Making a Cheap DIY Led Light Panel from Scrap materials

How to a make a cheap, DIY LED light panel that looks like a bright daylight window for under $20 USD! I use an old LCD computer monitor to upcycle and reuse the screen to create a super bright flat light panel for almost free. You should never have to pay for a broken computer panel or tv screen and this technique can be done to any sized screen!
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In this video I will show the step by step process of converting a broken LCD panel into a DIY LED panel Light!
The skills of a prop builder are not limited to just anyone type of work. Learning basic electronics, soldering and how modify existing objects is an essential part of being a well rounded builder! This video shows tips and tricks on how to wire the lights, solder, adjust voltages, modify a monitor case and remove a logo. This projects shows you the hard steps and how it can be easily avoided by buying a solder free power supply and true daylight LED light strip. This technique could easily be used to make a giant tv look like a skylight!
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I’m Levi Woods, an Armorsmith and artist working in Vancouver, British Columbia. I love creating new videos to share my shop creations with you. I love all fantasy, medieval and science fiction movies and especially love crafting arms and armour for costumes and props departments. I’ve been building custom armor since 2000 and have worked as a professional movie prop costumer all over the world. When I’m home in my shop I love building art out of wood, metal and leather and love to explore new techniques. I focus on crafting one of a kind extravagant custom projects with including leather and metal armor for my clients who use them for Films, SCA, LARP, Renaissance Festivals, Cosplay, Costume Contests, and Private Collections. As an artist and craftsman, I am inspired and influenced by artisans and crafts people throughout different cultures and history. Join me on my journey of learning and creating as I craft handmade items. “Subscribe now and let’s get over to the bench!”
Levi Woods, Armorsmith
#DIY #Lightpanel #skylight

[@DrawbridgeProps]

What should I build next?

[@CamoTothor]

Combat ready lightsaber maybe, with the hilt being built from scratch/DIY materials 🤔

[@DrawbridgeProps]

Drunklet is on my 2020 build list. You may not know what it is but they are great.

[@DrawbridgeProps]

Yes I should do that.

[@PatinaLeathercraft]

I would love to see more armor builds. Perhaps some prop building and more prop makers tips on like patina, distressing, making stuff look old =D

[@PatinaLeathercraft]

Oh! And a shop tour!

[@HelamanGile]

I see you watch DIY perks

[@TheUnofficialMaker]

I did the oppostie, turned a light panel into a monitor!

[@CheyneFelter]

Nicely done, I would recommend adding liquid rosin flux to your soldering kit. It helps the solder flow better between the wire and the copper pads reducing the amount of time needed to heat everything. Great idea for photography!

[@DrawbridgeProps]

Thanks for that tip. I will get some.

[@jamesfansdesigncrossing4184]

I can’t tell how much I have to thank you for the inspiration. I looked up for video in the mist of trying to modify a same project.

[@FHBStudio]

This was great! I came by a recyclable monitor such as this one myself recently and I figure I might as well make this out of it. It was a nice magnetic white board for a while, but luckily I kept the frames, the sheets and its own internal LED strips so I can just rebuild that.

[@goddess_ofchaos]

I don't think you are cringe at all. You have a rare skill that's super cool!

[@phild9659]

