DIY LED floodlight conversion module with PCB file. (full build)

[@JerryEricsson]

Watched this one again, as it is a very good one. You said somethig about getting a face showered with glass, this happened to me many moons ago. You see, my father was what you could call a conosour of Vodka, and drank up to a fifth a day of the clear gold. Back then things being as they were, all garbage was to be burned before the truck collected the ash, thus saving space in the dump and the truck. It was my chore, then a boy of 9 to carry out the garbage, and burn same each day, but garbage collection day. I used to really enjoy watching that fire, perhaps I was a fire bug in the making, however when one of dad's empty bottles exploded from the heat, throwing molten glass into my face and thankfully into my glasses, I quickly gave up the joy of watching fires, and began to dispare at taking out the garbage. The scars are still with me nearly 60 years latter but in the process of aging, have become quite hard to find.

[@PunakiviAddikti]

In future versions of this floodlight, please remember to leave the earth wire to be the longest wire. The reason being, if the whole mains wire gets pulled out, the earth wire gets pulled out last. Just a small extra safety measure. Other than that, a great build, especially as you included a earth wire. Many people would leave that out because earthed cable costs more.

[@oriole8789]

I think a lot of people on youtube try too hard to be impressive in some way or another, and it rarely ends up working out. The nicest things about your vids are the down to earth attitude, practical advice, a bit of fun and humor... it just never feels like a waste of time to watch. The pace is just right. Not too slow (ugh), not too fast where critical info is skipped (ughhh). Come to think of it, some people who shall remain nameless often say things like: "I'm not going to explain how this works because it's complicated/would take too long" - or something to that effect. Sorry but, it takes seconds to cover the basics of something in a general way, if you actually know what you're talking about. Better than leaving a big gap for the inexperienced viewers to have to fill in somehow. ANYHOW. I hope you realize how many people love you, whether they admit it or not haha. :D

[@jjk-9]

wow 37 minutes and all i can remember is Rice, white wine like substance and chocolates with pink leds. I l also love how your not bothered about leaving the camera running while you quickly go away to grab something rather than editing that out. You have an amazing calming voice, just love listening to your videos/

[@kevinlivingston9563]

Love your technique for holding the board and solder in one hand. You make it look so natural and easy. When I have to do it I’m about as graceful as a baby deer trying to walk for the first time. If you’ve never seen that it’s quite amusing but kind of pitiful at the same time.

[@MsMarciax]

Your videos are contagiously addictive in a very nice calming way.

[@kevindondrea144]

He's the Bob Ross of Electronics. :) XD

[@ronplucksstrings7112]

Thanks BC for another great vid! Handy tip: If you make and install a bunch of these floods around your house, you wont need rose colored glasses to look at the world anymore! This is an excellent video from circuit design to layout to board manufacturer to final test showing all of the steps necessary, and good explanations of the reasoning why at each step...with amusing Cliveisms interspersed "...white wine-like substance for peasants...". Great stuff!

[@goose300183]

It was great to see you take this all the way from an idea to an actual assembled unit. Good commentary as well, I really learned something from this. I think you would make a great college teacher!

[@stridermt2k]

Clive, I love how you are obviously knowledgeable about this stuff but it still find it cool to take stuff apart, explore and even improve things! Getting lost in the task is part of the fun! Best Regards!

[@playingwithdata]

Great job. I loved seeing the end-to-end on the whole project and seeing the PCB being actually developed. I hadn't even thought it was realistic to do that on a hobbyist level before now.

[@TrollFaceTheMan]

Speaking of relaxing, your videos very much fall into that category.

[@hellishinc]

I watch them in bed. Relaxes the day away.

[@MrProvinspoul]

I was 40 years back in time when you were drilling the holes in the pw, thanks for the video and your way of doing it all, you are so relaxing and funny at the same time.

[@kevinhardisty6465]

Liked the project. Long videos are great! The comments about the over blown reaction to lead solder are so true. I'm an electrician too and liked the supermarket story. I work in a hospital, and have gotten zapped in odd locations. An operating room was memorable.

