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Step 8Cost analysis and thoughts
Just a few notes from the comments and questions:
Cost analysis:
I think that if you had the required tools like the fancy nail-clipper, this could be done with a ready-made light-source for under $100. A larger ceiling would cost more.
This project probably cost around $250. The double-barrel illuminator with remote & flicker wheel should be around $200 (though some sites think this is worth $1,000!) and the fibers were $50. You can do better with the cost of the fibers if you bundle them yourself. Most sites have bundles ready to go in 2 styles: identical sizes, and 3-sizes. It would have been pretty cool to go TOTALLY random and put 11 sizes into a bundle =p. Though, some of the biggest fibers are really freaking expensive.
DIY option:
As for making a DIY light-source... I don't think that would be too hard. I was tinkering with making an arduino-controlled LED with a remote & flicker-wheel... but the costs came out about the same. Lighting up fibers isn't too hard, but focusing the light specifically at the point of entry takes a little more engineering than I'm capable of. I wouldn't think it would be too hard to create a flicker wheel with a low-RPM motor.
Ceiling thoughts:
Most home theater setups install this using a drop-ceiling. You basically add a sub-frame under your existing ceiling with 2x4s. That way, you can install the stars directly into foam-core or drywall, and then pop that up into the frame. That sounds a lot easier to do than monkeying around in the attic. I didn't want to do this because of the fan and the a/c duct. However, we ended up replacing the fan AND changing the duct because it was so dirty. So... maybe I should have gone with the drop-ceiling. That would make it possible to 'take with me' if we left this house. However, I really liked the 'stealth' aspect of installing it through the popcorn. You have no idea there is anything special about the room when the stars are off. Adding a drop-ceiling and re-texturizing the surface would have been just as much work as what I did in the attic. Plus, you'd spend more... and your ceiling is 4" lower. Most theater installations go with the drop-ceiling because they want to paint the ceiling black. Fine and dandy, but that didn't fit in with our idea for a baby girl's nursery =).
Cost analysis:
I think that if you had the required tools like the fancy nail-clipper, this could be done with a ready-made light-source for under $100. A larger ceiling would cost more.
This project probably cost around $250. The double-barrel illuminator with remote & flicker wheel should be around $200 (though some sites think this is worth $1,000!) and the fibers were $50. You can do better with the cost of the fibers if you bundle them yourself. Most sites have bundles ready to go in 2 styles: identical sizes, and 3-sizes. It would have been pretty cool to go TOTALLY random and put 11 sizes into a bundle =p. Though, some of the biggest fibers are really freaking expensive.
DIY option:
As for making a DIY light-source... I don't think that would be too hard. I was tinkering with making an arduino-controlled LED with a remote & flicker-wheel... but the costs came out about the same. Lighting up fibers isn't too hard, but focusing the light specifically at the point of entry takes a little more engineering than I'm capable of. I wouldn't think it would be too hard to create a flicker wheel with a low-RPM motor.
Ceiling thoughts:
Most home theater setups install this using a drop-ceiling. You basically add a sub-frame under your existing ceiling with 2x4s. That way, you can install the stars directly into foam-core or drywall, and then pop that up into the frame. That sounds a lot easier to do than monkeying around in the attic. I didn't want to do this because of the fan and the a/c duct. However, we ended up replacing the fan AND changing the duct because it was so dirty. So... maybe I should have gone with the drop-ceiling. That would make it possible to 'take with me' if we left this house. However, I really liked the 'stealth' aspect of installing it through the popcorn. You have no idea there is anything special about the room when the stars are off. Adding a drop-ceiling and re-texturizing the surface would have been just as much work as what I did in the attic. Plus, you'd spend more... and your ceiling is 4" lower. Most theater installations go with the drop-ceiling because they want to paint the ceiling black. Fine and dandy, but that didn't fit in with our idea for a baby girl's nursery =).
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seems the frame would work better. eventually someone will have to paint the ceiling!:(
I think you could re-cut the tips maybe?
The big cost of fiber optic displays is, well, the fiber. The illuminator can certainly be built at home with a small servo motor, a pie tin with holes cut in it for a flicker wheel, a 100w halogen bulb, a vent fan enclosure, and some romex running to a wall switch, but your fiber cost is what it is. MIkegalloway's source from tools is super cheap- I think I might buy a spool to play with!
With regards to panels or frames. They can be "wipe clean" and easily taken with you if you move, so might be a good choice for apartment dwellers who move frequently and don't live in earthquake country like me. Downside: the illuminator lives "elsewhere" because it won't fit in the panels, so you need a big, fat umbilical of fiber, you need couplers to prevent light loss between panels, and all told, might actually be more expensive than leaving your old starfield behind and installing a new one if you only move once. Also, with frames, you lose the "magic" of your transforming ceiling, if you're into that sort of thing.
To have a paintable starfield: Don't use glue. Staple fiber in place near port hole on inside of crawlspace. Leave extra fiber. When you paint your ceiling (which typically gets done very infrequently,) paint the whole thing. Then, push 1/2" of fiber down under the staple and through the holes, and clip ends again. Good as new!
Amazing instuctable! Would be very cool in our den (would be very fun for parties).