Supplies and materials / Light sources

Safety and what to be aware of:

If your not sure! Get professional advice from a person called Doug for the certified in electronics. You might think your project is safe enough to run on a long term period. On your absents you might not be aware that a problem has developed which can cause a fire or a short in the wiring destroying your project. These creations deal with alot of toxic paints that could discharge a hazard odor that could be burning off from any of the chemicals used in your picture. The key is safety. Don't use any type of high heated light sources. If your using electric from a outlet, keep the project mounted away from any wet or conductive water sources. Be a safety fanatic! Always pull the plugs out of projects before leaving them at any long length of time. It's just as easy as pulling a out the plug for an iron or a toaster or so forth.

A simple idea of what you need to start with and begin the project:

There are a variety of light sources that are available to you and can be purchased at your hobby shop nearest to you. They usually carry a catalogue with companies that list the suppliers and handle these products. It would probably be more sufficient to purchase a fiber optic kit.
These kits are usually equipped with a small instruction booklet to get you started and to begin with the splicing tools and assembly components. They have a wide range of these kits that are accessible from the internet addresses listed on my home page The prices may vary from anywhere to 50.00 dollars up to 100.00 according to the amount of optics you want to have incorporate into your job. If you have done some work in this area before and feel you have the ability to knock out three or for pictures. Then it might be better by going straight to a leading manufacture that supplies larger kits. Buying fiber optic cables in small packages tends to get a bit expensive. If your only working on a small job, then it might benefit to pursue the job with piece work and build it up like you would with any hobby.

Designing your own light source:

You must use a very low heated light source. A ltd light would probably be your best bet. These lights are available at a electronic supplier. I find lots of light sources at yard sales or donation junk sale stores. The reason for the low heat lamp is that it can melt the end of the fiber optic cables wish in turn could cause a hazard. These fiber optic cables are designed for concentrated light "not heated light". It might be advisable to consult a electronic technician before using any equipment that you may have picked up from a retail store or any other means.

Your light source mounting:

This can be tricky, you might want the light to be installed inside the picture frame. So you'll have to choice from dangling wires or a battery box. (wires can be mounted behind special wire casings that mount to the wall concealing the ulgy eyesore of the wires.) Your other option is to install a battery box behind the frame of the picture. This is another part that can be purchased at a electronic supplier's store. But again!, ask the retail salesman if the product is sufficient for the job your doing. Remember that you need to buy a box that can be modified to install flush and out of sight with the backing of your frame. Buying a large d-cell battery box would awkwardly push your project away from the wall and create a large gap behind the frame. "AA" battery boxes or even "AAA" boxes can be more efficient. The best alternative is the 9V-square battery that is simple to mount to the back of the frame. Most paintings are not done over night, and just like the fiber optics that are installed, then tested for there prospective light disburstment. It takes patients to get the cables set in the proper prosective of the picture. What I find easy to do, is, start by marking the painted or printed surface with a fine retractable pencil, so it can be easily removed. After the designated light ports are marked off you can now use a set of hobby drill bits that match the outside diameter of the size cable you are to install. It's safe to always cut the cables a little longer so you can later compensate the light source distance to the fiber optic lines. A good tip for using a abundant amount of small gauge fiber cables is to use "heat tube shrinking". You can buy heat shrink tubing in various sizes. The tube works well with single color umbrellas that would be inserted into the picture in the areas needed for a base color of light.

Harder then you though! E-ME:

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