Thanks, there was some trial and error to get it right and it will look better anodized.
Kennybobby many many times I have stuffed parts by not getting the sequence right you end up not having any way of holding it. So to cut the internals of the cone I left a ridge at the base for the chuck to grip.
Raccon city even when I get them clean they are still covered in cuts, scratches and scars. After leaving construction 13years ago and not swinging a hammer every day I still have callouses on my hands.
I got one interesting beam pattern when I was working out the focus. What i think was happening is the lens closest to the led was in focus and creating two beams.
It has started to draw attention but I think it is more curiosity than anything. On the weekend at home I mounted the searchlight mirror on a frame and tested a 100w HID and a CMT-2850. The police drove past but didnt stop and you can see the beams 1km awayand that is in town. According to Endermans calculator CMT-2850 should still give me 19km.
CMT beam shots w30 on the right
The HID creates lots of front spill so I knocked up a quick hemispherical reflector to block it and redirect the light back to the bulb.
Yes it works
w30 is on the right again.
This makes me think about a 4kw short arc or even a TIG welder with high frequency start to run as a light engine. But that would have to run with argon and the actual light could be dangerous ray burns and arc eye.
I think its about time you changed your user name. Something along the lines, gone mad grinning. You have certainly never fail to surprise and put a grin on my dial. Love your work.
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Good idea, maybe we could have a name suggestion thread for ” grinn “.
I do believe we are in danger of being located by a possible unfriendly Alien World a few light yrs away from his lights. Or maybe knocking down a few satellites soon. Either way , we are enjoying your pics grinn and grinning too.
I dont go near the lathe without boots on now, I learnt that the hard way. Couldnt believe that another forum member who live near me has a GT4 prototype and how similar my comp build is.
This photo taken last night gives a bit better idea how big the searchlight mirror actually is. It also needs cleaning.
So I got home today and made up a jig to mount the light engine in front of the mirror and set the focus at 400mm with a tape measure, flicked the switch. The mirror then got a clean with alcohol wipes and polished with paper.
what a difference!!! “100w” HID
The light was moved out 10mm.
1km
2-3km or other side of town
The beam is actually twice what you can see in the photo
408km 
