The spousal unit is a big Amazoo fan and buys in bulk when she gets an idea of something "crafty" to make.
At one time she thought these LED display boxes would make for a neat platform for glass art.
They accept a plastic disc that can fit into the slot where a row of multi-color LEDs are set. The light enters the edge of the disc and anything painted or laser etched on the surface will reflect the design forward.
Kinda neat in that you can select any color mix of red/green/blue and also have it automatically cycle through the colors with a fade in. The remote or the touch button on the base can switch through the sequence.
Well she bought a 24-pack and kinda lost interest so I wanted to do something useful with them. At about $3/each they have potential. Problem is the base is very light weight and therefore tippy, not to mention butt-ugly.
So, I figured I would strip its entrails out and make a proper base. I've experimented with laser engraving glass to catch the light so I decided to try a tattoo image she likes.
The glass area is about 6"x4", base is made of cherry.
For the image, I used a mirror tile and etched out the design. The backing of the mirror totally blocks out any light form the un-etched areas.
The laser easily burns away the mirror backing leaving clear glass for the light to pass.
I also added a mirror in the back to further direct the light, so the display portion consists of (front to back) standard glass, etched mirror, backer mirror, and a wood back.
For the entrails, opening up the unit reveals a single circuit board with a jack for USB power and a small remote control detector. The spring looking thingy is a touch sensitive "switch" for manual control. Since the original case had its plastic between this switch and ones finger, it is some kind of proximity sensing unit.
A little probing and I could figure out where the +/- power needed to be applied so I lopped off the USB pigtail so I could relocate it to a better location.
Power wires connected and one bypass wire added. Laser cut a routing template to fit this neatly into the base.
For the touch switch. I placed a through hole so the spring pickup could make contact with a penny I flush mounted at the front. A small hole drilled so the remote would work as well.
The glass parts fit into a dado around the frame
Learned a few things to do differently so I'm making a nutter with more eye to details.
A man of many talents you are for sure. This is a terrific solution to making good use of the "entrails " and producing a beautiful night light. Way to go.
Those are really neat, Bruce. My friend with a laser made me one for my display at craft shows..it changes colors all the time ! It is lasered on plexiglass and the light come through from the edge!!
Cheers, Jim ........................ Variety is the spice of life...............Learn something new every day
Jim, yep, that sounds like what I have to work with. As-is, the plastic stand works well with the accessory plastic "fans" and laser engravings, but while plastic might be ok for the 3-D printer folks (snort!), I like wood!
Duck, I separate my pennies into pre-83 copper and post '83 zinc, decision will be "do I use an irreplaceable solid copper penny or a zinc slug?"
Good save Bruce, they look simple enough for you to make. I bet you'll knock out those others in no time. If you find the right image, I bet those items will sell well. This project reminded me of a side business I was doing for restaurants some 55 years ago 😮 with a sandblaster and aluminum oxide. The 3 Polaroids are light up mirrors for different bars in NY.
