How To: Ping Pong Ball Lights
Intro: How To: Ping Pong Ball Lights
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.
143 Comments
lianhoe 7 years ago
i found an easy and quick way to SECURE, PUNCH HOLE in the EXACT CENTRE with respect to the seams in the ping-pong balls.
Cardboard centre of toilet rolls/ tapes (i used duct tape centre) - secures the ball and allows u to align the ping-pong ball seam horizontally so that the hole can be placed right in the centre with a ..
Hot poker - heat it with a candle flame and place the hole viewed from the top to the desired size
I hope this makes this instructable even easier
Diamonds_OnTheInside 7 years ago
Breed1985 7 years ago
I found that Amazon has 144 ping pong balls for $7.94 and free shipping with Prime right now!
HelenaTroy 8 years ago
I've seen this idea elsewhere but didn't know how to make the holes: i'd thought of cutting a small + cross, pressing the pieces inwards as I put the bulb in, then push the cable in far enough for the pieces to close up as I pulled the bulb back up . i'm visually impaired and not very handy with electrical tools or small projects, but this looks worth a try!
Msflutterby 8 years ago
finkbeiner1 9 years ago
Quick question. Will the heat of a strand of light melt or cause warping of the ping pongs? LED lights are more expensive and I'd rather use the cheaper traditional lights for our upcoming Prom...making a Marquee sign :) If you'd let me know how they held up and if the heat was an issue I'd be greatly appreciative :)
Teresa.Kibbe.Riddle 9 years ago
Hi cynicalifornia, You could use patterned duct tape or colored electrical tape as well as yarn, instead of embroidery floss, which would be pretty but tedious to do.
CYNICALifornia 15 years ago
mabeline65 15 years ago
Lisa Fla 15 years ago
nanananananananabatman 14 years ago
komecake 14 years ago
ysabet 9 years ago
If the melting thing is a worry, just poke holes in a cardboard box and push 'em into that instead. This is a *fastastic* idea, btw, and I'll be doing this. Thanks!
blackweb 10 years ago
Use straws it to size with slits on the length of the straw. They. Ome in all sorts of. Colors, some even bend.
Tumbleweed 9 years ago
Here is 144 gross for $8.40.
http://www.amazon.com/PING-PONG-BALLS-TABLE-TENNIS...
zani87 12 years ago
lolson1 10 years ago
jeff_whitmire 14 years ago
For drilling, I put the balls in an egg crate and just slid it around on the drill press work surface. Worked great and I could just throw a handful into the crate and then dump them after drilling...no need for careful handling.
lolson1 10 years ago
shellyrae 12 years ago