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X1 DIY Mount - Page 3

post #61 of 1267
Just an fyi to everyone on this thread. I visited Rob last night and demoe'd an X1 in his living room. The picture (was watching Spiderman) looked fantastic on a green wall - about the worst setting possible. I saw no rainbows so this projector is definitely on my wish list. Rob also showed me his prototypes of the X1 mount. He is on the level in my opinion. Can't wait for the projector shootout!!

John
post #62 of 1267
Thread Starter 
Suryasoft ...

I did send you a PM.... advised that I was planning to do a the 300U. I stated that I would not issue pricing until I was finished. Also I do not wish to offer promises for this until it is finalized that I will actually do it. The exact words I used was that I did not wish to make promises and issue pricing and lose credibility. Don't know why you are taking your time and energy in an effort to disparage my reputation....

Due to the very small offset on this projector I have drawn up some alternate solutions that may suit the Z1 and Pan 300 projector.

If you can make your own design .... have a powder coat finish to match the case, custom machined and deburred, plated bolt, laser cut plate and drilled to exact size, welded, stainless bolt, packaging ... etc etc... by all means make your own design and do it and produce it and sell it and make it cheaper..... I offered info if you want to make "one" for yourself. geez you really cant please some people eh. These arent being made in my basement.... I have to pay companies to do this work.

Johnny... thx... It was a pleasure meeting your wife and you and congrats on not seeing rainbows....I don't think anyone really takes these guys serious... not sure what their agenda is. The samples that Johnny saw were the plasma cuts that were rejected. The laser sample is with the powder coat paint company.

The first run is over half accounted for. I made up a bunch for customers.
post #63 of 1267
There's too much information here to really think this is a scam for $60 a pop. I doubt many people even really considered that as a possibility. I might go in on this as soon as I see a picture of a finished one. I'm curious to see how different it looks from the picture you started this thread with.
post #64 of 1267
Chill out. I may have mis-spoken, for that I appologize.

btw, if you ever do one for L300u, let me know.
post #65 of 1267
Thread Starter 
Roto... I will have a pic... no problem...

Some people have asked what powder coat finish is... I will try and get some info or website you can go to see this paint process.

Also will be including two toggle bolts for wall or ceiling mount. The kind that have the wings that flair. Sorry if I already stated this ... someone was asking..

suryasoft... no problem at all... didnt affect me in the least.... and I will be doing the 300u... depends how much time the shoot out sucks from my time.
post #66 of 1267
I'll be interested in one for the 300u as well.

Will it be longer to account for the 3-4inch offset of the 300u? (will likely need to hang down about 9-12 inches or so)
post #67 of 1267
Thread Starter 
I will start a thread on the 300u when I am finished that project... I already have my relationships with the businesses set up so a roll out will be much faster. I have a few other great ideas for these mounts..... including some with hydraulics that automatically install into the ceiling, and a few other goodies...... not sure if there is a market for it tho...

I am busting my balls to get up into the alliance members section of this forum. Another 6000 units and I am there baby.
post #68 of 1267
Thread Starter 
Back to the X1...

I missed the Fed Ex sales rep today...

Apparently FEDEX may take a COD shipment into the USA now. I am going to discuss this with the rep tomorrow and see if I can squeeze him for some better rates. My location is close to two FedEX depots and I think I can get a single US rate for anywhere in the USA...excluding Alaska and Hawaii, and have the rate dropped and speed up the que time if these are dropped off at the Fed Ex depot.

I am still waiting on a call from PAYPAL... to see if they cleaned up their problems......and get some rates...
post #69 of 1267
I am not sure if I missed it somewhere, but what is the "drop" distance from the ceiling mount to the top of the projector assuming a ceiling installation? Will it be adjustable or can you get different length poles?

Thanks,

Craig
post #70 of 1267
Thread Starter 
Great NEWS......

close your eyes and picture me with my arms in the air with some rocky music playing in the background...and some steel brackets in my hand singin... "feelin good now"

The laser cut plates are complete a day early... have to leave to get them to the welding fab shop....

