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Step 7Add Resistors To The 2.4 Volt LEDs (red and yellow)
Once the epoxy on the 2.4 Volt LEDs has hardened, use nail clippers or small wire cutters to cut the overhanging wire loop off the LEDs. Be careful not to add too much stress to the wires as this might pull off the newly epoxied wire loop and magnet. If this happens you can use Crazy Glue to reattach it.
Cut and bend the wires to make room for a surface mount resistor. The resistor should rest about halfway between the edge of the magnets and the edge of the LED itself. Use an X-acto blade or toothpick to bend the wires down a bit so that they will clamp down on the resistor once it is wedged underneath them.
Attach a small piece of double sided tape to the end of your blade. This will make it easy to pick up and position the tiny resistors.
Now it's time to solder in the resistors. This takes a delicate touch. Make sure to clean the soldering gun's tip often and lightly touch the points you want to solder with both solder and pre-heated soldering gun. If the solder doesn't "take" the first time, wait until the wires cool and try again. Make sure not to touch the magnets with the soldering gun. The magnets will break down if exposed to excessive heat. If you accidentally solder a bridge over both wires, use the toothpick to push apart the solder as you reheat it.
For those who are unsure of their soldering ability, it might be possible to omit the soldering step altogether if you make sure the wires firmly clamp down on the resistors. Test the LEDs to make sure they're working and then put a dab of epoxy over the resistor to keep it from moving out of it's current (working) position.
Repeat steps 5, 6 and 7 until all the LEDs are assembled.
Cut and bend the wires to make room for a surface mount resistor. The resistor should rest about halfway between the edge of the magnets and the edge of the LED itself. Use an X-acto blade or toothpick to bend the wires down a bit so that they will clamp down on the resistor once it is wedged underneath them.
Attach a small piece of double sided tape to the end of your blade. This will make it easy to pick up and position the tiny resistors.
Now it's time to solder in the resistors. This takes a delicate touch. Make sure to clean the soldering gun's tip often and lightly touch the points you want to solder with both solder and pre-heated soldering gun. If the solder doesn't "take" the first time, wait until the wires cool and try again. Make sure not to touch the magnets with the soldering gun. The magnets will break down if exposed to excessive heat. If you accidentally solder a bridge over both wires, use the toothpick to push apart the solder as you reheat it.
For those who are unsure of their soldering ability, it might be possible to omit the soldering step altogether if you make sure the wires firmly clamp down on the resistors. Test the LEDs to make sure they're working and then put a dab of epoxy over the resistor to keep it from moving out of it's current (working) position.
Repeat steps 5, 6 and 7 until all the LEDs are assembled.
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Did you use lead-free solder? (I would assume so, since they are goingto be around food and children)