Introduction: LED Chandelier Light

I built a few cool projects I found on Instructables.com and now it's time for me to contribute.  This is a LED chandelier that I made using Christmas LED string lights.  It not difficult to make but it takes patience.  I think it's totally worth it and the end product looks awesome!  It's also a great energy saver: only uses 3 watts.

Step 1: Materials and Tools

Tools:
-glue gun
-power drill
-1/16" and 3/16" drill bits
-power screwdriver or screwdriver
-wire stripper
-deburring tool

Materials:
-50-clear LED Christmas string light. (I changed 8 clear LED to blue LED that I got from another string light.)
-brush-nickel finished ceiling lamp base (the lamp base I used is about 13" in diameter.)
-35 crystals or more (I got my crystals from ebay: link)
-electrical tape

Step 2: Lamp Base Prep

Remove insulation and electricals from the lamp base.

Step 3: Lamp Base Prep Con't

-Draw out how you want the LED and crystals to be on the lamp.  You can use my template (download it below).  The small circles are for the crystals and the bigger circles are for LED.  
-Cut out the template and tape it onto the lamp base.  

Step 4: Lamp Base Prep Con't

-Use the power drill and bit to drill all the holes on the template.  1/16" bit for small holes and 3/16" bit for bigger holes.  
-Drill 8 holes around the top edge of the lamp base where the 8 blue LED going to be. 
-After all the holes are drilled, remove the template and use a deburring tool to remove burrs from the holes.

Step 5: Install LED String Light

-(Optional) replace 8 clear LED with 8 Blue LED. You can use other colors if you want.
-plug the LED string light into the outlet to make sure they all light up.

-use one hand to Insert the LED into the hole on the lamp base and hold it in position.
-use another hand to use the glue gun to apply glue around the LED base.  Hold it for 5 seconds for the glue to dry.
-Repeat the steps for all 50 LED.  This takes time and patience.  The 8 blue LED go onto the top edge of the lamp base (see the 3rd picture above).

Step 6: Install Crystals

-Insert 1/4" of the lead of the crystal string into the small hole
-use your finger to blend the lead to 90 degree.
-use a glue gun to apply glue onto the lead to secure it onto the lamp base.
-repeat the steps for all 35 crystals.

Your new LED chandelier is now done and it's time to install it.

Step 7: Install LED Chandelier

Because this LED chandelier is not as bright as the incandescent chandelier, the best location to install this LED chandelier is in the hallway.  

To install your new LED chandelier:
-turn off all power where you going to install the LED chandelier
-use the wire stripper to cut the male plug off the LED string light and strip 1/2" of the two wires (has no ground wire).  Don't cut the female plug on the string light, leave it. 
-The two wires have no polarity which means you can connect either wire to positive or negative. Connect either one wire to positive (usually white or red) and other to negative (usually black). 
-Secure the LED chandelier like you would for a normal ceiling light.
-after your done, turn the power back on.
-Switch on your new LED chandelier and be surprised.

Make It Glow Challenge

Participated in the
Make It Glow Challenge