EnlightenedGrinch
12-16-2008, 01:59 PM
Picture of Row #2 complete:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v630/DaveNTracy/Christmas%20Props/LightBall007.jpg
STEP 3
Start Row #3 the same way Row #2 was started. If a gap was left when Row 2 was finished, glue the first cup of Row #3 right on top of that gap. Continue gluing the cups around the circle (the same way as Row #2), applying glue to the cup beside and the cup below.
You will probably end up with a gap between two cups at the end of Row #3. again, this not a problem.
Row #3 uses 9 cups.
STEP #4
After Row #3 is complete there is normally room for 4 more cups to complete this half of the ball. Take 4 loose cups and experiment to see how best they will fit. When satisfied, glue each cup one at a time.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v630/DaveNTracy/Christmas%20Props/LightBall010.jpg
STEP #5
Repeat Steps 1 through 4 to make the other half of the light ball.
STEP #6—Inserting the Lights
The lights I recommend using are from Lowe’s Home Improvement Store. They are called “Holiday Living” brand 140 ct. 8-Function Motion Lights. They have a selectable motion control for different lighting effects. I use the “Combination” setting, which causes the lights to continuously cycle through each different effect. (See Video.)
It would be ideal to be able to insert two bulbs into each cup, but since most light strings have only 150 lights or less, several cups will only have one bulb. This does not affect the final result.
(Example: this light string has 140 bulbs. I have 84 cups to light. I can put two bulbs in 56 of the cups (28 in each half). This uses up 112 of the lights. That leaves 28 bulbs to use—one single bulb the remaining 28 cups (14 in each half).
Take one of the halves of the light ball and place it rounded side down (like a bowl) to begin inserting the lights in the bottom. Start at the bottom inserting all of the SINGLE bulbs first. This way all of the single bulbs will be at the TOP and BOTTOM of the ball (and less noticeable).
Start with a cup on the very bottom and insert one bulb. The push some of the green wire into the same hole the bulb went through to secure the bulb and keep it from wiggling out. Work your way around clockwise, row by row, inserting the bulbs and wiring into each cup. Move to row #3 and do all of it, then Row #2, and lastly Row #1. (Remember to start putting two bulbs into each cup after finishing the first 14 cups with single bulbs.)
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v630/DaveNTracy/Christmas%20Props/LightBall014.jpg
After completing all of the bulbs in the first half, place the other half of the ball beside the completed half. For THIS half we will start inserting bulbs at Row #1. This will allow us to finish with the plug end coming out of the bottom of the second half (which will actually end up being the TOP of our completed light ball).
IMPORTANT---Remember to insert you 14 single bulbs LAST on this half of the ball.
TIP: I usually leave about 4 to 6 bulbs UN-INSERTED as I am starting the first row of the second half. This gives me a foot or two of slack and makes it easier to insert the remaining 70 bulbs. Just insert these bulbs left out for slack LAST, after all other bulbs are finished and the plug pulled through.
STEP #7
Cut a 3 or 4 inch piece of the vinyl tubing. On the LOWER ball half glue the piece of tubing in the crevice between two cups on the bottom of Row #1. Cut another piece of tubing and glue it 180 degrees opposite of the first piece. Then cut two more sections of tubing and glue one of each in between the first two pieces. So you’ll basically have one at 12:00, 3:00, 6:00 and 9:00 positions.
After the glue is dry on the vinyl tubing pieces cut about 4 feet of the thin wire and insert it through one section of tubing, through the middle of the ball, and out through the tube piece straight across. Cut another 4 foot piece of wire and repeat the same step using the other two vinyl tubing sections.
Leave the wires alone for now. They will be used to support the ball for hanging later.
STEP #8
Lay the upper half of the ball on top of the lower half to test the fit of it and also look for the places you will apply the glue to permanently attach your top half to your bottom half. Remove the upper half and apply the glue in several places on the lower half. Replace the upper half on top of the lower half, making sure it is centered correctly (for the round, ball shape). Allow glue to dry completely.
FINAL STEP
Bend each of the four wires sticking outside the ball (from step #7) upwards toward the top center of the light ball. Twist all the wires together at the top and if the wire is long enough, make a loop in it and twist that together at the very top.
Cut a length of Coat Hanger wire (about 1 foot). Bend both ends of it to make hooks and insert one end through the loop made in the thin wires.
HANG IT UP AND ENJOY!!!
