Author Topic: A little project leaving you all a glow.... (Read 34799 times)

Divided he ad · « **on:** December 18, 2011, 04:38:35 PM »

Hi guys

Just thought I'd let you all see this and see if anyone else likes the idea?

This is not my idea but one I "borrowed" I was not going to pay the best part of 20 British pounds when I had all the stuff to make one or two in my workshop and the nouse to get it done

So.... Who likes the idea of a glow in the dark key fob?

I did...

Basic make up, so a few pic's and just a little description of what and why...

Drilled and tapped the main body.

Made an arbour which will later become the makings for the base.

Screw on the main body, shape it as desired and then polish it a little.

Still in the arbour, it was transferred to the rotary table. The end was drilled for the split ring and then sides were cut away (furthest from the chuck first... lots of flex otherwise) leaving behind a cage like main body.

it's easily calculated to leave behind 2mm of material... I love my DRO's!

Separated from the arbour.

Work out how much acrylic rod I need. (Lazy style.... No calculations or even measuring done!)

Test fit.... Needs a little but filing off.

I used hot glue to seal one end of the tube. Then filled it with a glow in the dark (GID) powder that I've had for probably nearing 10 years! Purchased from the states for an old set of projects.

Rammed (lightly) down with the shaft of a 2.5mm drill bit and then sealed with hot glue again.

The arbour end was parted off and cleaned up. By being screwed into another arbour which will be the next main body!!! Up here for thinking...

Screwed together (loctited) and stood with my prototype.

Add the split rings.

And finally.... What does it do.....?

Well, that's it, all in all took me a little over 1.5hrs for the prototype. and a little over 1hr for the fancy one

The GID powder is http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Strontium_aluminate Lasts for well over 7hrs (last nights sleep)

I have been to the website that I used years ago and they no longer sell this powder.... But someone must do? (I will pass on that web address to anyone wanting it. Maybe they will sell it if asked? USA based site)
I purchased 2 small sample packs (green, blue and a green/blue mix) and I probably have enough for a few thousand of these!!!

Anyway,

That's it.

Any info required I'll try my best

Ralph.

Mmmm, just editing this and thought of a new design for my next attempt

Chuck in E. TN · « **Reply #1 on:** December 18, 2011, 04:48:04 PM »

Great project Ralph! Love it!

Chuck in E. TN

spuddevans · « **Reply #2 on:** December 18, 2011, 05:00:14 PM »

I love it, and if I can find some glow-in-the-dark powders I will make a few too.

Pete. · « **Reply #3 on:** December 18, 2011, 05:45:48 PM »

Nice little lantern. If there is no GId powder to be had you could always mount a solid rod of perspex in it and put a LED and a hearing aid battery in the base.

DMIOM · « **Reply #4 on:** December 18, 2011, 05:51:39 PM »

yeah Pete, but the whole brilliant idea of Ralph's GID keyring is that you can find it in the dark. If you had an LED and battery - you'd have to find it, to press the switch to turn the battery supply on, to light the LED, to provide a light to help you find the keyring .....

John Stevenson · « **Reply #5 on:** December 18, 2011, 06:06:08 PM »

Marry a Russian bird and get here to hold your keys, they glow in the dark.

Plus side is they come complete with fork truck licence, heavy goods license and can weld titanium at -32 degrees.

John s.

Divided he ad · « **Reply #6 on:** December 18, 2011, 06:08:17 PM »

Thanks Chuck

Got to be able Tim... I found a cheat.... http://www.survivaldepot.co.uk/product474753_4085411.aspx Well it's a possibility?
There is also a radioactive one available!

Expensive route but good for the odd one or two? UK based too

Pete... The idea is already in the pipeline.... A re-model on my little brass torches (just realised my Avatar was adrift!? Sorted) like the ones in my avatar! All in the grey matter!

Dave... that makes my head hurt!

John.... You're nuts!

Cheers,

Ralph.

DaveH · « **Reply #7 on:** December 18, 2011, 06:15:00 PM »

Ralph,

I think they are great.

DaveH

Pete. · « **Reply #8 on:** December 18, 2011, 06:18:34 PM »

D'oh - I didn't realise the powder inside is charged by daylight.

Anyway, to redeem myself have a link to some powder:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Glow-Dark-Powder-4-colours-total-40gs-/250836771133?pt=UK_Crafts_DrawingSupplies_EH&hash=item3a6709613d

rleete · « **Reply #9 on:** December 18, 2011, 07:04:26 PM »

I can think of lots of evil tricks with that powder.

jiihoo · « **Reply #10 on:** December 19, 2011, 04:17:43 AM »

That would make a wonderfull Christmas gift... Nice work!

How many grams of powder is needed per keyring fob? I am thinking that the vials could actually make sense if making just a few, depending on how much powder would be needed per fob. (The shipping charge for the powder is quite a killer if ordering from outside the UK...)

Cheers,

Jari

Divided he ad · « **Reply #11 on:** December 19, 2011, 04:26:54 PM »

Good link there Pete. See, I knew others would find the powdered version

Roger... I've thought of a few... Please feel free to let me know your evil plans and I'll store them up for future distribution

Jari, There's so very little to fill the tubes. My tubes are 5.2mm OD and just 3mmID and at only 30mm long that's a very small amount of powder per tube.
I've not measured the weight mainly cause it wasn't a concern at the time.
But to have a guess from my knowledge of my darts weights.... I'd say the whole keyfob is less than 18grams... and it's brass! the centre section probably wouldn't show up on most scales!

