Make a Block Letter LED Sign with Solar Powered Christmas Lights (also... ABOLISH ICE)

The toughest part of this build is getting the correct spacing of LEDs so that the letters are very legible in the dark. You really want each angle of the letter to have an LED and you want the spacing of the LED's around each letter to be even. With Adobe Illustrator or some other vector-based drawing tool you can outline each letter and then use the "dashed line" feature to make equidistant dashes around the letter. Then you make the dashes really short and curve the edges so that the dashed lines become little dots. These dots then become your drill guide! Woo hoo!
If you're curious to learn more about this build you can check out the Opposable Thumbs podcast I co-host with Taylor Hokanson. We tackle a new creative challenge every two weeks. On episode 36 (opposablepodcas...) our challenge was "resistance" and we invited our buddy Jarret to take the challenge with us. We all made some really cool things so you might want to check it out.
Thanks for your comments and questions. The Trashpile can only Shimmer when we are respectful and inclusive. The Shimmering Trashpile is committed to providing a friendly, safe and welcoming environment for all, regardless of gender, sexual orientation, ability, ethnicity, socioeconomic status and religion (or lack thereof).

[@timsway]

I'm so glad SOMEONE FINALLY made this video!! I'm a HUGE SUPPORTER of drinking room temperature beverages too. The madness has to stop!

[@christined.3728]

For 30 seconds (4:00-4:30) I thought you only had one hand. I was impressed.

[@deadtech]

Ah! yes! my left hand is underneath the cardboard holding the light in place.

[@Hanson97]

I have no reason to made an LED sign but now I know how Thanks!

[@shimmeringtrashpile]

Ha! My pleasure.

[@MikeTheMaker1]

That’s came out super clean.

[@shimmeringtrashpile]

Thank you Mike! Once I figured out how to get Illustrator to put a light at every corner of each letter the legibility really increased.

[@MikeTheMaker1]

Shimmering Trashpile good tip, putting a light at each corner. I’ll remember that.