Introduction: Make an L.E.D Emblem Light!
How to make this cool L.E.D lit emblem using a sheet of acrylic. You can also watch the video for more guidance.
What you need
Thick A5 sheet of clear acrylic plastic.
Base - I used the lid from a Lego box
Strip of colour changing L.E.Ds
Hot glue
Stencil of emblem or custom stencil
Rotary tool with attachments
Step 1: The Base
The A5 sheet of acrylic (plexiglass) I purchased from ebay. It's 2cms thick so I found a Lego box lid for the base. I used this because its hollow underneath and simple to cut using a knife. I chopped a strip out of the centre so it was thick enough to hold the acrylic. I also mad ridges at either side so the acrylic would slot in.
Step 2: Carving the Design
I used a batman stencil for the design but you could easily create your own custom stencil. I taped the stencil to the acrylic and placed it down on a soft surface to prevent the back of the acrylic from scratching. I used a rotary tool to carefully etch the acrylic. I used a rounded pointy end piece in the tool for the out line and a the sphere end piece to colour in the design. It will take a while to completely fill the design. You don't need to carve to deep. Just enough to rough up the acrylic so the design looks etched.
Step 3: Adding the L.E.Ds
Once I finished the engraving I placed the base on to the acrylic and stuck it in place with hot glue. For the illumination, I'm used a mains powered strip of colour changing L.E.Ds I have loads of these left over from previous projects. I chopped off a small strip and stuck them directly under the acrylic with a few blobs of hot glue. I also used a curved file to file out a groove for the mains wire to fit through the back of the base. Simple!
Step 4: Finished!
Watch the video here-
There we have it! A cool lit up acrylic emblem!
Have fun and be creative!
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BastardlyDungeon made it!
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30 Comments
Question 5 years ago on Introduction
Does the acrylic sheet have to be polised on the edges
7 years ago
cool
7 years ago
If it doesn't have to be "deep", just roughed up a bit, why can't you just attach the vinyl stencil with craft paste and etch the design in with a craft media blaster?
8 years ago on Introduction
Great Instructable. I'm thinking of making one of these myself, except I'm planning on using one of those acrylic displays (like for baseballs) and doing the display on all four sides...do you think that would work? Thanks
8 years ago on Introduction
I'm going to make this but i cant find any acylic can anybody send me a link or tell me a website to where i can find some
Thnx
8 years ago on Introduction
What type of connector is it to the LEDs? Where can I find that? VERY COOL PROJECT
8 years ago on Introduction
Might have to make one of these with a heart for the GF! Nice job!
8 years ago on Introduction
cool I will have to try this so you can use any emblem?
8 years ago on Introduction
I just voted this cool project. is there any probability to using leds with batteries?
I mean to try for wall decoration.
8 years ago on Introduction
nice idea. bet you could get the same effect using another etching method. for example acid or sandblast, might save some production time.
Reply 8 years ago on Introduction
I agree.I've made several similar projects using a sandbalster.Anything to make the surface opaque works,even steel wool or fine sandpaper sanding in small circles works well.
Reply 8 years ago on Introduction
I was going to say sandblast as well as use two piece of media so the etch floats in the middle. Nice job by OP!
Reply 8 years ago on Introduction
Sandblast would work, as would a chemical enchant such as a mild solvent. Acid however would likely not do much to plastic... that's why acid ships in plastic containers. A laser engraver or CNC machine would also work well. (I've used both)
One thing I would look for, some of these LED strips produce heat and have adhesive backing... they should be adhered to a strip of metal to dissipate the heat. I've built things like this with LED strips... and the LEDs will fail as they do not get proper cooling. It only takes about 1mm of metal to dissipate the heat... a thin strip of circuit board will even work... but solid metal is better.
Reply 8 years ago on Introduction
or even just some sand paper
8 years ago on Introduction
Hey Man this looks awesome and is quite possibly a gift for some of my friends in the future, just a quick question about how much does the entire thing cost? under $30 would be desirable for me but I fully understand if it's over that.
Reply 8 years ago on Introduction
I bought my acrylic from lowes for like $3 for the sheet. The rotary tool I got from Radioshack for about $30
8 years ago on Introduction
simple & effective = perfect
8 years ago on Introduction
If you were to have a weather proof housing you could make an illuminated house sign.
You could even include a small solar cell and rechargeable batteries.
8 years ago on Introduction
awesome
8 years ago on Introduction
pretty awesome, I might make one :D