Introduction: Rainbow LED Pegboard Wall

About: NBCT Teacher, Maker, Grower, Gamer - School Librarian and Coordinator for "Make It...Awesome!" GMS Makerspace and Gardenspace, Seaperch Coach, Girls Who Code Mentor

For our newly renovated Maker Lab in our middle school library, we wanted to create a feature wall. Rather than just painting a bold color, we decided to install a pegboard wall and backlight it with programmable rainbow leds.

Supplies

1x2x8 boards to trim each section of the pegboard; for each section of pegboard we needed 4 pieces ($3.50 each)

L bracket hardware to connect the trim boards (1 and 1/2 x 5/8) small brackets (two packs for each section)

Pegboard in 4x8 sections ($20 a sheet)

LED Programmable lights (lots of different brands) https://www.amazon.com/Programmable-LED-Lights/s?...

Paint and primer

Total cost for our wall, 7 sections, 24 x 6 feet of pegboard was under $200

Step 1: Building the Frames and Mounting

The first step was to cut and build a frame for each pegboard panel. Because of the raised power supplies and ethernet hubs in our room, I couldn't have the pegboard be the full eight feet tall. Instead, my panels were about 6 x 4. I cut and painted the pieces, then used the L brackets to attach the pieces together. Each completed rectangle was then attached to the cinder block walls using concrete screws. I decided to add a middle horizontal support board to each rectangle to avoid too much flex from the pegboard.

Step 2: Painting the Pegboard

I bought masonite pegboard and know from experience that it takes lots of paint to make it look good. I started with a primer, then added at least two coats of acrylic interior paint using a small cabinet roller.

Step 3: Prepping the Lights

The lights are going to run along the inside edge of the wooden frames. I measured the length of lights that I needed based on the perimeter of the frames. Each 6 x 4 frame needed 20 feet of lighting. (Be sure to think about the path of your lights from one side to the other!) I then measured the width of the connectors for each LED strand, which is the widest part of the strand and used a 5/8 drill bit to cut holes in the frame where the lights would come in and out.

Step 4: Running the Lights!

After finding a good place to hide the power supply and the infrared sensor that is needed for the remote control, I started to run the light strands. My lights came with a 3M adhesive backing that peeled away, but I wanted to be sure these light would stay in place forever, so I plugged in the hot glue gun. I peeled off the adhesive backing and added lots of hot glue as I attached the lights around the wooden panels. At each connection to the next strand, I tested the strands and then secured the metal pins with tape and glued in place. The unexpected best tool for this step was a silicone fingertip that came with my glue gun. I was able to really push each part of the strand into place as the glue dried.

Step 5: Add the Pegboard!

The next step is to add the pegboard panels. (Sorry, I don't have any action shots of this because it took both hands to hold the panels!) If you measured right, the panels each meet the edges of the frame. I used a short, wide screw to attach the panels to the frames. Then I turned out the lights to see how the rainbow colors looked!

Step 6: Enjoy!

Now we are ready to 3D print our pegboard accessories and enjoy our maker lab. Happy making!

Colors of the Rainbow Contest

Participated in the
Colors of the Rainbow Contest