, you go into great detail and the finished product looks great! Definitely doing using this to complement my DIY cooltube.

Really helping me plan out my first setup, thanks a lot for your posts!
~A

BigBlack81 · 02-02-2009, 05:03 AM

Fab as a starter reflector for those of us who need to do this stuff on the cheap. Much thanks for posting this.

ratbastard · 02-02-2009, 05:19 AM

Genius! I love MacGyver DIY stuff

petemoss · 02-03-2009, 05:03 PM

Thanks for the tutorial, hoosierdaddy! And nicely illustrated with your drawings!

stink.whistler · 02-23-2009, 12:29 AM

I plan to use a fan mounted directly to the bulb mount in a simliar way you have done here. I am however a bit worried about vibrations from the fan shortening bulb life.

Have you noticed any shortening of bulb life from this setup? For an easily replaceable 10 buck 150W HPS I wouldn't really worry, but I'm planning on using this on a fifty buck CMH lamp that has to be mailordered.

sleepyrz · 02-28-2009, 10:44 PM

nice added benefit of it not hurting if you run your head into it

cheetos · 03-03-2009, 02:48 AM

i am recommending this for the diy link o ramma. This is pimp.

01-31-2009, 10:22 PM	#1
hoosierdaddy Banned Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: On a hill in a holler Posts: 4,900	DIY Reflector on the cheap Many have been interested in my old DIY reflector that I used with 150hps. I still use the reflector in my stud box. I'll go over this thing quickly, as there isn't much to it. You will need: Piece of aluminized insulation board. (I use Dow SuperTuff R x 1/2" this comes in an 8x10 sheet for about $12) Roll of aluminum tape. Knife (carpet knife is best) Straight edge (yardstick) Piece of uni-strut or some sort of mounting bracket I made my reflector 18" deep I cut a piece of SuperTuffR 18" x 26" Then I make a small cut on one side of the board every two inches...do NOT cut all the way through the board..all you want to do is cut through the aluminum sheet on that side only. And you want to cut THE BLUE SIDE! Leave the aluminum side for reflection. Best to make 2" marks on both ends of the board and then lay your yardstick down lining them up, then lightly cut the top layer. Once you have the one side cut every two inches, lay each section on a table edge and break that piece. It will not come off, and will break cleanly with a swift downward motion. Practice on some scrap first if you are uncomfortable with this. First time you will see it breaks like magic. Once you have all the sections broken, open each section up until the gap is 1/8", then tape it with a small piece of alum. tape so it stays. When you get done, you will have this: Mount on a channel or piece of uni-strut to hold your light base, and hanger, and you are done. This configuration can be used with two 150hps bulbs facing each other. I used the now discontinued econolights vapor tights.
	Quote

02-01-2009, 01:00 PM	#2
blynx WALSTIB Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 3,358	Great idea, thanks for sharing this with us!
	Quote

02-01-2009, 03:02 PM	#3
JamieShoes Father, Carer, Toker, Sharer Join Date: Jan 2009 Posts: 6,280	really solid design! __________________ test grows and other stories
	Quote

02-02-2009, 01:58 AM	#4
Guest Guest Posts: n/a	Thanks a lot for posting this Hoosier, you go into great detail and the finished product looks great! Definitely doing using this to complement my DIY cooltube. Really helping me plan out my first setup, thanks a lot for your posts! ~A
	Quote

02-02-2009, 05:03 AM	#5
BigBlack81 Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 124	Fab as a starter reflector for those of us who need to do this stuff on the cheap. Much thanks for posting this.
	Quote

02-02-2009, 05:19 AM	#6
ratbastard New Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: island Posts: 16	Genius! I love MacGyver DIY stuff
	Quote

02-03-2009, 05:03 PM	#7
petemoss old school pothead Join Date: Aug 2005 Posts: 753	Thanks for the tutorial, hoosierdaddy! And nicely illustrated with your drawings! __________________ Regards, petemoss Petemoss' Modular Bio SCROG My Perpetual SOG cabinets
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02-23-2009, 12:29 AM	#8
stink.whistler Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: right 'chear Posts: 576	I plan to use a fan mounted directly to the bulb mount in a simliar way you have done here. I am however a bit worried about vibrations from the fan shortening bulb life. Have you noticed any shortening of bulb life from this setup? For an easily replaceable 10 buck 150W HPS I wouldn't really worry, but I'm planning on using this on a fifty buck CMH lamp that has to be mailordered.
	Quote

02-28-2009, 10:44 PM	#9
sleepyrz Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 101	nice added benefit of it not hurting if you run your head into it __________________ BLAZE ON! sleepyrz
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03-03-2009, 02:48 AM	#10
cheetos its all good Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 90	i am recommending this for the diy link o ramma. This is pimp. __________________ Why drink and drive when you could smoke and fly! I feel the need...the need...for weed
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