Backlit World Map From an Old PVC Pipe
Introduction: Backlit World Map From an Old PVC Pipe
Today... I am presenting my one of the most favorite projects... I'm a student of Geography... And I do love the beauty of our very home planet... It's gorgeous Mountains, furious Oceans... The lands... And everything nice on this Earth... From my childhood the map of our world seems much fascinating to me.... Later I studied the process of forming these continents... Their unique features and much more.... So I wanted to have a miniature world map on my wall of room...
Here in this project.. I just tried that thing in a simple approach... I had a relatively medium size PVC pipe in my stock... And I chose that to use for my project.... The truth is I started this project back in 2020...but couldn't finished due to some reason... I had my continents cut out and primed.. But for an unknown reason.. I left the project in my storage...
Now back in 2022..I saw a contest going on PVC pipes... So I decided to finish my half done project now.. As soon as my exams were over... I started to collect materials... And started the project again.....
So here is my attempt to make a "Hand made Backlit World Map" ...
Step 1: Things We Are Going to Need for This Project
For making this project as it is... We are going to need these followings things...
* A good printed template of the world map(print at least 2 copies.. Otherwise there will be scaling issue later)
* PVC pipe... Mine was 75mm in diameter... And almost 1.5 mm thick
* Heat gun/Electric iron
* Rotary tool.. With cutting disk
* Clear acrylic sheet(1.5 /2 mm thickness)
* 320 grit sand paper
* Coping saw + fine teeth blade
* Good quality glue
* Plastic primer
* Blue metallic paint
* Paint brush
* 12 volt Blue led lights
* Buck convert
* Electrical soldering iron and flux
* Flexible wire
* Enameled copper wire
* 2 female DC barrel connector... 74
1 male connector
* 12 volt adapter
* 3d printer and my provided files
* Some random tools
Pdf and 3d files 👇
Step 2: Print the Template.... and Roughly Stick on the PVC Pipe
So... It's time to start the project...
For the first step... We have to print the world map template and roughly stick that on the PVC pipe.. Wo we can determine the exact position for cutting.. This will ensure the minimal wastage of material..
After marking the spot... Remove the template
Step 3: Cut Open the PVC Pipe With a Rotary Tool
Now take a rotary tool with a cutting disk attached... And with the disk... Carefully cut along the line you just made with the template...
Don't rush in this step... Power tools always need great caution ⚠...
After successfully cutting the pipe.. It's time to use out Heat gun and gently flatten out pipe
Step 4: Flatten the PVC Pipe
Now using medium setting of the heat gun... Start heating the pipe... From the opposite side of the cut..
As soon as the plastic starts to heat up to a certain temperature the pipe will start to bend..
Using something flat.. Gently press on the pipe and try to flatten the pipe in a smooth sheet...
You can use whatever available.. Just don't burn yourself...
In this step... You can also use a baking street and a electric iron... To further flatten the sheet...
After the sheet is flattened.. Place it under some flat and heavy object to lock it's shape... And let it cool for few hours...
Step 5: Stick the Templates on the PVC Sheet..
Now take the template pieces and stick those on the PVC sheet using some craft glue... Do make sure that the paper is adhered well...
Then let the glue dry completely
Step 6: Cut All Pieces
Take a coping saw and a fine teeth blade... I used a fine jewellery saw and blade... And i will recommend that one... If you have a scroll saw.. Then use that instead...
Firstly take the big sheet and cut it into kore manageable pieces.... Then using the same method.. Carefully cut out the individual pieces as neatly as possible...
In this step.. Pls be very much careful...with your saw... One wrong stroke is enough to cut your finger in pieces...
Step 7: Cutting the Acrylic Back Plate...
Place the continents in their corresponding places on the acrylic sheet and make an rough outline of them...
I used slightly smaller piece for my project because I wanted to use the acrylic sheet just for supporting the pieces and not to cover everything with a back plate...
Then simply cut the pieces with the saw...
Sand the edges with files and sand papers for more clean look... 819