LED Edge Lit Clocks

[olf20]

I've made several edge lit clocks. Each one turns out
better.
One ongoing problem I have is the hands on the clock face
does not show up real well. Even with all the different colors
the leds can produce the hands still are hard to see.
I have black, white, gold, and silver hands with all the same
results.
I've heard that RIT whitening dye will make things stand out????
Any of you find some product that might improve this??

Thanks for any help!
olf20 / Bob

[Xxray]

Well, you could try glow in the dark paint to make them really stand out, but may not be the look you are after when there is light. I don't see it as a "problem" per se, its just the way it is. When you can't see something against another surface or background its because of a lack of contrast combined perhaps with a lack of light, and its up to you how to remedy that or just live with it.

[olf20]

I'll try the glow in the dark paint. Being able to see
the time is also important.
Thanks for the reply!

olf20 / Bob

[Xxray]

Post back the results, never really thought about this, I guess I see LED clocks more as eye candy than bonafide time pieces. Quality glow paint should do the trick for the hands, hopefully the numbers won't be an issue.

[ttocs]

Do you have any pics of these?

[olf20]

This is the one I made for my wifes kitchen.

olf20 / Bob

[ctdodge]

Sues Clock1.jpg

olf20 / Bob

That's pretty cool! Are you doing these with a Vee bit or diamond drag bit?

[Jan.vanderlinden]

Just a shot in the dark here, but how about you make the hands out of clear acrylic.
Would they possibly catch the light and "glow" ???

[Xxray]

Just a shot in the dark here, but how about you make the hands out of clear acrylic.
Would they possibly catch the light and "glow" ???

Seemingly simple, might well be a nightmare to attempt home brew clock hands. They are made to snap into the movement lug [sorta like a retaining ring], with both mating holes being of different sizes, and often with notches so they will only fit in 1 position. Would be next to impossible to accurately replicate this in plexi, which in any case has no snap/bend to it. Would probably have to glue them in position and hope the glue doesn't foul up the movement.

On top of that, don't see how they would catch any light [unless a separate channel/LED strip is rigged up just for them] since they are offset a good .25-.50 in front of the face. Finally, getting/cutting the plexi that thin would in itself be quite a challenging task, maybe not that difficult with a laser.