Help needed please: small LED seedling & veg light for 50cm x 50cm x 100cm

[Greensalt]

I can help out on this one.. Im a metal fabricator of 30 years. drilling and tapping holes is a daily thing. So when you get your bits and pieces, I will guide you through the process..
Do you have a drill or can you borrow one for half an hour?

I do, I do have a drill.

Could I gave you a shout please when I'm set later this week please?

 

[VetSmoke85]

I'd have thought a couple of 3-5mm holes (whatever size is required) and some self tapping screws would do. Squiggle will get you through that one with whatever he has planned.

 

[Paul Squiggle]

I do, I do have a drill.

Could I gave you a shout please when I'm set later this week please?

No problem

 

[Paul Squiggle]

No problem

Basically what vetsmoke said Self tappers and suitable drill bit. you can get self drilling self tappers, but they don't work well on Aluminium.. I will send you a link of which ones you need.

 

[Greensalt]

Basically what vetsmoke said Self tappers and suitable drill bit. you can get self drilling self tappers, but they don't work well on Aluminium.. I will send you a link of which ones you need.

I believe M3 screws are needed for the holder therefore I have just got a HSS Ground Thread Machine Tap M3 High Speed Steel from that big river site.

As I understand it, the M3 screws will be supplied by the seller so is it just a case of carefully using the M3 tap and the M3 screws will fit perfectly?

 

[Paul Squiggle]

I believe M3 screws are needed for the holder therefore I have just got a HSS Ground Thread Machine Tap M3 High Speed Steel from that big river site.

As I understand it, the M3 screws will be supplied by the seller so is it just a case of carefully using the M3 tap and the M3 screws will fit perfectly?

Yup, carefully is the correct word.. M3 taps are very brittle. They snap easy. Just use a tiny bit wd40 or other release oil with them.
Just take your time.. do a half turn in and then back it off a bit. Then another half turn in and back it off. That clears all the cuttings from the thread, it just stops the tap binding up.
I hate tapping anything under 6 mm. Im too heavy handed and I always snap at least one. It's not the snapping thats the problem. It's getting the broken tap out of the hole that's the issue..
Luckily, aluminium is pretty soft. So you should be fine. Looking forward to seeing the finished product..
I've never actually looked into LEDs or what cob does what? So it's all new to me and it's interesting..

 

[Greensalt]

Progress so far whilst waiting for the LED and bits to go with it.

A modified PC heat sink with a couple of screws thoughtfully placed to stop turning, very hard plastic things to aid stability and wire hangerss to enable it to be mounted.

I think this will suffice for the job intended.

The flat smooth surface on the underside will be the site of the chip and holder.

Oh the M3 tap arrived too.

Thoughts so far please

 

[VetSmoke85]

Looks like it will do the job mate.

 

[Greensalt]

All done at last and hung. Fairly easy actually and pleased with the outcome.

Just over 40watts it pulls and have attached a couple of pics using a light app. On/off switch too!

It's so bright and better in the flesh as opposed to pics but here are some pics including some Ethos seedlings White Wedding, Orange Kush Cake and Big Detroit Energy,one of each and waiting on some Yeti (Destiny Exotic Genetics) to show their heads to join them for my next run.

Also added a pic of some of my current run because she is a pretty purple, she is Glueberry Muffin by Destiny Exotic Genetics in the USA. She's frosty as fook and stinks to high heaven. Current at 6 weeks and swelling nicely, she'll go 9 weeks.

Anyway, pics in no particular order.

 

[Greensalt]

 

[VetSmoke85]

Nicely done mate. Cheap and does the job.