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Post by MoreToJack on Jul 2, 2014 16:36:20 GMT
Hi there!
I own a handful of Underground destination blinds and I am keen to display them, rather than keeping them 'cooped up' in tubes. I was wondering if any members have any clever suggestions on how this could be done? I am not keen on destroying the blinds (some of them are, I believe, fairly rare) and they are far too long to display 'properly'!
I own one A stock destination box which, unsurprisingly, displays my A stock blind, and I did originally think about looking to acquire a few more from Acton. However, my other blinds are either longer or aligned differently to those used by A stock, ruling out this suggestion.
I was just wondering if anyone else had any solutions? My mind has been drawn to building my own 'boxes' to keep each one in, although I'd be a bit unsure where to start - I'm fairly good with DIY but not too good at designing things! ;-)
As an aside, I'm also planning on tidying up and re-wiring my A stock box so that it looks a bit cleaner and lights up once again. Does anyone know the correct shade of blue paint used, and has anyone else had a go at making the lighting work again? I am drawn to converting to LEDs using the existing mountings, rather than re-using the fluorescent striplight.
Any suggestions would be appreciated.
Kind regards,
Jack
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Post by domh245 on Jul 2, 2014 16:42:49 GMT
I know rincew1nd will have some tips for this. From what I know, he uses some blind rollers, a box, and some lights. I'm sure he will enlighten you when he turns up, in the mean time, you could admire (or backwards engineer) what he has done here: www.flickr.com/photos/rincew1nd/7783482396/ |
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rincew1nd
Administrator
Junior Under-wizzard of quiz
Posts: 10,246 
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Post by rincew1nd on Jul 2, 2014 19:35:58 GMT
Did someone mention destination blinds?  ?  My C Stock blind is mounted on two pieces of copper pipe, clipped into some simple pipe clips. You could use LED strip lights, but I used two fluorescent fittings from an old caravan. There is a pin soldered into the end of each pipe, allowing a modified clock winding handle to drive the pipe around; the two pipes/rollers are not connected other than by the blind. The box was made by my brother originally for his archery equipments, and is some all held together with a bit of PVA. This pic:  C Stock Destination Blind by rincewindthefailedwizard, on Flickr probably best shows the gubbins, the washers are provided to keep the blind central and stop it getting mangled up in the clips. |
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Post by MoreToJack on Jul 2, 2014 23:58:04 GMT
That's brilliant - exactly the sort of thing I was sure someone would come up with! The photo shown of your mechanism and the others on your Flickr (Thanks domh245) are extremely helpful in giving me some ideas on where to go with things. I've got a C and D blind of one size and a very rare R stock blind that's the same length as those on the A stock, plus a couple of tramway blinds. The lighting (as perhaps suggested above) is the bit I'm least worried about as a lighting technician - reckon LEDs are going to be the best option but then again strip lights would give that 'traditional' glow! ;-) One question: how do you attach the blinds to the ends of the rollers, or are you just careful not to go off the end?  Thanks, I'll keep progress updated if people are interested? |
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Post by rapidtransitman on Jul 3, 2014 3:38:00 GMT
"I'll keep progress updated if people are interested?"
Yes please
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rincew1nd
Administrator
Junior Under-wizzard of quiz
Posts: 10,246
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Post by rincew1nd on Jul 3, 2014 6:41:16 GMT
The blind is held on with some masking tape, I can't remember if it was two short bits at either end or one long piece; I try not to go past NOT IN SERVICE just in case though!
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Post by tubelightonline on Jul 3, 2014 7:52:06 GMT
I used a couple of roller blind kits for my D Stock blind, and they came with an adhesive strip attached to the roller; however, just to ensure that the blind definitely wasn't going to become detached, I applied some strips of strong double-sided tape along both rollers as well...and the blind is still in place to this day! As regards the illumination, I've used LED striplights for both the D and A Stock blinds - they're the type designed for use under cabinets in kitchens. This was what I used for the A Stock blind: www.ukelectricalsupplies.com/DFX-Technology-230v-AC-600mm-Pure-White-LED-Strip-Light.htm . If you use one of these, you will also need to purchase a lead, as the lights have a special connector system that enables them to be linked when used 'as they were originally intended'. The above-linked site supplies leads with either a moulded plug on one end, or bare conductors, if you're wiring into a junction box. My original thread on acquiring the A Stock blind can be found here; the third reply on the first page provides the paint details. The restoration of the blind box is covered here if you're interested - feel free to give me a shout if you require any further details! Good luck - please do keep us updated on your progress! |
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jul 3, 2014 16:17:51 GMT
This is quite the useful thread, I've seen some blinds up on ebay once or twice, but coupled with the cost factor, I had no idea how to mount them.
Now this project looks quite enticing.
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Post by MoreToJack on Jul 3, 2014 18:08:26 GMT
Thanks all for the continued suggestions, and I'll definitely keep my progress up to date as I go! It seems it's something that could be of use to others (As it has been to me!) so I'll try and make things detailed enough to help others if needs be. Anyway - had my Underground blinds out today to measure them all up so I can start putting together plans for the boxes. Here's a photo showing a snippet of each one (Excluding the A stock).    |
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