LED Light In Ring Box?

[kmmcrafts]

I've been making a few ring boxes just playing around and I run across these boxes doing some research. Any idea on where they get the light and parts to make this work. I've done some searching on YouTube and found a person that put a battery tea light into the box to sort of create this but then you'd have to turn on or off the light via tea light switch and seems like you'd have to make a big bulky box to hide the tea light. I suppose you could remove the light from the tea light candle and use the circuit board / battery etc. but still would be stuck with the on/off switch.

I'm thinking the people on etsy selling these is buying them and just doing the engraving. I wouldn't mind even finding the blanks if anyone knows anything of that. The video's I've seen make it appear to have the light come on when opened but it may just be already on like would need if using a tea light. Mostly just thought it was a neat idea and mostly just curious on how they work without having to buy one to take apart, LOL  

[rjweb]

Kevin, I bought my wife a necklace that came in a fancy box and when you would open it the light comes on, close it light out, i really cant see how it was done and i know my wife would't let me take it apart. I purchaesd it on youtube durning the holidays, RJ

[Scrappile]

Might check youtube.   looked like there was some info in circuitry with mini-led lights.  Would, I think, hollow out the lid some fit battery, mini switch and light in than cover it over with felt or venneer.  That would be my guess.

[kmmcrafts]

I found where to buy these for $1.98 each if I buy 1000 of them.. I should be able to figure out how they work without breaking all 1000 of them by taking them apart.. I've always been a master at making things never work again after taking them apart to see how they work, .. If I don't have it all figured out after 1000 pieces then I give up..

I knew these must be mass produced for these Etsy sellers to be selling them for $20 plain box or $30 with engraving. I don't think I could make them without all the fancy lighting for that low of price even mass producing them with my CNC. 

[Wichman]

10 minutes ago, kmmcrafts said:

I found where to buy these for $1.98 each if I buy 1000 of them.. I should be able to figure out how they work without breaking all 1000 of them by taking them apart.. I've always been a master at making things never work again after taking them apart to see how they work, .. If I don't have it all figured out after 1000 pieces then I give up..

I knew these must be mass produced for these Etsy sellers to be selling them for $20 plain box or $30 with engraving. I don't think I could make them without all the fancy lighting for that low of price even mass producing them with my CNC. 

$15.00/hr = $.25 a minute. You'd have to be able to crank these out in 8 minutes each to reach that very low wage. Unless you could find a very serious "hook" (fancy box or highly figured wood), I'd just look for a supplier who can sell in much lower quantities.

[kmmcrafts]

1 hour ago, Wichman said:

$15.00/hr = $.25 a minute. You'd have to be able to crank these out in 8 minutes each to reach that very low wage. Unless you could find a very serious "hook" (fancy box or highly figured wood), I'd just look for a supplier who can sell in much lower quantities.

 

The CNC could make these close to that 8 minutes as far as run time to make it.. way more time in prepping the wood and the machine to run it plus, sanding, assembling, and finishing time.. which if I was mass producing them I could be doing all the hands on stuff while the machine was running the second batch etc. But yeah, I try to charge $1 a minute for CNC or laser run time + materials etc.. just doesn't add up to be worth it in many cases. 

Yeah, I can get them on temu for around $5.00 each. and have seen some other sources in quantities of 25pcs and up to 1000, lol. 

I think they're neat little boxes but I don't think I'll mess with them.. I never did find the heart shaped ones like in the photo I posted though. All I found was standard square styles. I've been toying with selling wedding themed things because the small amount I do offer is really good sellers but, I don't have many ideas or options for other things.. not a lot of varieties of things and I keep searching for things that may spark my creative side.. A lot of what I do find is stuff like this box.. mass produced and just personalized with laser engraving etc. and I'm more looking for things I can make rather than buy and modify as I like the more hands on as a maker.

[JTTHECLOCKMAN]

1 hour ago, kmmcrafts said:

 

The CNC could make these close to that 8 minutes as far as run time to make it.. way more time in prepping the wood and the machine to run it plus, sanding, assembling, and finishing time.. which if I was mass producing them I could be doing all the hands on stuff while the machine was running the second batch etc. But yeah, I try to charge $1 a minute for CNC or laser run time + materials etc.. just doesn't add up to be worth it in many cases. 

Yeah, I can get them on temu for around $5.00 each. and have seen some other sources in quantities of 25pcs and up to 1000, lol. 

I think they're neat little boxes but I don't think I'll mess with them.. I never did find the heart shaped ones like in the photo I posted though. All I found was standard square styles. I've been toying with selling wedding themed things because the small amount I do offer is really good sellers but, I don't have many ideas or options for other things.. not a lot of varieties of things and I keep searching for things that may spark my creative side.. A lot of what I do find is stuff like this box.. mass produced and just personalized with laser engraving etc. and I'm more looking for things I can make rather than buy and modify as I like the more hands on as a maker.