Video of Light Ball In Action:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v630/DaveNTracy/Christmas%20Props/th_Universal2008033.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v630/DaveNTracy/Christmas%20Props/LightBall007.jpg
STEP 3
Start Row #3 the same way Row #2 was started. If a gap was left when Row 2 was finished, glue the first cup of Row #3 right on top of that gap. Continue gluing the cups around the circle (the same way as Row #2), applying glue to the cup beside and the cup below.
You will probably end up with a gap between two cups at the end of Row #3. again, this not a problem.
Row #3 uses 9 cups.
STEP #4
After Row #3 is complete there is normally room for 4 more cups to complete this half of the ball. Take 4 loose cups and experiment to see how best they will fit. When satisfied, glue each cup one at a time.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v630/DaveNTracy/Christmas%20Props/LightBall010.jpg
STEP #5
Repeat Steps 1 through 4 to make the other half of the light ball.
STEP #6—Inserting the Lights
The lights I recommend using are from Lowe’s Home Improvement Store. They are called “Holiday Living” brand 140 ct. 8-Function Motion Lights. They have a selectable motion control for different lighting effects. I use the “Combination” setting, which causes the lights to continuously cycle through each different effect. (See Video.)
It would be ideal to be able to insert two bulbs into each cup, but since most light strings have only 150 lights or less, several cups will only have one bulb. This does not affect the final result.
(Example: this light string has 140 bulbs. I have 84 cups to light. I can put two bulbs in 56 of the cups (28 in each half). This uses up 112 of the lights. That leaves 28 bulbs to use—one single bulb the remaining 28 cups (14 in each half).
Take one of the halves of the light ball and place it rounded side down (like a bowl) to begin inserting the lights in the bottom. Start at the bottom inserting all of the SINGLE bulbs first. This way all of the single bulbs will be at the TOP and BOTTOM of the ball (and less noticeable).
Start with a cup on the very bottom and insert one bulb. The push some of the green wire into the same hole the bulb went through to secure the bulb and keep it from wiggling out. Work your way around clockwise, row by row, inserting the bulbs and wiring into each cup. Move to row #3 and do all of it, then Row #2, and lastly Row #1. (Remember to start putting two bulbs into each cup after finishing the first 14 cups with single bulbs.)
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v630/DaveNTracy/Christmas%20Props/LightBall014.jpg
After completing all of the bulbs in the first half, place the other half of the ball beside the completed half. For THIS half we will start inserting bulbs at Row #1. This will allow us to finish with the plug end coming out of the bottom of the second half (which will actually end up being the TOP of our completed light ball).
IMPORTANT---Remember to insert you 14 single bulbs LAST on this half of the ball.
TIP: I usually leave about 4 to 6 bulbs UN-INSERTED as I am starting the first row of the second half. This gives me a foot or two of slack and makes it easier to insert the remaining 70 bulbs. Just insert these bulbs left out for slack LAST, after all other bulbs are finished and the plug pulled through.
STEP #7
Cut a 3 or 4 inch piece of the vinyl tubing. On the LOWER ball half glue the piece of tubing in the crevice between two cups on the bottom of Row #1. Cut another piece of tubing and glue it 180 degrees opposite of the first piece. Then cut two more sections of tubing and glue one of each in between the first two pieces. So you’ll basically have one at 12:00, 3:00, 6:00 and 9:00 positions.
After the glue is dry on the vinyl tubing pieces cut about 4 feet of the thin wire and insert it through one section of tubing, through the middle of the ball, and out through the tube piece straight across. Cut another 4 foot piece of wire and repeat the same step using the other two vinyl tubing sections.
Leave the wires alone for now. They will be used to support the ball for hanging later.
STEP #8
Lay the upper half of the ball on top of the lower half to test the fit of it and also look for the places you will apply the glue to permanently attach your top half to your bottom half. Remove the upper half and apply the glue in several places on the lower half. Replace the upper half on top of the lower half, making sure it is centered correctly (for the round, ball shape). Allow glue to dry completely.
FINAL STEP
Bend each of the four wires sticking outside the ball (from step #7) upwards toward the top center of the light ball. Twist all the wires together at the top and if the wire is long enough, make a loop in it and twist that together at the very top.
Cut a length of Coat Hanger wire (about 1 foot). Bend both ends of it to make hooks and insert one end through the loop made in the thin wires.
HANG IT UP AND ENJOY!!!
Video of Light Ball In Action:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v630/DaveNTracy/Christmas%20Props/th_Universal2008033.jpg