How to Build On-Stage Light Boxes for Your Band
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- Опубліковано 10 тра 2013
- DAKOTA demonstrates building a stage light box for shows.
DakotaCA
Equipment List (we got it all at Home Depot):
- Plywood: 2 pieces 16.5"x10", 2 pieces 24"x10"
- 2"x4": 2 pieces 16.5" long
- Plexiglass: 1/4" thick, 18"x24"
- 500w Construction Light (with cable cut off about 1' from the light) Consider an LED work light to minimize warping of plexi-glass.
- Weather Stripping
- Garage Door Rubber Bottom Seal
- Sand Paper Grip Tape, AKA "Safety Walk Outdoor Tread"
- #10 Screws,1.5" long
- Smaller Drill Bit
- Momentary Contact Switch: www.homedepot.com/p/t/10017624...
- Wire Nuts
- #8 Eye Hook
- Metal Brackets
- Spray Paint
Tools:
- Drill
- Wire Cutters
- Needle Nose Pliers
- Philips Screwdriver
- Razor Blade - Навчання та стиль
Hey dudes, just want to let you know that this video is still helping even 10 years later. I'm in the middle of making three of these right now!
I'm newly getting into setting up stage lighting for my own band, and this is immensely awesome. Simple and inexpensive concept, but great results. Kudos!
Just built two of these. Thanks for the great video and parts list! Good luck with your band and much success!
Notes for others: The eye hooks are #8 Screw Eyes PN 14101. The momentary N.O. switch fits perfect. The work light we used is an HDX 250W, SKU 265669. These have a mounting bracket which makes mounting to the front inside of the box very simple - mark and drill two holes. Mount towards mid-center to bottom of the box. Then they can be angled slightly or adjusted as needed.
Great how to video! Bought all of my materials yesterday and I'm making mine today! Thanks so much guys!
Hey guys, great tutorial. It was helpful, detailed, and a great way to also showcase your music. Great idea! We're building three of these right now.
Thank you guys so much, We'll be building two this week!
Thanks for the info, we've updated the equipment list accordingly!
Hey thanks for the video! In our experience building these, the 18x24 plexiglass was too small. This ended up in a wasted sheet and had to buy another one. I'd recommend everyone to measure the wood box once its built before you buy or start cutting a bigger sheet so you don't run into this issue. Other than that everything went well, thank again for the info!
very cool, i'm glad someone took the time to make this video. i just haven't been able to find the time to a make a video concerning my own rendition.
Cool floor box light, I noticed that you twisted the wires counter clockwise and then screwed the wire nuts clockwise. To help avoid the possibility of the wires coming lose and the wire nuts falling off due to you use. You should turn both the wires and the wire nuts clockwise. Thanks for the DIY idea video!
Thanks! Finished one now. Just used led light instead + applied color filter on it to get more warm light, and used much more reliable switch option. + I made two connections on the side. In case I want to use it permanently on.
We just had some metal brackets laying around that we used on this box, but we've come up with a better way since. We are now drilling holes in the side of the light fixture, and mounting the light between the center support braces with nuts and bolts. I believe the plywood was 3/4".
Finally a video on a stage box.
thanks guys cant wait to build these for my band
cheers dude i might make one with rgb strip led. that should look sweet
I LIKE HOW HE TWIST the wires one way and twist the wire nut the other way (which Untwisted the wires in the nut ) lol
Cool light. One recommendation on wiring the switch, crimp a terminal on each wire before screwing in on, then you don't have to thin the wire down.
I made one yesterday, a couple things. One the 2X4's need to be 16.5 inches not 18. I also used 2X3's instead of 2X4's and was able to knock two inches off the total height. The "sandpaper grip tape" is called "Safety Walk Outdoor Tread" and is made by 3M (should make it easier to find). I also used an LED construction lamp which shouldn't give off too much heat and avoid warping. Anyways thanks guys.
After awhile there is a bit of warping of the plexiglass, but light passes through just fine. We generally only stand on these for a chorus, or part of one, so it's not really an issue. They are not meant to be "always on", though adding a fan to the design could easily enable this.
We used the rubber garage door seal in this video, but found using rubber feet that screw into all 4 bottom corners looks neater, and works just as well.
Search Google for "home depot rubber garage seal" and it's the first result.
Thanks so much! I plan on building this today, ill let you guys know my results!
I've been waiting for 7 years. Did you ever build it?
this is fantastic! I created these but with LED lights for more durability
F R U G A L M A N C H I L D 676 which leds
Really great video guys thanks alot! Do you remember approx. how much it cost you overall to make?
