lighted switch plate progress

[autobodyman]

As you may know I've been making light switch covers lately. I really wanted to add some LED lighting to these switch covers but I wasn't sure how to wire LED's for 120 volts. Found a place on the net that sells these LED back plates (https://secure2.zenutech.com/liteaswitch_com/OnlineStore.asp?mode=3).
http://www.PhotoShare.co.nz/PhotoShareGallery1/100503/109824/Cabin019103.jpg
My brother had given me some software for home design, never installed it but thought maybe I could use it to design a log home for lights to show threw a window. Problem with me drawing one up was that the angles had to be just right to land some of the windows on the LED's. Anyway after spending a few hours installing and trying to learn the software came up with this cabin (the software allowed me to freely rotate up,down, left, right)then do a screen capture paste into my CorelDraw program.
http://www.PhotoShare.co.nz/PhotoShareGallery1/100503/109824/Cabin027815.jpg
I thought I would attempt to carve this pattern, cut out the window holes sandblast some ¼" thick plexi fit to the window holes to allow the light to show threw and hopefully diffuse the light. With this pattern 3 of the windows will line up, to make it look right I will carve curtains into the other two windows since there won't be any lights lined up with those.
http://www.PhotoShare.co.nz/PhotoShareGallery1/100503/109824/Cabin03244_M.jpg
I retraced the pattern I came up with. Printed it flipped on a transparency and transfered it to some wood.
http://www.PhotoShare.co.nz/PhotoShareGallery1/100503/109824/Cabin041679.jpg
Got a start on cutting out the pieces for the cabin light switch carving. Since I didn't want to mess up my transfer I sanded the wood from the backside which of course made some gaps between the pieces, I'll have to back cut those sections so they line up tighter. Lack the firewood pile yet. The roof is western red cedar, logs are red oak, chimney is boxelder burl, deck is redwood. Haven't decided yet what to use for the firewood, maybe pine.

After I get this carved and glued up I'll have to rout out the back to allow the LED plate to fully insert into the carving (I don't want any light shining threw the sides).

I don't know why for sure, maybe all the angles, but this one has been more trying than any of the others I have done.

What do you think?

Thanks ~Mike

[autobodyman]

Thought I'd upload the photos in case some can't see them from my hosting site.

[fwharris]

Mike,

Great job! A lot more to this compared to the light swhitcher!!

How much of the house was cut out on the CW?

[autobodyman]

Thanks FW. Actually I'm cutting all this out with my scrollsaw, when I get it all done I'll scan it into the Carvewright. That way I can make more with less effort.

Thanks again.
~Mike

[autobodyman]

Got a bit more done on it today. Lack routing out the back, cutting out for the light switch toggle and getting the plexi fit in the door and window holes.
http://www.PhotoShare.co.nz/PhotoShareGallery1/100503/109824/Cabin073412.jpg

http://www.PhotoShare.co.nz/PhotoShareGallery1/100503/109824/Cabin08221.jpg
Used lacewood for the firewood.

What do you think?

Thanks ~Mike

[LittleRedWoodshop]

that is looking great - I can't wait to see it finished

[Griz64]

OMG...That is amazing work. Please keep us up to date on this and other projects in the future. OUTSTANDING WORK SIR

[bowfingers]

Great pattern!
It looks like I will be purchasing this pattern and making light switch covers when you this pattern finished! Super job!

[autobodyman]

I appreciate the nice comments. Made some more progress today.
http://www.PhotoShare.co.nz/PhotoShareGallery1/100503/109824/Cabin201812.jpg
Routed the back out in two steps, first step 3/16" deep for the lighted panel, second step an additional 1/8" for the light switch itself. It was kind of interesting trying to get everything in the exact right place.
http://www.PhotoShare.co.nz/PhotoShareGallery1/100503/109824/Cabin219995.jpg
Drilled two partial holes with 3/8" bit to allow clearance for the screws that will hold the lightswitch in place. Poped all the pieces in to see if it all fit.
http://www.PhotoShare.co.nz/PhotoShareGallery1/100503/109824/Cabin229396.jpg
A photo with the parts in place. Planned on using ¼" thick acrylic sandblasted, but I found some .236 yellow tint with a dispersion coating on the net. I ordered that though I'm not sure when it will be in so I went ahead and cut one of the windows out of some clear acrylic I had laying around and just used my finish sander with 180 grit on both sides of the acrylic.
http://www.PhotoShare.co.nz/PhotoShareGallery1/100503/109824/Cabin236212.jpg
I've still got a bright spot of light but at least you can't see the printed circuit board. I'm thinking I may make some window grills to go on top of the acrylic when I'm done, that could mostly block the bright spots. I'm scanning the cabin with the carvewright tonight, see how that comes out tomorrow.

What do you think?

Thanks ~Mike

[autobodyman]

Upload of pics for those that can't see my hosting site.

Thanks ~Mike

[dbfletcher]

That is just amazing.... I know it is flat.. but I cant get my eyes to see that. The house looks 3-D no matter how long i look.

Very kewl.

Doug Fletcher

[PCW]

Mike,

I have to agree with Doug. I can't picture the cover flat on the outside. You have got to have one of the coolest houses out there.:)

[autobodyman]

Thanks Doug and Dan,
It's not really flat, though the extreme angles in the drawing I came up with did make it somewhat difficult for me to figure out the carving and getting everything just right so all the stuff would fit correctly.

Here are a couple pictures from the sides (top and bottom) showing the depth of the cover, it's ¾" at the thickest point (second attachment, the closest firewood log) and just a smidge under ¼" at the thinest point (second attachment bottom left corner of roof).

Thanks again for taking the time to reply.

~Mike

[Eagle Hollow]

[QUOTE=autobodyman;

What do you think?

Thanks ~Mike[/QUOTE]

Mike, AMAZING is what I think!! Once I get over the brain warp I have generated trying to analyze your work, I hope to fully understand your approach. Your work is beyond mastery. Thanks so much for sharing all of you amazing projects.

By the way, was in Woodstock last week and saw the photos you left there of some of you hand carvings. They are incredible too! Next time you come over this way, give me a holler, I'll buy coffee.