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Mirror Cell Triangle >> folding sides >> cheap !!

Started by samg74, 12/21/2003 12:56AM
Posted 12/21/2003 12:56AM Opening Post
This is a cheap, easy way to make triangles. Works with door plate aluminum.

The folding sides make the triangles remarkably rigid.

Got a PLOP 27-point (12 triangles) from one door plate and a piece of scrap.

Recommendation: put the PLOP dimensions for the pieces on cardboard and flesh it out to this type of design. Easy, easy, easy.

The 27-point is way forgiving of drilling errors. And strong.

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samg74's attachment for post 11640
Posted 12/21/2003 03:36AM #1
If you're interested in a Christmas tree looking mirror cell, here's what it's like for a 16 inch. Imagine this mess with the cell triangle folder thingies.

This is an easy thing to make.

Takes time to cut and bend the aluminum. About one good long TV or VCR movie. I carried in a little 3" vise from the garage. Set up shop on a yoga towel.

Then drill 39 holes and connect. Experiment, here, is that I used automotive fuel hose over 1/4-20 bolts. Fuel hose is impervious to everything. 3/4" length, tightened to hand-tight plus 1/8 turn.

How's that for heavy duty science? ... ;^)

[Triangles: The folded sides meet. These edges make nice places for epoxy. Conservative design, a lonely epoxy dispenser, whatever.]

The bottom is the usual pair of 3/4" plywood pieces with holes in the middles. (Ads for Dunkin Doughnuts?) The usual adjustment knobs. This bottom set also holds the fittings for trusses and strings.

Mine's truly, abysmally ugly. Prototypical.


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samg74's attachment for post 74320
Posted 12/21/2003 02:30PM #2
Thanks for the tip, Sam. What drawing program are you using?