No, they will get HOT and be fairly heavy

 

heard of people using dry wall pans.

 

:tu:

 

I built mine out of 1/8 aluminum, but I dont see why you couldn't use steel. Maybe try 1/16 and paint it flat white inside. No reason it wouldn't work.

 

well im only building 4 and aluminum gets hot too, weight isn't much of an issue, what demensions are your housings?

 

Mine are 10x16 because I found tempered glass for less than $5 a piece for that size.

 

Suit yourself, put them under the deck so you don't lean into them. Aluminum has a thermal conductivity that is nearly 5x that of steel. So it dissipates heat faster and does not get nearly as hot. That is why it is used as a heat sink.

 

I just cant find anywhere that sells aluminum sheet smaller than 4x8 locally

 

It's gonna take a half a sheet to build four. Don't forget about end caps!!!

 

I got my leg against a 400HPS in a custom aluminum housing. It took meat with it. It didn't feel 5x cooler at that point

 

I found a place that had a 2x5 foot piece of .125 for 50 bucks! so aluminum it is! has anyone used anything besides tempered glass for the lense?