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Lighted Portal Warning Symbol

Lighted Portal Warning Symbol
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I like the many gamers LOVE Portal. It and its sequel are my top two favorite games. So it would come naturally that I would want to build something portal related. As I was playing one day I looked over at one of the signs outside each test chamber and looked really closely at the little icons that tell you what you are going to come across in that chamber. Then it hit me! I can make a sign like the one in the game!

This is my first instructable so any constructive criticism is appreciated.

 
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Step 1Materials and Tools

Materials and Tools
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Materials:
Plexiglas or Regular Glass
Wood (3"x 3/4" plank & 1/8" plywood sheet)
Spray Paint (Black and White)
Primer
Gloss Black Paint
Silver Paint or Other Shiny Material
Sticker Paper
Standard Bulb Socket (w/o switch)
LED or CFL bulb
Piano Hinges
Magnet Latch
Standard Home Electrical wire (preferably w/ plug end)
Splice in switch (Rotary or Rocker will work)
Dowel Joiners (optional)
Masking/ Painters' Tape

Tools:
Table Saw
Miter Saw
Routing Table (optional)
Drill
Sand Paper
Rotary Tool
X-acto Knife
Tape Measure
Ruler
Computer w/basic image editor (I used MS Office Publisher)
Printer

If you didn't realize it by the annotations I like Craftsman tools.
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23 comments
Oct 20, 2011. 11:57 AMcorsi says:
so black on the front and white on the back?
Apr 17, 2012. 9:02 PMAtlas98 says:
4lifenerdfighter, that means that the water in that test chamber is NOT safe to drink.
Apr 5, 2012. 7:43 PM4lifenerdfighter says:
Not related to this but... What is the thing on the second row, to the left of the cake? Is it warning you about the radioactive drinking fountain? Anyone know?
Jan 9, 2012. 11:31 PMdemgi says:
Earlier you said this could be done on glass. Can an exacto knife cut through glass? idk, i might sound dumb now. lol

Oct 24, 2011. 9:32 AMNightfox17 says:
Awesome! P.S. Corsi, love the avatar image! =D
Oct 23, 2011. 10:59 PMnerd12 says:
THIS IS ENRICHMENT CENTER FOR APERTURE LABORATORIES.
Oct 23, 2011. 5:36 PMStanislaw says:
cool idea for a project! I like the fat that it lights up, have you considered replacing the wheel-switch with a pressure switch mounted behind the glass?

Oct 20, 2011. 12:18 PMDr.Paj says:
Would lining the box with tin foil help with the distribution of light?
Oct 23, 2011. 3:51 PMG-House says:
I was thinking the same thing but with aluminum tape.
Oct 23, 2011. 11:06 AMJongleur says:
Seems like it would be cool to make a second plexi-panel for the back and use the same process as the front to make a two-sided sign instead of just black. I suppose it depends where the sign will be. Attached edge-wise to a wall or in a window, or on some kind of swivel so you could choose which sign you waned displayed- or making one side or the top open-able so you could switch out plexi-panels would make it adjustable. You could slide in different panels for your mood, season or special occasion.
Great idea, thanks for the instructable!
Oct 22, 2011. 3:08 PMaroscoe2 says:
I think lining it with LED lights would make it brighter. but thank you for posting this instructables up for us all to view.
Oct 22, 2011. 5:50 PMjoespicnictables says:
Cool! Good job! (I don't play Portal but I would like to make this and replace the image with a warning sign and hang it outside my door! :D

Oct 21, 2011. 4:29 PMgenius989 says:
I Like IT-NO, LOVE IT!!!!!!!! AWESOM DUDE !
Oct 21, 2011. 8:54 AMmrmerino says:
I'm going to build... ALL OF THEM!
Oct 19, 2011. 9:46 PMtrayo says:
Just as a suggestion, the light might be more evenly distributed if you wired up two of the bulbs and placed one off center to the left and the other upside down off center to the right. They could also be placed horizontally.

I'm not sure how bright those bulbs actually are in a box like that, but I'm sure you could add more paint to offset it being too bright.

Nice instructable! I think I'd like to make one over the summer.

Cheers.
Oct 19, 2011. 5:14 PMmikeasaurus says:
Fun idea for a project!
(A picture of the finished results would work better as the main image)

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