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LED all the things! Paper Tardis Edition

Finished LED paper Tardis.

Following up on my recent post LED All The Things! you can make this cool LED Tardis with conductive tape.  Its super fun and only took about 20 minutes.

I received my materials from Brown Dog Gadgets.  FYI I work for them part time, you can also find conductive tape from Makershed and Sparkfun.

Here is the paper Tardis file I used.  There are more Dr. Who papercrafts.

Allons-y!

Print the Tardis image onto the blue construction paper.

Print the Tardis image onto the blue construction paper.

Cut out the Police box and top piece. The only change I made was adding a large battery flap to the bottom of the Tardis on the lower right.

Cut out the Police box and top piece. The only change I made was adding a large battery flap to the bottom of the Tardis on the lower right.

Cut a hole in the top of the Tardis for the LED legs and a slit in the top cover to slip the LED legs through.
Cut a hole in the top of the Tardis for the LED legs and a slit in the top cover to slip the LED legs through.
Insert the tabs on the top of the Tardis through the top of the box.
Insert the tabs on the top of the Tardis through the top of the box.
You will also need a large blue LED, 2032 battery, scotch tape, paperclip, and copper conductive tape.
You will also need a large blue LED, 2032 battery, scotch tape, paperclip, and copper conductive tape.

Insert the legs of the LED through the slit at the top.

Insert the legs of the LED through the slit at the top.

Bend the LED legs away from each other and flat with the paper.
Bend the LED legs away from each other and flat with the paper.
Run a strip of conductive copper tape under the LED leg, along the left side, onto the front and around onto the battery tab. (next pic will show the other side.)
Run a strip of conductive copper tape under the LED leg, along the left side, onto the front and around onto the battery tab. (next pic will show the other side.)
Copper tape run onto the back side of the battery tab. Do not break it at the corners, instead fold it. You want a continuous piece.
Copper tape run onto the back side of the battery tab. Do not break it at the corners, instead fold it. You want a continuous piece.
Run a second continuous strip of copper tape under the LED leg and down the right side as shown.
Run a second continuous strip of copper tape under the LED leg and down the right side as shown.
Cover the end of the LED legs with a half inch piece of conductive tape, creating a copper sandwich.
Cover the end of the LED legs with a half inch piece of conductive tape, creating a copper sandwich.
Insert the small tabs on the top through the slits on the main body tabs.
Insert the small tabs on the top through the slits on the main body tabs.
Tape or glue the tabs down.
Tape or glue the tabs down.
Place your 2032 battery on the bottom of the Tardis and fold the battery tab over the top. Your LED should light when the two pieces of copper touch it. If not flip the battery over and try again.
Place your 2032 battery on the bottom of the Tardis and fold the battery tab over the top. Your LED should light when the two pieces of copper touch it. If not flip the battery over and try again.
Secure the battery by sliding the paperclip over the paper.
Secure the battery by sliding the paperclip over the paper.
Insert small tabs into slits in big tabs on the bottom.
Insert small tabs into slits in big tabs on the bottom.
Bottom of your Tardis, all you can see is the paperclip and some copper tape. The battery is inside.
Bottom of your Tardis, all you can see is the paperclip and some copper tape. The battery is inside.
Top of your Tardis with the blue LED lit.
Top of your Tardis with the blue LED lit.
Finished LED paper Tardis.
Finished LED paper Tardis.
Finished LED paper Tardis.
Finished LED paper Tardis.

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