Perspex Underglow

[hairybelly]

Does any one know of a tutorial to make a perspex underglow like the one in the link below.

Or has any one got any ideas on how to do it, I cant imagine it been that hard to shape the perspex but how to attach the leds?


http://icemanmods.com/catalog/product_info.php/products_id/54?osCsid=54c1af7ad672fbb68a8db581fb4a9141

 

[Dragonis.Lou]

Go here and get a Meteor light Xoxide

Just use some hot glue to put the light on.

 

[hairybelly]

Thanks Dragonis.

They have some cool stuff there, unfortunately they dont ship to the UK (as far as I could tell) but its given me some other ideas.

There doesnt seem to be many good UK sites to buy that kinda stuff, same goes for the perspex/acryllic underglow mod, I would buy it if there was a UK site that sold it, but part of the fun is trying to make your own.

I just like the way the icemanmods underglow has an even spread of light all around the bottom of the box without been overpowering.

 

[Dragonis.Lou]

Well... this isn't a UK site, but they might ship there. http://www.thexboxspot.com/products.htm

 

[linuxn00b2004]

I personally would not recommend one of these items. It's not that it doesn't look nice: it looks great! However, the problem lies in durability, or lack thereof. I used to have one of those (check out "My XBox" in my signature... it's an old picture). The first time I got it, it had a crack in the light bar that did not affect the look or function. However, I soon found out why it had a crack: it cracks easy. I used to transport my XBox around a lot, and it quickly broke, simply from carrying it around in a backpack. This is not my recommendation.

Just in case you are interested (you may not be, which is fine), my recommendation is to instead buy about 20 LEDs and wire them up in each one of those vents under the front limp, pointing down. If you want to get really fancy, use a breadboard and create a way of flashing the lights. Do the same with the XBox sides (only you may have to dremel holes), and the back. It will look nicer, cost less, and you can be more proud of the job at the end. That's my recommendation. I plan on doing something similar over the summer, as I am going to transfer my XBox to my old Gateway 2000 Pentium 120 case this summer. I'm thinking chasing lights all around the lip (I need the PC case because I'm going to have two hard drives, and I want it to look nice.)

- Greg

 

[kimosabe]

I used to transport my XBox around a lot, and it quickly broke, simply from carrying it around in a backpack

That's PlexiGlass/Acryllic/Perspex/etc. for ya!

 

[hairybelly]

thexboxspot. Damn thats another cool site that as far as I can tell is US only.

Why is the UK so lame when it comes to custom mod sites? We need to get our act together.

I have ordered from US sites before but the shipping charges can be ridiculous.

I like the dvd windows on that site though, cool.

Linux thanks for the advice about the lights. The LEDs idea is one I thought about but seen as though I am still quite new at this I am not that confident at fitting so many LEDs yet, the Perspex idea just seemed a bit easier as it will only need a light at the back.

At the moment I am thinking of putting notches in the perspex and maybe fitting the LEDs into them, not sure how at the moment but I'm working on it.

 

[Shortacid]

That would be a simple design, like kimosabe said (acrylic). Just go to a local plastic shop (Plexi/Acrylic/Lexan/Perspex/Starboard/etc...) and take them a basic pattern for the underside of your box a 1/4 in. (sorry not sure on metric conversion, its early...) and four circular cut discs. To get a glossy edges, make sure to stipulate you want it polished or even smoked edges would give a nice effect.

Get a light bar like said, or i would personally get a 5mm drill bit and about 10-15 led with a high mcd rating and wire those up.

 

[Dragonis.Lou]

See... the whole thing is... Are you gonna be moving the Xbox around? If so, the the plexi underglow isn't a good idea. instead of led's you could use CC lights, and put two 4" in the front and one on each side. The leds will produce light "blotches" it will be uneven. CC's have a uniform glow to them which is nicer, but more of a pain to get in there.

 

[hairybelly]

Well its not going to be moved around, so it should be ok with perspex.

I have a few sheets lying around and I tried cutting it today with the Dremel.

Not very successfuly I might add. The plastic melts quite easily using the cutting wheel and absolutely stinks, performed a bit better with a cutting bit but not that good.

I guess I will have to find a shop to cut it as previously suggested by Shortacid, or I might just bite the bullet and order one from US.

Cheers for all the suggestions though, appreciated.

 

[newnickhere]

Perhaps you could look at using glow wire. Just a thought.

 

[hairybelly]

Been thinking of Glow wire but not sure how good its light out put is, at the moment I'm not having any luck finding any where who can cut the perspex for me so I might give that idea up as its not as easy to cut as I thought it would be.

I guess I will give the glow wire a try if it doesn't produce the desired effect it wont be wasted I could use it for something else.

I might have to stick a load of LEDs in instead, just not too sure about what to buy and how to wire them up.

Going to have to do more reading and practise my soldering a bit more.

 

[kimosabe]

Don't use glow wire, the color is dull and they dont have much light output at all. Red is Pink, Purple is Light Purple/Blue. Blue is too bright of Blue. And Green is too bright.