36" pixel snowflake wireframe build_WIP

[notw22]

I was thinking of doing something similar but with only one pixel where you show two. Only concern is it might not be bright enough.

How many pixels did you end up with on your 32" snowflake. Thinking my design was a 30" diameter with around 120 pixels.

Have used JB weld in the past. Don't use anymore, don't know why. You should be good for your application.

Hi Blk69,
There are 216 lights on my "paired-light" snowflake.

I'm pretty sure a single line would be plenty bright.
It would be thiner of course... similar to this star (if you imagine only the outer-most row):
20150726_204943.jpg

[Dkelly0802]

Nice job...wondering how long the second one will take

[Cdanna77]

Came out awesome. Love some of the effects.

[ukewarrior]

Super nice. Great DIY work without a welder. I hope you keep building.

[FishKing]

Really nice job! I built some snowflakes using acrylic but I'm not sure how I'm going to hang or mount them. How are you going to display yours?

[notw22]

Really nice job! I built some snowflakes using acrylic but I'm not sure how I'm going to hang or mount them. How are you going to display yours?

I sandwiched 2 angle brackets on the main wireframe (seen on the top of this image) with 2 screws so the angle brackets stick out in the back. I ended up drilling through the wall stucco and screwed in 2 concrete anchors (similar to this one) I purchased from Lowes. from which I could screw in an eyehole screw in each. The eyehole screws line up with the angle brackets and I put a lock through each.
back.jpg
I realize I could have wired it differently, but since I added the center pixels I had to loop the pixel string around like this (from pixel 28-29) to continue adding lights. The center of my snowflake is too far a stretch from one pixel to the next to reach back up to the middle star in one go. So looping the design around solved that issue. Then I just repeated this pattern for the remaining snowflake arms.
order.jpg
Then it's just a matter of making a bunch of submodels to match the pixel number.
For example, one of my submodels is called "Crow_1" (it reminds me of a crow foot).
Since I want it to start in the center I made the node range like this:
"27,28,1-26"
Michael 2018-07-09 at 8.57.48 AM.jpg

[notw22]

Here is my 32" Snowflake Jig:
2.jpg
and my 24" smaller snowflake jig:
I did not use the outer circle as it was much easier to JB weld epoxy on straight wires so my snowflakes have an outer hexagonal shape.
1.jpg
This is how I arranged the snowflake branches to overlap the main wires for extra JB Weld Epoxy support. All 3 snowflakes survived the 2017 season and only had 2 epoxy connections snap. This is definitely a great alternative if you don't have access to a welder:
3.jpg
And here are my 3 completed snowflakes waiting for next year's show!
5.jpg
And lastly, here is a short video clip of them in action from my 2017 show:

[Dkelly0802]

Those look really good. I also like the different size arches. Cool design.

[oilyd]

Well managed to finally finished my first snowflake thanks for the instructions on the jig using matts still was genius. So just got 2 more 24" to do starting it tomorrow. Very useful for us that don't own a mig .