Make a high-tech mood light from a flourescent lamp and a bunch of old memory chips.
Thanks go to Ross Orr for the original article in
MAKE MAGAZINE Volume 09

Step 1: What You Need...

1. Some old memory chips. However many you use will determine the size of the Bytelight you build. I used 3 rows of 21, 256K 30 pin SIMMS that I bought as a bulk lot on Ebay.

2. A piece of plexiglass or Lexan. Mine was 12" X 12"

3. Plywood or other wood about 1/2" thick

4. Sheet metal. I used some galvanized sheet metal. Anything reflective will work. You could probably get away with using aluminum foil.

5. Glue. You can use any glue that will work with wood, metal and plastic.

6. Light fixture, lamp cord and flourescent bulb. Any home improvement store will have these or just salvage them from an old garage sale lamp.

7. Assorted screws.

Step 2: Build the Cover

Start laying out the ram on the plexiglass. You want to leave about 3/4" around the edge of the plexiglass because it makes for a better looking final product but the choice is yours.
Then start gluing the ram down on the plexiglass, chip side down. Keep everything nice and straight. Your patience here will determine how the Bytelight ends up looking.

Step 3: Build the Light Box

The light box will consist of 4 sides for the frame and a back cover that will hold the light fixture. Carefully measure out the dimensions of your plexiglass and cut the 4 side pieces to fit just to the edge of your glued on RAM. I made the box frame 4" deep to make sure there was plenty of room for the flourescent light bulb. I used corner brackets to hold the frame together and then painted it flat black. The back cover should be measured out and cut after you have assembled the box frame.

Step 4: Build the Back Cover

Cut out a piece of the shiny material you will be using and glue it to the back cover. Then attach the light fixture centered over the inside cover. I also drilled one hole towards the top of the back cover for mounting.

Step 5: Final Box Steps

Lay the back cover over the box frame and drill some pilot holes in each corner. This is always a good idea to prevent the wood from splitting. Drill one more hole at the bottom of the box frame and run your lamp cord. Test out the lamp.

Step 6: Finish It Up and Fire It Up!

Attach the RAM cover to the box by drilling 4 pilot holes and screwing it in. I used some small rubber bushings to create a tiny gap between the plexiglass and the frame to allow for venting. Turn off the lights and turn on the Bytelight! This is a great conversation piece and high-tech mood light! I hope you enjoyed this Instructable.