DIY Network

Hanging LED Paper Lamp Learn how to create a hanging LED paper lamp. From "Craft Lab" episode DCLB-130

Guest Syuzi Pakhchyan joins host Jennifer Perkins and demonstrates how to create a string of LED lights with solder and heat shrink for insulation. Using an embroidery hoop as support, a lamp shade is made for the LED lights.

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Guest Syuzi Pakhchyan share the details on creating this hanging LED light lamp.

Hanging LED Paper Lamp

Project designed by Syuzi Pakhchyan.

Materials:

12" x 17" specialty paper
11" x 17" vellum
sturdy form or cutout to trace
12 Super Bright LEDs (at least 1000 mcd)
12 220-ohm 1/4 W Resistors
2 x 5-3/16" long 1/8th inch Dowels
heat shrink tubing
6" wood ring
stranded wire
soldering station
rosin core solder
wire stripper
wire cutter
craft knife
cutting cat
drill and drill Bit
2 X 3V lithium batteries
battery holder
masking tape
transparent tape
black marker
glue

Figure A

1. To create the lamp form, place paper backside up on the cutting mat. Gently tape down the sides using masking tape to secure the paper.

2. Using the cutout, trace a pattern onto the backside of the paper. When you have created a pattern you like, use a craft knife to cut out the shapes making sure to leave at least .25 on top and bottom of each shape. Do not cut out the shape completely.

3. To create the hanging fixture, on the wooden ring drill two holes slightly smaller than 1/18" diameter directly across from each other. Drill another set of two holes directly perpendicular to the first two. Slide in the 1/18" dowels through the holes, forming a cross or "T."

4. Coat 1/4" of the top of the vellum with glue. Glue the vellum to the inside of the wooden hoop, creating a circular tube. Coat 1/4" of the top of the backside of the paper with glue. Glue the paper to the outside of the wooden ring. Coat 1/4" of the inside of the paper that overlaps the bottom sheet and gently secure it to the bottom.

5. LED's are polarized meaning that the current runs only in one direction. It is important to distinguish the positive leg (anode), which is typically longer from the negative leg (cathode). (Refer to diagram.)

6. Cut 12 one-inch pieces of heat shrink tubing. Set the heat shrink tubing aside.

7. Solder the resistors to the long leg of all 12 LED's. Cut off the remaining end of the LED leg so that only the resistor wire remains.

8. Separate the LED's into three groups of four. For the first group of LED's, cut stranded wire into eight 2" segments. Strip 1/2" off the ends of wire, twist strands together.

9. For the first LED, solder wire to the other end of the resistor. Slip 1" heat shrink tubing over exposed connection.

10. Use a heat gun, blow dryer or the stem of your soldering iron to shrink the tubing around the leg of the LED, resistor and wire. This shields the connections and ensures that it will not short.

11. Solder the other end of the wire to the positive leg of the second LED. The positive leg is the one that now has a resistor. Take another 2" segment of wire and wrap that to the same positive leg of the second LED. Slip another 1" piece of heat shrink over the wire. Use heat to shrink the tube around the entire solder joint making sure to cover all exposed wiring. Repeat this procedure for the third and fourth LED.

12. Solder all the negative ends together similarly.

13. The third LED should now have a 2" wire extending off both legs (figure A).

14. Repeat the procedure for the next three sets of LED's, for each set increasing the wire lengths by an inch. For example, the second set of LED's will have 3" wires connecting them, the third 4" and so on.

15. To wire the LED's to the battery, cut two 6" pieces of stranded wire. Strip and solder them to the positive and negative ends of the battery pack terminals.

16. Solder the bottom portion of a snap to the wire extending from the bottom portion of the negative terminal. Cut another 3" piece of stranded wire and solder the top portion of the snap onto wire. The snap will become a switch which will allow you to turn your lamp on and off.

17. To complete the circuit, solder all the negative wires of the four LED sets to the negative wire of the battery (the one with the snap) and all the positive wires to the positive wire. Your circuit is not complete.

18. Hang the string of LED's from the center wooden cross section. Using transparent tape, secure the battery pack to the side of the wooden fixture.

GUESTS :
Syuzi Pakhchyan
Media Designer
Website: www.sparklab.la/