Best way to display marquees?

Sulaco99

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I've got some video game marquees I'd like to backlight and put on display. I was hunting around for some light boxes, but there appeared to be none in the right size. I figured it'd be easy enough to make my own out of a wooden, MDF or melamine box, but I couldn't find any of them in the right size either.

I guess I can assemble my own boxes, but there's got to be an easier way. Any ideas? I'd even consider using cardboard if there was a way I could do it so it wouldn't look cheap.
 
Cut the heads off of classic cabs?

I have considered using marquees as lenses over a corner mounted flourescent light. Of course, this'll be more work than the optioins you already listed...
 
Cut the heads off of classic cabs?

I have considered using marquees as lenses over a corner mounted flourescent light. Of course, this'll be more work than the optioins you already listed...

I used mine as crown molding with ropelight behind:

paint5.JPG
 
I used mine as crown molding with ropelight behind:

paint5.JPG


That is very similar to what I am talking about. I have rope light bordering the gameroom now. I got the idea from the place we had my kids sweet sixteen party. It is a reproduction of a 50's diner. The clencher for me were the three pins, three vids, and couple of EM's the guy had in the back room.

http://www.geocities.com/s.aandy/mygirl021109.html

His lighting can be seen on this page if you look very closely. He built it himself using floursecent light tubes behind colored plexi.
 
The best marquee set up I have seen to date was the guy who had a bunch on a small wall at the bottom of his bar. Can't remember who it was from here though..:confused:
 
What did you use to secure the marquees into place?

When I bought the house the room previously had a drop ceiling and I left the edge of the track where it was, then just attached the tops using screws next to the marquee tops so the head of the screw held the marquee up.
With the black ceiling and dark room you can't really tell how it's done, though if you have a lit room you'd want to find a better way of securing the tops :)

paint1.JPG
 
Here is a product I used for adding control panel lights to a cocktail cab that didn't have the cut out for the lights. http://www.ceelite.com/ It is basicly a sheet of paper you can cut to size that lights up. It gives perfect, even illumination and with a marquee you could simply cut a custom sized frame for the art than add the light cut to the same size. The panels themselves were not very expensive (can't say I remember how much though) but you do need their custom power supply which runs a three line power cord and can run multiple panels. I'm sure if you were doing a larger number of panels it would be cost prohibitive, but for a smaller grouping I would create a very professional look.
 
Here is a product I used for adding control panel lights to a cocktail cab that didn't have the cut out for the lights. http://www.ceelite.com/ It is basicly a sheet of paper you can cut to size that lights up. It gives perfect, even illumination and with a marquee you could simply cut a custom sized frame for the art than add the light cut to the same size. The panels themselves were not very expensive (can't say I remember how much though) but you do need their custom power supply which runs a three line power cord and can run multiple panels. I'm sure if you were doing a larger number of panels it would be cost prohibitive, but for a smaller grouping I would create a very professional look.


Would they work for movie posters? How do you buy them? Email? Is there a price list?
 
I've got some video game marquees I'd like to backlight and put on display. I was hunting around for some light boxes, but there appeared to be none in the right size. I figured it'd be easy enough to make my own out of a wooden, MDF or melamine box, but I couldn't find any of them in the right size either.

I guess I can assemble my own boxes, but there's got to be an easier way. Any ideas? I'd even consider using cardboard if there was a way I could do it so it wouldn't look cheap.

I've found that the very best way to display them is on the top, front of a videogame, with a light behind them. Hands down.

Wade
 
Would they work for movie posters? How do you buy them? Email? Is there a price list?

Take a look at the distributor list on their web site. I believe I ordered from their distributor Evo-lite. There is a product list but no prices, as there is no direct to the public retailer; they are geared more to specific industries. I just called and explained my needs to the sales guy listed on the site who was very helpful; he answered all my questions, figured out what I needed and then took care of my order.

The results really are fantastic!
 
Take a look at the distributor list on their web site. I believe I ordered from their distributor Evo-lite. There is a product list but no prices, as there is no direct to the public retailer; they are geared more to specific industries. I just called and explained my needs to the sales guy listed on the site who was very helpful; he answered all my questions, figured out what I needed and then took care of my order.

The results really are fantastic!

How about a ballpark price? I mean, if it was like $5/marquee it's a no brainer, but $20/marquee and it gets expensive...fast!
 
How about a ballpark price? I mean, if it was like $5/marquee it's a no brainer, but $20/marquee and it gets expensive...fast!

As I recall my first order was for two 11x17 light sheets, the transformer, extension wire and a Y split for the cords. This order was around $100 I think, but the bulk of that was the power supply. As it turns out the extension and Y split I really didn't need as some 3 pin molex terminals and wire can do the trick. You do need their transformer though. I'm guessing after that is out of the way you are looking at $20ish per marquee. Like I said before this is not for a big number but it will give you a very professional look. It's a light box with no box.
 
As I recall my first order was for two 11x17 light sheets, the transformer, extension wire and a Y split for the cords. This order was around $100 I think, but the bulk of that was the power supply. As it turns out the extension and Y split I really didn't need as some 3 pin molex terminals and wire can do the trick. You do need their transformer though. I'm guessing after that is out of the way you are looking at $20ish per marquee. Like I said before this is not for a big number but it will give you a very professional look. It's a light box with no box.

I am doing 3 sheets 26" x 40" Do I need more than one transformer?
 
I am doing 3 sheets 26" x 40" Do I need more than one transformer?

As I recall transformer use is based on area lit. For example if you want to light two 1x1 panels you would need a transformer that can handle a 1x2 panel. Just figure out what you will need and give them a call, like I said they were very helpfull and made sure I got exactly what I needed.
 
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