Would it work with the color LED lights (automatic, switch with the music ones)?? Love this idea. thinking about making 2 for my band.
The correct order is ground neutral then hot ;) and you twisted to wires one way then twisted the wire nutts the other way. It's more reliable to twist them the same way so they don't come off. Just in case anybody cares to be a bit more safe:)
Built 4 of them for our band WANDERING LIES! They were a hit! Thanks for the tutorial!
A truly awesome idea, great work!
I had some thoughts about the momentary contact switch. The one you use is labeled 6 Amp /120 Volt AC and 3 Amp /240 Volt AC from what I have found. I'm from outside US and the strongenst one I find in my area is labeled at 1 Amp /125 V AC and 0,5 Amp /250 V AC. Will this switch do the trick? Maybe I'll have to settle at a 120W construction light and not a 400-500W like yours?
The LED light is a great idea how much did that run you? Also we corrected the sizes in the description after noticing the I said the wrong ones.
Dakota ---> Would be cool if you guys hooked up to a kick switch and a pressure trigger... that way it does ALWAYS turn on when you jump up on it.
What about putting a washer on the screw when screwing the wire on the momentary switch? Would that work?
Its usually better, in terms of electrical code and safety, to put all switching on the hot side. This will reduce the risk of accidental shock (hot to ground situations) when doing things such as changing the lamp should it not get unplugged to do so.
And save the work light stands - they can be used to mount small stage lights, such as a PAR 38 LED, or other similar small lights.
you should always break the black wire , the white does not carry any voltage you are just breaking the neutral , fire hazard.
Seems to be a delay in activation when I step on the box. Wired exactly like you show. Any issues you’ve seen with that?
Is the song your own? I like it a lot, reminds me of BMTH
Just built one… when I press the momentary contact switch it turns the light off though. What did I do wrong?
Do you guys do international shipping too ?
awesome
Badass!!
Do you know what exact light you used? I like to find exact material.
We received a question about the construction light:
Q: Since the light you used had a On/Off Switch when you guys completed the wiring did you plug it in, turn in on and then the switch takes control as to when it powers on?
A: Keep the light's switch in the On position. The momentary contact switch completes the circuit when engaged, thereby turning the light on.
brilliant
The Garage Door weather stripping... was that a foam type strip or was it the hollow rubber stuff? Sorry I've never had a garage door lol
Hey guys! I posted my results as a video response! Thanks so much!
What kind of metal hooks did you use to mount the light? Also how thick was the plywood you used? Great video otherwise!
Heat shrink would wirk for securing the power from causing a fire
I have a question. Could you perhaps post a link to the momentary switch you guys used? I cant seem to find one like that.
I added a link to the momentary contact switch in the video description. Good luck!
Did you guys face any issues with the acrylic getting too hot and starting to cave in?
just to be clear, it DOES matter which wire is switched. You MUST break the black wire with the switch, per code. awesome job though! love the soundtrack to this video.
Joe Ward What does "break" mean?
We've not replaced our bulbs once, and have been using them for 8 months or so.
Roughly how much did this cost you guys?
Before I try doing this I have one question.. its probably a stupid question but... when you put the switch on.. after you put the plexiglass on, isn't that constantly pushing the button down? Does stepping on it push the glass down just enough to press the button? Oooor.. is the button constantly pressed but its designed to only turn on when the pressure on it changes? Could you explain to me how that works? Doesn't really explain that in the video.. but other than that it was great! I dig your music BTW!
The momentary contact switch is only "on" when it is pushed. As soon as it's released it turns off. You'll see in the video we have weather stripping under the plexiglass except under the corner with the switch. This pushes the plexiglass back up when you step off, it's like a hard foam. Thanks for listening!
Those lights burn out like every week though don't they? I had some for video lighting and they kept dying left and right.
what is the name the song that's playing at 6:58? I love it!
Hey thanks! The song is called Ashes, and you can download it for free at DakotaCA.bandcamp.com!
Thanks! Materials are roughly $100, or we'll build you one for $175 if you're interested.
Dakota Booking Are y’all still doing this? I might need to commission you all to build one for me in the upcoming months.
Hey, we are pretty interested in y’all building one for us. Are you still making them?
What is the total price?
What kind of brackets (Home Depot product name?) did you use to mount the light? Thanks!
Salvatore Neglia We used some we found laying around. Since this video I've found the best method is mounting the light between the two center supports. Drill two holes on each side of the light and the center supports. Put bolts through the center supports, and through these holes on the light (put a nut on the end), it's more secure. Look at 1:03 and imagine no bracket, but bolts going through the supports instead.
Do you find it gets too hot on the plexiglass since those lights throw a lot of heat?
