DIY Spider Reflectors

[Brian Prestwood]

My spider reflectors are corroded. They have to be replaced.

The best I found was $35 for one. That's crazy. I only need the reflector, not the mogul socket and mount. We're talking about $5 of mirrored sheet metal and 10 minutes of labor. The frustrating thing is they don't sell the reflector without the socket.

Does anyone know of a cheaper source?

Does anyone have access to industrial grade sheet metal bending/cutting metal tools?

[Marc Daniels]

Brian-

All you woulkd need is a bending brake. Harbor freight has them on sale as cheap as $19 for an 18" brake, and $49.99 for a 30" brake. Here's the link http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/Category.taf?CategoryID=266&pricetype=

Marc

[Beerman]

I bought my spider reflecter with socket for 27 from www.inreef.com. A little cheaper for you at least.

[Brian Prestwood]

Marc

I didn't realize benders were so cheap. Shears cost a little more than I want to pay though. Is there an easy way to shear sheet metal without a sheer?

[Brian Prestwood]

Beerman

That's more like it. I can't believe Marine Depot was selling one for $48.

[Marc Daniels]

Brian-

If you want a nice clean cut a shear is the way to go...the next is a nice set of tin snips. The snips will distort the cut a little bit, but if you don't mind it would work great.

Marc

[barebottoms]

wrong link.. will dig up the right one..

[Brian Prestwood]

On the main DIY forum I saw that Home Depot and Lowes sells rolls of 40" polished sheet metal. This is starting to look viable.

[Marc Daniels]

Brian-

It may be polished, but it's no where near the quality of the spider's mirror finish. But, you should be able to get the mirror finish locally from a metal company. Possibly even cut to size for you.

Marc

[barebottoms]

http://www3.sympatico.ca/murray.j/tools.htm