DIY Network

	Figure A
	Figure B
	Figure C
	Figure D
	Figure E

• To build the sign frame, position the wood pieces to form a square. The longer pieces of wood will sit to the outside of the shorter boards. Drill a pilot hole at each end of each long board (figure A) and drive screws through the long boards into the ends of the short boards (figure B). Use one screw per corner.

• Position the backing over the frame and tack in place around the edges with wire nails. Any light, thin stock will work as a backing; Michele Beschen used Baltic birch

• Determine where you want to put the light in the box and install the mounting hardware according to the manufacturer's instructions. Many lights, like the one Michele Beschen used in the project, come with clips that screw to the frame to hold the light.

• Drill a hole through the frame large enough to accommodate the electrical cord.

• Any painting, staining or other decoration should be done to the frame at this point, before the acrylic panel and corner guards are installed.

• If the acrylic panel has a rough or bumpy side, place it toward the inside of the box. Use scissors to trim pieces of plastic corner guard – available in the drywall or wallpaper area of home improvement centers – to fit around three sides of the acrylic to secure it to the box. The fourth side will stay open so the acrylic panel can slide out and give access to change the light bulb.

• Line up one piece of corner guard with the edges of the box, and raise it up slightly from the acrylic panel so that it will slide in and out easily. Use a few wire nails to attach the corner guard to the box (figure C), or use decorative nails for a fancier touch. Repeat for the other two pieces of corner guard.

• Slide out the acrylic panel, run the power cord in through the hole in the frame and connect the cord to the light fixture according to the manufacturer's instructions (figure D). Attach the light fixture to the mounting hardware and slide the panel back into place.

• To put a message on the board, write it with a dry-erase marker (figure E). To use free-standing letters with the board, apply horizontal stripes of V-seal door weatherstripping to the acrylic panel to make grooves to hold the letters. You also can brighten the sign up by installing a second light behind the panel.

However you set it up, these messages will definitely get noticed!