Introduction: USB- POWERED FLEX- LIGHT

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About: Retired Shop Teacher, Tool Collector, I like Cars, Guitars, Bikes and Electronics. I'd rather Recycle than buy Materials. Definitely Old-School Methods.

This mid-century modern unit provides light where you need it for reading, hobbies, computer use, or just as a night light. It can be plugged into any USB outlet or adapter.

Supplies

Materials:


LED utility light- one that uses 3 AAA or AA batteries= 4.5 volts. (any shape, rectangular, square, etc.- mine just happens to be round.)

USB to USB cable

2 paint stir sticks

1” pine

Heavy wood for base- I used MDF

2 -1/4” x 1.5 “ bolts with washers and thumb screws (or wing nuts)

Wood screws

All purpose glue

Primer, paint, brushes

Felt furniture protectors


Tools:


Scroll saw

Drill with various bits

Sandpaper

Soldering iron, solder

Wire cutters, strippers, needle nose pliers

Screwdriver

Step 1: CUT/ DRILL/ SAND

Tape the paint sticks together. Cut to 9”. Round over the ends and drill each end to fit your bolts. These are your lower struts.

Cut some pine to 9”, the same width as your paint sticks. Round over and drill one end to fit your bolts. Cut the other end to match the profile of your light. This is your upper strut.

Cut a 2, 1/2” length of pine the same width as your paint sticks. Round over one end and drill to fit your bolts. Leave the other end flat. This is your pivot.

Cut the MDF approx. 5 x 8 “ This is your base. Drill in the middle near one end for attachment of the pivot.

Sand everything till smooth.

Step 2: MAKE SUB-ASSEMBLIES/ PRIME & PAINT

Glue and screw the flat end of the pivot to the base.

Drill, then glue and screw the upper strut to the light housing. Drill a second hole through the housing and strut for the USB cable.

Prime all the wood, then paint with your desired colour.


Step 3: WIRE THE LIGHT

Cut the end you don’t want off the USB cable. Strip away about 2” of the outer insulation. Cut off all but the red and black wires. Strip the ends of these. Push the cut end of the USB cable through the hole in the upper strut. Remove the batteries from the light. Solder the red wire to the positive contact and the black wire to the negative contact of the battery housing. Plug into a USB outlet and test. Re- assemble the light making sure the switch is accessible.


Step 4: ASSEMBLE

Attach the lower struts on either side of the pivot using one bolt, washer and thumb screw(wing nut).

Attach the upper strut with light attached in the middle of the two remaining holes of the lower struts. Use the bolt, washer and thumb screw (wing nut)

Adjust till you have the lamp in the orientation you want. Simply change the orientation if desired by adjusting the struts. Attach some felt furniture protectors to the bottom of the base.