Good starting point for Lumia? Also tubes vs. discs?

Hey All,

looking at: www.ebay.com/itm/260841307002 as a jumping-off point for building a lumia projector.

Looks like it has a slow enough (stepper?) motor (or can be reduced further if needed)
plus it has a 30 mw red & 80 mw green (not alot, but suitable for my application)

I am also am going to spend an hour at the local glass shop to see what available architectural glass styles would work best. He's actually pretty curious about the whole concept.

Also, I've seen some talk of "torture tubes" here. Would it make sense to perhaps visit a local glassblower and try work on those? I would guess i could get "left-overs" short glass tubes or cylinders with various imperfections and such... Anyone ever try that avenue?

any other recommendations? I'm open to all of it.

-Gool

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Originally Posted by GoolGaul

Also, I've seen some talk of "torture tubes" here. Would it make sense to perhaps visit a local glassblower and try work on those? I would guess i could get "left-overs" short glass tubes or cylinders with various imperfections and such... Anyone ever try that avenue?

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Did you see my post here...

http://www.photonlexicon.com/forums/...=torture+tubes

Easy to make and great effect :)

Jem

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Originally Posted by Jem

Did you see my post here...

http://www.photonlexicon.com/forums/...=torture+tubes

Easy to make and great effect :)

Jem

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I saw that. that is what got me thinking about cylinders and glassblowers...

I was also thinking about using similar glass medicine vials (I give my dog shots and I have a few empties of his meds) and trying to torture them as well...

what power/color use in your Lumia?

Well, it's a work in progress (and has been for the last three years) ;)

It'll be 450mW of 650nm red, 300mW of 532nm green, and 200mw of 473nm blue. Basically these are lasers I've had kicking around for ages, I just need to focus and get it all bolted together :)

I've decided to order one of these small 'star' projectors from Ebay.

So, I placed my order, paid for it, and then I get an email from the seller saying they made a mistake in the listing. Apparently it's 30mW GREEN and 80mW RED, not the other way around as in the description. I'm not that bothered though as i'm only really interested in seeing how they've constructed it.

I'll report back when it arrives ;)

Cheers

Jem

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Originally Posted by Jem

I've decided to order one of these small 'star' projectors from Ebay.

... ...

Jem

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I think I'll do the same... just for the hell of it.

There are some nice single disk effects, there are more multiple effects. If you look at some of the laserium projectors that Jon has posted you'll see several "turret" projectors. The individual effects are fed by the same effect disk (in one case via a laserist controlled incoherent fiberoptic bundle) So my advice is don't just look for single optic approaches. Effect wheels with stationary standoff optics. Multiple rotating wheels and/or counter rotating. And i can't stress this enough consider using beams that are not superimposed...

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Originally Posted by Jem

I've decided to order one of these small 'star' projectors from Ebay.

So, I placed my order, paid for it, and then I get an email from the seller saying they made a mistake in the listing. Apparently it's 30mW GREEN and 80mW RED, not the other way around as in the description. I'm not that bothered though as i'm only really interested in seeing how they've constructed it.

I'll report back when it arrives ;)

Cheers

Jem

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good advice ^^^ superimposed images tend to get a tad 'busy' so I spead mine out over the entire wall-side wall and ceiling too.


I picked up an 30/80 g/r like that super cheap as the gears that rotate the two diffraction grates were not turning--- it had a broken wire to the motor- I repaired and used it and then later the motor quit- it is now inside one of my lumia boxes and works quite well-(i removed the grates) does not need a duty/rest cycle and the driver turns off/on one laser at a time- randomally and in between they are both on.

I stop in at several glass and mirror shops-often- they save me leftover pieces of textured glass- I gave one owner a cheap 5mW green pointer so he could check the glass for me and save the pieces that work well. best 5$ I ever spent.

I asked him about getting a pack of sample pieces from a glass makers/sellers and he said they dont just send them out to anybody.
I found an overhead porch light fixture- kinda rusty -at a thrift shop for 1$- they have a square piece in the bottom and four keystone shape pieces for the sides.