Machine shop called this AM and they have all the hardware and are still on track for machining....

Looking very good for next week.

zippitty do dah...
post #71 of 1267
Thread Starter 
This was Gators PM... In the interest of brevity I will answer here.

"Actually, I just posted this question on the forum, then I saw that you wanted a PM for questions.

What is the drop distance from the ceiling mount to the top of the projector? My theater room has a dropped acoustical tile ceiling with the wood beams and subfloor about 12 inches above the ceiling tiles. I would like to mount the ceiling plate to the wood beams above and have the pole/arm drop down through the tiles. Is it adjustable or would varying length poles/arms be available?

Finally, thanks for doing this. Hopefully you will make a little bit of profit to make it worth your while! "


*******************************************************

Response...

It is difficult to answer for a specific instalation with a precise answer without dimensions.... Do not forget to account for the offset when the projector is ceiling mounted... Sorry if this sounds obvious...

The machine bolt that goes into the mounting plate is 8" ... the adjustable knuckle joint is 2.5"... If I understand correctly you wish to install the mounting plate up into the joists or on the joist....which is inches/or feet above the ceiling height...

Here is what I would do... bear with me because I have to go in a minute... Measure the additional length you require. Add a tapered plated threaded rod to extend the drop.... add on to this a 2" nut and thread it over the extended threaded rod 1" or half way... Take the machined 8" rod and screw it into the 2" bolt 1/2 way....

I can supply these as an option if people want them. It will only be a small amount more,,, Just parts.... Cost is in the powder coat... machining..cutting. These will not obviously be powder coated.

To answer someone elses question ...

Lofted ceilings.... can you change the configuration so that the smaller machined knuckle bracket is attached to the ceiling mounting plate...

Answer ..... sure.

Gotta go
post #72 of 1267
Mandarax: Looking forward to the mount. One question though: Is Hooterville a real place and does it live up to its name?
post #73 of 1267
Hey Mandarax

Sorry about doubting you earlier man. now back to the business:

I think if you can come up with a hydraulics version of the mount for PT-L300U (as my ceiling is low and I dont want to bump my head in it, it will be good. I think there will be a good market.
post #74 of 1267
Thread Starter 
Cha Cha...

Hooterville..... actually it is Roseville, Ontario... I built a house out here a few years ago due to its proximity to the 401 and easy access to just about anywhere. For some reason people do seem to be breeding more females here tho ... I think it is about 8 females to 1 male. I just started calling it Hooterville due to some of the similarities. It was actually quite an industrious little town in 1835... Not sure if the barbers name is floyd in the neighboring town. I only originally moved out here to party for a couple of years.... Then strangely enough I too ended up with two girls of my own.... no they are not named billy and bobby joe.... but strangely enough my name is rob and my brothers name is bill.... and my dads name is Joe... (lol if I would have thought of this before today my daughters would now have freaky names) The party ended as you make expect. My daughters like it too much out here to move back to the city...and to tell you the truth due to the proximity to the 401 I can get to Toronto faster than people that live in Kitchener, or Cambridge. The area is known as the golden triangle... The best place in North America to do business. At present possibly the worst for home theater.

surysoft.... Already said no problem... I quite a few years experience with hydraulic manufacturing companies......and have some terrific ideas... I am going with the mainstream stuff first tho...

The samples I picked up were bang on alignment.... holes are perfect. I was hoping to provide a digital video of the mounting plates being cut with this impressive technology. See your mount getting made in motion. Maybe for another run I could try and get some time to do this. The Powder Coating procedure is also very interesting to see as well.

Still waiting for FedEX .. I was gone for a while but no messages from FedEX ... thought they would be all over me like a fat kid on a smartie....
On the phone now. PS I am trying to see if I can get some special rates for the people in Hawaii, Europe,...... Yukon will be a stretch...

Damn there was a message... while I was out .. will try and get this info.

I did find out that COD is only available for ground shipments with Fed Ex.. for international shipments, You still get a tracking number tho.

No worries I will make it as easy as humanly possible.
post #75 of 1267
Thread Starter 
I have negotiated rates with Fed Ex that I will pass along.