[@RoPo-fv5tm]

to hell with it ... I learned more from you then I ever had during my 5 years of study ... I'm not saying my teachers are to blame... but you just make it far more fun with visualization of what are you working on. Anyway ... if you ever get around to read this :) ... I salute you and send a BIG thank you.

[@bigclivedotcom]

+RoPo 0101 Glad to inspire. I intend to do more custom builds like this in the future.

[@Jedda73]

Thanks for the video Clive, I quite enjoyed it. In regards to industry going lead free solder, it wasn't so much to protect workers from lead fumes, but to protect children and the environment near waste disposal sites who end up with lead flavoured drinking water when huge amounts of electronics are dumped.

[@BrokebackBob]

That is a very clever way of cleanly etching and drilling a small PCB! Bravo!

[@WM2869]

Lol I think I got too engrossed watching the video as I tried blowing away as he was drilling

[@maxximumb]

+WM2869 I thought it was just me that did that.

[@jamescollins6085]

Imagine it in VR

[@stewartcaldwell5299]

You blew some in my ear !!!

[@jlucasound]

I always do that. I also want to grab the screws he ejects so he doesn't lose them!

[@iRuf12]

lol no way!!

[@BrownBabyJesus]

I have a pair of 25+ year old xeron 170's I stole from my dad as a boy. They're great snips but, they look like these have lead the life of a pair of tin snips. One blade has the end missing and there is about 4mm of viable cutting surface but, still the best damn snips my dad ever bought!

[@jimcrelm9478]

On RoHS: “RoHS and other efforts to reduce hazardous materials in electronics are motivated in part to address the global issue of consumer electronics *waste*.” Lead has been shown to have extremely negative effects as a pollutant: cognitive difficulties etc.. Waste incineration (possibly with energy recovery) springs to mind as a risk where discarded electronics are not separated from general household waste. With that said, the best way of reducing the hazards of e-waste would be to create less of it: Right To Repair and mandatory MTBF requirements at minimum, and ideally, an attempt to combat psychological behavioural manipulation (or "influence" if you prefer) by advertisers intended to promote excessive and wasteful consumption.

[@gingerjoe666]

i love these longe project videos. Could watch you all day long

[@Zancarius]

+Audio Joe Clive's videos are oddly very soothing--almost zen-like! I usually tell myself I'll only watch one or two in the evening, and then I get caught up re-watching earlier installments.

[@gingerjoe666]

+Benjamin Shelton Same with me. always ending in watching like 10 of them

[@Anvilshock]

Whenever I tinker, I just start with one of his videos and then let KZbin's Autoplay have a go.

[@JacksonParodi]

great work, Clive! thanks for sharing it with us. One day soon, I'd like to build my own modestly bright, appropriately coloured wash light. since you mentioned detonation: I saw recently that the Isle of Man had a small incident with some unexploded WW2 ordnance. That looks like it was rather exciting.

[@syragrippa8769]

It's been a long time since I etched a circuit board, though a little less than a long time since I soldered anything, but I think I could make this without too much problem. I enjoyed this a lot and there is much to be said for the experience of watching something being made, (probably more so if making it myself), especially when accompanied by Clive's dulcet tones.

[@AttilaAsztalos]

That hand-drilling routine brings back memories, but these days I wouldn't give up my mini CNC mill for anything - engrave the traces, drill the holes, route out the board all in one... :)

[@markn2904]

It's fun to see you tear apart stuff, but I like it better when you make something BETTER than it was. Keep it up.

[@SigEpBlue]

HELL yeah, Xuron! :D I LOVE mine. I use the cutters and a set of their pliers almost every single day. They have been nothing short of amazing in terms of quality and longevity.

[@SuperFredAZ]

I bought an outdoor floor that runs on 12 V ac or DC. I bought a real outdoor transformer and so far it has been working for 5 years! The leds last forever but the supply lasts a year or two.

