I tried to use just amber superbrights .. .but they were just too dim.
This is a mix of red and amber super bright LEDs. Looks like flames in person, but this camera didn't capture that effect.
This is all red super brights. This was the first sign I made by just milling the backside of the acrylic. I like this look much better plus it's easier to do more intricate designs.
This was my first sign. I cut it on a CNC mini- mill X2. In fact, this was the first time I had the mill up and running since moving it from the garage and my reintroduction to CNC. Read my blog for more information. The lid is 6mm sintra plastic (I use it for everything). The box is a bamboo draw organizer I bought for 3.99 The box is 3x12x2.5 inches
The "name" sits in a slot in the lid and is held by hot glue.
For this short a name I only used 6 LEDs. They are wired in parallel running off 4 AA's with a switch and current limit resistor. I just used some old perf board (didn't even have solder pads) to hold the LEDs, but could have used and non conductive material.
I bought these from dealextreme.com
superbrights, though these batteries need to be recharged ;) They are blindingly bright on fresh batteries.
Evan has been wanting a Toyota sign since I got my Prius. This weekend I made it. The symbol is a bit stylized and was cut in to overation. The first was a roughing pass with a 1/8" endmill and a finish pass with a 1/16" ball endmill.
The box was bought at Old Time Pottery as a few dollars. It has a recessed top that was perfect. I use 14" lexan.
The LEDS are 1210 SMD red superbrights left over from another project. I'm running them off 5V (4 AA's). The battery box was bought from Jameco since it has a built in switch. The circuit board was milled on my router. I potted the LEDs in hot glue to diffuse the light more. There are 7 LEDs in parallel.
A new lit sign. Hopefully you can make out the lily flower. It's very striking in person.
A cropped version
A closeup of the flower ... camera just can capture it.
James likes Batman. I like how the use of the 1/8" ball end mill left a texture
Red LEDs use the least amount of power and I got a bunch of these super brights for cheap :)
This was one of the first signs I did. I recently updated the LED circuit to use less power. The font is called Chick
This was one of the first signs I did. I recently updated the LED circuit to use less power.
Used photoshop and several web images to composite this one. Used a 1/8" ball nose which left a nice texture. This one is Lexan ... I'm not liking Lexan as this is the 2nd try due to melting. I did this one using my vac clamp.
Using a 9V battery and 4 sets of 2 blue LEDs in series with a 330 ohm resistor. Running about 8mA
Cody like Autobots.
I was told Justin liked 4x4 Trucks. Dodge Rams to be exact. So I found one on the web, cleaned it up in Photoshop then finish milled it with 1/8" ball nose end mill.
A Hello Kitty made from Bubanga
A custom box I made and stained. The lid can slide to allow access to the battery. The circuit is custom milled too. The red LEDs I bought online were of two colors so I interleaved them.
For Lexi. I know it's hard to make out her name but it runs vertical on the right hand side. She sent me a image of something she drew on her knee with sharpies. It's the Heart with thorning vines. The font is called viney thorns.
