Homemade Kino Flo

F

fettt21

New member
I just wanted to share with you guys my latest DIY project. Inspired by the original threads about Homemade Kinos with 4ft Fluorescents, I came up with this. I built two of them. If anybody is interested in the parts/plans/tips let me know. I will gladly share it with you guys.

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:kali:

And while your at it, please vote/watch a small video I created for a local Coors Light competition.

http://www.mycoorslife.com/VIDEOALBUMZOOM.ASP?id=167

CLick on the 5 beer bottles on the bottom of the window.
 
COOL! Good job! What's the weight ?
Please post youre parts/plans/tips here!
 
Looks pretty nice mang...

In case anybody is wondering why I decided to take a break from my lights... just look at all these threads... I figured I better see how the dust settles with all this crap going on. Flolights dimmable fixture seems pretty cheap... then we have that new guy with all his stuff... and look at this thing... not bad ya' know? Maybe I had my mind geared too low... thinking $50 was worth 8 hours of work on a light... but I think what people really want, when it comes down to it... is the cheapest possible way to get a nice image out of their camera. I kind of hope I'm wrong about that... but THAT is the thing that I'm talking about when I say "let's see how the dust settles"... there's a lot going on right now and I can't be caught with 15 lights that cost me too much to make if people really like these other options.

Like I said... looks good... like everyone else I'm curious about weight and cost.
 
MattinSTL said:
Looks pretty nice mang...

In case anybody is wondering why I decided to take a break from my lights... just look at all these threads... I figured I better see how the dust settles with all this crap going on. Flolights dimmable fixture seems pretty cheap... then we have that new guy with all his stuff... and look at this thing... not bad ya' know? Maybe I had my mind geared too low... thinking $50 was worth 8 hours of work on a light... but I think what people really want, when it comes down to it... is the cheapest possible way to get a nice image out of their camera. I kind of hope I'm wrong about that... but THAT is the thing that I'm talking about when I say "let's see how the dust settles"... there's a lot going on right now and I can't be caught with 15 lights that cost me too much to make if people really like these other options.

Like I said... looks good... like everyone else I'm curious about weight and cost.
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I like this light it looks real clean but I don't think you can stand on it though.
If you ever start up with your lights let me know
 
It's all good man... I'm all for the developments that people are pursuing... I just want to see what everyone comes up with before I put out my next idea.

I've already seen some stuff that reminds me a little of my own lights... and that's cool... but since I'm not making any $ on my lights anyway I want to see what everyone else does before I give away what I want to do.

My next gen will head off in several directions... one of the things I've decided to do is have something available that's so cheap it's stupid... but I still want to make higher end stuff.

But I genuinely don't want to hijack this thread... it was my intention to compliment fettt21 on this project... and hopefully hear what it cost and how much it weighs.
 
Guys, sorry for the delay. I've been moving all this weekend to a new apartment, and I still have no internet. (thank god for high gain wireless antenas and neighbors with open wireless networks). Well, to the point:

Weight: Quite heavy. The casing is made of 20 ga galvanized steel. heavy, but sturdy. I think it can survive a beating. I still can use it with a cheap tripod, so anyway is not "that" heavy. For the next run, I think I will be experimenting with Aluminum. The problem with aluminum is the welding is more difficult, and it wont be as sturdy. I can also experiment with different gages of galvanized steel.

Price:

Components
Bright Kit for 2x55watts (Ballast/reflectors/wiring etc) $65
www.ahsupply.com <--- A little expensive, but for starters, it's OK

Casing and other manufactured parts free, because I work at an AHU manufacturing plant.

Avenger baby plate $15 on B&H

120V switch $5 on grainger

Screws, locking washers, bolts Approx $15

Lightbulbs Dulux Daylight balanced Approx $12 each ($24) shipped on B&H


total cost approx: $130 each.


I will send you the plans Monday, since I have them at the office. These plans will fit the 2x55 Bright kit from AHsupply.

The next step for me is to play with different materials for a lighter casing, and to find out where the hell could I buy a nice, cheap DIMMING ballast. I will also try to design a bigger lamp (maybe 4x55???)

If any of you guys want to share any advice on these future plans for my lightkit, I will appreciate it.

If you have any more questions about my lamp...
 
MattinSTL said:
Looks pretty nice mang...

In case anybody is wondering why I decided to take a break from my lights... just look at all these threads... I figured I better see how the dust settles with all this crap going on. Flolights dimmable fixture seems pretty cheap... then we have that new guy with all his stuff... and look at this thing... not bad ya' know? Maybe I had my mind geared too low... thinking $50 was worth 8 hours of work on a light... but I think what people really want, when it comes down to it... is the cheapest possible way to get a nice image out of their camera. I kind of hope I'm wrong about that... but THAT is the thing that I'm talking about when I say "let's see how the dust settles"... there's a lot going on right now and I can't be caught with 15 lights that cost me too much to make if people really like these other options.

Like I said... looks good... like everyone else I'm curious about weight and cost.
Click to expand...

I'd still buy one, if not 2 from you Matt!


Matt G
 
fettt- you start selling those cases and I'll be in line. I can handle the assembly, but don't have a clue to how to work with fabricating stuff from aluminum.
 
MattinSTL said:
Looks pretty nice mang...

In case anybody is wondering why I decided to take a break from my lights... just look at all these threads... I figured I better see how the dust settles with all this crap going on. Flolights dimmable fixture seems pretty cheap... then we have that new guy with all his stuff... and look at this thing... not bad ya' know? Maybe I had my mind geared too low... thinking $50 was worth 8 hours of work on a light... but I think what people really want, when it comes down to it... is the cheapest possible way to get a nice image out of their camera. I kind of hope I'm wrong about that... but THAT is the thing that I'm talking about when I say "let's see how the dust settles"... there's a lot going on right now and I can't be caught with 15 lights that cost me too much to make if people really like these other options.

Like I said... looks good... like everyone else I'm curious about weight and cost.
Click to expand...

Matt.. how much are you looking at for the lights? Shipping to east coast? Are they dimmable?

Thanks..

J
 
mcgeedigital said:
Lets see some footage shot with them!
Click to expand...

I will hopefully be testing them Saturday. I will let you know how they perform. Anyway, the ballast is operating at 60,000 Hz, so there will be NO flicker. The bulbs are from B&H, and the reflectors are mirror-like. I think there should be no problem with their performance. I only wish I could get my hands on a dimmable ballast... If you know where to get them cheap, let me know.
 
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