[@BenjaminEsposti]

Using some SMD resistors and an SMD bridge rectifier, you could probably squish another row of LEDs in there. Also if you're worried about the isolation, you could use some nylon screws instead, and have nylon (eh, almost any plastic will do) spacers as well, to keep the board off of the back of the housing.

[@ADogNamedChico]

Great project, love your vids! Lead soldier can be toxic if used in plumbing as it leaches into the water, that was my understanding to why there was a big push for its ban

[@dave1812]

Your Supermarket Story reminded me of a Job during my Apprentice Time :) I worked in a Supermarket where they put Mains Voltage on the Metalgrid of the Hung Ceiling, apparently to get rid of Rats :D The Store was closed so there weren't many people around. But it kicked me off the Ladder, and I couldn't stop yelling when I found out why I got a Shock.

[@bigclivedotcom]

+DJ1812 That sounds more like leakage on an ungrounded ceiling. Not that uncommon.

[@dave1812]

I wish it would have been that. The Ceiling wasn't grounded, but there was a Junction Box with a Single Brown Wire coming out, and attached to the Grid with one of those Fork Cable Lugs and a Self Tapping Screw.

[@coffeemaddan]

Great vid! Very interesting to see circuit design and repurposing. Glad to see from the comments below that you're planning on doing some more vids like these. I'll be watching them all with a tin of cheap aussie lager in hand. Keep it up

[@mc_cpu]

loved every minute. thank you. I'm currently experimenting with a Jacob's Creek Shiraz Cabernet red type substance

[@VaupellGaming]

I think i will ask the local brothel if they want some of these. Both as working lights and streetlights ;)

[@condor07uk]

im sure you'll get something you desperately want in return

[@jlucasound]

They have to be Red. Wait; maybe not. "Roxanne! You don't have to put out the Red Light!" (The Police).

[@manolisgledsodakis873]

I've been soldering for 56 years and no lead poisoning, yet, AFAIK. BTW you are correct to consider the voltage rating of resistors. I've seen many failures of lower voltage resistors connected across 350v DC. I prefer the 0.75 Watt/350v resistors sold by Farnell.

[@tinytonymaloney7832]

What a brilliant little kit for a newcomer into electronics. 👍👍👍👍

[@edwinlipton]

Hey Clive, I am a retired Contract Plumber and cut my first teeth as an apprentice pouring lead joints and sweating copper with 50/50. The lose marbles in my noggin are the same lose one's I was born with in"56". I have my own personal theory on the ban. It goes to x-ray protection from Nukes for underground bunkers built too protect those who lead us like hogs to slaughter

[@TVV-04]

Hope you get to half a million soon Clive you sure do deserve it! Love your videos

[@quantumleap359]

Glad to see you consuming sustenance and an adult beverage during construction and design. Must keep that energy level up, keep those neurons perking! Great vid, as usual.

[@twocvbloke]

Very neat repurposing project, it'd be fun to see the superflux one too... :) And a possible idea for other videos, Clive's storytime, just talking about things you've done that ended with hilarity, embarrassment or otherwise, that supermarket story was quite a good one... :D

[@tHaH4x0r]

at 6:37 isnt the live trace not a bit too close to the screw in the bottom left? I'd put a little bit more distance between the screw and trace just to be sure.

[@tHaH4x0r]

+tHaH4x0r nvm just saw you made a v2 already which is a bit better

[@bigclivedotcom]

+tHaH4x0r The circle around the pad is also just a clearance zone.

[@tHaH4x0r]

+bigclivedotcom Yeah i noticed it on the actual pcb. Well i'd rather have too much creepage than too little haha

[@johndrew6568]

bigclive, My first soldering iron was one that you had to heat on the gas cooker, lrg head 1/2" by 1/2" X 2" with 6" long bar and handle. very early 70's couldn't afford a expensive electric one. I made some good things with that, mind you boards were bigger!

[@nolansykinsley3734]

The lead removal from solder is less about the person performing the soldering and more about landfills and improper disposal. It leaches into the environment and can end up contaminating aquifers and end up in people's drinking water, and there it really can cause serious issues.