Hi, I have been thinking of doing this with an old monitor/tv for a while. I like the fact you reinstalled the light panel into the old case. good idea. Regarding the soldering. There are a couple of thing you can do to make it easier for you and have better solder joints. (I havent had time to read through your comments so hoping this is not repeated info for you). Get a flux pen or similar, this can be used on the surfaces and wires you want to solder. It'll help the solder flow into the wire and on to the solder pad/surface. I will usually set my soldering iron to 340 decrees C or 360 degrees C, (Hight for thicker wires and so on). I usually have some damp cloth or tissue near by so i can clean the soldering tip as I go. (Solder has some extra chemicals in it to help it flow and make better joints. the longer it's on the heat, the more of it boils off and you get dry joints. So cleaning the soldering tip often is a good idea). Next, add solder to your soldering iron tip, you wont need loads Tin the ends of the wire and solder pads you want to join. (Tinning a wire or solder pad means heating the wire or pad and applying solder directly to them. The idea is to get the object hot so that solder will naturally flow into/on to it. (think of taking a piece of string and dipping it into water. When the wire is hot it'll draw the solder into the wire). This makes the process easier for actually joining). When both parts are tinned, get them lined up. (depending how long it took to line up, you may want to clean the solder tip and reapply a little solder to the tip). Then heat the lined up parts and they should join up quickly. If the finished product is looks shiny and like silver, it's a good joint. if it looks matt and like iron, its called a dry joint. It's not so good, less efficient and more likely to break. Again. like the video and I think Ill have to get my hands on an old screen to make one now :) Thanks :) (hope the above helps, any questions let me know).

[@blizatrex]

Nice idea to add a work light anywhere.

[@andrewmalloy7296]

You could also use the existing a/d board to power the led strips. The wires that go from the a/d to the inverter send 12 volts( 2 sets of wires usually).

[@digiratimax]

Awesome build! Thanks

[@segobandeng8388]

this is nice for aquascape background

[@familyaboveeverything5914]

You just gave me an idea. Thank you. I love the video.

[@SHUT-UP_MEG]

Bro, u da damn man!!!!! Thats the most humble flex ive ever seen ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤ Gentle giants yeeww dawgs you

[@369dusty]

Very nice cost effective all purpose light !

[@aswingsharif6729]

another value adding video. Thanks!

[@amit27491]

That is an absolute "steal"... :D Loved the video

[@hans0875]

I wonder how the heck did you think about this project! I'm impressed and I've subscribed I like that and can't wait to see what you will come out with good job

[@paulpardee]

Nicely done! This would be useful for people with vinyl cutters. You put the cut vinyl on the light and it allows you to see the cut marks for easy weeding. Cricut sells them for $80 MRSP.

[@DrawbridgeProps]

Thanks. This would be perfect for that application.

[@rkb6783]

WOW... another, L.E.D. light source ! Who'd uh thunk it.

[@DrawbridgeProps]

Yeah!

[@laredodj7806]

Good idea to use for on air or recording warning light

[@annasstorybox7906]

Looks like this method could give you a nice "light table" thing... This kind of illuminated pad you can use to copy things you have drawn on an other piece of paper... Only modification required is using something flat as a back cover so it sits flat on the table

[@DrawbridgeProps]

This one sits flat on the table because of the bracket I put on it. Works great for that.

[@jakeqwaninne8502]

i've used them all as pannel lights, except for the samsung, it has a single light strip on the bottom which i took off and put over my workbench, because it , for real, looks brighter than looking at the sun

[@Eccentric_Villain]

Another idea; Artist’s can benefit from this with a minor tweak. I can see this being used as a light table.

[@DrawbridgeProps]

Totally!!

[@CELTICSAVAGE32]

You rock, man!! Spectacular beard!

[@frankbreuer8849]

Brilliant. Thank you

[@G-flo]

Thanks for making this great diy video. I'm looking to implement the same idea on garage shelving to showcase some figures and collectibles with better lighting. Do you know what the material of that thin refractive plastic is called specifically? Can it be bought in store?

[@_tjat_]

Got exactly what I was looking for from this video

[@mikeswift926]

Fantastic mate I will be doing the same to make a flat panel for taking "flat frames" in astrophotography, a bought panel costs a fortune......Well Done

[@jackop1728]

Awesome build! Gonna try the same hen I've finished exams :D

[@thewizdad]

“Having a go of it tonight.” I see you’re a Letter Kenny fan too!

[@DrawbridgeProps]

I don’t know who letter Kenny is but I assume they are Canadian (like me) if they use that phrase.

