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

• Cable ties

• And more … cable ties

• Black Insulation tape for hiding lights

The final product

Questions?