DIY Wire-Frames From concept to light

DIY Wire-Frames Topics –Designing your wire frame –Creating a design template –Building Bending wire Joining wire Attaching rope light –Q&A

Design Designing you frame –Draw your own  –Colouring in books from web –Look for simple designs that capture the essence of the ‘item’

Examples Too complex Simpler is better

Creating Template Transfer design to ‘template’ –Projector –Hand draw > grid method –It doesn’t have to be perfect!

Creating Template Hand draw grid method –Add grid lines to picture (Photoshop) –Can scale up or down to suit by changing width of grid

Building your wire-frame Tools/Items Needed –Galvanised Steel Rod – 5mm Purchase from steel supply, NOT Bunnings –Ring Spanner, or similar item –Pliers –Gas Burner – for really sharp bends –Vice and hammer are useful, but not essential –Paint and brush –Gloves –Safety glasses

Building your wire-frame Bending –Small steps – gentle curves, no kinks –Near enough is often good enough –You can unbend wire if you make an error –Try not to twist wire frame when bending – keep it flat

Building your wire-frame Joining Frame Parts –Welding – Arc, Mig or Braze –Cable ties –Tape

Building your wire-frame Painting –Rust guard paint –Spray cans = wasteful –Brush technique – ‘slap’

Attaching rope lights Cable ties And more … cable ties Black Insulation tape for hiding lights

The final product

Questions?