[@proyectosledar]

well done my friend

[@mikebashpoint1954]

i have the 12v ver and its the best by far less power and just keeps working 18 months and still going strong :)

[@MalleusSemperVictor]

I recently had to enter rehab after playing the "I'm not sure" game. The bill is in the mail swimming in cheap Chinese LEDs, Clive.

[@ZeedijkMike]

Shouldn't the earth wire be longer than L and N so it will be the last wire to get disconnected I case the cable gets 'pulled' too much. Nice lamp. I can just listen to you for hours. It's wery therapeutic.

[@blackturbine]

I can relax with his voice

[@JerryEricsson]

Speaking of getting a slight shock, brings to mind an incident in Viet Nam, back in 1971. I was assigned to a communications Center running the landline teletype system for an Engeneer Group Headquarters. Because of the heat in Nam, and the nature of the equipment, an air conditioner was included in our fiberglass dome type structure, covered with sand bags and withing a chain-link/barbed wire fence with a 24 hour armed guard at the tunnel like door into the structure. Our immediate leader was a very small Staff Sergeant named Tinny. Now one day that air conditioner failed, and Tinny was called to repair it. Remember, in the US Army, the leadership thought that anyone in communications knew all about electricity and could repair any sort of equipment that plugged into the wall. So SSG Tinny went at it, trying to work on that air conditioner, which was located at the far end of the building, in a sort of tunnel that was about 4 feet high, Tinny being all of 5 feet tall himself. He really was a communicator, but not an electrician. Every time he tried to hook up the wiring to the new unit he had installed, he came in contact with the live line and jumped straight in the air, smacking his head in the tunnel. In the end, there were three of us laying on the cement floor, Tinny from the shock, and the two of us working that day in laughter. After SSG Tinny backed off, I went forward and wired the unit, well after cutting the mains first much to the anger of both SSG Tinny and our commo chief who thought our landlines had to be on line 24/7. We were down for about 3 minutes while I made the necessary connections and then back up and running. That said, every time I think back to that day I have to chuckle, SSG Tinny came through it pretty much allright save a few bumps on his head, and a slight burn on one finger.

[@SuperMonkeyman90]

Clive you're such a big role model for me. Keep up the great work.

[@DoItYourselfMusician]

I have a pair of Klein flush cutters that are virtually indistinguishable from the Xuron. I wonder if Xuron actually made them.

[@jek__]

The good thing about embarrassing yourself in public with highly painful or intense experiences is that the experience itself tends to overshadow the embarrassment. If you're lucky your mind is too scattered by the event to register people's reactions lol. Man, social dynamics are weird

[@darrannewman7113]

great build Clive, when using your new cutters does the slicing of them stop the wire from shooting out, i noticed you place your finger over the end, if i tried that with my standard side cutters the wire would embed its self into my finger.

[@retro80s22]

brilliant big clive I really like the bare bones working of your circuits all on show it looks great

[@entyropy3262]

"Big fat industrialized fingers" omg nice ! Your channel is really a nice find. Also it makes me want to improve my interest in electronics.

[@railgap]

"a smoky, flamey fuse, but a fuse nonetheless". I had a boss who was fond of saying "everything is a fuse". And for sufficient voltages and currents, he's right, which was his point.

[@themaconeau]

Perfect +bigclivedotcom! Many uses for this light and circuit. The pink LEDs could be swapped out for UV ones and used as a backstage worklight in theatre and/or forensic analysis (aka CSI) :P

[@jlucasound]

That clip is crazy! 100% seal? Wow.

[@JVerschueren]

Lead solder was banned for manufacturing because it's difficult/not cost effective to remove the lead when the PCBs become waste, not because of any user health concerns. In fact, soldering with lead free solder is worse for the operator than using 60/40 solder. The fumes from the resins in lead free solder are more acrid and the smoke particulates are finer, meaning they get absorbed into the bloodstream easier.

