Yes, please! That would be greatly appreciated!
To be somewhat Enterprising....
- Thread starter Cybergrinder
- Start date
A thread on how to thread the LEDs - let's let it happen!
I would really like to see a good tutorial tread on LEDs and how to implement that into paper/cardstock models.
- Apr 5, 2013
- 13,876
- 10,215
- 228
A tutorial, with a list of the online circuit makers would be most interesting. I seriously would consider to start using copper traces in your models, and solder the short wires of the copper trace main bus lines. The series-parallel circuits you could make, hidden on of switches, would be limited only by your imagination. You use epoxy to glue the copper traces to the paper and conductive epoxy to glue the wire to the traces, then solder the wires to the LED to the LEDs.
Thin computer ribbon wire connected to LEDs works well.Guess I'm doing the thread then@zathros , I have a but if a financial constraint at the moment so I am cannibalising old PC (USB, printer) cables so I don't know if will be able to do the tracers, but switches definitely are an option!
Also, guitar strings make excellent supports for where you cut the paper supports for LED wiring pathways.
Great Work you got going on!
OH, neat ideas. I bought a reel of magnet wire (lacquer insulated stuff) for wiring LEDs in buildings. Then of course, I immediately found a solenoid coil I had saved for the same thing. Sigh. And, I have a roll of copper tape made for edging stained glass pieces (another hobby) that would be easy to split and form concealed wiring.
What fun!
What fun!
- Apr 5, 2013
- 13,876
- 10,215
- 228
Guess I'm doing the thread then
I used to make traces by stripping lampshade cord, and pressing it flat, then gluing it to paper, or whatever it was I was building. The glue insulated it, and I left the ends open to solder onto. For heavier traces, I used pieces of telephone wire I'd mooch off of company trucks (much harder to do these days) but you can make some heavy duty traces that way. A metal dowel will flatten them easily. I did this when making projects in electronics school, hiding some traces under paint, and the other students could never figure out the simple test boxes I made worked.
Warp nacelles complete! I'll provide wiring pictures when I start the "lighting thread"
Well, due to a wiring issue during initial attachment I'm going to have to redo the port nacelle. As a result I get to share wiring photos!
It always helps when the template comes with supports as it makes the overall lighting easier. You can cut through and wire on the underside
It always helps when the template comes with supports as it makes the overall lighting easier. You can cut through and wire on the underside
Quick tip: If you need a special colour you can paint the LEDs with transparent paint.
Brilliant idea!Quick tip: If you need a special colour you can paint the LEDs with transparent paint.
I tried that, ended up with brush strokes on the LED and gave a distorted light. On that thought, the bussard collectors on the TOS ships....
Oh! Maybe if you dilute the colour and apply several thin layers?
There is a special paint called "Tauchlack" in Germany. You dip the LED into the colour and let superfluous colour drop off. Due to the special nature of the colour you'll end up with a thin layer of paint without visible brush strokes. The paint is available in opaque and transparent versions.
There is a special paint called "Tauchlack" in Germany. You dip the LED into the colour and let superfluous colour drop off. Due to the special nature of the colour you'll end up with a thin layer of paint without visible brush strokes. The paint is available in opaque and transparent versions.
The new TEAL Christmas tree lights are a light pool water shade of blue, instead of electric blue as the standard. Also to get the effects discussed here, I have found that just going to the dollar tree and finding the color you want in a clear plastic piece, then using a white LED works too.