[@rodrigoalcocerdegaray6070]

does anyone know the name of the materials of the refraction and diffusor layers? I am trying to make some custom led lightboxes too.thanks!

[@gorbgaming7366]

This is helpful, that first and third sheet in the monitor is the kind of material I was looking for, I want to make a minecraft sea lantern block that can be lit up and it seems like that material would be a good choice, thanks. though do you think I could either A-find it not inside someone's old monitor, or B-find it somewhere and buy it

[@tomtoons]

weirdest part of the video was the "beer" - what the hell? was it really beer? looked like tea with milk :D

[@rstezza]

I have a monitor I was about to throw out. Guess it’s gonna be up cycled into a led panel light. 👍👍

[@mohammedjaber2517]

Good job man ... 👍🏻

[@mightyraptor01]

That could make for a nice Platform Display if you had like vintage Collectable Figures.

[@aleshkovalev]

For removing logos good old acetone worked for me. Acidentally. But you should practice first with concentration since it will burn down ABS plastic very fast.

[@stephenhalbert7838]

Laughed at your soldering comment because that was me. FYI, you don’t have to cut a solder off, if you didn’t discover it, just add a bead to your iron, heat up the solder connection and pull away!

[@DrawbridgeProps]

Thanks!

[@bbowling4979]

Very nice reuse. A daylight panel is always handy. Was that Mgnus in the background at the end?

[@carlbrenninkmeijer8925]

awesome, thanks !!

[@michaelwells7348]

That was Sooo cool, you gave me a different idea- I’m thinking about a back lit poster box for my Galaxy poster- but thanks- u film the way my think 🤔 when I’m building stuff 😮

[@kinyuamwangi3595]

so did you connect the led lights straight to the 12v adapter?

[@637385]

I'm trying to make some interior lightning for my pc case, i dont really like rgb so i only want the components to be seen so i was thinking of doing something like this to put in the bottom of the case on top of the PSU shroud. How can i cut those screen layers? Can i just use scissors?

[@charithagoonewardena3095]

Let's go viking!

[@FrostElement]

That is awesome. What is the name of that ‘ magic’ diffusion magnifying layer? I can probably just buy that and make a custom size. Thank you

[@ItzREDX]

Nice Idea

[@syyedahmed277]

Mind blowing video 👍

[@DrawbridgeProps]

Thank you so much 😀

[@MEGATestberichte]

5:52 oh yea i feel ya. Its like...is the angle right, do i create shadow, do my fingers hide the part i want to film and so on :)

[@ericmarcelo8976]

Excellent! I was planning to buy a video panel light for my vlogging activities but I have an unused LED monitor here that I can use instead of the store unit. Thanks! (",)

[@koozt9494]

Im thinking to do same kind project to my broken panel tv. But im not sure yet should i use tv power plate or some battery leds.

[@indrajenggotandriana]

Good job

[@SudhirN-jc6dx]

Great job.

[@DrawbridgeProps]

Thanks

[@FreeFrag777]

did you put all layers back? or just some of them?

[@luzguzman1222]

This man looks positive Subscribe to him

[@anksadiqi]

You are amazing sir

[@DrawbridgeProps]

Thanks

[@DaltonKevinM]

I'm in a similar boat, but my poster is 11x22. And are you soldering with a branding iron? That thing is humungous.

[@MstngBecki]

would this work with a flat screen television????

[@nesrynaref]

Awesome big thumbs up

[@pranitrajendramagdum5378]

Hello great work sir. I wanted to know what are the different sheets were there with the diffuser sheet

[@jeremiasgoicovich2681]

Hello! There are differents types of backlight construction, but almost all have 2 diffuser and 2 refractors, the main is the acrylic one, which is the responsible for conduct the light in perpendicular direction to the LED panel, and the second one strenght this. Others have more layers like polarisers, reflectors (basically mirrors), in order to impact the pixels with the perfect intensity. I hope this would be useful for you.

