Reflector Removal!!!

[MeJYouNotJ]

We have a bunch of source four ellipsoidal reflectors at this shop I work in.

Every now and then when blowing them off you see a little "glitter" shoot out the shutters...
The reflector is flaking

Put it on the side, label it and leave it be.

Today, I've been working to repair our leko graveyard... and for the life of me I can not figure out how to get the reflector out of a S4 Ellipsoidal/leko/whatever you wanna call it. I read the ETC manual, which says, I kid you not, take the yoke at a 90 degree angle off the light and bang the crap out of it.

I really dont want to get broken glass all over the place, if there's any easier way I would love to know! Thanks in advance!

[cdub260]

Originally Posted by MeJYouNotJ

Today, I've been working to repair our leko graveyard... and for the life of me I can not figure out how to get the reflector out of a S4 Ellipsoidal/leko/whatever you wanna call it. I read the ETC manual, which says, I kid you not, take the yoke at a 90 degree angle off the light and bang the crap out of it.

I just took a peek at ETC's website to say what they recommended for removing the reflectors, and came across two sets of instructions, one for pre 2004 fixtures, and one for post 2004 fixtures.

Pre 2004:

To remove a reflector
Tools required: Two spare reflector retainer clips (2).
1. Wedge one arm of a spare retainer clip between the lip of one of
the installed clips and the rim of the reflector, then slide the arm
down between the installed clip and the reflector as shown in
figure 12.
2. Insert the other arm of the spare clip between the other arm of
the installed clip and the reflector, as shown in figure 13.
Warning: Do not slide the spare clip all the way in or it will be
very difficult to remove…leave at least a quarter inch exposed.
3. Now slide the entire clip between the reflector and the installed
clip as shown in figure 14. Remember, do not slide it all the way
in.
4. Repeat this procedure with the second spare clip, inserting it
between an adjacent installed clip and the reflector.
5. Turn the reflector housing casting over, so that the rear of the
reflector is in view. Gently push on the reflector, toward the side
of the housing where the extra clips were placed. The reflector
will slip off to the side at an angle.
6. Turn the reflector housing casting back over and gently slide the
reflector out from under the retaining clips.

Post 2004:

Reflector Housing Assembly 7
Removing reflector
Tools Required:
• Minimally padded work surface (cardboard, carpet, or rubber mat recommended)
WARNING: This procedure may crack or break the reflector. Always wear gloves, safety
glasses, and a dust mask when performing this procedure.

Step 1: Place the reflector housing face down on your work surface so that the concave
reflector surface points downward.
Step 2: Loosen the clutch and rotate the yoke so that it is perpendicular to the housing
at roughly a 90° angle. Tighten the clutch.
Step 3: Using the yoke as your handle, raise the housing assembly off of the work
surface a few inches and then firmly tap the housing on the work surface. This
should force the reflector out of its clips.
Step 4: Carefully lift the housing to see if the reflector is released. If it is not, repeat step
3 with slightly more force.

Strangely, I don't see any reference in either of these to banging the crap out of the light. There is a major difference between firmly tapping and banging the crap out of something.

I'll grant that I don't like either of the methods detailed in the Source 4 assembly guide, but what I dislike about the first method is simply the lack of a handle on their recommended tool. As for the second method listed, all of my Source 4 Lekos are pre 2004, so I cannot comment on that one, as I do not know what changes were made to the design.

[Sean]

Originally Posted by MeJYouNotJ

We have a bunch of source four ellipsoidal reflectors at this shop I work in.

Every now and then when blowing them off you see a little "glitter" shoot out the shutters...
The reflector is flaking

I really dont want to get broken glass all over the place, if there's any easier way I would love to know! Thanks in advance!

Really.... hammer. Put the fixture inside a plastic bag, then break the reflector. If you're replacing it, just break it.

Seriously.

--Sean

[gafftapegreenia]

Because as theatre tech's we seem to have a dominant pack rat gene.

[MeJYouNotJ]

I like the garbage bag idea. Although I did become very good at it today. Removed about 30 reflectors and we're going to order a bunch more.

Hooray!

I didnt want to break it because I made such a terrible mess on my first attempt, the reflector broke into a million pieces.

But on some of the units, I was able to salvage the reflector where the body was cracked and put it into the old units, you know, frankesteined some lights

thanks for the suggestions guys! I'm all caught up on the work now, but for the future the garbage bag will be essential.

[Sean]

Originally Posted by MeJYouNotJ

I like the garbage bag idea. Although I did become very good at it today. Removed about 30 reflectors and we're going to order a bunch more.

thanks for the suggestions guys! I'm all caught up on the work now, but for the future the garbage bag will be essential.

Or:

Big trashcan. Something in the middle of it that sticks up (like maybe a sledgehammer standing up on its own. "Drop" body onto hammer handle. Glass stays in can.

--Sean

[Pie4Weebl]

I had to replace some over the summer, we drilled out the rivets holding the clips in and then just replaced them with a pop-riveter.

[joeb]

In college, we replaced about 40-60 of our reflectors on S4's. Aside from the breaking method, we were able to remove the reflectors using two razor blades inserted under the clips. It's been awhile since I've done it, but we settled on this method which worked very effectively. Obviously be very careful using sharp blades, but if you are careful you can wedge them between the clips and the reflector. As a side note, salvaged reflectors can be turned into some rather fun wall sconces or overhead lights (for a pool table or serving bar perhaps).

[MeJYouNotJ]

i did keep a bunch of them, woohoo i get to make something fun.

[dramatech]

I did eight of them yesterday, Big screwdriver inserted from the back, big hammer hits screwdriver handle and glass pieces fall into trash bag under instrument. Tried the other methods, and I don't have the time. One actually fell out intact after hitting it with screwdriver and hammer.