MX5 Light Up Teeth

thingiverse

Inspired by Mr Einarsson's (thingiverse: g3ml1ngz) 3D printed teeth, I have designed my own but with a twist... they light up! Parts Required: -white filament -black filament -strip of LEDs, approx 35cm required for each tooth (70cm ish total) -and choice of wiring (see notes below) -2x M8 hex head bolts (length between 25 and 35mm, across hex flats 13mm) -2x M8 nuts -2x large M8 penny washers (OD approx 25mm) -red paint (I used acrylic) Tool Required: -hot glue gun + glue -soldering iron + solder -small paint brush Assembly Instructions: -print tooth in white -print base in black (I printed in white and painted the outside back as currently don't have any black filament). -paint the inside surface of the tooth (near the tip) with red paint to symbolise blood. -glue the LED strip to the inner edge of the base. some LED strips come with double sided sticky tape which helps. -pass wires through the hole and solder to the LED strip -test the lights work before continuing. -glue round the cable near the hole to protect the wire from snagging. -glue the hex bolt in place. wind down the washer and nut to hold it in place while the glue dries. -glue on the tooth. -on the car, remove two of the plastic clips that hold the bumper to the car. (I have included a picture of what they look like) mine where so old, they just crumbled when I tried to remove them. -insert the threaded end of the bolt into the hole in the bumper. -slide over the washer and then wind down the nut, this can be a bit fiddly. -then connect up the wires however you see fit (see my notes below) Wiring notes: I originally planned to wire the teeth up to my side lights or to a separate switch on the dash. However, I decided it would be easier in the short term to wire the LEDs to USB and plug them into a power bank (similar thing you would use to change a mobile phone). Soooo wire each LED strip to a male USB. Then use a USB splitter to connect both teeth to a common USB, which then plugs into the Power Bank. You could alternatively run a very long USB cable from the front of the car to the cockpit and plug into cigarette lighter or radio (if they have USB options). On writing up this design, I discovered some LEDS strips come preconnected to a USB plug. In this case you could just disconnect the USB from the LEDS, pass the wires through the hole and reconnect the plug. This project is currently WIP as I plan on: -Making them a bit smaller to better suit the NA bumper opening -Make a smaller version to better suit the NB bumper opening -Improve the wiring situation, maybe permanently wire into my side lights. -Maybe make them less bright (currently brighter than my 27 year old side lights) I just printed everything in PLA as its October so not likely to melt and don't plan on driving round with these installed. Apologies I didn't take many pictures during the build process. If enough people request it, I may make a more comprehensive pdf instruction book. The supplied STL models are for the right hand side, you will have to mirror them for the left hand side. These teeth will only fit the wider mouth of the NA. You will have to scale / make smaller to fit an NB. Not sure about the NC. Also, check with your local country laws on whether it is legal to drive with these on the front of your car (from what I could find, these without the red tips would be OK on UK roads).