Tube Light

rm5d · Post by **rm5d** » 15 Jun 2008, 04:05

I have just finished making my first 'Tube Light".It looks ok gives off about a 1/4 of the light of a 30cm CCFL.Not to bad for 2 led's.

It is made using casting resin(similar to fibreglass resin if not the same),perspex tubbing,led's,1k 1/8w resistors,wire,2 pin plug housing and plastic caps used on furniture and metal frames ect.

Sorry by my phone camera dosn't do this justice with or without the flash.

Now to try some blue,green and 3mm led's and thinner tubbing and caps.

SoulBlade · Post by **SoulBlade** » 15 Jun 2008, 08:16

Looks like candy to me.

rm5d · Post by **rm5d** » 15 Jun 2008, 10:39

DO NOT TRY THIS.

After a time the resin reacts with the rod and it becomes filled wih cracks and breaks very easily.will have to see what happens when it cured completely.

Mabye solid plexey rod drilled out with led's - will try when i have funds to purchase some.Maybe not - the addition of bubbles to the resin increased the light output alot - will have to play around with things.

Thanks

Post by **Monty** » 15 Jun 2008, 10:49

try casting the rod only out of resin maybe?

rm5d · Post by **rm5d** » 15 Jun 2008, 11:19

Thouht of that but can't come up with a practical idea for a mould - as i typed this i realized that it doesnt have to be round - square,triangle maybe - food for thought.

Post by **Monty** » 15 Jun 2008, 11:23

get a larger diameter tube, coat the inside with something the resin won't stick to, cast it, push it out and polish

RobThePyro · Post by **RobThePyro** » 15 Jun 2008, 11:37

for a mould, use a candle. drill a hole down the middle, cast resin, cure and then melt wax away...

thats how id do it:P

rm5d · Post by **rm5d** » 15 Jun 2008, 12:41

Good idea , what are the results like - have you made light's - pics

Thanks

Prime · Post by **Prime** » 03 Jul 2008, 23:26

Nice idea, the cracks could be put to good effect though. hmmm

you could also try filling the tube with the liquid they use to make gel candles. it gets bubbles and it won't melt from the leds. melt it in a saucepan and pour it in

psYChowIt · Post by **psYChowIt** » 03 Jul 2008, 23:43

da_ripper wrote: you could also try filling the tube with the liquid they use to make gel candles. it gets bubbles and it won't melt from the leds. melt it in a saucepan and pour it in

Please try that! I'd love to see how that turns out!

rm5d · Post by **rm5d** » 04 Jul 2008, 00:07

Nice idea, will give it a try and post the results.

Thanks

Hman · Post by **Hman** » 04 Jul 2008, 01:28

Looks nice.

Prime · Post by **Prime** » 14 Jul 2008, 22:07

any updates?

rm5d · Post by **rm5d** » 15 Jul 2008, 01:26

Tried the "GEL WAX" in clear and various colours - it just absorbs the light and the output is very poor - on the same lines tried a piece glue stick - clear and shinny one - looks promising didnt have enough to be sure will buy some and give it a proper go - do you think I can find crystal clear glue sticks, whish me luck.

Thanks

Prime · Post by **Prime** » 15 Jul 2008, 06:58

What about epoxy?

RobThePyro · Post by **RobThePyro** » 15 Jul 2008, 07:43

yea possible pratlys clear epoxy?