"Lumenarc" Reflectors...

GreenSpottedPuffer · #1 01-06-2009, 02:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by om6acw

At the end its going to cost you same, maybe more, depends of how you are handy, just count reflective material (95% and more is pretty expensive 24x24" it's around $57) bulb socket, cables, rivets , tools if you dont have it you have to buy or rent + your time for fabrication, looking for material. If you stay in work for couple extra hours you can buy them, original with proper used material, each one exactly same..... so I dont think this is worth that much effort....

Not even close to the same price. I was about to pay $250 for two reflectors plus shipping. I just need the aluminum ($50) and some rivets. I have all the tools already (stepfather does) and I have the sockets and wiring. I am just making new reflectors to replace mine...maybe about $60-70 for two. Thats about $180-200 less.

Have you checked out the prices of the Lumenarc Minis??? $119 plus tax and shipping is the best I have seen but if you have seen better, please let me know!

om6acw · #2 01-06-2009, 02:18 AM

when you need replace just reflectors this can be good home project but if you can get whole new lumenbright mini pendants for $120 I don't know...

banditpowdercoat · #3 01-06-2009, 02:22 AM

but how many can be built form a sheet????? I may be interested in enough for a 175W reflector. Want to try MH on my corner tank, but want to do it cheap for starters, see if I like it with the heat issue and such

GreenSpottedPuffer · #4 01-06-2009, 02:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by banditpowdercoat

but how many can be built form a sheet????? I may be interested in enough for a 175W reflector. Want to try MH on my corner tank, but want to do it cheap for starters, see if I like it with the heat issue and such

I think from that sheet I was looking at you can build at least three, maybe even four. I would have to double check though.

KrazyKuch · #5 01-06-2009, 03:53 AM

Each one takes up 21.5" X 21.5" so you could make 2 reflectors per sheet!!

Chris_A · #6 01-06-2009, 06:08 AM

Just a thought but maybe try some fabrication shops. I know I *could* get some mirror-polished aluminium through work but last time I looked into it the cost was... prohibative. Granted that was for 16ga and over a year ago though. Maybe try for some 20ga or lighter? One thing to keep in mind, at some point the price actually goes UP with thinner material.

There is also mirror polish stainless steel but again... not cheap. I'll double check what the technical name for that finish is and post so you can at least take a look at it.

Chris

GreenSpottedPuffer · #7 01-06-2009, 06:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chris_A

Just a thought but maybe try some fabrication shops. I know I *could* get some mirror-polished aluminium through work but last time I looked into it the cost was... prohibative. Granted that was for 16ga and over a year ago though. Maybe try for some 20ga or lighter? One thing to keep in mind, at some point the price actually goes UP with thinner material.

There is also mirror polish stainless steel but again... not cheap. I'll double check what the technical name for that finish is and post so you can at least take a look at it.

Chris

Yeah its looking like the really good stuff would make this project more expensive than buying the real thing. So I have to look at materials and see if there is a cheaper product that has a good reflection and hopefully is relatively thin. We'll see.

GreenSpottedPuffer · #8 01-06-2009, 02:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by om6acw

when you need replace just reflectors this can be good home project but if you can get whole new lumenbright mini pendants for $120 I don't know...

True.

yeeg · #9 01-07-2009, 03:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GreenSpottedPuffer

Not even close to the same price. I was about to pay $250 for two reflectors plus shipping. I just need the aluminum ($50) and some rivets. I have all the tools already (stepfather does) and I have the sockets and wiring. I am just making new reflectors to replace mine...maybe about $60-70 for two. Thats about $180-200 less.

Have you checked out the prices of the Lumenarc Minis??? $119 plus tax and shipping is the best I have seen but if you have seen better, please let me know!

whats your time worth? if its 10 bux an hour or less, then its worth your time to build it but if u normally make 25-50 bux an hour, I would think twice...But thats just my opinion.

GreenSpottedPuffer · #10 01-07-2009, 05:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by yeeg

whats your time worth? if its 10 bux an hour or less, then its worth your time to build it but if u normally make 25-50 bux an hour, I would think twice...But thats just my opinion.

I make quite a bit more than that but I don't see the reasoning behind what my wage has to do with what I would be doing at home on my own time?

To be completely honest, I can afford to buy the Lumenarcs no problem but like the idea of saving money. The finished product some people are getting for half the price looks great.

Sorry, just don't see the link between my income and making a reflector