I can make a couple of special rates into europe. Unfortunately this will require time as I have to negotiate on a per incidence basis. No problem for the first couple.

Made a fixture for welding.

Machine shop on schedule ...
Will post shipping by Sunday.

Thanks again for all your support, PM's, emails and kind words, and especially to AVS for making it all possible. Great fun.

rob
post #76 of 1267
Thread Starter 
Sorry again for PM list getting full.

I am saving information and unloading it.

I am still on track for complete rates including shipping.... to all destinations for tomorrow.

To the person in Norway... I did negotiate a special rate...

Still working on a easy to swallow rate for Hawaii.... my offer is still good tho to come and deliver it in person with a return ticket.

Send email.... d1g1talv1s10ns@netscape.net
post #77 of 1267
Thread Starter 
Have the shipping to Canadian locations worked out...

Also have the US address rates worked out. I am going to be a day late. Sorry I have an idea that may save some money, ship faster, and provide a US address to ship from. I wont delay shipment for this tho... and I may drive the first shipment down myself with the first orders. Depends on timing.

Will also have multiple secure payment options, before shipping.

Thanks
post #78 of 1267
Thread Starter 
Sorry again for the delay...

This should be easy enough...

*****************************************
USA Pricing
*****************************************

Price for all shipments to the USA.... any state except Hawaii and Alaska

$68.00 U.S dollars includes shipping by Fedex ground. Tracking #provided
------------------------
==============




****************************************************
Canadian Pricing
****************************************************

Canadian Pricing is $98.80 Canadian dollars.

This includes Fed Ex ground shipping. GST, PST in Ontario, HST in the three harmonized provinces.

****************************************************

The machining was started today... The machine shop was 75 % complete

Welding will commence tomorrow... Powder coat... on Thursday.

Everything still on target...
******************************************************
All the hardware is purchased
post #79 of 1267
Thread Starter 
I get some PM's about some of the same things so I will try and answer them here.
*********************************************************
Q)Does the mount have adjustments or is it just like one of the pipe type hang down solutions?

A) The Mount does adjust. The knee joint is made by the cnc milled bolt. The cnc machine also drills a hole through the knee joint. A stainless steel bolt joins the two knee joints. You tighten it into desired position with the supplied allen wrench and the supplied stainless steel nyloc nut. Nyloc nut is used to lock the joint into place and avoid any shifting moving once in desired position. The cnc machined bolts into both mounting plates is also adjustable.. they do not have to be threaded in all the way. and the machined bolt from the mounting plate... is locked in place with a lock nut.
***********************************************************

Q. What is the drop? From Ceiling...

A . About 10.5 inches depending on your adjustment.
***********************************************************

Q. I have a very very low ceiling can I use two of the 2.5" machined plated bolt instead of the one 8" and one 2.5" knee joint.

A. Sure ... no problem... and no extra charge as long as you specify.

Note if you have a high ceiling you can get 2 ... 8" machined bolts to make the drop 16"

So all the standard pricing combinations are 5" drop, 10.5" drop, and 16" drop.

Note do not forget to consider offset... Some do not take this into consideration.
***********************************************************

Q) Will it be difficult to mount the bracket with the projector attached.

A) No ... Unlike some others where you have to make some allowance for arm fatigue or other circus like stunt to mount... you simply take the X1 with the mounting plate attached and the cnc machine bolt that forms the knee joint and slide it into the stainless steel pin bolt.. It will free hang in this position. You can then just make the alignment and tighten.

*****************************************************

Q ) What gauge steel...

A) 14 gauge CR steel.

*****************************************************

Q) Will I have to drill holes into the steel mounting plate.

A) No the laser cut the steel plates... using a cnc program, at the same time it drilled the holes for the projector mounting plate in precisely the exact location. Zero chance for error... and all perfectly aligned to the mounting holes of the projector. If you get one that is misaligned send it back and I will give you your money back and a free replacement.
*******************************************************

Q) I only have a narrow room and would have to mount this on the wall.. Will this mount work on the wall.

