Weekend Projects: Floating Glow Display

Craft & Design
Weekend Projects: Floating Glow Display



Want to make a Floating Glow Display from a small, simple battery clip? Find out how in our second installment of Weekend Projects, using a CR2032 Battery Holder exclusive to RadioShack (you can find it in stock at most stores).

To me, the exciting part of this project is that no two signs will be alike. Each one of you weekend makers will fabricate something completely different. They will either say something different, use a different LED or frame design, or I’m hoping, someone out there is adventurous enough and decides to make a graphical, illustrated sign (maker icon signs anyone?). Regardless of outcome, this is a fast and beginner-level project with impressive results. It’ll take longer to assemble the tools than it will be to finish your sign. Just don’t forget to print your design in reverse, so when you etch it onto the back of the plastic, it will render correctly from the front. And if you come up with any other tips, tricks, or mods, be sure to let us know!

Sign up for the Weekend Projects Newsletter below to access the projects before anybody else does, get tips, see other makers’ builds, and more. And please email us your project build notes, images, stories, and your own mods. You may end up in a future newsletter!

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52 thoughts on “Weekend Projects: Floating Glow Display

  1. Arno Brosi says:

    I don’t think you can only get 2032 coin cell holders only at Radio Shack.Also rather than file down the LED you can buy square flat LEDs too.I will give this project a try and will let you know the result.

    1. Anonymous says:

      hi Arno, Yes I mentioned the square flat LEDs in the Weekend Projects Newsletter :) but grinding down the epoxy is a good technique if you have – I know I do! – plenty of spare 5mm round LEDs laying around. I’m looking forward to seeing your sign hack!

    2. Anonymous says:

      hi Arno, Yes I mentioned the square flat LEDs in the Weekend Projects Newsletter :) but grinding down the epoxy is a good technique if you have – I know I do! – plenty of spare 5mm round LEDs laying around. I’m looking forward to seeing your sign hack!

    3. Anonymous says:

      hi Arno, Yes I mentioned the square flat LEDs in the Weekend Projects Newsletter :) but grinding down the epoxy is a good technique if you have – I know I do! – plenty of spare 5mm round LEDs laying around. I’m looking forward to seeing your sign hack!

    4. Anonymous says:

      hi Arno, Yes I mentioned the square flat LEDs in the Weekend Projects Newsletter :) but grinding down the epoxy is a good technique if you have – I know I do! – plenty of spare 5mm round LEDs laying around. I’m looking forward to seeing your sign hack!

    5. Anonymous says:

      hi Arno, Yes I mentioned the square flat LEDs in the Weekend Projects Newsletter :) but grinding down the epoxy is a good technique if you have – I know I do! – plenty of spare 5mm round LEDs laying around. I’m looking forward to seeing your sign hack!

    6. Anonymous says:

      hi Arno, Yes I mentioned the square flat LEDs in the Weekend Projects Newsletter :) but grinding down the epoxy is a good technique if you have – I know I do! – plenty of spare 5mm round LEDs laying around. I’m looking forward to seeing your sign hack!

    7. Anonymous says:

      hi Arno, Yes I mentioned the square flat LEDs in the Weekend Projects Newsletter :) but grinding down the epoxy is a good technique if you have – I know I do! – plenty of spare 5mm round LEDs laying around. I’m looking forward to seeing your sign hack!

    8. Anonymous says:

      hi Arno, Yes I mentioned the square flat LEDs in the Weekend Projects Newsletter :) but grinding down the epoxy is a good technique if you have – I know I do! – plenty of spare 5mm round LEDs laying around. I’m looking forward to seeing your sign hack!

  2. Arno Brosi says:

    I don’t think you can only get 2032 coin cell holders only at Radio Shack.Also rather than file down the LED you can buy square flat LEDs too.I will give this project a try and will let you know the result.

  3. Arno Brosi says:

    I don’t think you can only get 2032 coin cell holders only at Radio Shack.Also rather than file down the LED you can buy square flat LEDs too.I will give this project a try and will let you know the result.

  4. Arno Brosi says:

    I don’t think you can only get 2032 coin cell holders only at Radio Shack.Also rather than file down the LED you can buy square flat LEDs too.I will give this project a try and will let you know the result.

  5. Arno Brosi says:

    I don’t think you can only get 2032 coin cell holders only at Radio Shack.Also rather than file down the LED you can buy square flat LEDs too.I will give this project a try and will let you know the result.

  6. Arno Brosi says:

    I don’t think you can only get 2032 coin cell holders only at Radio Shack.Also rather than file down the LED you can buy square flat LEDs too.I will give this project a try and will let you know the result.

  7. Xander Kunken says:

    Made one with a few modifications.  Used AA batteries instead and installed a switch too.  I also drilled two holes in the bottom two corners and put a screw through each with a nut holding them in place to act as feet to hold up sign.  

  8. Xander Kunken says:

    Made one with a few modifications.  Used AA batteries instead and installed a switch too.  I also drilled two holes in the bottom two corners and put a screw through each with a nut holding them in place to act as feet to hold up sign.  

  9. Xander Kunken says:

    Made one with a few modifications.  Used AA batteries instead and installed a switch too.  I also drilled two holes in the bottom two corners and put a screw through each with a nut holding them in place to act as feet to hold up sign.  

    1. Anonymous says:

      All smart mods, especially the switch idea – that could really extend the longevity of your sign (also, you know, allow you to turn it off at night!). Would love to see some snappy snaps of your mods.

    1. Xander Kunken says:

      JerseyMall? This is unrelated.

      1. Anonymous says:

        Spam. I ban-hammered him.

  10. Phillip Sugg says:

    How long does a fresh C2032 last unresisted against your LEDs in the sign like that? Also, if you work in a computer shop like I do, you don’t need to go to radio shack to get the battery holders, you can just desolder one off a dead motherboard. We have at least a hundred of those sitting in our junk room.

    1. Anonymous says:

      I haven’t left my battery in overnight, but the lifespan depends on the type of LED used and its power consumption in relation to the battery. The on/off switch and the addition of a resistor are the two biggest requests thus far. Also that’s a very good tip about de-soldering the battery clip off old mobos, of which there are many on this planet!

  11. Robert James says:

    Hello,
    Thanks for this great crafty work. I really like it and will definitely try it out this weekend. I feel you surely have some great skills.
    :)
    ______
    business signs

    1. Anonymous says:

      thanks, and be sure to send us shots of your project!

    2. Anonymous says:

      thanks, and be sure to send us shots of your project!

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I'm an artist & maker. A lifelong biblioholic, and advocate for all-things geekathon. Home is Long Island City, Queens, which I consider the greatest place on Earth. 5-year former Resident of Flux Factory, co-organizer for World Maker Faire (NYC), and blogger all over the net. Howdy!

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