We make our own LED lights, but I haven't been able to find the housing to put them in like Mini Spotlight Co or something similiar. The hobbie tubing is expensive and there has to be some company out there. Just don't think I am searching with the correct words. Any suggestions from any of you that make your own?
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I would be interested in the same... this is something I would like to try to make a few of. thanks!
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Here is why you will love me...
Ok perhaps strong like,
The best thing to use for the tubes is tomato stakes! they are steel tube covered in a knobby green vinyl. Cut them with a tubing cutter and you get about 20 minispot barrels out of one stake! AWESOME!
they come in several sizes and are very inexpensive. the tubing sizes corespond very well to the 5 and 10MM LEDs.
Get them at Lowes, Home depot, and garden supply store. Cut with a tubing cutter. The look like they are plastic, but they are steel tube underneath!
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I'm gonna have to try the tomato stake idea. A couple years back I found several boxes of disposable paint brushes at an old hardware store. The handles were made of hollow metal tubes. Once I used the brush I would cut off the brush and use the tube for LED lighting. It was great! I got double use out of them.
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So I got my tomato(e) stakes...
What is the best way to fasten them to the wall still having them flexible/movable? I think I have found some L-shaped brackets that will work. I also assume that you hot glue the lights inside the tube? How could you use the stakes and still leave the bracket adjustable.
BTW - Allen, your t-shirt is on its way! Never did see you again after Friday night at the hotel bar.
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I bought a bunch of the minispot LEDs from jackstoolshed and dc connectors from monoprice bought 50 female and 50 male connectors about $33 total. Then planning on soldering the female dc connector to the LED and just removing the batteries. Next, the clips on these aren't very strong so was thinking of trying to use black irrigation hosing somehow and use the cheap adjustable "C" clamps from harbor freight, will try and get back.
These LED have on/off button so before enclosing I'd just permanently turn then on.... my plan was to make them as water resistent as possible using silicone where possible, keep the slim size, adjustable in any direction with ease of disconnecting the wires, believe I'm close.
The LEDs are bright and very impressive, I also bought UV LEDs from Radio shack and resoldered these into the sockets of about 30 of the same spots and worked great! I also painted the plastic housing to avoid the LEDs from illuminating the housing itself, PIA...but does the job.
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email me and I will send you a word doc I made for a class that shows how I assemble them.
Stiltbeast@gmail.com
Allen H
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Originally posted by spookhaven View PostWe make our own LED lights, but I haven't been able to find the housing to put them in like Mini Spotlight Co or something similiar. The hobbie tubing is expensive and there has to be some company out there. Just don't think I am searching with the correct words. Any suggestions from any of you that make your own?
buy bulk LEDs with pre-soldered resistors and wires from ebay. take one end of a paper-clip and wrap it around the LED base, the other end will allow you to screw it into a wall. then get some heat shrink tubing, cut it to length and place it over the fixture. heat up the base so the heat-shrink will wrap over the resistor and paper clip. You've made a really cheap LED mini-spotlight.
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Allen's Info
I got Allen H. information on how to make your own and it was great... Bought 80 LEDs for 20 bucks and got the other stuff and had only maybe 2 bucks a peice ... and they work great... put them close to have a small light or move them farther away for a bigger light... I even put 3 LED in a PVC pipe for a bigger spot light... Allen i really appreciate the info you gave me.. Thanks... I will take any advise you want to give anytime... About to order some LAtex to make some rotten bodies... got in suggestions..
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Im glad you like the info. I highly recommend starting a new thread for tips on corpsing please do. I will repost this info on the new thread also. Im sure a ton of people have unique tips on corpsing.
Skeletons $30 each and look pretty good
http://www.pitinienterprises.com/index.html
Latex
I buy it from these guys by the drum but they just started selling it in five gallons
http://www.chemionics.com/natlatex.html
Gore Galore and Screamline studios also sell five gallon buckets of latex and its great to support vendors you have a relationship with.
I Like rolled cotton for texture. but it is getting hard to find online is best.
http://www.amazon.com/Intrinsics-Rol.../dp/B000QU8R18
Drybrushing is the way to go for painting.
I also really love a ton of the ideas in this DVD -its a great buy and well worth it!
http://www.monstercloset.com/
Allen H
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Originally posted by DeathRattle View PostFirst can I tell you how much I love this forum! Thrilltainment love the shrink tubing idea. Per Allen's document (thanks again!) Looped floral wire is great for making a hanger for the light too!
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