DIY CFL Reflector - How To (Simple, Cheap & Effective)

Snuggs;1022186 said:

I shared this diy reflector in another post and was asked to share here as well.

OK. This is a very cheap, simple & effective CFL reflector.

Tools Required

• Tin Snips
• Jigsaw or similar
• Hammer
• Tape Measure
• Drill
• 3/8 Drill bit
• Pliers

Material's Required

• 5 x 24 Vent - $3.29
• Wood (most have leftovers for this small of a cut)
• Dual Pole Light Socket - $3.49
• Y Adapter Socket x 2 - $3.09 ea. (Total $6.18)
• Electrical Plug or Lamp Cord - $3.19
• Wire Nuts - $1.69
• Finishing Nails - (Had on hand)

Step 1

Take your tin snips and cut off the crimped edge of the 5 x 24 vent piece.​

Step 2

Get out your saw and cut down two pieces of wood. Use what method works best for you. My cut measurements are 13 3/4in. across the bottom, center the bottom at 6 7/8in., then measure up 3 3/8in. and complete you arc. They don't need to be perfect.​

Step 3

Grab you hammer and some finishing nails and manipulate the vent piece to lay on top of your cut piece of wood. This can move around on you a bit. You may need to use your feet or something heavy such as your hammer to hold down the opposite end until you get it centered & tacked in place.​

Step 4

Flip your vent upside down and measure out your center for the light pole. Should be 10 3/4in. in and 7 in. across. Grab your drill and a 3/8 drill bit and pop a hole through.​

Step 5

Grab your dual pole socket and feed the wires through your newly created hole. Now tighten down with your pliers but be sure to hold the light socket so that it is centered.​

Step 6

Get out you lamp cord and wire it up with a few wire nuts & preferably some black tape for extra safety.​

Step 7

Grab you Y socket adapters & screw them into you light socket.​

Step 8

Add whatever bulbs that best suit your needs. I decided on 4 x 42W 6500K CFL's. My reasoning behind my choice was to produce over 10,000 Lumens per reflector, per reading through the forums the sun throws 10,000 so I figured that may work best to make each reflector a bare minimum of the sun. At least try.​

Well there ya go simple, cheap & seems to be very effective. All for just over $15.00 without the bulbs anyhow.

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