How to Make a Light From a Desktop Scanner

Recycling and using old computer parts is a great way to help the environment and save money. Make a lamp from a desktop scanner and its supplies. The lights inside desktop scanners are extremely bright making them ideal for a small portable light.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Screwdriver
• Two 3-inch square plastic craft boxes
• Drill with 1/2- and 1/8-inch bit
• Hot glue gun with glue
• Soldering iron
• Toggle switch
• Desktop scanner
• 1/2-inch vinyl tube cut 1-1/2 feet long

1. Disassemble the desktop scanner. Use the screw driver to remove the case and components inside. Set the light, power inverter and power cord to the side. To can discard the other parts or save them for another project.
2. Drill 1 1/2-inch hole in the end of both craft boxes. In one box drill 2 1/8-inch holes for the adapter wires power cord and switch.
3. Glue the power inverter into the bottom of the craft box. Slide the switch wires through one of the 1/8-inch holes and attach the wires to the power inverter with a soldering gun. Match the colored wires to each other.
4. Feed the power cord through the other 1/8-inch hole and plug the cord into the inverter. The inverter has a port to plug the cord into.
5. Set the light inside the box and run it's cord through the 1/2-inch hole in the box. Attach the light to the inverter. The inverter has a plastic port that the end of the light slides into.
6. Cover the light with the plastic tube and slide the tube 1/4-inch into the box. Glue the tube to the box and place the cover on the box
7. Slide the other end of the tube through the 1/2-inch hole in the other box and glue it in place. This box holds the end of the tube so the light can lay flat. It also keeps debris from getting on the light.
8. Secure the cover on the box and turn the light on.