Where to get this type of exctruded aluminum? (DIY hood)

Gomer,

In the last few days I've been looking for the exact same thing! It is not available at any big hardware store, but I have not asked about any special ordering.

The closest thing to that aluminum shape that I found was a door threshhold, a door step that is about 8 inches wide and curved but not too much.

I actually managed to build an obscenely cheap reflector/hood using galvanized tin. It's used for roofing work and it comes as an L shape with about 1-1/2" sides - $1.30 for 10 foot long piece. It can be cut with household scissors but it makes a rigid hood.

I will post pictures later today of what I've made. If you want to go this route the expense is ridiculous - about $3 total for two 36" long reflectors accomodating a 96 watt PC each. In my opinion the reflectors look very descent.

Still, if you locate a source for the nice aluminum stuff, please post it here.

--Nikolay

Here's what i've been doing for metal reflectors:


I use aluminum flashing for the reflector. The frame is made of aluminum angle and u-channel stock and strips of hardwood. I took off the end (which is made out of black acrylic) so you can see how it all goes together. The aluminum is flimsy by itself, but when it is all put together, it is actually really sturdy. I've doubled up the flashing in my recent builds to make it even more sturdy and it has helped. I also considered using a thicker gauge but it is much more expensive and harder to work with. The great thing about using aluminum is that it can easily be polished to a chrome-like mirror finish!