How to build a 8x8x8 led cube (English version)

Step 5 Build the cube base

The basic is necessary to hide and protect the control circuit and for hide all the cables to connect the PC and the cube.

Tools needed:
- Screwdrivers (or hammer)
- Vinavil glue
- Mini dremel
- Black spray
- Spatula for putty
- Wood putty
- Fine sandpaper

Materials needed:
- 1 tablet of wood 20x20 cm, 8 mm thick
- 2 tablet of wood 20x6, 8 cm, 8 mm thick (for the sides of the base)
- 2 tablet of wood 21.6 x7, 6 cm, 8 mm thick (for the other two sides of the base)
- About 25 wood screws (or nails)

Get all the boards as to form a box (see photo) and prepare ourselves to merge. Before inserting the screws apply Vinavil glue between a piece and the other: in this way, once the glue dried we can remove the screws without unmounting the box. The cover of this box is the cube that we constructed at first. Instead of screws you can use small nails, but remember that you must remove it using a small pincers.

Once the glue dried remove all the screws (or nails) and fill the holes with wood putty, helping with the spatula to make it well.

We must make 4 holes on the back of the base:
- 1 for the parallel port
- 1 for the LED power
- 1 for the power switch
- 1 for power supply

After making holes pass the sandpaper along the outside of the base. After the outer surface will be smooth we can color it with the spray. The passage with spray must be not too close to the surface to be colored. Steps must be fast and fluid, otherwise it will form drops of paint that compromise the quality of your work. You can also distribute the paint with a brush, maybe it will be more easy.
When the box will be finished, you can fix the various connection cables and place the control circuit on the bottom of the box, placing a soft material such as pluriball under the control circuit, to prevent any damage. Connect the cables to the appropriate connectors on the control circuit and place the cube of leds above the box, using it as a cover. Connect the wires coming from the cube to the control circuit.

Now you can connect your cube power supply and the PC. Use the control program to create your own animations. Have fun!