A) It will work excellent on the wall... absolutely zero problem.
*****************************************************
post #80 of 1267
Any chance of making these for other projectors.....say the Z90?
post #81 of 1267
Can you make for the Sony HS10?

Can you show a picture of the finalized production model?

Thanks.
post #82 of 1267
Thread Starter 
I am going to roll em out based on popular models... Due to the processes I have to make alot.... The machinery used to make this ... a cnc laser machine,,, cnc milling machine, powder coat process for preparing the metal, and applying the finish is not practical for a one off. I will be doing one for the HS10... but I will have to spend some time calculating what the standards should be for the average ceiling heights, I actually have the projector mounting plate already completed in AutoCad. for the HS10.

I will be definitely showing a pic of the finished product.

The machining and welding are on time and now COMPLETE and in my hands.

Rob
post #83 of 1267
so when do you think it will be ready?
I can't wait... just tell me when/where/how to send $.
post #84 of 1267
Thread Starter 
Hi Jay...

I am expecting that they will be complete on Friday. They go in for powder coat on Thursday... They have the powder coat color.. They go into a bathing process first. It will just be a matter of how thick the powder coat will be and impact on the threads... masking if necessary ...thats required,,,if it impacts on the threads... I would prefer if the entire unit had the same coating.... This will require that I make up the two assemblies with the cnc bolt threaded so they can be hung.... I am expecting that the coating may actually assist being set at 1/1000 of an inch. These guys are pro's you should see some of the stuff they do. I am going to have to take a hard look at this process and make it more efficient if possible. Even tho it will be the best, most durable finish the assembly time, and dissassembly time for packaging make it difficult to break even. I will worry about that on a next run. I expect people will like the fact that these are built with a exponential amount of overkill and not want to hang thier pride and joy on a unadjustable pipe, or other pieces of commercial junk that i wouldnt trust with a slide projector.

I measured the average drop to be approximately 10" from the top of the bottom of the mounting plate.

I will be offering some options in the future... I have some real great ideas for future projects, and other mounts for the products I carry.

In an effort to not lose any credibility I have been sticking around to make sure I can expedite all the suppliers through the chain and make them aware of expectations... This has been easy due to the fact that some are clients and they expect and get the same from me.

I am looking into this for the long term. I am seeking a good US location for facilitating orders. Due to the fact that I wanted to expedite I have yet to be able to make a trip into the USA. I may end up going through distribution channels to save me time... The cost of doing individual orders is enormous. I apologize for not having the options for payment already set up. If you email me at d1g1talv1s10ns@netscape.net I can make an arrangement with you that is secure in the interim.

Thanks again for your interest and making this a fun project.
post #85 of 1267
Thread Starter 
may have some better options tomorrow for payment... depends on how long I have to stay at the powder coat finish supplier to check out samples.

for those who are wondering about my concern regarding paypal... check out this site .. www.paypalwarning.com or www.paypalsucks.com. I was going to use this as an interim for those who wanted it... but I you will see yourself what it is like if you try and phone them... the only number I received to date was a fax number... and that does suck..

Have a few more options...... Will ship on a first come first serve basis...Then off to ebay I guess to see what these babies will do on an open market. You wouldnt believe some of the junk on there.

I am doing the Z1 and pan300 next... I just got the sharp 20x and I may do that one too if the shut off problems associated with that one is resolved.
post #86 of 1267
If you're selling on ebay, you might as well use paypal. It's the same company. They process tens of thousands of transactions every day. I have never had a problem as a merchant or buyer using Paypal. Some do, but most people can't operate a VCR. I followed your links to those alarmist sites and read a lot of crud, broken links and screaming 25 point type legal actions that turned out to be companies arguing about who invented Paypals recurring billing.

Regards,

Matt
post #87 of 1267
Thread Starter 
I personally inspected each of mounting brackets. The welding job was unbelievable. I personally cleaned and checked each of these to the wee hours of last evening. It turned out to be a complete waste of time. No welding splatter on any of the pieces. The prototype was welded by a rookie. These are welded by a person with military welding certificates......and a Canadian Welding certificate.