You'll need to watch how long you stand on the light at one time, I'd say 30 sec max. The plexiglass does warp a bit after a while, but the ones in the video still work. Consider adding fan if you need more time than that.
That must spike like crazy? cause loads of clicks through your amps?? Great idea tho....I would build that with LED lighting maybe..would run cooler and could strobe/change colour..etc thanks for posting- cool idea!!
Toby Hodkinson We never had problems with spiking/clicking. LED is a cool idea we considered, but to get the same amount of light output your costs are much, much higher. Not worth it in my opinion unless you're having issues. I liked the warmer yellow/white light from the halogen bulbs compared to the cold white LED.
Toby Hodkinson Just finished building the same product with a LED color changing flood light. Very cool effects we can get with the LED, and the ability to control the color shining up on you is a major perk. But I do agree with Dakota on the warmth of the light they used, I enjoy it as well. All down to preference I guess.
+WalshyMusic what light did you use? Link?
+Toby Hodkinson hopefully this would work with DMX lighting
Thanks for all of the instructions. My light box is badass as fuck xP
Yeah! \m/
Dude! If y'all were to build a couple, how much would you charge, and would it be able to be shipped to TX?
$175 each, shipping included via FedEx!
Dakota Booking Hey guys, how much weight can this hold? I'm 6'4, 244lbs and the other dude in my band that would need a box is 210lbs 6'2. we're tall dudes.
The most we've put on it is a 200 lb guy, that worked fine. I imagine it would work for you since it's braced in the middle, but can't guarantee it.
How much did this cost to make?
How much did it cost
Why do you guys break up? Lol I like your music.
Could you rig a strobe the same way?
Yup. A strobe might not have a ground wire but the setup is otherwise the same. Good luck!
is there a way were you can make the light turn on with two feet instead of one?
Hey Erik! Consider mounting the momentary switch onto the plexiglass so that the button head sticks up from the surface, then when you stand on the box, you can push the button down with one of your feet.
That way you determine when the light comes on, not just the pressure on the top of the box.
there is actually.. If you buy 2 of the momentary switches and wire each one up on opposite sides but using the same wire (path of electricity) both switches must be pushed in order to complete the electrical path and turn the lamp ON.
Which guitar cable did you use?
We cut the power cable from the construction light and put the momentary contact switch in between. You cannot run power through a guitar cable.
Can you post links for the construction light you used?
Andrew Rathbone We used what we had laying around. Any construction light will work, we used 500W. You can get Home Depot brand for pretty cheap.
Thanks bud!
Do you have a contact email?
How do I contact you guys about ordering one?
You can email us at WeAreDakota@gmail.com!
what kind of brackets are you using?
Looks like they used flexible ratchet pipe clamp strips. I would say the easier and cheaper solution would be conduit clamps. you could get them to go around the handle, and the feet of the light.
www.homedepot.com/p/3-4-in-Rigid-1-Hole-Conduit-Straps-4-Pack-96112/100147461
I built 2 of my own it was fun
how much did these cost to build yourselves?
Around $80 in materials
Do you guys sell them?
Anonymous Author Not anymore, but I'm glad to offer advice!
P.S. Green is usually Ground.. Black is positive, and white is neutral. :D have a nice day!
Actually, in the world of AC, black is hot.
praestant8
But if you are in the UK then Brown = Live, Blue = Neutral & Green/Yellow = Earth (Y)
good job making this BUT !!!!! I am a general contractor and also sell and fabricate plexiglass for 17 years, IT IS ABSOLUTELY DANGEROUS TO USE HALOGEN LIGHT UNDER PLEXIGLASS , PLEXI IS HIGHLY FLAMMABLE , but hey if you want some fire during the show go for it :) Led lights should be used ONLY !!!!!!!!!!
500W
What about heat? Those lamps get really hot
***** You're not meant to stand on the box for the whole performance. No problem with 30 seconds or so at a time. After awhile the plastic warps slightly, but it's cheap to replace if needed. We never had to replace ours.
Nice, but the electrical part is just not ok.. it works, but it will raise hairs with any electrician :)
this is awesome! thanks for posting! just a shame your music isn't as good as your ideas!
$35
measurements are wrong, otherwise awesome!
Corrected the incorrect 2x4 measurement. Should be 16.5". Thanks for the feedback!
No venue in their right mind is going to let you use that without a ground fault of it's own . Not in LA Anyway..Weeeeeeeeekkkkkkkk
Stodoys plans scripts contain most of the woodworking plans you can find.
Very bad sound mixing
Any way to do this without the annoying fucking "music" in the background?
awesome