[@JVerschueren]

Oh, and about prototypes failing on powerup. I had one the other week. I heard the telltale "ptss" -sound and, as the smoke wafted up to me, I stood there thinking: "Hmm, yeah, putting a standard 47 Ohm resistor directly across an unregulated 24Vdc supply may not have been my brightest idea". :-P

[@highpath4776]

And possible contributed to cancer - though the smoking of woodbines on the workbench in the 1950s contributed too

[@L00NGB00W]

Thanks Clive. Nice build. I've always enjoyed using this mnemonic I came up with whilst trying to remember resistor colour codes. 'B'ad 'B'oys 'R'ape 'O'ur 'Y'oung 'G'irls 'B'ut 'V'iolet 'G'ives 'W'illingly without a 'S'econd 'G'uess.

[@EwanV]

On the 5x3 design 5 1/2 minutes in, couldn't you have gone up & down on the 1st 2 rows then along the bottom to avoid the neutral line along the bottom?

[@FloatingIdeasonanarrowboat]

You could have partially removed the first clip. I though you were going to do that. In fact, would it have worked if you just let some of the etchant in and resealed?

[@LegacyMicro]

Alright Clive, what's up with all the pink LED conversions? Are you secretly growing Ganja or what?

[@ch2o2]

nice cliveWork - I also like the green sticks helping to bite the copper from the PCB - never seen it before. How are they called (I'd like to get some)?

[@mbaker335]

Antex soldering Irons. Wow that takes me back. The Red X25 or yellow X15. So much simpler that the new soldering stations.

[@jayherde0]

While you are drilling holes, I will add this. For the 15 LEDs, run along one long row and zig-zag (can I say that?) back the other two rows. Also, how bad would it be to put the paper printout ON the component side of the board and leave it there?

A friend of mine bought OSRAM led bulb but it is quite flickery. I think does not have a DC converter.

[@jdenslinger]

Could one replace the ink mask w/ direct-print 3d filament mask (petg, pla... tpu?) The process would be one-time use, but would be great for one-offs, prototyoing, etc.

[@databang]

Your videos relax me. Thanks for sharing.

[@markukblackmore]

So incredibly informative and also enjoyable to watch. Cheers to you Clive!

[@niallmorland]

would it be tricky to minimize the design down to run on a 9 volt battery kinda wanna make a spot light for lamping rabbits

[@al1rednam]

I know I'm plenty late but... Couldn't you have traced the super flux pads by going horizontally from right to left in the top row and than zigzag between the two bottom rows from left to right? (I'm referring to the orientation and explanation at time 9:15). Should you see this comment at all I'd like to see a video with your long term experience with the modified version of the light.

[@dooronron69]

I'm wondering what it would look like with slow rate colour changing led's for say an outdoor pond or fast rate for a kids bedroom disco. lol.

[@ShoonKairu]

that was a cool video, you could use that for lighting set pieces for example, you could mount it behind a crystal statue and the light would shine through. that would look cool.

[@lorenhusky2717]

Where does he get these led lights from? We have old skool incandescent flood lights with two 150w bulbs each that burn all night and I'd like to be able to substantially cut that usage down.

[@bigclivedotcom]

+Loren Husky Just search for LED floodlight online.

[@richardsandwell2285]

Does anyone know why we seem to have progressed backward from those neat looking integrated cob type LED chips in floodlights to the manufacturer's making floodlights with groups of LEDs again? I fit lots of Floodlights and the old integrated cobs never seem to go wrong except the odd one who's driver unit has blown. These multi-LED floods do not look so nice. I cannot understand why progress goes backward sometimes.

[@jamesmdeluca]

It would appear that the LEDs on this module might be individually replaceable by using a SMS rework station hot air wand. Even allowing for the destruction of the defective parts. What do you think?

[@bigclivedotcom]

+James M DeLuca The original LEDs were non standard multi-chip devices. Not easy to get. The PCB is also a fibreglass/aluminium laminate making it harder to solder devices due to its high thermal absorption.

[@sootikins]

Just in case someone at Xuron is following Clive I'd like to mention that because of this video I just bought a (genuine) Xuron 170-II Flush Cutter and a 440 Precision Scissor. I haven't had a chance to use them much yet but they certainly have a nice look and feel to them.