Powder Coat Finish.. I sent them in this morning . We did some tweeking and had a meeting, re methods of getting a complete finish on the entire piece. We worked out a method to finish the entire mount. After about an hour and a half we came up with a method to powder coat the entire mount.... including the cnc machined knee joint pieces. They have to then be unassembled for shipping.... and we arrived at the parameters to keep them from getting messed up and prepackaging.

They will be done tomorrow afternoon. I will take some pics and post late tomorrow or early Saturday ( have to go to my daughters talent show ).


memobug... I could tell you a few nightmare stories about this method,,, and ebay... I will just use this to bleed off any that do not sell here quick enough so at least I get my own money back out of it quick enough to move on to the next projects.

I have set up to go to the USA to establish a physical prescense, address, bank accounts, etc etc. I just have to find some time to do all that is required and physically look at the locations and facilities.

In lieu of not doing this yet I will be setting up a paypal facility tomorrow. I am not worried about the paypal shortcomings with a transaction like this one with AVS members. The one I have set up now is only a personal paypal account. Have to set up a business one to enable people to use credit cards...

I had a few that I was making up special for people that had extreme drops. ie...17' ceilings to 12' ceilings.

Also to the people that are going to wall mount speakers with these... I will try and take a pic at some point with what we discussed for having them sit on the same mount, and also hanging from the mount...either way is just fine.... I could put my veritas 2.8's on these with no problem.. I still want to do some testing on this application tho. I will be personally using these for my non veritas theater set up. No floor vibration.....

To the people that want an enclosure for dvd, satelite to twin beside this mount..... ceiling or wall... I have the design,,,, just have to get price for the bending. Trying to see how much less vibration would be on the floor vs the ceiling. Just seeing if I can get my company logo scribed into the case with the laser.

So again for you paypal fans... no sweat ........ i will set it up tomorrow.
It will be set up with Visa Mastercard, whatever... I am just going to have to set up with a new credit card limit in my name that only has a spending limit of $100.00.

Rob ..

Thanks for your interest in this project.

One more day...
post #88 of 1267
Thread Starter 
I just received a pm... and so that I do not have to answer this again I will answer it here...

Question ...

"Give me an idea of what you want for the mount pieces only, I can weld the nut on the plate and wall plate. "


Answer.... Some of the reasoning for saying definitively NO.

I do not sell this in pieces....sorry. This design is now classed legally as intellectual property. If you can make one for your "own personal use" complete then by all means do it. There was time and money put into the design. The company that welded these had a person with several prominent welding certificates. Why would I trust and risk anyone I do not know to weld these up? I am ordering parts for the entire assembly in quantity to make this an economical design build product Do not construe economical to mean cheap or made in someones garage. If you know a mechanical engineer, ask them what the load bearing would be on a 5/8 machined bolt welded to a 14 gauge plate. I would put this design against any commercial design, to not fail. Further how many commercial designs powder coat their product. Do not take my word for it... call and ask them what the minimum cost is for doing any part.

While your at it ask a cnc laser cutter, cnc machine shop, welding shop what the minimum is..

To get the cost down I had to do all of the design in Cad.
I had to write the cnc milling program.
Had to make a welding fixture.
Buy bulk..with the idea I will be using up the balance in the future.

These will be totally complete tomorrow.

Thankyou for patience and understanding some of my reasoning for not providing incomplete sub assemblies. Theres more but I already ranted too long.

Rob
post #89 of 1267
Thread Starter 
I got em.... and they are great.

What you will note that is different from the original..

1) the bolts going into the projector plate into the projector are the exact size....(no spacer nuts)

2) the finish including the machined bolts are coated all in powder coat finish vs... spray bomb.

3) there is three welds into the projector mounting plate instead of two
also the welds are alot cleaner looking.

Side note you will note that in the pic the label underside looks the same as the case..... If you flip your X1 over you will note that they are a completely different shade of grey... (A good case in point about not trusting screenshots here)

Anyway here come a few pics from different angles...
LL
post #90 of 1267
Thread Starter 
another pic..
LL
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