bendy stuff

[Daniel Moore]

There's a flash accessory called a Rogue FlashBender (http://www.amazon.com/Rogue-FlashBenders-ROGUERESM-Positionable-Reflector/dp/B003UOIMBW/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1330037717&sr=8-1) found on Amazon. It's got some sort of stay material sewn in, presumably metal. I'm wondering what the best choice of material would be to have that semi-rigid reshapeability.

[edp]

It says it's "coiled spring steel". I suppose you could use something like those bendy rulers they had at school, for drawing curves with.

http://www.drawing-boards.co.uk/Technical-Drawing-and-Craft/Technical/Flexible-Curves-P23.html

[Daniel Moore]

Those plastic rulers are a little too bendy, and they usually stink like well aged blue veined Stilton. I'll see what I can find for coiled spring steel sources. Thanks!

[Peter Gomena]

Try aluminum armature wire - available at big art supply stores in the sculpting section, made in several diameters.

Peter Gomena

[Daniel Moore]

Turns out there's dozens of types of spring steel, their ductility being on of the differentiators. It looks like I'll have to find a product that contains something I can cannibalize. As expected anyone who'd carry such a steel won't deal in the tiny quantities I'd need. Thanks Peter, I'll check that out. If it's already gotten to retail I have a much better chance of success. When I have a prototype post an image.

[vinny]

Lowes sells these cord wrap bendy things coated in rubber.

[chuck461]

Daniel
It sounds like a microphone gooseneck may be a good option for you. Fairly cheap and should be available at any music store.
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/search?Ntt=gooseneck+stands&N=0&InitialSearch=yes

[Daniel Moore]

For my purpose the form factor is important. It needs to be flat or at least extremely thin and be able to take a screw through it if necessary. I may just buy the flashbender and sacrifice it due to the time it's eating up trying to source the metal. I always had the idea that spring steel was incredibly stiff, as in cotter pins and shim stock, try and bend it and you could lose an eye. Turns out only a certain kind is ductile, cold rolled and untempered and even that has many grades. Thanks for the creative suggestions everyone.

[Daniel Moore]

Still looking for what you're referring to Vinny. If you can find a link, that would be helpful.

[Daniel Moore]

Looks like I'm not the only one with this idea (http://www.flexlensshade.com/product.html). Mine, however is being constructed with 4 adjustable wings rather than the single seen here.

[vinny]

my suggestion wasn't what you were looking for now that I've seen more posts. You can buy very thin lead, copper, and other materials in sheets at industrial metal supply places like IMS. Are you making a lens shade or something else?
I use a hot shoe adapter and loc-line fittings for an on camera lens shade holder that can be adjusted easily.

[Daniel Moore]

I'm want to fabricate a lens shade in barn door style that neither restricts nor confines ones choices for filtration to threaded or square. I'm dissatisfied with all my hoods and shades for this reason. Ultra lightweight, collapsible, quick to attach and won't limit filters of varying types is the design criteria. I have it in my head, just need the parts to construct it.