[@aaronyovng]

Could you do this with a bigger TV?

[@Knowbody42]

I suppose you could do this with a TV, too, if you wanted something larger.

[@newgenaverr15]

I'd like my gateway monitor back please

[@DrawbridgeProps]

Lol. So good.

[@ragoskinkongho2314]

hello am ragoszki from cameroun.love your video. i love to create alot but i lack materiels to do so. i will love to work with you

[@bigrenegade7121]

When using one of those Buck Booster with the small potentiometer, the screw has to be turned multiple times to adjust the voltage up or down. Turning it just a couple of turns one way or the other will only adjust the voltage minutely (so small it will hardly even register on a meter)

[@rogierius]

Can you over turn it?

[@bigrenegade7121]

@@rogierius From my experience you can't. You will very lightly feel it clicking when you hit the furthest point it can go in either direction.

[@rogierius]

@@bigrenegade7121 Thank you!

[@kennmossman8701]

to clarify; > a potentiometer is a bulky variable resistor and rarely used on such devices - It only turns 270 degrees > a trimmer or trimpot is a small variable resistor. It is often found on such devices (it is cheap and small) - It only turns 270 degrees > a multi-turn trimer looks like a long box and is multi turn. It is used on high end devices

[@bigrenegade7121]

@@kennmossman8701 Granted it is usually called a "trimmer" or "trimpot", both of which stand for trimmer potentiometer.

[@Mtb716]

I’m trying to do something like this with an old laptop screen. I haven’t put it all together properly yet, but testing it out it seems like the materials aren’t spreading the light as they should so I’m still seeing the individual lights… any thoughts? Not sure if I could somehow be missing one of the layers…

[@DrawbridgeProps]

Laptops should work.

[@kmaurine77]

If I am not talented (or patient) enough to do all of the wiring for this project would an LED strip light that comes with a power source work to make that part plug and play?

[@DrawbridgeProps]

Absolutely

[@ThatEngineerGuy_]

LOL that iron. Get this man a Weller or Hakko.

[@she_sings_delightful_things]

Was that ice in your beer???? Finally. FINALLY an insanely cool person who pits ice in their beer! I've been getting my ass handed to me for years because of this. I'm finally vindicated and it feels fkkn fantastic! 😂

[@ArcticArsenal]

I have a dead monitor here. I'm totally going to do this.

[@EinTypOhneHandle]

That's just exactly what I was searching for! Thanks for the tutorial, I'd love to try that out. I wonder if I actually need to get an old monitor for it or if I could just get the material directly from china or somewhere. I just don't know what to search for exactly.. can someone maybe point me in the right direction? Would be awesome!

[@kraken2844]

Karim, bit late on the draw here but hit up alibaba. I'm here to watch the process too, I'll be making 200 of these for an escape room, much lower brightness though.

[@mikagullich7722]

Just checking did it work out ? If so where did you get the materials from ?

[@mkupadhya]

What is that music you were playing at around 9:40 ?

[@EdElectra]

Cool channel

[@jimenezjovenciojr.7879]

Subscribed

[@DrawbridgeProps]

Thanks

[@Tracor3k99]

You kind of skipped over and important part. Unless I missed it? What did you use inside? White sheets of paper and then the plastic piece?

[@leighhargreaves4104]

What exactly are the sheet materials used? If I wanted to have a go at this what would I be buying?

[@roderik1990]

AFAIK, it's a few diffusion layers, a prismatic layer. And a light guide plate layer. (those last two are rather hard to find privately, and unsure if they'll sell one offs)

[@roderik1990]

... Which is why those layers were harvested from the monitor itself)

[@ezequielsanuy8895]

I think the first supply can't raise the voltage because it has not enough amps, so that's te reason it doesn't respond wen you turned te screw

[@KeiyaHood]

That was so hot!!!!

