New here. Is there an LED strip that bends well?

[apalacpac]

I want to make a mask like this, but wondering if the LED strips will bend at the corners well enough?

[oesterle]

Hi, apalacpac!

While you might get a strip to bend like that, it's not a good idea, and can eventually be a point of failure.

I would cut the strip near the bend, and use three short strands of silicone wire to connect each piece of strip to the next.

I love working with the Silicone Cover Stranded-Core Wire - 2m 26AWG Black. (It's also available in various colors, lengths, and gauges.) A similar technique is used in the Gemma Firewalker Lite Sneakers tutorial.

The Adafruit NeoPixel Überguide section on NeoPixel strips has more good info.

While it can be a little tricky at first to cut up and connect cut strips, I encourage you to try it out, and be persistent. I buy more strip than I need, so in case part of project doesn't light up, I can quickly replace it.

Cheers,

Eric

[apalacpac]

Thanks oesterle!

Which LED strips do you think those are? 60 LEDS Per meter?

[Franklin97355]

That looks about right.

[oesterle]

60 LED/m is about 1.5 LEDs per inch, or about 17mm (0.66 inch) apart, center-to-center.
144 LED/m is about 3.7 LEDs per inch, or 7mm (0.27 inch) apart, center to center.

To get a good idea of the density, before you buy, try punching holes in black paper along a line, in either density. Place a smartphone with a bright colorful gradient behind the perforations.

These look denser than 60/m to me. However, the 60/m are much easier to cut and solder, and are a good choice if this is your first time working with strips.

I'd suggest building in steps, testing as you cut/solder each segment. That way, you can resolder or replace a finicky segment before the next step: reinforcing the solder joints with hot glue. You'll value making the joints durable, as everyone will want to try on this mask and get a picture, and you'll find yourself reusing the mask at future events.

It would be exciting to see pictures here of your progress!

Happy making!


Cheers,

Eric