Mod Help

markwalker84 · 25-September-05, 12:29 PM

Hi guys

Just really looking for some advice from the more experienced modders than myself. Got a mod planned that hopefully is gonna involve acrylic, LEDs and some electronics but getting hold of the parts is proving more difficult than i had expected...

I know ive seen several of you out there doing the whole "LED into the edge of acrylic" thing and so what size / brightness LED and thickness acrylic would you reccomend? It seems the only acrylic sheet i can find that is 5mm or thicker comes in massive sheets and costs about Ã‚Â£100..... not ideal for a hopefully cheapish mod. i only need about an A4 size! lol

Also... where do you UK guys get your LEDs and other electronic bits and pieces.

Finally... should i mount my forthcomnig project on a breadboard, stripboard or go all out and get myself an etching kit and make my own PCBs?

All comments welcome and appreciated

Thanks Pimps

Mark

Albedo · 26-September-05, 01:54 PM

You can get acrylic from most large DIY retailers, such as Home Depot or Lowes (dunno if they're over in the UK). It's usually sold under the names Plexiglas or Lexan... they're pretty much the same.

I don't really know where to get LED's for the UK either, but i know www.123Leds.com sells them for the US...

For the LED in the side of the acrylic, i'd suggest 5mm thick plexi and 3mm LED's. Get a 3mm or slightly larger drillbit and CAREFULLY drill a fairly shallow hole in the side of the plexiglas. Do it CAREFULLY because it is very easy to crack the acrylic/plexiglas/lexan.

FunkyFresh · 26-September-05, 02:57 PM

I know Maplin has a large selection of electronic bits & pieces for the UK. I don't know if it's the best/cheapest; there are several UK members on here that can probably give you more/better pointers.

ranger1033 · 26-September-05, 04:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by markwalker84


	Hi guys Just really looking for some advice from the more experienced modders than myself. Got a mod planned that hopefully is gonna involve acrylic, LEDs and some electronics but getting hold of the parts is proving more difficult than i had expected... I know ive seen several of you out there doing the whole "LED into the edge of acrylic" thing and so what size / brightness LED and thickness acrylic would you reccomend? It seems the only acrylic sheet i can find that is 5mm or thicker comes in massive sheets and costs about Ã‚Â£100..... not ideal for a hopefully cheapish mod. i only need about an A4 size! lol Also... where do you UK guys get your LEDs and other electronic bits and pieces. Finally... should i mount my forthcomnig project on a breadboard, stripboard or go all out and get myself an etching kit and make my own PCBs? All comments welcome and appreciated Thanks Pimps Mark

Here is a couple places to get led's in the UK for you.
http://www.fleetwoodcomputers.co.uk/...p?cPath=114_83

http://www.coolercases.co.uk/

http://www.casetech.co.uk/Lighting-p-1-c-278.html

Here is a place for lexan,

http://www.diyplastics.com/makrolonlexanprices.htm

http://www.master-plastics.co.uk/ind...tml&lang=en-gb

Hope these will help you out.

WrathOfSocrus · 26-September-05, 05:12 PM

For mounting, simple circuits for LEDs and fans are probably easiest and cheapest on a breadboard. You can easily cut it down to size, and a rather large piece is very cheap. You can make many projects with just one. And if you mess up, who cares? plenty more bread to spare LOL

Avalonthas · 26-September-05, 05:46 PM

Copy cat lol

For my project, i used approx 10 mm thick acrylic from home depot, with 5mm LED's, each rated at about 5000-6000mcd each and they do a great job at aluminating my sign. When i get my digital cam back from my dad, i will post the pics.

markwalker84 · 26-September-05, 07:39 PM

Thanks for the feedback!

i think 123led ships international and is STILL cheaper than anywhere in the UK! which i find quite impressive :-)

Going back to B&Q tomorrow to ask them about some thick acrylic / perspex.

Thanks agains pimps!

Mark

markwalker84 · 26-September-05, 07:52 PM

By the way FunkyFresh man.... you are WAY too good at those games! :-P

FunkyFresh · 27-September-05, 07:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by markwalker84


	By the way FunkyFresh man.... you are WAY too good at those games! :-P

I look at it more like I temporarily topped Enko -- once he has the free time, I'll be trophy-less again.

By the way, LsDiodes.com has good LED prices too, and offers $2 shipping to anywhere in the world. (You can change the site currency to Euros using the dropdown in the right column.)

25-September-05, 12:29 PM		#1 (permalink)
markwalker84 Apex Tech Maniac	Mod Help Hi guys Just really looking for some advice from the more experienced modders than myself. Got a mod planned that hopefully is gonna involve acrylic, LEDs and some electronics but getting hold of the parts is proving more difficult than i had expected... I know ive seen several of you out there doing the whole "LED into the edge of acrylic" thing and so what size / brightness LED and thickness acrylic would you reccomend? It seems the only acrylic sheet i can find that is 5mm or thicker comes in massive sheets and costs about Ã‚Â£100..... not ideal for a hopefully cheapish mod. i only need about an A4 size! lol Also... where do you UK guys get your LEDs and other electronic bits and pieces. Finally... should i mount my forthcomnig project on a breadboard, stripboard or go all out and get myself an etching kit and make my own PCBs? All comments welcome and appreciated Thanks Pimps Mark

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26-September-05, 01:54 PM		#2 (permalink)
Albedo Apex Tech Fanatic Supreme	You can get acrylic from most large DIY retailers, such as Home Depot or Lowes (dunno if they're over in the UK). It's usually sold under the names Plexiglas or Lexan... they're pretty much the same. I don't really know where to get LED's for the UK either, but i know www.123Leds.com sells them for the US... For the LED in the side of the acrylic, i'd suggest 5mm thick plexi and 3mm LED's. Get a 3mm or slightly larger drillbit and CAREFULLY drill a fairly shallow hole in the side of the plexiglas. Do it CAREFULLY because it is very easy to crack the acrylic/plexiglas/lexan.

26-September-05, 02:57 PM		#3 (permalink)
FunkyFresh 'Da Doctor of Funk	I know Maplin has a large selection of electronic bits & pieces for the UK. I don't know if it's the best/cheapest; there are several UK members on here that can probably give you more/better pointers.

26-September-05, 05:12 PM		#5 (permalink)
WrathOfSocrus Apex Tech Fanatic	For mounting, simple circuits for LEDs and fans are probably easiest and cheapest on a breadboard. You can easily cut it down to size, and a rather large piece is very cheap. You can make many projects with just one. And if you mess up, who cares? plenty more bread to spare LOL

26-September-05, 05:46 PM		#6 (permalink)
Avalonthas Apex Advanced Techie	Copy cat lol For my project, i used approx 10 mm thick acrylic from home depot, with 5mm LED's, each rated at about 5000-6000mcd each and they do a great job at aluminating my sign. When i get my digital cam back from my dad, i will post the pics.

26-September-05, 07:39 PM		#7 (permalink)
markwalker84 Apex Tech Maniac	Thanks for the feedback! i think 123led ships international and is STILL cheaper than anywhere in the UK! which i find quite impressive :-) Going back to B&Q tomorrow to ask them about some thick acrylic / perspex. Thanks agains pimps! Mark

26-September-05, 07:52 PM		#8 (permalink)
markwalker84 Apex Tech Maniac	By the way FunkyFresh man.... you are WAY too good at those games! :-P