Pulsars DIY 2013: handmade

its 1" od heavy wall copper 3.25" long. when i figure out what im going to use for the head, im going to design it so there is clearance for my fingers behind the head. its just a concept at this point. im going to have it so my hand will fit perfect between the elbow and tailcap.

besides, dont you guys know by now i like small bodies, big heads?


thats a heat sink made for a c mag that allows the head to still focus. im not going to be using it (though its almost perfect). just there to hold the reflector up to get a visual

ill be trimming the lip off the reflector, and probably try my hand at a copper heat sink with pedestal. this weekend i will probably be going to the hardware store to look for threaded fittings, unless i think of a scheme to solder the fittings with out killing the electronic components.

now i just got to figure something to use as a head, or may be get a sheet of copper and make one…

ps: i could have pressed the tabs down and turned until the cows came home… it was also glued… i cut the tabs off with a razor knife and lightly pried up with a flat head all around the reflector to break it loose.
now that i finally harvested the reflector out of this sub $2 host, maybe i can do an active cooled multi in it someday

If there's a way to solder before you put the components in... but if not, then you are right, threaded fittings are the way to go.

Hobby shops usually carry sheets of copper and maybe even brass. It's usually .010" or .020" thick sheet, I believe.

So I figured out the head... With the lip trimmed off, the reflector is 3", so I will use a 3" end cap to start with, then get a sheet of copper to form the cone of the head shape...

I'm also thinking of just direct driving it, but not totally sure.

Also... Anyone reading this happen to have a piece of copper rod about 2" or so long? If so I'd like to buy. I'm not sure where locally I can buy it.

edit: 1" copper rod is needed

found what the head will be made from

http://www.ebay.com/itm/170994689579?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649

just want to give it a day or two to see if anyone here knows where to get one cheaper, or maybe has access to them cheaper from work or such

also on the lookout for a piece of 1" copper round stock about 2" long so i have 2 or three tries to mess up a heatsink

looks like the elbow and end cap i have are cast bronze... been working on filing down the porous surface to polish them up. with the motor cooked in my rotary tool, going to be time consuming

That is one massive reducing bush along with a massive price. I hope you find something a little cheaper.

oh trust me, me too.

i was going to use a 2"x1" reducer and a 3" end cap, but that 3" end cap is $20 alone... i did not factor in the price of copper and how much of a broke @$$ i really am when i was planning this. oh well... i have $45 left on an ebay gift card i was saving for something special. if i cant find something in a few days ill order up the 3"x1" reducer and hope i win the loot

Pulsar needs help. Is there any generous BLF plumbers in Pulsars area that wants to donate to a good cause? I hope Pulsar doesn’t mind me posting this.

Nah I don't, bit I think this really is a specialty item that's not used often. I'll give it to Saturday maybe, then I will just order the one off eBay

or does it resemble a medicinal pipe…like they have out here in CA?

Not just you... But please don't smoke from copper lol

Good luck with the copper. I just make my own slugs from layered pieces of pipe and fittings. Some nice builds in this contest and they’re all creative.

got some heat sink material, thanks to ruffles.

i sprained my ankle at work friday, and went in today and they want me on crutches and stay out until wens, most likely without pay. need parts for my car… so most likely wont be getting the 3” to 1” reducer… got a 2” to 1”, and a cutter reflector i will make work for now. maybe later in the month i will have the money to buy the reducer to use the reflector i originally wanted

and thank you DBCstm for the reflector, he mailed that out a while ago to try in a mag mod 


i filed the lip down to sink the reflector into the “head”. i need to shorten the female connectors on the elbow and the reducer to make it look proportionate. lots of file work and polishing.
got a piece of copper pipe that fits inside the pipe i have already that is a perfect size for an 18650 spacer. i will cut it to length and solder it inside the other tube. thats also going to leave a lip for a positive contact plate to seat on

Pic not working…

Can’t wait to see how this progresses, the reflector should give a nice output, we’ll see!

And yeah, I was thinking that that bowl was huge! lol

yeah, that reflector does make a nice beam. should progress quicker now that i have most materials to work with. need to figure out a bezel/lens retainer

Hey Pulsar, any progress? I have a feeling the M6 group buy has been eating into your time.

yeah. not going to have it finished... im a slacker.

ill still build it, but wont be done in time for the contest

Bummer. Still looking forward to seeing it finished though.