Pulse Rifle - Display
- Thread starter Monster Dave
- Start date
Monster Dave
Sr Member
Isn't there some 'code' about not asking what a project cost someone??
It's the pride that results from the effort that matters!!
...though it's not any big secret, less than $100 will cover what I've bought and what I still need.
It's the pride that results from the effort that matters!!
...though it's not any big secret, less than $100 will cover what I've bought and what I still need.
Monster Dave
Sr Member
Ever since I started this project I've been trying to come up with a simple and elegant way to light this amazing ALIENS plaque that's going to reside at the top of my display. Not having it lit would almost be a sin. So I've accepted that for what I would like to do that I'll need to have a power cord running to my display, fine, not a big deal, especially since what I came up with is going to work perfectly with the frame that I've built.
So here's the plate unlit:
And here's it back-lit as a test of my idea:
My solution - a cold cathode blue light!:
My test was done using a 6in light out of my computer. I've found the same light online in an 8in size. Since the plate measures just a hair over 10in, I think the 8in light will be perfect.
Here's where things get sort of cool, the physical size of this light is about 2mm bigger than the depth of the back of my display, so I'm going to cut out an 8 1/2in x 3in section from behind where the name plate will rest that equals the size of the lettering, mount the plate flush against the display and secure the light (centered) to the back of the plate like this:
As a result, mounting the plate flush will limit light diffusion outside of the logo and the light itself will almost completely fit within the display itself - thus avoiding causing the back of the display to push out from the wall once it's mounted.
Also, there are several benefits to using a cold cathode light:
1) They never get hot
2) Lifespan is 30,000 hours
3) This one has block ends and is rigid - easy to mount with 2 small pieces of Velcro
4) They weight nothing
5) They are cheap!!
Now, the one that I'm going to buy is intended for use inside of a computer tower, so I found a wall adapter that will allow me to plug it in to any wall outlet:
With that, I'll just neatly run a power cord to the wall and voila!
So before I proceed any further with mounting the center piece, I need to cut out the area that needs to be lit...and since I don't have any real carpentry tools...I need to figure out how to do that.
So that's where things are as of tonight. I did stop a Lowes and got a roll of Hazard tape, so I'm all set as far as that goes. It'll take a few days for the light to arrive, so while that's on order, I'll be figuring out how to cut out a nice rectangular shape.
So here's the plate unlit:
And here's it back-lit as a test of my idea:
My solution - a cold cathode blue light!:
My test was done using a 6in light out of my computer. I've found the same light online in an 8in size. Since the plate measures just a hair over 10in, I think the 8in light will be perfect.
Here's where things get sort of cool, the physical size of this light is about 2mm bigger than the depth of the back of my display, so I'm going to cut out an 8 1/2in x 3in section from behind where the name plate will rest that equals the size of the lettering, mount the plate flush against the display and secure the light (centered) to the back of the plate like this:
As a result, mounting the plate flush will limit light diffusion outside of the logo and the light itself will almost completely fit within the display itself - thus avoiding causing the back of the display to push out from the wall once it's mounted.
Also, there are several benefits to using a cold cathode light:
1) They never get hot
2) Lifespan is 30,000 hours
3) This one has block ends and is rigid - easy to mount with 2 small pieces of Velcro
4) They weight nothing
5) They are cheap!!
Now, the one that I'm going to buy is intended for use inside of a computer tower, so I found a wall adapter that will allow me to plug it in to any wall outlet:
With that, I'll just neatly run a power cord to the wall and voila!
So before I proceed any further with mounting the center piece, I need to cut out the area that needs to be lit...and since I don't have any real carpentry tools...I need to figure out how to do that.
So that's where things are as of tonight. I did stop a Lowes and got a roll of Hazard tape, so I'm all set as far as that goes. It'll take a few days for the light to arrive, so while that's on order, I'll be figuring out how to cut out a nice rectangular shape.
gyoung2993
Sr Member
Nice....
Monster Dave
Sr Member
Thanks Guy - The eye looks awesome when it's back-lit!! That piece will be the icing on the cake once I get it lit!!
DevilDogCota
Well-Known Member
If you can't use any power tools to cut you can slowly remove wood with a chisel. Not the first choice, but it'll work in a pinch.
gyoung2993
Sr Member
You have done a great job on this display....
thumbsup
Monster Dave
Sr Member
THANKS Guy!!
Dog that's always an idea...if I can't use the proper power tool....or borrow one...I may have to resort to options like that.
LOL - but don't worry - I'll keep everyone updated....unless it's sloppy and looks bad in which case you'll just see the final result!! LOL!
Dog that's always an idea...if I can't use the proper power tool....or borrow one...I may have to resort to options like that.
LOL - but don't worry - I'll keep everyone updated....unless it's sloppy and looks bad in which case you'll just see the final result!! LOL!
DevilDogCota
Well-Known Member
lol..Hopefully you can get your hands on a saber saw or even a dremel. If not just take a ruler measure your cut area. Take a chisel, and hammer it around your cut lines. Then just shave with the chisel. Take awhile, but that is last resort.
I hope everything will work out. The lighting does look good though.
I hope everything will work out. The lighting does look good though.
Monster Dave
Sr Member
I'm hoping a friend of mine has a jig saw that I could use. I'm sure I'll figure out a way to make it happen. Some places even rent tools.
DevilDogCota
Well-Known Member
I know Home Depot rents tools. I'm not sure on Lowes. I'm sure they do.
Monster Dave
Sr Member
For what I need it for I don't need to buy one, but Home Depot has a Royobi on sale for 29.99...
...if push came to shove, buying one would be better than doing a poor (and hard) job.
...if push came to shove, buying one would be better than doing a poor (and hard) job.
DevilDogCota
Well-Known Member
Ryobi is not a bad choice. I'm sure you could even return it if you wanted to.
Monster Dave
Sr Member
OK! So no new progress updates except that I discovered that a friend of mine has a jig saw that I'm going to use to cut the space for the lighting hardware this weekend. Also, I ordered the 8in cold cathode lights and the wall adapter this morning!
Hopefully by this weekend all the construction will be completed and the only thing left to install will be the lighting!
Hopefully by this weekend all the construction will be completed and the only thing left to install will be the lighting!
DevilDogCota
Well-Known Member
Awesome to know you found some needed tools. Can't wait for your next update.
Monster Dave
Sr Member
Thanks! Me too!! I'm so close to having this project complete that I'm chomping at the bit for this week to come to an end so that I can get back at it!
DevilDogCota
Well-Known Member
I know how you feel. I've been sanding this piece for three days. Finally ready for primer. I have none. I go to Home Depot, and their out of the color I need. Oh well.
