Small Custom Closet Build with LED Lights

[@rogergates8673]

This video gave me the confidence to attempt to pre-wire a closet with strip lighting. I attempted to use the solder-less connectors you linked, but the wire i used to connect everything was too thin, and didn’t elicit confidence during my trail runs. (I believe it’s the same wire as the one you’re using in the video) Lessons Learned: 1) Soldering wasn’t extremely hard, but ventilation and lead free solder was key. 2) I ran all the lights in parallel, off of a 12v power source and a simple dimmer switch. Even though the power source was the original one, I think adding all the extra wiring increased the load to the point the original plug and dimmer fail 2-3 hours into a trail run. I was able to overcome this by getting a 24v plug from the same manufacturer. So I’d recommend oversizing your power source versus the length of the lights you’re running (e.g. if you are running 50’ of lights, get a power source capable of powering 100’ 3) Now that i had soldered the connections, even the slightest twisting of the wires could cause the wires to touch each other and short, so i used a hot glue gun to insulate all the connections. 4) Instead of routing channels, I elected to just surface mount the aluminum channels on the shelves using 2p10, and then brad-nail trim pieces onto the outside of the closet. I didn’t have faith in the compressed particle board holding up if I routed the board down to half-width, and because i was lighting multiple parallel panels, it would have required routing the panels down to .1 inches thick, which was almost guaranteed to fail. It forced me to make the shelves 1/2” less deep, but still ended up with a decent result. 5) your comments on the extra slack was a life-saver when i was elbow deep in wiring the setup. Overall, thank you for the video!

[@AArrad]

Great job, very well done. Only thing I would have also considered is having an extension cable plugged into the wall socket, with the new sockets placed in the wood panels right above the floor, or next to the light switch you installed, or in some high shelves. But ofcourse, we have no idea what the room looks like or if there aren't enough wall sockets, so you know best. I personally keep some devices on top of my high shelves, and having a plug right next to that area would make my life a little bit easier.

[@brianhackett9649]

This will help me a lot. I'm doing a custom walk in closet and want to light it the way you did. Well produced video. Thanks!

[@MandatoryHandleName]

Looks great. Nice work! The beach really worked out well for the face frame.

[@fcschoenthal]

Very nice as always - Chris

[@ericofadel]

Very nice work, Catspaw.

[@MCsCreations]

Pretty beautiful work, dude! It looks great! 😃 Stay safe there with your family! 🖖😊

[@jimrosson6702]

Looks great great work

[@DomingosDeMoura-tu5yn]

Very practical, efficient and beautiful.

[@technopreneurialminds]

Great work! I love to watch your videos. They inspire me a lot! I was wondering what type of video camera you’re using to video yourself as you do the LED wiring. I guess you wore the camera on your head. Could you give the link to get the camera? Thanks

[@catspawcustoms]

No link available, this was all on an iPhone 14.

[@rogergates8673]

Great video! Questions: How is that lower level hanging system holding up? As far as I can tell it's it just free floating off the side of the cabinet. I don't see a corble or anything that would hold it up with significant weight. Crique: I though you may have gone a little overboard with the Domino joinery on the face plate, but I guess you were going for a finish that didn't have any obvious joinery, so I guess mission accomplished. Thanks for the video!

[@catspawcustoms]

@@rogergates8673 no issues on the lower level. The right side hasn’t moved at all in 18 months.

[@blendzen]

Really like the work with the lighting in both your closet vids! How did you wire it to power? Was there a product you used? I want to plug my version into the existing outlet in the wall behind the closet already, but curious what path you went. TY!

[@catspawcustoms]

I put an outlet in behind the part with the drawers and then the lights are just plugged into that. I think there is a link to the lights I used in the description. If not, pretty much just search for 8mm LED light strips on amazon and you’ll find lots of options.

[@blendzen]

@@catspawcustoms Doh! just realized the LED's came with the plug. Thanks for the reply!

[@henrymaitre4506]

Where do you get the metal track and defuser’s? Thanks that would help a lot. I have a small home project and I really like that.

[@catspawcustoms]

The Amazon links to what I bought are in the video description.

[@tashtant]

What do you think about diluting the stain and spraying it? Have you tried it and is it more headache than putting it on by hand?

[@catspawcustoms]

The hand application was easier by far, but ultimately I don’t think beech is the best wood for taking a pigment. I think I may have said differently in the video, but after the next few projects with beech I changed my mind.

[@JoSmall-u1h]

I guess when you have a domino, you should use it.

[@joveee.g4179]

Sir i have a comment with one of your videos regarding chemical etching...i hope youll notice my message. It will really help us a lot in answer my questions...😢

[@KB-vf4gz]

No gloves using CA glue and accelerant…. Tsk Tsk Tsk