I have a bunch of those boxes that I bought from one of those cheap sites. Can not remember right now. I have many different shapes. The reason I bought them was to use as ideas for my box making adventure I was suppose to start this past winter. ( will be making many many different type boxes for all occassions and I have been watching a woodworker on FB who makes fancy small little trinket boxes like this that got me excited about the prospect.)  I sort of got sidelined when I went into reorganizing mode and man did I ever. It took me through the winter and seemed like every day I would find something new to either hang or make shelve for or something like that. I am just now putting the finishing touches on things. In fact just yesterday I decided to put a shelf under each of my RBI scrollsaws. That is actually alot of wasted space. I use to store things on the floor under them but this way it looks neater. So now I will store all my woodworking jigs I make and or buy. keep them all in one place. Out of the way and off the floor so I do not have to bend down so far to pick up. You think of things like that when you get old (LOL) If you are a woodworker of any kind you know jigs are a part of life. Sometimes I have more fun making them than the project but you find ways to make certain cuts or gluing parts easier and a need for them. There are alot of jigs that you can purchase but I like making many of my own. 

Getting back to the boxes, mine do not have the light but I like that idea. Where did you get them.?? I would like to incorporate that too. The boxes I have were dirt cheap and like you said probably about $5 bucks each. Have to say they are really well done. Come with felt linnings. If you want a ring box it comes with that type of felt to hold ring as shown in your example. yes the lid cutouts are plastic acrylic but look great. I could have gotten with sayings burned into them or you could order custom ones.  These had to be cut on a CNC. Way too perfect. The tiny barrel hinges were not easy to find and the small magnets but they are out there. I believe got mine from Amazon. 

[JTTHECLOCKMAN]

I just did a quick search and you can get those boxes in all shapes just about anywhere. Saw them on Amazon, Etsy, Ebay Walmart. Alibaba you can get for $1 and even cheaper in bulk. I have to get a few to reverse engineer it. 

[kmmcrafts]

I haven't purchased any yet and not sure I will. I found them on Temu and  Alibaba.. But I never found any in the heart shape. Lots of them on Etsy but they're people selling as a wedding ring box and offer to be engraved.. also not cheap at $20 per box for a plain box, though I did not search much on etsy so maybe there is someone there selling them at a wholesale price. 

Over the winter I found the barrel hinges and magnets on eBay in bulk so I ordered 250 magnets for $12 and the 50 hinges were $15.. now I'm not sure I'll make any boxes, LOL..  I might make some since I have a few already made to see if they'll sell. I really like the lighted one and may have to order a small amount to engrave on just to see if there is any value in doing so. 

My daughters wedding last summer got me into making some wedding stuff and the venue where she had her wedding wanted my info to give out to other clients of theirs after they seen the things I made for the wedding. They really liked my wine barrel card box.   I have a few other card boxes in the works now. Also making wine bottle wedding gift boxes to see what those might do for selling. 

Edited April 10 by kmmcrafts

[CharleyL]

Not exactly what you are looking for, but here is a Youtube link for adding an LED light to a ring box. His switch is rather crude though. There are better ways, a magnetically activated reed switch is one of them.

I have been searching for a kit to do this, but haven't found one for sale yet.

LED lights of this size generally require about 20 milliamps (0.020 amps) to operate, and they will only light when connected properly. If connected backwards, they will not light. The circuit layout is a loop as he shows. Some LEDs require less and some considerably more power, but with higher power requirements, the LED is going to be much bigger than what he is using. A resistor has to be selected of the correct value to limit this ampere flow depending on the voltage of the power source (battery) chosen and the voltage drop across the LED that is chosen (forward voltage drop). The LED Specifications will give you the needed information. Ohm's Law is used to determine the resistor value required based on the LED parameters and the voltage of the battery that is chosen. One of those coin shaped batteries in the 7 - 12 volt range should work well. 

Unfortunately, the resistor value needed cannot be chosen, until you pick the battery and the LED that is suitable for your need. Radio Shack used to be a good source for small quantities of these parts, but now you will need to go online and order them from an electronics supply house. Newark and Allied are the biggest in the USA, or from an Electronics (not electrical) Supply near you. Electrical Supply stores sell electricians house and industrial wiring and supplies. Electronics Supply Shops sell electronic parts - there is a big difference. These are "Electronic Parts". Mouser is another that I once bought from. Automation Direct in the Atlanta, GA area would probably have what you need too. I'll try to add a few more sources when I can remember them right now (old age setting in).

