I've been building some creatures from bendable wire and attaching EL wire by tieing it with fishing line. The fishing line works great as it doesn't block any of the light. However the tieing is very time consuming and sometimes the knots tend to losen up. I have been commissioned to make several peices in this manner.
However, I'd like to find another method of attaching the EL wire to the wire frame that is much faster and more durable, since I won't have control of the comissioned peices. Anyone found anything that works good and doesn't leave light gaps (something clear or opaic)? Or just any ideas?
However, I'd like to find another method of attaching the EL wire to the wire frame that is much faster and more durable, since I won't have control of the comissioned peices. Anyone found anything that works good and doesn't leave light gaps (something clear or opaic)? Or just any ideas?
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Nevada
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Re: EL wire to wire attachment??
Wed, November 15, 2006 - 9:32 AMTransparent Shrink Wrap or Shrink Tubing.
Grab a heat gun and swing by a supply store for the tubing or wrap. With the tubing I would suggest cutting small pieces off, maybe 1/4" to 1/2" depending on how durable you need it. Make sure the tubing you get will fit snug over the frame and wire. Apply heat and the tubing will shrink, nice and tight. It will be more durable, more flexible, and allow light to pass through, no problem.
The shrink wrap will help where you can't slide tubing over the frame and wire. Again, make small strips, wrap, and apply heat.
For other ideas, very thin, white zip ties. They will block the light a little, and leave a chunk of plastic hanging out. The thinner you can get, the less light blocked. I suggest white too so it will luminate the color of the EL wire a little.
Lastly, transparent packing tape. Again, thin strips spread out over the entire project can create a lot of hold. It is not as durable thou, so dust, water, and stuff can loosed the adheasives. Good luck! -
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Re: EL wire to wire attachment??
Wed, November 15, 2006 - 9:59 AMclear zip ties... luv em! -
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Re: EL wire to wire attachment??
Wed, November 15, 2006 - 11:00 AMI have already considered them, but the problem with zip ties is that they are pointy when cut and these will be used in crowds of people where they will likely brush against peoples bare skin. -
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Re: EL wire to wire attachment??
Wed, November 15, 2006 - 4:59 PMThere are some good diagonal cutters that will cut nice and flat, and not leave any dangerous burrs. They are used in IS/IT a lot. PM me for details. -
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Re: EL wire to wire attachment??
Thu, November 16, 2006 - 1:36 PMI got a few replies, so I'll post the info on flush-cut diagonals here.
I totally recommend Xcelite Flush Cutters for snipping zIp-ties. They're from the tech/electronics field, and amazing.
One source for them is here: www.action-electronics.com/cutters.htm
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Re: EL wire to wire attachment??
Wed, November 15, 2006 - 11:08 AMCan't slip it over the end, otherwise it would work great
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Re: EL wire to wire attachment??
Wed, November 15, 2006 - 10:00 AMPanduit & Alpha make clear spiral cable wrap that works great for this. It holds the sculpture & wires together as well as diffusing the light somewhat. Be sure to get the 'natural' color.
www.mouser.com/catalog/628/831.pdf
dkc3.digikey.com/PDF/T063/1717.pdf -
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Re: EL wire to wire attachment??
Wed, November 15, 2006 - 11:09 AMI think I might have to give this a try
Thanks for the replys and ideas everyone. -
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Re: EL wire to wire attachment??
Wed, November 15, 2006 - 12:54 PMit sounds like you want something fairly durable.....so one of the afore mentioned options is probably the best for you.
but, if you can live with something less durable (needs to be redone every few years...depending on usage) scotch tape works wonders.
www.coolneon.com/pics/gall...l_fish.jpg
were done with scotch tape, at night, in the dark, you can't see it....during the day of course, you can....and how good or messy it looks depends on the care you've taken to do it, and of course....how much dust/dirt may have stuck itself to the tape. -
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Zip Ties
Wed, November 15, 2006 - 1:48 PMPut a spot of glue -Goop,caulk,something over the whole thing,that way nobody will get poked by sharp edges -
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Re: Zip Ties
Thu, November 16, 2006 - 8:53 AMI picked up some of the spiral cable wrap at the local electronics supply store last night and it seems to fit the bill well. But I need to get the next bigger size than I got. Thanks again everyone! -
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Re: Zip Ties
Thu, November 16, 2006 - 2:57 PMSpiral wrap also works really well for attaching EL wire to bike cables -
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I love this group
Thu, November 16, 2006 - 3:23 PMPractical and fun.
What's not to love,eh?
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Re: Zip Ties
Tue, June 12, 2007 - 3:23 PMSo what size does work best Snowlover? I'm hoping I can find some here in GV - is the store you got it at a chain that might be here?
Working on a new glowey project for HSMF. It was great to meet/dance by you at Bobo. -
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Re: Zip Ties
Wed, June 13, 2007 - 9:09 AMhello again. Yes bobo was an amazing time and your creation looked great! Can't wait to see the next, we are going to make a new creation for HSMF, as long as time permits (got lots of other projects going too).
The spiral wrap works great and seems to be holding up to use very well.
I had to use 2 different sizes, 3/16" and 1/4" i'm pretty sure (don't have it in front of me but I can confirm). I tried 1/8" and it was too small. I used 2 different sizes because some places had more wire (both EL and the support wire) than others. I got some of my wrap at the local electronics store but they ran out of stock. I did find that Home Depot had some packs of assorted spiral wrap, but only some of the packages had the sizes I need. I'm sure I was annoying the clerk making him search all the boxes. -
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This is the maximum depth. Additional responses will not be threaded.
Re: Zip Ties
Wed, June 13, 2007 - 11:23 AMThanks Snow - can't wait to see what you are whipping up for HSMF!
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