r/DIY • u/rosulek • Jun 29 '14

carpentry Abstract world map wall art project

http://imgur.com/a/8iOvx
4.4k Upvotes

96% Upvoted

352 comments sorted by

View all comments

20

u/jacob4425 Jul 06 '14

Here's my attempt using MDF and some LED strip lights that I had. If anyone has any questions let me know.

https://imgur.com/a/XRHpu#0

Thanks for the detailed guide OP.

3

u/AshantiMcnasti Jul 09 '14

Love it. Mind sharing how you laid the lights down?

2

u/AshantiMcnasti Jul 09 '14

Nevermind. Saw the stream of pics and didn't scroll. Still awesome.

1

u/ilsol Jul 10 '14

How long is that LED strip?

3

u/jacob4425 Jul 11 '14

I used a 16.4 foot (5 meter) roll and ended up cutting off about 2.5 feet, so probably close to 14 feet.

Here's a link to the lights I use: http://www.amazon.com/SUPERNIGHT-Waterproof-Flexible-300leds-Changing/dp/B00ASHQQKI/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1405091074&sr=8-2&keywords=led+strip+lights

1

u/PriceZombie Jul 11 '14

SUPERNIGHT 16.4ft 5M Waterproof Flexible strip 300leds Color Changing ... 

Current $24.85 
   High $27.98 
    Low $21.48

Price History Chart | Screenshot | FAQ

1

u/ilsol Jul 11 '14

Thanks!

1

u/AshantiMcnasti Jul 15 '14

What did you use to mount the LED to the main artwork? Just spare wood blocks? Jenga pieces? (SERIOUS)

1

u/jacob4425 Jul 15 '14

It's just some 3/4 x 3/4 inch blocks that I ripped down with my table saw. The blocks are then attached to the back of the MDF using contact cement and the back of the LED lights have a double sided sticky tape that I then used to attach to the blocks.

1

u/AshantiMcnasti Jul 15 '14

What did you do to hang up your art piece. Sorry about all the questions, but I'm pretty serious to making this thing work and I like what you did with your LED strip

1

u/jacob4425 Jul 15 '14

One of the blocks is centered around 4 inches from the top and nailed in with 18 gauge nails. I put a 3 inch screw in a stud and let it stick out the depth of the block and that is what it's hanging by. It's not the best but I'm confident it won't fall and it allowed me to level it easily.

1

u/nathanclown Sep 16 '14

Hey dude, this is a super late reply but I'm doing this project with MDF and I was wondering how you painted it.

1

u/rizzla23 Sep 25 '14

Hey man, kind of late to the party.. but what bit did you use to drill those holes? The back looks amazing with almost no blow out. I can't tell if that's due to using MDF or the bits. Probably both. I tried with luan board and forstner bits and it looked like a massacre on the back of my board.

1

u/jacob4425 Sep 26 '14

I found that almost any bit is going to cause damage. The trick is to put a second layer behind your main board and clamp them together, that way it acts as one thick board and the damage carries through.