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

[GoolGaul]

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

[Jem]

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?

Did you see my post here...

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

Easy to make and great effect

Jem

[GoolGaul]

Did you see my post here...

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

Easy to make and great effect

Jem

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?

[Jem]

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

[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

[GoolGaul]

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

... ...

Jem

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

[laserist]

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...

[hakzaw1]

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

****************************
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

[Jem]

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

[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.