Introduction: How To: Ping Pong Ball Lights
About: Hi, I'm Steven from the Center for the Advancement of Mischief. I'm a junior at Penn State University studying Electrical Engineering.
At some point last semester I realized that ping pong balls make great diffusers and look really cool when they are glowing. Next we concluded that a hundred glowing ping pong balls would look even cooler. It was at about this point I decided that my apartment was in dire need of some ping pong ball lights.
In this instructable I'll show you a quick way to turn an ordinary string of Christmas lights into a great party decoration.
In this instructable I'll show you a quick way to turn an ordinary string of Christmas lights into a great party decoration.
Step 1: Gather Materials
For this Instructable you'll need a few things.
Parts:
Make sure the string of lights you use is in good condition. Check for any electrical shorts or overheating bulbs before starting.
Parts:
- A string of Christmas lights
- A ping pong ball for each light on the string
- Drill and drill bit (or other implement to make a hole in a ping pong ball)
- Hot glue and glue gun
Make sure the string of lights you use is in good condition. Check for any electrical shorts or overheating bulbs before starting.
Step 2: Prepare the Ping Pong Balls
Drill a hole in each ping pong ball.
There are several ways to do this such as a drill, exacto knife, or by poking a hole in it with a nail. A nail is the quickest method, but you will need to spend more time later gluing the balls to the lights. With a clean hole just smaller than the bulb the ping pong ball will stay in place without needing glue.
To drill the hole in the ball you will need a drill bit that is slightly smaller than the Christmas light bulb. Approximately 3/16" should be good, but make sure to test fit a few before drilling the rest of the balls. You will need to prepare as many ping pong balls as you have lights, if it's a long string it probably has 100.
A quick note on drilling holes in ping pong balls:
The best method I found for putting holes in the ping pong balls uses a c-clamp, some paper towels, and a drill. First fold a 1.5" wide strip of paper towel over on itself several times so that it fits on the plates of the c-clamp and tape one on each side of the clamp. Next adjust the clamp so that it holds the ball just enough that it doesn't slip when you drill into it. Because of the give in the paper towel you can pull the ball out and press another one in without needing to readjust the clamp. If anyone finds a better method please share in the comments.
I found I got the cleanest hole by first pressing the bit against the ball so it depressed slightly, then running the drill at medium to high speed while applying light pressure. A drill press would be very helpful at this step, but is not necessary. As always, please exercise care when using power tools.
There are several ways to do this such as a drill, exacto knife, or by poking a hole in it with a nail. A nail is the quickest method, but you will need to spend more time later gluing the balls to the lights. With a clean hole just smaller than the bulb the ping pong ball will stay in place without needing glue.
To drill the hole in the ball you will need a drill bit that is slightly smaller than the Christmas light bulb. Approximately 3/16" should be good, but make sure to test fit a few before drilling the rest of the balls. You will need to prepare as many ping pong balls as you have lights, if it's a long string it probably has 100.
A quick note on drilling holes in ping pong balls:
The best method I found for putting holes in the ping pong balls uses a c-clamp, some paper towels, and a drill. First fold a 1.5" wide strip of paper towel over on itself several times so that it fits on the plates of the c-clamp and tape one on each side of the clamp. Next adjust the clamp so that it holds the ball just enough that it doesn't slip when you drill into it. Because of the give in the paper towel you can pull the ball out and press another one in without needing to readjust the clamp. If anyone finds a better method please share in the comments.
I found I got the cleanest hole by first pressing the bit against the ball so it depressed slightly, then running the drill at medium to high speed while applying light pressure. A drill press would be very helpful at this step, but is not necessary. As always, please exercise care when using power tools.
Step 3: Building the Lights
Slide a ping pong ball over each light.
If the holes are too loose or you choose to use a nail to puncture holes, run a small bead of hot glue around where the base of the light meets the ping pong ball. If the holes are tight enough that they won't be easily knocked off, you can leave the ping pong balls press fit without a problem.
If the holes are too loose or you choose to use a nail to puncture holes, run a small bead of hot glue around where the base of the light meets the ping pong ball. If the holes are tight enough that they won't be easily knocked off, you can leave the ping pong balls press fit without a problem.
Step 4: Hang the Lights
All that's left to do now is to hang up your new set of ping pong ball lights and enjoy.