[@zacharyohare6029]

could this be dimmable/shapable? I have an old gauge cluster I need to find a way to thinly replace a crappy EL set. The overlays are available, but the surface mount LEDs I see people use look like crap

[@DrawbridgeProps]

Yes.

[@ezequielsanuy8895]

Another way you can find wich cable is wich without using a tester is whit a 9 volts or even a 1,5 volts battery And gentle short circuit the battery, if you see a little spark then is that cable, if you don't see any spark then is the other cable... that simple.

[@michaelhearn3831]

I couldn't work out why you didn't put the LEDs completely around the four inside edges ?.......you said they were cheap ? Then why only do two sides ?........ but a great idea and I'm going to try it but on all four sides I've never know a light to be too bright

[@DrawbridgeProps]

you know I had that same thought when i was editing. I would have had to trim and polish two edges of the acrylic which wouldn't have been that hard. a proper dimmer would probably be helpful as well. one of those, just do the project and then think about the improvements for the second one.

[@DJMAJAY]

yes!! i now I'm your Subscriber and i want you to make a Bigger Light For Making Videos 🙏🏻🙏🏻

[@fueledbyverses5270]

whats the name of the item that convert 5v to 12v?

[@zhongshanqiguangqijulighting]

nice

[@DrawbridgeProps]

Thanks

[@gustavoruelas4910]

why just not got all around with one strip

[@ZOFORI-wz6qz]

Can you say the thing to make this Please

[@ladiebugchikon4177]

Did you say Viking beard bead? What is that?

[@rizkhiarzaki8619]

What is the name of the sheet start from 7:12 to 7:15 ?

[@StarPremium]

You should at least mention that you got it from DIY Perks. You are even using the LED strip DIY Perks linked in their description. I know this because I ordered the same strips a couple of days back

[@DrawbridgeProps]

I’m not sure I understand your comment.

[@lydiat7427]

wow

[@nardber6598]

Hi ! This is great ! I tried with an old AOC Flatron LM520A, but it automatically turns to "stand by" mode after beeing lit for one second. Maybe because there is no computer connected... Would you have an idea to overcome this problem ? (If so, could you try to explain in simple English words, cause my English language is bad and I know nothing in electricity and electronics...)

[@aravind933]

Please wear protective mask while handling with old LCD, old LCD polariser film release a gas which can cause temporary shortness of breath, please wear ppe

[@EdElectra]

Great advice

[@aravind933]

@@EdElectra Thanks👍👍 be safe!!

[@bohicasnafufubar]

Cool concept. I think you should have ate roach the voltage control on your lights a little differently. Rather than running a string of LEDs where their total voltage is 12-volt DC it would have been easier if you cut the LED strips into running four 6 volt parallel strips. this way your USB power supply will be able to handle the load. The last thing you need to install is a potentiometer to control the brightest

[@kennmossman8701]

cutting a 12V strip gives two 12V strips.

[@MaximLedoux]

That better not be beer, with ice in it.

[@DrawbridgeProps]

It is.

[@MaximLedoux]

🧐 tell me more…

[@25Frames]

why dont use tubes

[@tyoprasetyo3963]

Omg.....!

[@horacioehrich8515]

Watching this after smashing my monitor into pieces with a sledge hammer just to relieve my stress...and regreting it that this can be made.... and my stress came back..

[@joshhouck1]

anyone ever tell you that you sound like peter mckinnon

[@DrawbridgeProps]

Thanks!

[@skey4146]

ahah it's not refraction material..it is a fresnel lens... it's all explained in DIY Perks video..check it out

[@jakeqwaninne8502]

you were looking a long time for a tv / monitor ??????? in the past 2 months, i have collected a 70" , 55", 55", 48", and 2 pc monitors from the trash within a few blocks of my house, the pc monitors wored, they were just old, and all the tvs' had a cracked screen, except for the one i'm watching you on, it just became somehow unplugged from the circuit board inside, it'a a 60 " sony led flat screen, for free,you need to look around philly, people are constantly trashing tvs'