Introduction: Acrylic Engraved Led Enlighted Heart
Hello everybody,
this is my first instructable and my personal contribution to the valentines day contest, so here we go.
this is my first instructable and my personal contribution to the valentines day contest, so here we go.
Step 1: What You Need
Tools I used :
-Drill
-Dremel
-2 clamps
-Section of different dremelheads
-Fret saw
-Soldering iron
-Hot glue gun
-Scalpel
-Scissors
-Single cut file
Material used:
-Towl
-14 Red LED's 5mm
-Scrap wire (from old IDE cable)
-Scrap switch I pulled from a old radio
-A nice box
-Mini easel
-Black acrylic paint
-Scrap 9 V block battery connector I pulled from some device once upon a time
-9 V block battery
- 3 thumbtacks
- 0,8 thick sheet of acryl
-Packaging tape
-Some cardboard
-Present wrapping
-Drill
-Dremel
-2 clamps
-Section of different dremelheads
-Fret saw
-Soldering iron
-Hot glue gun
-Scalpel
-Scissors
-Single cut file
Material used:
-Towl
-14 Red LED's 5mm
-Scrap wire (from old IDE cable)
-Scrap switch I pulled from a old radio
-A nice box
-Mini easel
-Black acrylic paint
-Scrap 9 V block battery connector I pulled from some device once upon a time
-9 V block battery
- 3 thumbtacks
- 0,8 thick sheet of acryl
-Packaging tape
-Some cardboard
-Present wrapping
Step 2: Lets Get Started
First of all I got myself a good heart shape to transcribe to my acrylic sheet.
I used the heart symbol function in ms word.
Print the shape you prefer, cut it out and there is your shape.
I still had acrylic sheets lying around, but these didn't have any protective foil any more so I wrapped the needed space of the sheet in my packaging tape.
Then you get started cutting it out.
I used the heart symbol function in ms word.
Print the shape you prefer, cut it out and there is your shape.
I still had acrylic sheets lying around, but these didn't have any protective foil any more so I wrapped the needed space of the sheet in my packaging tape.
Then you get started cutting it out.
Step 3: Start Drilling!
After you have finished making the shape, you can start drilling the holes for your leds.
I used some of my scrap pieces to get the hang of it how fast etc. I could drill.
Then you can make your first test how the whole thing could look.
I used the dremel to carve out the pointy parts of the drill - the space won through the dremel is actually used by the leds later.
Last step her is to make the first two mm of each hole a bit bigger so that the led can sit in deep.
Then I decided to take of the packaging tape.
I used some of my scrap pieces to get the hang of it how fast etc. I could drill.
Then you can make your first test how the whole thing could look.
I used the dremel to carve out the pointy parts of the drill - the space won through the dremel is actually used by the leds later.
Last step her is to make the first two mm of each hole a bit bigger so that the led can sit in deep.
Then I decided to take of the packaging tape.
Step 4: Get Started With the Leds and the Circuit and the First Test
Now you insert your leds into your holes, if they don't stay in place put some hot glue onto each led and the stick it in the hole quickly.
Then bend all your anodes (or cathodes ) in one direction to connect them later.
Once finished I decided to give my heart the first rough clean.
Then bend all your anodes (or cathodes ) in one direction to connect them later.
Once finished I decided to give my heart the first rough clean.
Step 5: The Engraving
To engrave, I printed myself a template with word, with a nice font.
Once printed cut your shape out and leave a bit so that you can attach the paper to your model, it shouldn't be able to move anymore!
(See pictures)
Once you are done, unwrap your masterpiece !
I couldn't resist to test once more, see the result.
Once printed cut your shape out and leave a bit so that you can attach the paper to your model, it shouldn't be able to move anymore!
(See pictures)
Once you are done, unwrap your masterpiece !
I couldn't resist to test once more, see the result.
Step 6: Finding a Nice Way to Present Your Heart
To present the heart nicely and hide the battery I chose to stand my heart up on a little easel.
As I don't like the wooden look, I painted the easel black with acrylic paint I had lying around.
I also painted the wires of the heart black.
Once painted I carved a little groove for the heart so that it has more support.
As I don't like the wooden look, I painted the easel black with acrylic paint I had lying around.
I also painted the wires of the heart black.
Once painted I carved a little groove for the heart so that it has more support.
Step 7: Making the Box and Hide Electronics
I found a little box, that I liked.
I thought it was a bit to high so I cut it down and was able to use the scrap parts to make a dividing wall in the box to hide the electric parts. Here I also cut out a little hole with the scalpel for the switch.
I used hot glue to make all hold tight.
Now we need a little lid to cover all up.
Take a peace of cardboard and cut it to fit unto your electric department, leave some lashes so that you can attach the lid to your dividing wall.
Stick your present wrapping to one side of your lid and cut of the rest then attach it to your wall (i attached it with hot glue)
I thought it was a bit to high so I cut it down and was able to use the scrap parts to make a dividing wall in the box to hide the electric parts. Here I also cut out a little hole with the scalpel for the switch.
I used hot glue to make all hold tight.
Now we need a little lid to cover all up.
Take a peace of cardboard and cut it to fit unto your electric department, leave some lashes so that you can attach the lid to your dividing wall.
Stick your present wrapping to one side of your lid and cut of the rest then attach it to your wall (i attached it with hot glue)
Step 8: Attach the Easel to Your Box
To attach the easel I simply used 3 thumbtacks and pushed them into the easel.
I made a extra small hole behind one of the easels legs to hide the wires that go into the box.
I made a extra small hole behind one of the easels legs to hide the wires that go into the box.
Step 9: You Are Done !
All you need to do now is put some lovely sweets in the box and leave a little note, then she should just melt away .
Thats all,
I hope you liked this!
Thats all,
I hope you liked this!