The 'kitchen wares' sections of thrift shops yield lots of glass that works- also keep an eye out for glass doorknobs and thick glass candle holders these make so nice images too. for motors I suggest 1/3 to 1/2 rpm and smooth turning- any jerky movements( like a 1 rpm clock motor that 'clicks' off the seconds) may not be desireable. My first ever Lumia was a glass serving plate attached to a 1rpm motor from a BBQ rotisseie. Lost of room on it for many lasers--lol. Even untexture glass has a use- I glue other bits of glass, diffraction grate pieces etc to them.
I have one lumia where the textured glass wheel dips as it rotates into a small container of oil so you see the efx of the glass(slow) and aaas the oil drips down you see another efx going on.

last-efx idea- a low volume water pump- from a table top fountain is centered in a glass bowl big enough to catch any splashes , pointing sraight up and a green laser goes thru the column of water coming from the water pump. I have one wall in my lab(formally my living room) covered with 4 old movie screens so high power lasers are not need to get a lot of reflection.

OR>>>> if you have no time for all that^^ several here at PL will sell you a slo-mo motor and some glass for a nominal fee(Displaser and Hakzaw1 have them) I JB Weld a strong magnet (like a RE magnet from a sled)to my motors and attach steel washers to my glass- makes attaching glass and changing super fast and easy-some like a magnet one both pieces.

Docjohn is an old pro at Lumia- he has lots of glass too- something like 60 different patterns. He may be willing to give advice and maybe sell you some sweet glass.


hak

edit--

I looked at your ebay item- mine looks quite diff. I am not so sure you really want one like that- I am guessing the mW output they claim will be exagerated. and the grates will be turning kinda fast- even at the slow setting. an I dont see how you will be able to add more lasers to the mix. this is listed as a 100mW red (prolly another exageration) but it looks just like the RG I got for less trhan 12$- item # 320753381862.. atm it has one hr left and the high bid is only ~11$ free ship from china. perfect item to snipe- put low max bids with your sniper and win only those that dont go high. Some call these Bliss clone lasers btw

Thanks Hak, good information. I'm in the process of building a multi turret lumia rig.

This EBay thing was just a little extra for a bit of fun. I don't expect much so I can't be disappointed ;)

Cheers

Jem

This is what you need if you want samples of glass for a good price.

Check this page to see what comes in the sample box.

I was thinking about this too. If I didn't have a glass shop around the corner, who I just paid $750 to repair my neighbor's sliding glass door and 2 windows +++ yes, wifey unilaterally decides to not only buy for my 11 year-old, but give him -unattended- and multi-pump B.B.Gun +++ who I spoke to when I went in to pay the balance, and he'd love to have me come down with a few lasers and see what's good. When I explained what I wanted to make, he remember a Pink Floyd Laser show he went to, and got all fired up...

Free glass for me (I hope!)

Maybe I can get him to make a bunch of discs and arrange a group buy...

P.S. Wifey didn't even call me when the cops showed up to inform her that my son shot up the neighbors house.

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Originally Posted by mophead

This is what you need if you want samples of glass for a good price.

Check this page to see what comes in the sample box.

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how about motors? any cost-effective options? Or should I just go for something higher speed and gear (or pulley) it down?

glass is not necessary and requires specialized tools. acrylic works very well...

http://youtu.be/oRy3X7Q2xBg?hd=1

here's a write up of my machine. maybe it will be helpful.

http://www.photonlexicon.com/forums/...804#post173804

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Originally Posted by swamidog

my machine.

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complex and absolutely masterful!

I am shooting for simple and cheap. I'm building it mainly for my Halloween bash (120+ ppl) to shoot onto the 30' high ceiling of my stairwell. ( usually introduce 3-4 new "things" at each bash... last year was my first laser project, a nice simple 50mw 532nm laser vortex in the corner shining down in the corner, and the kids thought it was the coolest thing. I used pointer guts and the usual motor/mirror, a 3V AC adaptor, and hot-glued it all to a wooden paint stirrer and screwed it to the wall. done.


