how to make a table with lighting
-Have you seen a light table with an infinity effect , but not in the photograph? It's really cool, like a fairy tale. In fact, making a backlit table with your own hands is quite simple. There are different options, here you will learn ways that will help you make your own glowing table with your own hands with different effects. LED tables are great for creating interesting decor in your home. They will immediately create a festive atmosphere anywhere - a great thing for a party. Check out this selection of ten tables; there isn't a single example you couldn't make yourself. These are mainly backlit coffee tables , but there are also practical options for backlit desktops , on which you can draw, sketch, solder and do many other useful things. Check out all these wonderful projects and today, with the help of the instructions and step-by-step photos presented here, you can start making your own light table .
Manufacturing technology
The high cost of ready-made tables, as well as the availability of materials, is increasingly prompting novice craftsmen to think about implementing the idea on their own. It should be noted that when working with epoxy resin, deviations from the strict algorithm are possible, but they relate only to decoration. Resin has strict requirements that must be met.
On the Internet you can find detailed instructions for making different options for countertops, including videos and master classes. We will reflect the main stages without going into details and various subtleties of the process. Two types of countertops imply two different approaches to their production.
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Tabletops with phosphor
The first step is to prepare a draft of the future composition. If you do not have drawing skills, then it is advisable to make at least a sketch. When planning, it is important to follow a few basic rules.
- Resin is poured into the cavities. It is necessary to cut out these cavities in solid wood or slab. Alternatively, you can use several slabs and pour epoxy resin into the space between them.
- You can adjust the brightness of the backlight by changing the amount of phosphor. Do not try to make the backlight too bright, as this may cause eye fatigue.
- It is not at all necessary to mix all the resin with the phosphor. The project can only have individual illuminated zones. It is not recommended to make a large area glowing. It's better to break it up into small zones.
- Phosphor is a powder that does not dissolve in the resin, but is evenly distributed throughout the entire volume. A large area will take a long time to harden. There is a high risk that during this time the powder will settle below and the area will be illuminated unevenly.
After forming the tabletop and fixing the decor, it is necessary to get rid of dust, small sawdust and other parts of the wood that can form suspensions in the resin. The resin is prepared according to the instructions, but it does not indicate how to properly mix the dye and phosphor. Note that the dye and phosphor are added to the base composition even before mixing with the hardener.
It is advisable to fill in portions. For example, all cracks should be filled first. If this is not done, then during the hardening of the resin, air will be released from the cracks, which is presented in the resin in the form of bubbles. Then the areas are filled with resin and phosphor. A day later, the final resin is poured. At the final stage, the surface must be sanded and polished.
Tabletops with LEDs
The LED strip must be laid so that the light sources themselves are not visible. To do this, recesses are made in the slab, and the tape is glued to the horizontal walls of these recesses. It can also be fixed along the perimeter of the slab, but it must be attached to the side edges. If the tape is laid on a horizontal surface, then it is recommended to tint the resin so that the LEDs themselves are not visible.
Often the power source is a household network, so the finished table should be located close to an outlet. It is necessary to ensure that the power cord does not interfere with movement around the room. Do not leave the backlight on unattended for a long time. Otherwise, the filling technology is no different from standard operations.
Backlight options
This piece of furniture can decorate any interior, turning an ordinary environment into an original, ultra-modern one. To make the table, different lighting options are used, each of which has a number of features:
- LED bulbs. Suitable for large items. The elements provide bright light, the shade is deep and rich. LEDs last much longer than conventional lamps, burn out less often, and have a higher efficiency. The advantage of such lighting devices is the absence of heating, so installation is allowed in any frame. It is possible to choose a suitable color scheme. LEDs are safe and inexpensive.
- LED strips. Such devices are distinguished by their versatility and practicality. They are easy to use and install, and have a high level of reliability. You can equip the table with LED strip not only from the inside, but also from the outside. It is compact and elastic. The devices are environmentally friendly and consume a small amount of energy. The market offers a wide range. The user can independently adjust the color and brightness of the lighting. Tapes are quite expensive and have a limited length.
- Neon lamps, threads. They provide a soft glow that is distributed evenly, with no contrasting shadows. Controllers help regulate the color and intensity of the glow. Warranty service life – 20 years. The shape of the tubes varies. The products do not create noise during operation and do not irritate the eyes.
The gas present inside neon tubes may contain mercury vapor, so the product requires special disposal. Such lamps must be installed by a specialist.
Tunnel lighting can be monochromatic or multi-colored. In this case, the light may blink or fall evenly. The color variety of lamps allows you to choose any option for making a table. Red diodes have the lowest degree of dispersion, so they will be preferable: these lamps make the tunnel deeper.
A variety of unusual tables, non-standard shapes, colors and materials
It is not always possible to purchase original pieces of furniture in a store at an adequate price, so you can make a table with lighting yourself. The product is multifunctional, since it is used both as a regular coffee table and to create an accent in the interior.
LED bulbs
LED strips
Neon lamps
Advantages and disadvantages
Furniture items made of epoxy resin with luminous elements are just beginning to fill the market, so they may seem like a curiosity to a significant part of potential buyers. It is necessary that feelings cannot prevail over practicality, so you should talk about the pros and cons of such an acquisition.
- The advantages, of course, include the original design and appearance of the product. There is no need to say what effect the backlight will create when the external lighting is turned off. Such tables help create an atmosphere of celebration, romance or special moment. The lighting is turned on on a birthday while blowing out the candles on a birthday cake, on New Year's Eve, or at a romantic dinner. You can come up with a whole series of other events where the colorful decoration of the table will play an important role.
- Epoxy resin is absolutely harmless, it does not emit toxins and can come into contact with food. Even if metal or plastic elements are used as decoration, they are filled with a layer of resin. This advantage does not apply specifically to the backlight, but should still be mentioned.
- Resin is an insulator for electrical circuit elements, so during installation there is no need to lay the wiring in special sleeves. The resin is poured directly onto the circuit elements.
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Unfortunately, there are several disadvantages to lighting for epoxy tables. All of them are taken into account when choosing a table, since the purchase may not correspond to the intended purpose.
- First of all, it should be noted that the cost of backlit models is quite high. Any products made from epoxy resin are considered handmade, and they cannot be bought cheaply. Considering the fact that the production process is becoming more complicated, it is not difficult to guess that the cost of the product will increase.
- When installing electric lighting, you must use only LED strip or, as a last resort, LED lamps. Those lamps that heat up are not suitable, as the resin may begin to melt.
- A significant disadvantage is the inability to dismantle the LED. If you use a phosphor, then such a problem does not arise, but in models in which the tape is filled with resin, and in particular, the power source is filled with resin, failure of the circuit element will be fatal.
- Due to its physical and chemical properties, epoxy resin is excellent for making countertops. However, some caution is necessary. You should not cut food on the table surface, as large impact loads can negatively affect the gloss. It should be noted that any chips or scratches can be easily corrected by applying a thin layer of resin, but if the material is painted, it will be very difficult to find a similar color.