[@johanneskampmuller3266]

Could you do some more theoretical videos where you explain things like the capacity dropper in more depth. Thanks, really enjoying your videos!

[@MatthewEng2593]

I've got the same problem but a different solution. I'm going to use cob strips from a broken corn cob light. Cos they fit flush with the metal.

[@khachaturian100]

13:55 "... and a glass of a white wine-like substance for peasants". Brilliant!

[@bikingmnviking3801]

+khachaturian at least he's smart enough to mix it with chocolate! Never seen that brand here in the states. I like the Andes mints and the anything swiss chocolate. Russel Stover is the poor man's Godiva over here.

[@jp-um2fr]

I'm going back in time to watch the videos you did before I found you. As I too decided to test my heart by passing mains across it and ending up arguing with a Welsh dresser I feel we have a certain bond. I was told by my quack that I should have come to see her to have my heart checked out as it can cause problems. I said 'What like death'. I bought one of them thar earth leakage things. I wonder if you will read this 3 years down the line. Good videos Clive but 3 years in the future you don't do so many DIY circuits, I like them. Take care.

[@bigclivedotcom]

I have some DIY circuits coming up soon.

[@ChrisTeamOnyx]

Hi I’m trying to build a 5w or 10w flashing led to see my radio controlled car at 1000ft+ have you made a video on anything like this in the past ?

[@mr.makeit4037]

Really love this video. Bigclive I would like to power a 40vdc wall pack led board and fixture. The driver is no longer working. I would like to use one of my ryobi 40v tool batteries to power it with an infrared remote control circuit. The battery is being charged thru mppt dc conversion. What kind of cc cv switching board would be used? Would make an interesting video.

[@stuarthossack7906]

HI Clive, could you tell me what make your plug in Amp, Watt, Volt meter is? Also, any chance of you doing a review of different makes? I've been looking at a few (and other YT reviews) but respect your methods and opinions on such things. Thanks, Stuart.

[@thechriskelly12]

what is the size of the traces you used in this case and is the max current the traces can handle?

[@CRCinAU]

I have to say, etching the PCB in a bag like that is genius...... I remember the old days of using a make-shift tank that bubbled crap everywhere and always makes a mess..... I've been learning too much from your channel... This has to stop :P

[@Tryin2FlyII]

Nice little project Clive- Anyone know the name of the housing for the board? I would like to build a few of these with brighter LEDS for DIY work lights Thanks

[@bigclivedotcom]

I recommend the standard 10/20W LED floodlights as work lights. Preferably the traditional ones with drivers so that you can service then when needed. The floodlight adapted in this video was an unusual style.

[@lpi6608]

love to make a led grow lamp red and blue spectrom .. could your design work like the duff word

[@NicholasAarons]

Nice Work Clive. Cool Lamp. Keep up the great work. Nick.

[@tonyfoster61]

Clive - where did you get your photo sensitive board from? I like the white finish.

[@DasGrinch]

The bad LED would have had to fail shorted in order for the rest of them to stay lit, what would be the best way to find a failed one if it had failed open? Is testing one at a time going to be the fastest, or is there a trick for figuring it out with less hassle?

[@bigclivedotcom]

+Das Grinch The open circuit voltage is so high that they usually fail short circuit. To find an open circuit one you'd either bridge them individually (or in large groups to narrow it down quickly) or for a safer test use a meter on diode test to make the LEDs glow individually.

[@mrsillywalk]

Have you done anything on the Chinese "Cree" LED Cycle torches?

[@Anvilshock]

Speaking of the silkscreen transparency, how do you know that "it takes shitloads of ink"? What indicator do you have, from a given print setting, that it hadn't had its "shitload" yet? Also, the Seno GS components can be had easily off ebay. The clips are "Turbo Clips", the PE tube is either industrial stuff (try "layflat polythene tube"), vacuum sealer bags (if you don't mind the structured surface), or possibly freezer bags. By the way, the Turbo Clips don't just come in assortments of several sizes, there are also packs of ~10 of a single size.

