PEX

[ArkaiHalon]

Anybody tried it? I came across it in the aisle at home depot and remembered reading about it on a different site. thought what the heck, 3/4 inch is 5 feet for a mere 3 bucks. if nothing else, it can be a practice blade. a quick run over to another aisle, picked up a mirrored rosette, a 3/4 inch copper coupling, a chair tip cover, and headed home.

cut to length, sanded the stuff out of it. glued the rosette into the chair tip and glued that on. Pushed the copper coupling on to the saber end. turned out the lights, and hit the switch.

these are with a Royal Blue Luxeon III 3w. not a bad practice blade for less than 10 bucks.

[Proximal]

Blade or diffuser?

[Eandori]

Sorry, what is PEX?

[Jedi-Loreen]

Psst, there's something called the 'internet'. You can look up stuff on it.

Ok, I'll stop being a smart alec. :P

"What is PEX?

PEX is cross-linked Polyethylene. Through one of several processes, links between polyethylene macromolecules are formed to create bridges between PE molecules (thus the term "cross-linked). This resulting molecule is more durable under temperature extremes, chemical attack, and resists creep deformation, making PEX an excellent material for hot water applications (up to 200° F)."

What are recommended uses for PEX?

PEX 's flexibility and strength at temperatures ranging from below freezing up to 200 degrees Fahrenheit makes it an ideal piping material for hot and cold water plumbing systems, hydronic radiant heating systems, snow melting applications, and, even ice rinks and refrigeration warehouses."

[ArkaiHalon]

the blade is PEX, no diffuser. I just sanded the blade.

If anyone wants to give it a shot, here's the list of parts.

1x 5ft lenght of PEX pipe, 3/4 inch diameter
1x copper coupler, 3/4 inch
1x 7/8 inch plastic chair tip
1x mirror rosette.

just like pvc, it's not really 3/4. it's OD is 7/8.
the copper coupler ID is 7/8, so it's a perfect SNUG fit.
the coupler is what's in blade holder.

[Jedi-Loreen]

I thought PEX was supposed to be flexible?

[ArkaiHalon]

The stuff I got today has a fair amount of give to it, but I dont' know that I'd call it flexible.

[ani_bee]

Dear God that exactly what my glow staffs are made of, you just made this newb’s day.
It staffs where sold as a ¾” thickness but I just did the math now and it’s an 7/8” OD.

It’s not flexible in the normal sense the, thickness of the wall is thicker then most of the flexible variety. But it dose flex more naturally after 4’ in length. I was sparing with a friend with the set I have and the bit of give makes for a good shock absorber.

Out of pure curiosity did you use a white plastic chair tip or a clear one ArkaiHalon?

[ArkaiHalon]

white plastic tip. can't remember the brand.

and I just hacked 6 inches off of the length (40 inches is just to long).
It made a big difference in the brightness. I'll post new pix tomorrow.

[Novastar]

I have a bunch of 3/4" clear rubber tips if you'd like some, Arkai.

I think this could be promising stuff if it came in 1" OD somewhere. I will also venture a guess that adding just a bit of diffuser would go a long way for making the light more even.

Then again... that is a 3/4" blade.