LED blade tips

[Jedi Ranger]

So, there has been much discussion on blades themselves and diffusers, but not a whole lot on the tips. From what I have found, there are basically 3 routes/options:

1) reuse MR FX blade tip
2) use new 1/2 round acrylic ball as is
3) use new 1/2 round acrylic ball with 3/4" mirror glued to reflect light back down blade.

For my first blade, I tried option 3. I didn't even think about it till after all was said and done, but the tip of my blade is basically a flat black spot. Doesn't look cool, at all. But the mirror does help light up the last half of the blade. But also, I don't think my Lux III is as bright as it should be, even though I followed directions exactly.

Anyway, I'm just wondering how other people are building the tips of their LED blades.


*****************************
http://www.members.shaw.ca/Dahak/

[GeluKhanGharr]

Experiment with making the mirror smaller. Also, you could poke a small hole in the middle of it.

Born of Sith, seduced by the light.

[Jedi Ranger]

Hmmmm........I was thinking about trying those two options. Thanks. Glad I bought a whole package of those mirrors.

I just find this interesting, because even with a full 3/4" mirror in the tip, I don't get the same "tip bloom" that I have seen on most people's LED blades.

*****************************
http://www.members.shaw.ca/Dahak/

[dbraxton9]

what are you using for the mirror?
DB

[Jedi Ranger]

It's 3/4" dia, flat disc mirror; purchased from a hobby/craft store.

No transparency at all.

*****************************
http://www.members.shaw.ca/Dahak/

[UltraSWG]

You get tip bloom when you use a semi-tranparant reflective surface on the tip.

http://www.ultrasabers.com
Corbin|Strydur|Ultra
The Holy Luxeon Trinity

[Jedi Ranger]

Hmm, I don't suppose you have a hint as to what or where I'd look. Would something like reflective window tinting work?

*****************************
http://www.members.shaw.ca/Dahak/

[tetmatek]

I have tryed about every combo with mirrors etc. The only thing i have'nt is using the 3/4 hemispere with a a mirror on it then glue a 3/4 hemisphere to that. Iam hoping the 3/4 hemishere works like the optics on the LED boosting the reflection back. I'll post the pics and results. Has anyone thought of this approach?

[scaarmor]

I had a thought. What if you take a half tip, drill, sand, etc. to make it concave slightly inward(towards the tip) and affixed some of the foil tape, that looks almost chrome on one side with adhesive on the other, to the now concaved tip? It should (with proper experimenation of depth, angles, etc.) shine the light back down the tube instead of flowering it out...

Just a thought...

Cain

***It is now that we battle.When you die, await my arrival in the afterlife where we will battle again.Perhaps there you may have the ability to defeat me,but not here,not now,not this day.So let us part with words and embrace the blade.***

[tetmatek]

I was thinking the same but have not figured a way to get the hemishere concave on the inside. i had thoght a drill but nah. I am waiting on delivery of a lathe and milling machine which i think might just do the job. The key is to cut slow enough not to melt the acrylic. i do have some polished aluminum adhesive discs to use as a mirror (glass may cause injury if damaged in battle).