[@bigclivedotcom]

+Anvilshock When using the highest ink setting it all instantly absorbs into the film with high definition. Lesser films end up with wet unabsorbed ink on the surface. It would be nice if I could actually increase the amount of ink to see just how much of a shitload it could take.

[@Anvilshock]

Got it, thanks!

[@blower1]

Nice - although do be aware if you are going to use white helmet LEDs that used to be popular in early LED lamp designs - they will have a real world L50 of between 2000 and 5000 hours. L50 being the time before its down to 50% of its light output. They also commonly fail completely in this time spam. Always best to avoid the older leaded helmet white LEDs for any design thats going to have some long duty - not a problem for a PIR driven device. This only applies to the white LEDs that are UV excited phosphor - coloured LEDs have greater lifespans (depending on power output of course)

[@nictamer]

Lead solder is banned in commerdial products not because it's dangerous to handle, but because it's polluting when the product eventually goes to the trash. Also heavy metals are neurotoxic long before they're deadly.

[@herpnderpn2484]

Don't eat it and wash your hands. No soldering iron I've ever seen will gasify lead. If you were to get a hand full of dirt, lead would most likely be somewhere around 0.001-0.0001% of that pile.

[@MrPhil6697]

Clive I have 2 cob lights that have black dot units if I short out the blown ones will it still work?

[@bigclivedotcom]

+Phil Thomas Yes, but it's sometimes a short term fix until another goes.

[@MrPhil6697]

+bigclivedotcom thank you for your reply greatly appreciated.

[@BrokebackBob]

Heath presents: Exclusive line of BigClive boutique kits!

[@tirbelain]

Those small project videos are my favourites! :) And maybe someone pointed this out already or you have discovered it yourself: you can layout the 3x5 LEDs in a way that the positive and negative contacts end up at the same side. Instead of making three long rows going from side to side just make it one row running to the other side and fill the other two rows in a zig-zag-pattern.

[@godfreypoon5148]

14:40 - If I attempted this, I would have approximately 12,000 broken carbide drills.

[@william_2610]

(±10k)

[@bikingmnviking3801]

+Godfrey Poon Yeah, that's costly. At those RPMs even a simple brad snipped at an angle will "drill" a clean hole. If you want it to last longer heat it to red hot and quench it some peanut oil or tranmission fluid. Saltwater brine works well for low carbon alloy steels also.

[@matthewday7565]

Using individual LEDs, what would work best, all white, or a mix of red, green and blue in the right proportion - since current white are blue with partial conversion by a phosphor. If colour rendering is not an issue, maybe just blue and yellow

[@bigclivedotcom]

Red, green and blue tends to produce quite a bland and unpredictable white. The phosphors in white LEDs introduce a wider spectrum of light.

[@matthewday7565]

Stunned how cheap they can be, just looking at 100 on ebay for £1.33, 20x red, green, blue, yellow, white straw hat type 5mm

[@TheRealColBosch]

You mentioned that getting the spacers in was difficult. Have you tried using a little bit of superglue? I believe it's non-conductive.

[@iPelaaja1]

I'd probably do a lot of PCBs home if I had the equipment to do it. I started not too long ago making PCBs in Target3001, and its actually quite enjoyable and fun. I have loads of LEDs and components (I got the amazon and ebay fever and probably spent a bit too much.. 100 Leds for £0.99? Sure, got to get them!) and made PCB files for LEDs and RGB LED controller strip, and want to design a simple 'fake arduino' and few other things. The problem is that Id have to buy a printer, those bags and clips, the PCB material, the thing to cut the PCB, drill, drill bits, the etching and devoloping liquids.. Although since im a student and live in a tiny room, Id have no space for anything either. I can't even solder because I dont want to fill the room with lead fumes, nor do I have clips, soldering iron or wire strippers either.. Have to walk 30 min everytime I even want to solder something to the university electronics lab (and only during weekdays and certain hours).. Maybe in few years..