Dirt Cheap LEDs

In this video, I will show you how to extract LEDs out of toys from the dollar store. Some toys contain up to 5 LEDs. In this video, I show a light saber type of toy, but I once saw a mug which lit up the glass it sat on that had 6 blue LEDs in it. All of this for a dollar is worth it!



If you liked this video, be sure to subscribe to my channel, I product DIY videos once a week!

Step 1 Find the Toy

First, you must find a toy from the dollar store that contains LEDs. Check every isle they are everywhere. If you want to get white, you can usually find them in the LED key chains by the electronics. The best thing about the key chains is that the LEDs usually still have their full leads attached.

Comments

[spystealth1]

Although I agree rummaging around a dollar store is a great way to find cool junk, I can get LEDs for 2-3¢ each with cheap shipping. That's a lot cheaper if you want a lot.

[carvin127]

I was just thinking that getting 6 LEDs out of a mug at a dollar store is not very "dirt cheap" when you can buy 100 of 'em on eBay for less than $10 plus "free shipping" too. Just my 2 cents. :)

[reddeth]

You can also find LEDs on eBay for dirt DIRT cheap, I think I've gotten 300 for $10 before. Granted, they aren't the highest quality, but do you really think a dollar store toy is going to have much better?

[computerwiz_222]

I'll agree with you... These leds are sooo basic. They don't even have the flattened side to mark the negative lead. They are great for dumb little projects. The white LED keychains that can be bought are great tho, those LEDs are VERY bright and you get two watch batteries 2boot!

[sk8er6]

(removed by author or community request)

[sk8er6]

[progman63]

I do this all the time for really stupid little projects even though it might not be quite as cheap as buying bulk components.

One benefit of buying cheap items like this is that you will get the LEDs, a case (if you can use it for a project), sometimes a simple controller circuit, and batteries/switches/etc.

Esp. for small one-off projects, you get most of the junk you need, and everything is already wired up for you.

Cheap, quick, easy.....

[mattccc]

led shoppe.com has dirt cheep leds

[happybuilder]

ARE YOU KIDDING ME?!! these are 7 dollars for one blue led!! you call that dirt cheap?

[nixiadel]

You were looking at he wrong section look at the 5mm section, second one down on the left side. $8.00 for 100 LEDs and the shipping is free.

[The_Tom]

every once in a while i still buy 100 leds for 3-4 bucks on ebay.com

[zeroemission]

PLUS REP MATTCCC!!!

those are some REALLY great prices! i was psyched when i saw pretty good prices at dealextreme.com, but LED shoppe has insanely great deals! i accidently came here looking for dirtcheapleds which used to have similar deals on red LEDs only, but your link has all colors.

it's amazing when many places, even online are selling LEDs at up to $1 or even more each that you can get more than 10x that amount.

thanx a bunch for the heads up. i was looking for a place to get a bunch of LEDs for a bike stereo rig initially, but at these prices, i can buy a bunch in bulk & have plenty for my DJ speaker towers too. EXCELLENT LINK!!! you rock!

[Ad15]

Hey thanks for the video, do you think you could do a tutorial on how to make 3-D letters that light up using those cheap lights? It doesn't have to look great in light just in the dark when it lights up, thanks! :)

[Dr Qui]

I buy Hazard Zone Radion Rod Spray by Rose.

Its one of those mega sour spray candies, comes with a red blue or green LED plus 3 batteries already with housing and crude push button switch.

The spay bottle can also be reused once you have used all the candy spray up.

All this for 80p

[sk8er6]

i bought 2 led nightlights from the dollar tree today for a buck a piece. i did catch a little crap from the checkout guy for buying nightlights, but i went to high school with him so i let him live. each nightlight had 3 5mm bulbs, a blue, green, and red. i put the blue in a pc case for a power led. so i know it can take the 5v. i dont have a multimeter, so im a trial and error guy. ive been shopping at the dollar store for stuff for projects and mods for a while. audio jacks, lan/crossover cables, usb ports/jacks, and some tools are trustworthy even. so im happy. last time i switched a case led, i bought 1 blue led for $3.47! outrageous.