Charley 

[CharleyL]

Jameco is a good source of these parts and one of the names that weren't coming to me. They sell a lot of import parts as well as USA made, so for a project like this the cheapest source will likely work fine for the parts that you will need.

A tip about the LED - If the LED is designed for a rated voltage, the resistor needed for it to work at that voltage is already part of it, so an additional resistor won't be needed, but the battery must be chosen to supply that LED voltage. Again, the LED will only work when connected the correct way. It will not work if installed backwards. It's a Diode, so only passes electrical current in one direction. If it doesn't work, just swap the connections.

Charley 

[JTTHECLOCKMAN]

I ordered a box from Amazon for $6 and actually is a nice box for a ring. I will look it over and reverse engineer it. These use small watch batteries. They from what I understand work on either a photo eye of sorts or a magnetic switch. But I also hear or read the led is not very bright. That is why you see all the photos with dark backgrounds. I am sure the photos are AI too. Supposibly the life time of battery is about 12 hours continuous use. Can not be replaced. I am sure there are ways around this. Could always use 2 lights if a larger box. Could be a nice addition. 

Kevin, you said you ordered the lights. Where did you get them? I want to play with some myself. Yes a LED is a light emitting diode so polarity is important. 

To take it another step. Many many years ago when fiber optic wire first came out, I worked in a plant that produced it and was able to get some to play around with. I thought back then that was the coolest thing invented. Now look what it can do. But I use to make models of all kinds and made a bunch of Ertel semi truck models. This was back when CB's first hit the market and all truckers were using them. Heck I even built my own power mike for my CB with parts from Radio Shack. But the  fiber strands I was able to custom make my truck models with working headlights and tail lights and even lights on the dash. Lit the running lights and put lights in the sleeper part of the cab. I hid a 9V battery and light source under the bed with a small switch in the sleeper cab. It turned out pretty cool.  Brings back memories. 

[CharleyL]

I would put a false bottom in the box and hide the battery under it. Possibly one of those flat watch batteries, like a CR2025 or smaller. I haven't looked, but by now they likely have holders for them so the battery can be replaced easily. A very small micro switch with a spring wire lever could be placed under this false bottom too, and a slot for the spring wire actuator could allow it to reach through this hole and sense the box lid to detect when it was open, and turn on the LED mounted in the lid. If you make the false bottom so it can be lifted, but held in place by close fit friction, you have a way to replace the battery when needed. For a 20 milliamp load, the wires can be very tiny, but need to be flexible at the box hinge, so need to be stranded. 

The latest LED designs are very bright, and the ones with a rounded head have a lens built into them to concentrate the light upward through this lens, perfect for the light in the lid use. The old filament bulbs radiated the light out through the sides. These tiny LEDs radiate most of the light out through the rounded top end.

Charley 

[kmmcrafts]

52 minutes ago, JTTHECLOCKMAN said:

I ordered a box from Amazon for $6 and actually is a nice box for a ring. I will look it over and reverse engineer it. These use small watch batteries. They from what I understand work on either a photo eye of sorts or a magnetic switch. But I also hear or read the led is not very bright. That is why you see all the photos with dark backgrounds. I am sure the photos are AI too. Supposibly the life time of battery is about 12 hours continuous use. Can not be replaced. I am sure there are ways around this. Could always use 2 lights if a larger box. Could be a nice addition. 

Kevin, you said you ordered the lights. Where did you get them? I want to play with some myself. Yes a LED is a light emitting diode so polarity is important. 

To take it another step. Many many years ago when fiber optic wire first came out, I worked in a plant that produced it and was able to get some to play around with. I thought back then that was the coolest thing invented. Now look what it can do. But I use to make models of all kinds and made a bunch of Ertel semi truck models. This was back when CB's first hit the market and all truckers were using them. Heck I even built my own power mike for my CB with parts from Radio Shack. But the  fiber strands I was able to custom make my truck models with working headlights and tail lights and even lights on the dash. Lit the running lights and put lights in the sleeper part of the cab. I hid a 9V battery and light source under the bed with a small switch in the sleeper cab. It turned out pretty cool.  Brings back memories. 

No I didn't order any lights.. I ordered barrel hinges and magnets..

For a different project I did order some LED strip lights that you cut to whatever length you need or add sections together. I don't think these would be a good option since you only need one bulb for the box though.

I did watch a YouTube where the person used a tea light candle for the ring box they were making. Looked pretty neat but I feel like it's be hard to hide a tea light within the box.. but those can be purchased in bulk on Amazon or many places for $0.50 ish each. I ordered a bunch for some of the table decorations for my daughters wedding and they were on for a good 8 hours or so then sat out in the cold shed all winter. Lost power a week ago and dug out some of those tea light and to my surprise they worked for another 4 hours or so, LOL. That's an idea for a light source for a box. I took one apart and the inside was just a circuit board with the switch on one side and the light on the other side. This might be more doable.. but it would need to be turned on / off somehow.  

