LittleFatDog

I always wanted a cool-tube, but the bloody things cost hundreds of dollars. That being the way it was, i set out to design and construct my own, which i succesfully did (you can see its work in the link in my sig "what i've been up to"). i've gotten a few requests for a manual-type of thing, showing how i put it together. so here we are
total cost for my construction - 25$
your cost, depending on what materials you have 20-40 dollars at the most.

materials you'll need:
tubing - i prefer the flexible reflective stuff.
pyrex bake-around tube- this was the only suitable thing i found when i searched on Ebay for a "glass tube". they go for about 5-10 bucks.
metal cuff- to attach tube to glass tube safely.
chain- for hanging
thin wire- for bulb suspension
expansion cuff- for tube to fan connection

__________________
2004 - White Rhino Soil to Hydro transPLANT... another 400W DWC from LFD 17.25 oz
2003 - Killer Queen, 1plant, 400W DWC - 1Lb yield It was fun.
Roll a joint, Inside-Out-Style

LittleFatDog

the aluminum cuff (often comes in the tubing box, if you buy venting kit from home depot) wraps around the end of the glass tube, then is punctured with a small hole. the chain and wires are fed through this hole. The chain holds the bulk of this light. it is important that the bulb not touch the glass of the tube at any point, otherwise the heat is transmitted through it.
That is the most important concept, the bulb must be free floating.
i should not that a larger glass tube would be ideal, though i could not find one anywhere.

the chain going through the overlapping area of the cuff should hold the cuff closed. because the chain goes through the cuff and the light, it holds the cuff to the light as well, so no tape or any other flammable material is touching the glass or bulb, ever.

the bulb is suspended from the chain using 1 or 2 thin wires. i find it is best to attach the bulb to the chain first, then place it in the tube, see how it hangs, then make minor adjustments.
remember- the goal is to make sure the bulb does not touch the glass or anything else.

__________________
2004 - White Rhino Soil to Hydro transPLANT... another 400W DWC from LFD 17.25 oz
2003 - Killer Queen, 1plant, 400W DWC - 1Lb yield It was fun.
Roll a joint, Inside-Out-Style

LittleFatDog

the cuff
1- the tube is attached to the cuff with duct tape, i found there was no danger in this as the tape never even got very warm.
2- i dont know why i made 2.
3- the wires for the bulb going through the puncture through the overlapping section of the cuff. the chain goes in the same hole. (any hps can be made into a free floating light base by splicing the light wires with the same color wires found inside an extension cord (just make sure you use electrical joint caps and electric tape when and if you splice)

__________________
2004 - White Rhino Soil to Hydro transPLANT... another 400W DWC from LFD 17.25 oz
2003 - Killer Queen, 1plant, 400W DWC - 1Lb yield It was fun.
Roll a joint, Inside-Out-Style

LittleFatDog

a shot of the inside of the tube, with the tube removed for easier viewing

__________________
2004 - White Rhino Soil to Hydro transPLANT... another 400W DWC from LFD 17.25 oz
2003 - Killer Queen, 1plant, 400W DWC - 1Lb yield It was fun.
Roll a joint, Inside-Out-Style

LittleFatDog

a shot of the whole tube
1 and 2: thin wire thin wire suspends the bulb without obstructing the light. the balance is toward the mogul end of the bulb, where most of the weight is. thus the wires dont need to be around the middle of the bulb where the light is brightest.
3. a thin wire pulls the chain together outside the tube, lifting the bulb off the glass of the bottom and keeping the chain tight against the top of the inside of the tube

__________________
2004 - White Rhino Soil to Hydro transPLANT... another 400W DWC from LFD 17.25 oz
2003 - Killer Queen, 1plant, 400W DWC - 1Lb yield It was fun.
Roll a joint, Inside-Out-Style

LittleFatDog

and the other end of the fan.
the expansion joint (i used two to get to the size of the old fan i had lying around) is duct taped to the tube.
i removed the base of an old fan and like almost any 10 inch fan, it fit perfectly into the expansion cuff. one wrap of duct tape around and it was a perfect seal. just plug in and you're ready to go. (though i always stress doing a few test runs, watching closely with shades on ) no really wear shades. bad for the eyes you know
peace
-LFD

i know this is very home-made, so there are probably many finer points i left out. i am happy to answer any and every question.

__________________
2004 - White Rhino Soil to Hydro transPLANT... another 400W DWC from LFD 17.25 oz
2003 - Killer Queen, 1plant, 400W DWC - 1Lb yield It was fun.
Roll a joint, Inside-Out-Style

LittleFatDog

as for proof of function.... the buds grew into the light and never got burned

__________________
2004 - White Rhino Soil to Hydro transPLANT... another 400W DWC from LFD 17.25 oz
2003 - Killer Queen, 1plant, 400W DWC - 1Lb yield It was fun.
Roll a joint, Inside-Out-Style

LittleFatDog

and for a 400, i got pretty good results. i credit it to the light being close enough so the buds got maximum intensity. one bud on this cola reached too close to the light and got bleached from excess light, without being burned. from a 400 mind you. that white part was as soft and moist as the rest of the bud.
cool tubes, or other systems of heavy ventilation are a must for big buds
its all about the light

__________________
2004 - White Rhino Soil to Hydro transPLANT... another 400W DWC from LFD 17.25 oz
2003 - Killer Queen, 1plant, 400W DWC - 1Lb yield It was fun.
Roll a joint, Inside-Out-Style

superponic

What is the diameter of the glass tube? I'm wondering if it will fit around my 400W MH bulb, because they are fater than HPS bulbs.

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She was living in a single room with three other individuals, one of them was a male and the other two, well the other two were females. God only know what they were up to in there, and furthermore Susan I wouldn’t be the least bit surprised to learn that all four of them habitually smoked marijuana cigarettes……….. Reefers.

LittleFatDog

i meant to mention that. i have a 400 mh too and it doesn't even fit in the tube. a HPS is the only type of bulb that could fit. i believe the actual diameter is just under 4 inches
peace
-LFD

__________________
2004 - White Rhino Soil to Hydro transPLANT... another 400W DWC from LFD 17.25 oz
2003 - Killer Queen, 1plant, 400W DWC - 1Lb yield It was fun.
Roll a joint, Inside-Out-Style