Electric Paint Light-Up Cosplay Sword

I get a lot of questions about how I add simple LEDs into my props and gadgets. Majority of people haven't used a soldering iron, and aren't sure about the investment to purchase one. No worries! You can use some copper tape and Bare Conductive's Electric Paint to light up a few 5mm LEDs, and no soldering required!

Step 1: Electric Paint Light-up Cosplay Sword

I downloaded one of Punished Props awesome free blueprint designs, the Xenoblade – Monnado Sword and modified the file in Adobe Illustrator to add holes for LEDs and a cover for a coin cell battery.

I added 5 holes for 5mm LEDS and engraved paths for the copper tape, electric paint, and coin battery.

Laser Cutter: Glowforge Pro

Step 2: BOM List

Bill of Materials (BOM) List

• 5mm LEDS

• Bare Conductive Paint

• Copper Tape

• Coin Cell Battery CR2032

• Coin Cell Battery Holder with On/Off Switch

• E6000 Clear Craft Adhesive or Hot Glue Gun

• (Optional) Name Tag Magnet or Velcro so you can easily remove the cover to change the coin cell battery.

• Acrylic or Foam for Sword

Step 3: Download File and Laser Cut

I cut all of the pieces for the sword on my Glowforge Pro laser cutter.

Materials I used were

• Blue Acrylic

• Neon Pink Acrylic

• Black Acrylic

If you don't have access to a laser cutter: No problem! You can still download the files and print them out and use them as a template for foam, cardboard or worbla!

Step 4: What Is Electric Paint?

Electric Paint conducts electricity when dry. You can paint, stencil or screen print, it's air­‐drying non-toxic and solvent free. Must be fully dry to work. Easily removable with soap and water. Seal with acrylic paint or spray varnish. Can last years if treated properly and kept dry.

Works on:

• Paper

• Cardboard

• Wood

• Plastic

• Glass

• Plaster

• Some rubbers

• LEGO

• Textiles, etc…

• Connect batteries

• LEDs and other components

• Great for attaching components and for PCB repair.

• Can be used as a cold solder and wire paint.

• Can be used with conductive thread and e-textiles.Can be painted or sprayed over for protection or multi-layered circuitry

• Surface resistivity approx 55 ohms/square at 50 microns layer thickness

• Other project examples and resources at Bare Conductive Make.

Step 5: Add the LEDs

TEST! TEST! TEST!

Testing that all your LEDs work first before proceeding can save you some unneeded frustration in the future. You can take each LED and coin cell battery to test the LED is working. You can take the negative cathode(the shorter leg on the LED) to the negative side of the coin cell battery, and then the positive anode(the longer leg on the LED) to the positive side of the coin cell battery. The LED should light up!

Anode+ and Cathode -

Pay close attention to the alignment of the battery holder the Positive and Negative need to be in the same direction.

Step 6: Add a Magnet to Be Able to Remove the Cover to Change the Coin Cell Battery

Add a magnet to be able to remove the cover to change the coin cell Battery

Step 7: Questions?

You can read more at www.BareConductive.com

Punished Props: Punished Props

My info is www.AmieDD.com Twitter: @amiedoubled

Videographer: Howard Kan