DIY: Light Housing
- Thread starter kaserpick
- Start date
Girly Gears
New member
The JB Weld will have to come off if you weld it anyway. MIG is a great welding system, it's just messier. They use an auto feed gun to feed wire into the arc of the weld, which throws off a lot of little beads of metal. With TIG you hold a metal rod and dunk it into the hot spot created by the arc. Much finer control means nicer welds! I'm not sure if you mentioned it, but where are you getting your aluminum stock? What are the dimensions as well?
kaserpick
Keeping it Simple
I'm glad to be passing on an idea. :thumbsup: If you decided to start building one be sure to post a link here. I'd love to see it!
Thanks for the info! I bought the metal from www.cut2sizemetals.com. The dimensions were 13" x 8.5" and 2 pieces at 2" x 8". They did a great job; I'm very please with them. :thumbsup:
Gamepro_inc
New member
So did you get the painting done? Updates please.
kaserpick
Keeping it Simple
Update and Side Note:
Update and Side Note:
The primer coats have been applied. I have to wait until tomorrow to start sanding; that's when it'll be completely dry. After that, I'll be applying the finishing coats and clear coat once the finish has dried. Finally, I'll be able to start installing the hardware and wiring!
As a side note, I'm also scrapping my current aquascape. I'm in the process of sculpting my desired aquascape, using modeling clay. Once the clay dries, I'll be making molds. Then, it'll be time to mix the portland concrete and rock salt for the molds. It's definitely not going to have a natural look at first. I'm doing this bonsai look ,after being inspired by crazy4acros, for two reasons. First, I really find the look pleasing and imaginative, and second, while being attractive, it also functions very well for water flow!
Here's the tree, after which I am modeling it:
Update and Side Note:
The primer coats have been applied. I have to wait until tomorrow to start sanding; that's when it'll be completely dry. After that, I'll be applying the finishing coats and clear coat once the finish has dried. Finally, I'll be able to start installing the hardware and wiring!
As a side note, I'm also scrapping my current aquascape. I'm in the process of sculpting my desired aquascape, using modeling clay. Once the clay dries, I'll be making molds. Then, it'll be time to mix the portland concrete and rock salt for the molds. It's definitely not going to have a natural look at first. I'm doing this bonsai look ,after being inspired by crazy4acros, for two reasons. First, I really find the look pleasing and imaginative, and second, while being attractive, it also functions very well for water flow!
Here's the tree, after which I am modeling it:
kaserpick
Keeping it Simple
Pic Update:
Pic Update:
Updates aren't as fun without pics, so here we go:
Housing during the priming stage:
Fan guards before routing:
The base and trunk of my aquascape tree:
As an update on the housing joints, first I would like to say thank you to everyone for your input and recommendations. TIG seemed like a great option, but I really wanted this to be done completely by me. After thinking it over for some time, I ended up filling the spaces with JB Weld and sanding/filing it. I'm very happy with the finished result. Thanks again!
Pic Update:
Updates aren't as fun without pics, so here we go:
Housing during the priming stage:
Fan guards before routing:
The base and trunk of my aquascape tree:
As an update on the housing joints, first I would like to say thank you to everyone for your input and recommendations. TIG seemed like a great option, but I really wanted this to be done completely by me. After thinking it over for some time, I ended up filling the spaces with JB Weld and sanding/filing it. I'm very happy with the finished result. Thanks again!
Gamepro_inc
New member
Ok I am officially intrigued I always liked the look of bonsai trees but never thought about it in the use of this hobby.
kaserpick
Keeping it Simple
Well, I'm glad that I'm not the only one who thinks this could be cool. I'll definitely have to start a new thread dedicated to the bonsai-tree-scape. Thanks for the encouragement!
Cool.
If the molds don't work you could try some PVC pipe and eggcrate.
You can even bend the pipe too if you want to get all fancy.
If the molds don't work you could try some PVC pipe and eggcrate.
You can even bend the pipe too if you want to get all fancy.
No problem. I enjoying posting in your threads because you always take different points of view and ideas even if you don't use them.
I am very curious how the molds will work. I was about to throw away some styrofoam last night and thought better of it. It went right into the fish closet for safe keeping.
Luckily my wife was not home at the time.
It seems that I have seen molds before and the people sprayed the molds with something to help lift the rock out. No clue as to where but just one of those stored fish related things.
I am very curious how the molds will work. I was about to throw away some styrofoam last night and thought better of it. It went right into the fish closet for safe keeping.
Luckily my wife was not home at the time.
It seems that I have seen molds before and the people sprayed the molds with something to help lift the rock out. No clue as to where but just one of those stored fish related things.
kaserpick
Keeping it Simple
I always appreciate different views and ideas. How far could we progress without each others' input?
I'm curious as to how the molds will works as well. I'm thinking that I might just line them with cellophane. I don't know how it'll work; it might just cling to the rock and be a pain in the butt. I'm glad I have over 90 lbs of cement with which to work. This'll definitely be an experiment.
Update:
Well, the housing has the first coat of paint. It's starting to look great.
I'm sorry things are taking so long, but this week has been long already. I work at a manufacturing plant, and the hours have been loooooong. Tomorrow, I'll have a few hours of free time so I'm hoping to finish painting it. Hopefully, I'll be able to knock the clear coat out as well. Thanks to everyone, for your input, support, patience thus far. :thumbsup:
Neogenocide
New member
Top notch my friend....keep up the impeccable work!!!
kaserpick
Keeping it Simple
Gamepro_inc
New member
Yes agreed its looking good. Now lets get some work done:wildone:
