I've been wanting one of these forever and finally got around to starting it.
I have been using Phase Pistol's excellent blueprints as the basis for all the dimensions.
I started with two clear plastic globes that I got at Michaels - 2-1/2" and 4" - that I cut down to the correct size. The small disc is milk plex that will be used behind the small "lens" to diffuse the light. The small lens is also sanded on the inside to further diffuse the LED.
The bezels for the lens, and base are all laser engraved/cut plexiglass of varying depths.
The box is also laser cut plex with beveled edges, room for the LED and a micro switch on the side.
The whole thing stacks together pretty neatly.
This shows the light setup in back. I hacked apart a booklight with a 5mm LED powered by 3 LR44 batteries. I replaced the white LED with a red one, and made an opening in the case for the on/off switch.
This shows the switch from the outside of the case. It should be pretty discreet when the whole thing is painted up.
And, preliminary light test. I think it's looking pretty good, but I will probably still be messing with the lens setup to get a more realistic look.
I think I have spent around $10 on this so far. Not bad compared to the cost of an actual lens.
I will post more updates as time permits.
I have been using Phase Pistol's excellent blueprints as the basis for all the dimensions.
I started with two clear plastic globes that I got at Michaels - 2-1/2" and 4" - that I cut down to the correct size. The small disc is milk plex that will be used behind the small "lens" to diffuse the light. The small lens is also sanded on the inside to further diffuse the LED.
The bezels for the lens, and base are all laser engraved/cut plexiglass of varying depths.
The box is also laser cut plex with beveled edges, room for the LED and a micro switch on the side.
The whole thing stacks together pretty neatly.
This shows the light setup in back. I hacked apart a booklight with a 5mm LED powered by 3 LR44 batteries. I replaced the white LED with a red one, and made an opening in the case for the on/off switch.
This shows the switch from the outside of the case. It should be pretty discreet when the whole thing is painted up.
And, preliminary light test. I think it's looking pretty good, but I will probably still be messing with the lens setup to get a more realistic look.
I think I have spent around $10 on this so far. Not bad compared to the cost of an actual lens.
I will post more updates as time permits.
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