I am probably doing some pulley reduction for a 4 rpm? gear-motor that I bought a pair of, from a Flying Crank Ghost build:
What's a Flying Crank Ghost? : http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=307423925789



Another add this year - using a water pump from a dead Keurig, I am going to hang a pair of head shaped burlap bags from the tree in the front of my house, place a paint tray underneath the burlap bags to catch and pump red water up the tree, down tubes to the burlap bags, which will be dripping "blood" all month long.

Halloween... yeah, I'm one of those guys.

Back to lumia...

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Originally Posted by mophead

This is what you need if you want samples of glass for a good price.

Check this page to see what comes in the sample box.

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Great link Doug-Thanks for it- @ less than 1$ each thats a super price and free ship too.

You and the wife(say hi for me) were sorely missed at SELEM-it was a big year for Lumia- I think we will see even more for SELEM VI and hope to see you two as well..cheers

hak

One, steppers make for a "jumpy" lumia, find the gear motors.

Two,If you own a propane torch you do not need to pay a glassblower to do anything. Flint glass at 7-10 mm is like 4$ for a 12" piece. You cut it by notching it with a file and pulling on it lengthwise. Dont try to "bend" it, you pull it gently along its axis. Hold it with pliars and then poke with a iron nail, bend it, twist it, etc. I then oven anneal it, but that is not always needed. The downside with flint is it cracks easily.

Mine are pyrex, so you need something MUCH hotter then propane torches. Upside is you can nearly hammer on it once annealed.

I usually charge 20$ a piece + shipping for tubes premade.

Steve

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Originally Posted by swamidog

glass is not necessary and requires specialized tools. acrylic works very well...

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Swamidog,

While I would agree that acrylic is easier to work with, I have yet to find any pattern in plastic that can match the lumia effect from granite-type glass. Way more patterns in glass out there as well.

I'd say use it ALL - whatever results in the desired effect *retardo

How much do you reckon it would cost for shipping one of those glass sample sets to the UK. If it's not too expensive would anyone be prepared to ship one over to me?

Cheers

Jem

Following conversations with Greg i've now scrapped this idea ;)

Just sharing my finds in my quest for lumia...

http://www.ebay.com/itm/280660932775

1 rpm 120v motors. $10.16 w/ free US shipping...

I bought 1...

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Originally Posted by GoolGaul

Just sharing my finds in my quest for lumia...

http://www.ebay.com/itm/280660932775

1 rpm 120v motors. $10.16 w/ free US shipping...

I bought 1...

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1 RPM will likely be too fast for a lumia wheel. These work well if you prefer using an AC motor. Surplus Shed is a great source for lots of good stuff.

NOW you tell me... :D

for the price, I might have to grab one anyway. i could use the 1rpm for something else...

thanks for sharing, and I am bookmarking Surplus Shed too...

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Originally Posted by Displaser

1 RPM will likely be too fast for a lumia wheel. These work well if you prefer using an AC motor. Surplus Shed is a great source for lots of good stuff.

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Quote:

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Originally Posted by GoolGaul

NOW you tell me... :D

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Actually, I would recommend a 1 RPM or .5 RPM DC gearmotor over anything else, allowing for speed control, direction, etc. There are many threads on PL that discuss this. A popular type are Hankscraft motors on eBay. Good luck with your lumia endeavors...

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Originally Posted by Displaser

Actually, I would recommend a 1 RPM or .5 RPM DC gearmotor over anything else, allowing for speed control, direction, etc. There are many threads on PL that discuss this. A popular type are Hankscraft motors on eBay. Good luck with your lumia endeavors...

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1 RPM + 2 plastic pulleys and a rubber band = dead slow. Plus you "may" have a bit better speed control if you vary the DC. Faster motors tend to stall later in the V-I curve, but cannot slow down to .1 RPM. So a pulley may save your purchase.

Steve

Fred at SurplusShed is a great guy to deal with. He just sent me a free sample of thier 2/3 rpm vac motor. It has a long (~5 ") shaft. about the same size as the 1/3rd rpm- Fred tells me they have plenty of the 1/3 rpm motors in stock and they are a few dollars cheaper.

For torture tubes- I made a list of cheap/free sources- eye droppers- perfume sample vials-small clear lightbulbs(like auto ones) demitasse glasses-and more that right now I cant remember. pretty cheap vials on ebay too of course.