As said. If you're going to make 1-2 then the vials could be easier.... But probably not cheaper! I'm thinking that it's £3.85 each and then postage onto that... £7-8 for one glowstick! (plus the brass and work time etc...)

There are lots of uses for the powder, Mix it into resins, glues or varnishes and it glows really well. I've got little resin domes with it in next to my lightswitch, they have been glowing there for somewhere close to 8 years!

With 40g you will be able to make 30+ of these if you have similar diameter acrylic rod.

Hope that helps?

Ralph.

krv3000 · « **Reply #12 on:** December 19, 2011, 05:47:54 PM »

oooo nice

rleete · « **Reply #13 on:** December 19, 2011, 07:25:11 PM »

Ralph,

It just occured to me that your quote: "likes shiny things" should be ammended to include "& pretty lights"!

jiihoo · « **Reply #14 on:** December 20, 2011, 05:50:55 AM »

Thank you, Ralph! The powder it will be then...

Here is one more supplier: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/4-x-Glow-dark-pigment-powder-colours-Set-1-/280610981892?pt=UK_Crafts_Other_Crafts_EH&hash=item4155b7c804

I knew there was a reason I bought that brass hex bar just last week :-)

JariH

Powder Keg · « **Reply #15 on:** December 20, 2011, 07:00:14 AM »

Looks good Ralph\o/ I might have to try one of those(o;

~Wes~

Divided he ad · « **Reply #16 on:** December 20, 2011, 01:20:21 PM »

Roger,
You have no idea how many torches and other glowing, blinking, flashing and all other manner of light emitting trinketary I've owned over the years.... I know that cause I don't either!
I can tell you that as I sit here typing I can lay my hands on 6 different torches without leaving my seat!

It's an addiction!

Jari,
Happy to have helped a little.... This might prove to be quite a fun thread once a few more designs get posted up.... I'm assuming that a few of you will add some photo's to it? ... You better had!

Hi Wes,
Glad you like the idea too. Pic's expected from you as well (if you do try one)

Ralph.

dickda1 · « **Reply #17 on:** December 20, 2011, 05:13:05 PM »

Oooow!

This holder would be just great for a tritium glow tube. It glows continuously via safe alpha radioactive decay. I have one on my key chain, but your holder would be wonderful.

I can't buy the tritium tubes here in the States because our Atomic Energy Commission have ruled that it is frivolous use of atomic energy (no sense of humor at all).

But, one can buy them on ebay from China and I believe you can buy them in stores in the UK.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/B2G-1-1-inch-Tritium-Keychain-10-Year-Green-New-/230703190688?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item35b6fb52a0#ht_1888wt_930

-Dick

Divided he ad · « **Reply #18 on:** December 20, 2011, 09:14:09 PM »

Hi Dick,

Yes. The radioactive ones are available here.... Without the plastic keyring too

The link is in the first few replies under the main post. A UK based company but will ship abroad. Would work out very expensive though!

But no reason why you can't transfer the one you have into a brass holder. If you encase it in acrylic tubing then it would provide protection too... Not too sure how fragile they are?

China might be cheaper too.... Just hope they don't use depleted uranium or something instead

Pictures of anything you do make eh?

Ralph.

dickda1 · « **Reply #19 on:** December 21, 2011, 07:12:15 PM »

Tritium is a radioactive isotope of hydrogen. During WWII, a vial of this material was mounted next to luminous dials in the cockpit. Made them glow like crazy. Unfortunately, the glow is rather dim. Your powder would initially beat it by miles.

That's by the by. Very nice turning on this project. I am jealous.

Divided he ad · « **Reply #20 on:** December 21, 2011, 08:22:58 PM »

Mmmm.... The odd little things you learn on here

Glad you like the results.... You could emulate them I'm sure.... Or should that be replicate?

(one for the trekies

)

Ralph.

Brass_Machine · « **Reply #21 on:** December 22, 2011, 09:55:28 AM »

I just noticed I never replied to this!

Very cool Ralph. I see another for the list (which I haven't started)

Eric

Powder Keg · « **Reply #22 on:** December 23, 2011, 02:05:57 PM »

Hey Ralph! Take a look at these websites. They will give you somethings to think about

Trinkets

Glow stuff

Have fun:o)

~Wes~

Divided he ad · « **Reply #23 on:** December 23, 2011, 07:48:56 PM »

Eric,

That list.... Do you think you could let me have a look? There's bound to be something on it that isn't on mine, and that I might like to have a go at..... Or at least add it to mine

Very cool Wes.... Have you seen some of those prices!!?

Think this CNC game could have some advantages!?

Maybe I need to start working on a retirement package?

Some fine ideas in there .... Still, neither have landed upon my next brain stormer..... Watch this space (but no avidly.... Got Xmas to get through first!)

Ralph.

Divided he ad · « **Reply #24 on:** December 24, 2011, 10:11:59 AM »

Ok, so I decided I was 2 gifts shy this morning and I've got to go to my sisters in about 15 mins (Xmas starts here!!)

Just a few things for you to see before I go.... I had these in mind so didn't take too long

A large and small one

Looks odd don't it!?

The three gift versions...

And a quick video....

Right.... Off to Christmas dinner number one!!

Ralph.

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Author Topic: A little project leaving you all a glow.... (Read 34799 times)