I needed extra lights for our reflector microscope so I built this parallel wired LED octopus.

I discovered early in the project I was out of solder! And, as I live in a place where bread boards are not easily available, I ended up using wiring connectors... the project is essentially solderless (I did find some solder at the end and used it for securing connections).

What you'll need

LEDs (all same)
1 resistor (don't know which one, sorry)
wire (I scrounged and stripped some old CAT5 wire)
wire clippers
wire strippers (using a knife is possible but results are not clean)
small screw driver
push switch (press and hold to keep lights on... saves battery)
wire connectors

Nice, but as it turned out, not necessary

solder
soldering iron
wire cover (not necessary, just makes it look nicer)
plastic box to hold the 'innards' all together

Step 1: Parallel LED

I went with parallel wiring after reading this: http://www.theledlight.com/ledcircuits.html

I cut all my wires to more or less the same length, stripped the ends and wound them around the LEDs. I made sure to keep the color coding to pos/neg on the LEDs the same!

Step 2: Testing the Initial Idea

I'm a big believer in testing as I go... I tested the switch and the connector and the resistor and the LED working...

Step 3: Parallel Wiring With Wire Connectors

Connect the positive wires together in the wire connector. Do the same with the negative ends.

Step 4: Test Your Connections!

I test every step as I am not sure that my connections are solid with the wire connectors but as it turns out, I had very few connection problems.

Step 5: Box Up the Battery and Connectors

I found an old plastic shoe polish box that would hold the battery, wire connectors. I melted a hole through the top and inserted the push switch.

I still haven't used any solder! :)

Step 6: Test Again

Everything is working. It's ugly but solderless!

Step 7: Wire Wrap and Solder to Polisht the Octopus

I added some shrink plastic over the two wires to reduce tangling and soldered the LEDs to the ends though I DIDN'T have to.

Step 8: Lighting Up the Miscroscope

Ok, truth is, the wire I used was too flimsy. I am having trouble keeping the LEDs pointing where I want them to... /sigh.

But, it does work! Check out the difference, slight it may be.