[kingamoth]

what about these new LED christmas lights they have out now days

[computerwiz_222]

They are great, and I have tried removing the LEDs, but they keyword there was *tried*. Most of the brands sold have non removable bulbs. Only in this past holiday season have I seen removable LED bulbs. In this case, it is a good idea to buy up the replacement packs, and you are all set. The key here is the removable bulb though... the other sets are moulded in, and it requires heat and too much effort for it to be worth it.

[Gravity Boy]

Big Lots or other stores of their type sell Christmas lights cheap during the year and you can get hundreds of LEDs for $2.99. I have built a charlieplexed piece out of LEDs taken from the light strands. Also the plastic lenses that make the bulb for the LEDs might be usable in some other project that I have not thought of yet.

[kingamoth]

aw I was going to buy up a lot after xmas is all over because i know they will be on sale for a little bit i figured you could get them cheaper that way but i didnt think about(or tried Iyet) moldings etc

[tech123456789]

i got 25 blue leds for free from an old controlboard

[irwinner]

digikey.com = dirt cheap electronics, can get leds for less than 25 cents a piece and even cheaper if you bulk order

[schithen]

I agree digikey key has a large, cheap selection (including tri-color)

[schorhr]

How about 1000 for $10?
http://www.besthongkong.com/product_info.php?products_id=30
or
http://www.besthongkong.com/product_info.php?cPath=4&products_id=31
(Shipping will be arround $10, but thats still just arround 2 cents per LED, plus depending on the country you are in smaller orders are tax free (Europe up to 22 Euro per Order)

[Jeebiss]

Those arnt even real red LEDs. They are crappy dull white ones with a red tinted casing.

[schorhr]

White ones are actually more difficult/more expensive to produce. The casing is just resin, the color is from the LED chip itself and mostly only tinted so it is obvious what color the led will emit when powered.

[Jeebiss]

You are correct. I was mistaken.

[xxfoxracer9xx]

we need more people like u in the world who will admit their mistakes i give u huge props and thumbs up

[evanwehrer]

Agreed. Normally you would expect a long and drawn out argument on why LED's are more/less expensive to make then end up as a long string of (removed by community request)

[Estwald]

Or how about: http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.1108 .
14000mcd 100Packs White 5Mm Led $10.01 shipped free direct from Hong Kong ?
Warning: DealExtreme.com is a dangerous place for modders.

[spork969]

Dangerous?

[computerwiz_222]

Yeah, how is this dangerous at all? If anything it just helps your piggy bank from loosing too much weight... Although these LEDs from China are cheap, I placed an order from LEDShoppe about a month ago for over $500.00. All the LEDs came, and they are in excellent condition with exactly the specs they specify...

[Estwald]

Look at the title of this 'structable again. This IS about LEDs on the cheap for the hobbyist, not about production quantities.

[computerwiz_222]

True, but if you are making some sort of a display, or a flash light, or something that requires more than 5, the moulded LEDs can be a pain, and it usually results in more than half of the LEDs being broken upon extraction... I like to buy the LEDs, and cut them up and rewire them to run off USB... Although completely useless, fun nonetheless..

[Estwald]

As in Dangerous to your wallet.

[cornflaker]

Ah because you buy to much stuff from them? Yeah I can agree with that lol, so much good stuff so cheap (even after the American to Australian conversion rates lol) and the free shipping kinda adds to the incentive...

[WriotE]

it says they are diffused. do they work?

[schorhr]

Why not?

[computerwiz_222]

those are simply indicators. Those LEDs are the cheapest around for 2 reasons. 1. Red is the cheapest to produce. 2. They are not super bright. I must have at least a thousand of those in my garage from people giving me parts from when they prototyped something at work or the like.

[trd-outlaw]

tip for the people that like to salvage parts LED's come in alot of voltages so if you buy a toy turn it on and put multi-meter on the led to check the voltage (make sure you put directly on led so you don't get voltage before a resistor)

[Keeter]

This is a fun little way to do things. Yes, we all know you can buy in bulk online for cheap. Yes we all know these aren't the greatest quality LEDs. But they are fast and easy. And if you pick the right toys you can salvage more than just the LED, (ive salvaged good battery casings, assorted wires, switches, knobs, watch batteries, plus the LEDs etc. all for one dollar). And about the comment that they dont have the flattened end to note the netative lead.... well usually the negative side is the one attached to the negative side of the battery when you open it up, just a thought though ;)