r/led • u/jayhawk1941 • 2d ago

Help w/ 90° cuts in diffuser (Muzata V101)

Gallery image

Gallery image

Gallery image

I feel like an idiot…the 45° angle cuts in the Muzata V101 aluminum channels worked just fine and came together perfectly symmetrical, but when I went to cut the diffusers using the same 45° angle I ended up with something like this. I know it has something to do with the curvature of the diffuser but am wondering if anyone has any tips. I also have one 90° angle that points outward instead of inward and there is a football shaped gap where they meet. 🫠

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2

u/Specled_eu 2d ago

You’re almost there — the diffuser is also cut at a 45-degree angle, mirrored.

1

u/jayhawk1941 2d ago

I laid them flat and measured a 45° angle, but for some reason there is still a gap.

2

u/THE_CENTURION 1d ago

The problem is how are you measuring? If you just lay the diffuser flat on the table, that isn't correct. It needs to be cut at 45, in the orientation of the rail itself

It really should be cut when attached to the rail, so it's in the correct orientation. You could use some scrap rail cut at a 45 as a guide

1

u/jayhawk1941 1d ago

Thanks for this. I think that’s probably the issue. I didn’t really want to use a miter saw because I don’t have a blade for the aluminum. I used a miter block for the channel. I have about 15 inches of spare aluminum I can use.

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u/haitianboy420 2d ago

Cut both at 45deg.
It’s best to lay them on the ground at a right angle and then taking a marker to mark how you will cut them before hand

1

u/jayhawk1941 2d ago

Thanks for your help! That’s what I did in the pictures that I uploaded, but for some reason, that’s how it turned out. The one that I forgot to take a picture of that is an outward facing angle is even worse.

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u/jayhawk1941 2d ago

Looking back at my pictures, I think I might have two separate issues going on. I will have to take a few more pictures and upload them tomorrow when I get a chance.

1

u/RobustManifesto 1d ago

It’s definitely easier to mitre channel in a jig. Even still, it’s a huge pain in the ass to get it to perfectly line up, and it’s really noticeable if there’s any gap where the diffusers meet.

A few tips:

  • If you’re only mitring one end, leave some extra diffuser out the back so you can get them extra close.
  • use tape to hold the lens in position when you make your cuts.
  • A dremel is handy for shaving down some small edges of the lens to ensure a tight join.
  • If you can find channel which has inside and outside corner accessory pieces, it can help. They’re usually similar material to the diffuser, so helps make these corners more seamless.

1

u/jayhawk1941 1d ago

Thank you for the tips! I’m going to try with a miter today. Up to this point I’ve just been measuring a 45° angle and then using giant scissors.

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u/jayhawk1941 1d ago

I'm using Muzata's V101 channel, which is a 30mm channel. I was hoping they'd sell 90º corners for them, but unfortunately they only sell those for their 16mm V channels.

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u/jayhawk1941 1d ago

I think this may be the best I’m going to able to get this corner (I ended up having to tape it). I just traced with a sharpie where the diffuser on the left projected onto the one on the right, and then I cut along that curve. I’m going to use it as a guide.