Diy Lumenarc III's

I am in the beginning process of building 3 Lumenark's. So far I have spent $100.00 on the project and this is about all that I will spend.
I found the Lumenark files here Index of /reflector. I recommend putting them on disk and taking it to Kinko’s. Ask the folks behind the counter to use the cad file because it is the correct size. The jpeg and bitmap look terrible blown up to size. For 3 copies I spent $10.00

The Velox Solar Tubes came from Lowes. They have a bunch of them for $29.00 each. You will only get one reflector from each tube. I spent about an hour making one of them flat and cutting the print.

This is what I have so far.
The print over the flat solar tube.



The cut out pattern over the tube



This is all of the crud cut away from the print. It seemed like a long time cutting out that darn thing.

 

I spent about an hour on the following work today.

The first pic I taped each piece in two places and the edges of the main body with two pieces of tape.



In the next pic I showed the tools I used to cut the aluminum. I also taped all edges, I found out quickly as soon as you cut over a piece of tape the pattern will move. If you look closely on the lower right you will see my first cut.



The third pic shows the first cut piece. I put the pattern on the back of the aluminum and think it would be better to put it on the reflective side. The cut looks better from the side the pattern was on.



The last pic is of all of the finished pieces, they are ready for the sheet metal brake. The blue protective stuff is still on the aluminum.

 

I have seen similar builds on RC... Is that where you got your plans?
Looks like it could work, the aluminum will not be quite the same quality but you are saving some serious coin....
I know there was debate over patent issue when it comes to DIY'ers a while back...Scared you will get pinched for making those?

 

Cool build, I will defenetly be subscribing, this could come in handy some day.

Doc. He sould be fine. You can't get pinched for makeing something out of someone elses design. Now if he started makeing them and selling them then thats another story. That would be illegal. As long as he doesnt make a profit then he hasnt broken any copy right laws. Plus there patent probably isnt just on the shape but on the reflectors all together. Including the materials. By not using the exact same materials then it is a different product all together. You cant just patent a shape. If you can then I am going to patent the rectangle and everyone that has a rectangular aquarium will haft to give me money. lol

 

Can't wait to see it finished, Dave. As always--good work.

 

Thanks guys I will post as I move on. My wife told me that I had to finish covering the pipes for my fish room first. Who can blame her she is right. I will start on them again this week.