[JTTHECLOCKMAN]

1 hour ago, kmmcrafts said:

No I didn't order any lights.. I ordered barrel hinges and magnets..

For a different project I did order some LED strip lights that you cut to whatever length you need or add sections together. I don't think these would be a good option since you only need one bulb for the box though.

I did watch a YouTube where the person used a tea light candle for the ring box they were making. Looked pretty neat but I feel like it's be hard to hide a tea light within the box.. but those can be purchased in bulk on Amazon or many places for $0.50 ish each. I ordered a bunch for some of the table decorations for my daughters wedding and they were on for a good 8 hours or so then sat out in the cold shed all winter. Lost power a week ago and dug out some of those tea light and to my surprise they worked for another 4 hours or so, LOL. That's an idea for a light source for a box. I took one apart and the inside was just a circuit board with the switch on one side and the light on the other side. This might be more doable.. but it would need to be turned on / off somehow.  

OK I misread your post. Yes those hinges I bought off Amazon along with the mgnets. That was easy as it turned out. These LED lights used in these boxes look like the light bulbs they use if these LED flashlights. As I said I will take one apart and see what it is all about. Being an electrician I have some knowledge that I am sure I can incorporate. I did not even know they made these boxes untill you posted. Like I said I bought a bunch of the plain ones and the woods used and fit and finish is really good for China made and that is where they are from. Have to take those little stickers off if you buy them and use them. I make pens as you know and have a lighthouse pen that has a led light in the cap that is made to look like the beacon signal lamp. It can change colors and all. Now that wiring system is small as well as the batteries used. So today they can make anything. 

Edited April 11 by JTTHECLOCKMAN

[JTTHECLOCKMAN]

2 hours ago, CharleyL said:

I would put a false bottom in the box and hide the battery under it. Possibly one of those flat watch batteries, like a CR2025 or smaller. I haven't looked, but by now they likely have holders for them so the battery can be replaced easily. A very small micro switch with a spring wire lever could be placed under this false bottom too, and a slot for the spring wire actuator could allow it to reach through this hole and sense the box lid to detect when it was open, and turn on the LED mounted in the lid. If you make the false bottom so it can be lifted, but held in place by close fit friction, you have a way to replace the battery when needed. For a 20 milliamp load, the wires can be very tiny, but need to be flexible at the box hinge, so need to be stranded. 

The latest LED designs are very bright, and the ones with a rounded head have a lens built into them to concentrate the light upward through this lens, perfect for the light in the lid use. The old filament bulbs radiated the light out through the sides. These tiny LEDs radiate most of the light out through the rounded top end.

Charley 

Charley I was going by the reviews on see on Amazon and other sites when I mentioned the light output. Just like my story about the fiber optic cable the more you round over the end of the fiber the more light it puts out and that is how they amplify the signals too. I use to just melt the end with a match to round it over. It was amazing how much more light you got. But if wanted a pin spot then do not melt. I do miss Radio Shack. 

[JTTHECLOCKMAN]

Just an update. I got the box I ordered from Amazon today $6. have to say I was very surprised to see the light is actually very very bright. You can look them up. It is the red burgandy acrylic octagonal ring box with a gold trim ring around it. Again have to say very well done and looks beautiful.  Inside is a beautiful white soft felt linning and soft pillow for the ring. Nice size. The light workings is in the lid. I can feel the flat battery when pressed on the felt. It will take some cutting to get to the works because felt is glued into place. There is no way to change the battery when it dies. It does come on when lid is opened so it has to be a reed switch of some kind. It is not photo sensitive. When I do get it cut open I will take a photo. The paint on outside has a velvet feel to it. Love to know what that paint is. Not one China sticker I believe these are American made.  The box it came in is a matching red paper box. probably the cheapest looking part of the whole thing. I am going to have to investigate that paint. It is not an expensive box but not a bad looking one either. 

Have to thank Kevin for my extra work load and to add to my To Do List, as if I don't have enough on it. 

Edited April 13 by JTTHECLOCKMAN

[kmmcrafts]

Sorry JT for sending you down that rabbit hole. 

I may have to order a few of these just to do some laser engraving test on them.. Can't make them myself for that kind of money and what a nice box it could be with some personalization added to it. 

I've done this with some of those charcuterie boards.. they were on sale on Hobby Lobby website last year for $4.99 and they laser engrave beautifully.. I do think those were $10 each normally but, they're not too bad of a board just to use as like a serving board etc.. The wood feels a bit soft in my opinion for using as a cutting board but I just buy them to engrave and sell the upcharge for personalizing them.

Edited April 13 by kmmcrafts