This video includes free software to create a massive variety of custom caps for your Christmas lights. It uses the extremely clever OpenSCAD software with a custom script that allows you to adjust several variables that allow you to make custom shaped lights with a base designed specifically to fit your choice of lights.
The script included down below has a starter shape designed to fit onto standard heat shrink style 5mm LED strings. You can then experiment further with it.
To create your custom lights, download the free OpenSCAD software from the official site:-
https://www.openscad.org/
At the bottom of this description you'll find a script (a block of text) which you can copy and paste into the text window of OpenSCAD and then experiment with.
After saving the generated STL file it can be sliced (converted into 3D printing layers) by a program like Cura:-
https://ultimaker.com/software/ultimaker-cura
And then 3D printed in clear or coloured PLA.
Clear PLA creates a nice lensing effect, while white PLA creates a universal diffused cover that will show a soft even colour with diffused LEDs or a patterned effect with clear LEDs.
Using suitably coloured PLA filament allows you to create very retro Christmas lights that are best illuminated with a matching LED colour, but can also provide pleasing pastel shades when used with white LEDs.
I only recommend the use of these caps with LEDs, as using them over tungsten lamps will trap heat and could result in the plastic melting or burning.
The script for making these lights is at the bottom of this description.
If you enjoy these videos you can help support the channel with a dollar for coffee, cookies and random gadgets for disassembly at:-
http://www.bigclive.com/coffee.htm
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The script is below. Copy and paste the whole thing to OpenSCAD.
//Globe fairy light cap generator - bigclivedotcom
//Generates an LED cap based on a top and bottom
//diameter with flat sides.
//Suggested default values are in brackets.
//ADJUST THESE VARIABLES FOR GLOBE SHAPE AND SIZE
top=6; //Diameter of globe at top (6)
bottom=20; //Diameter of globe at base (20)
height=40; //length of lamp (40)
facets=12; //Number of facets around lamp (12 at first)
//More facets equals MUCH longer processing time!
//ADJUST THESE VARIABLES FOR BASE DIMENSIONS
baselen=4; //Length of base outside globe (4)
inside=5.5; //Internal diameter of base (5.5)
led=5; //LED HOLE diameter (5)
//Don't touch variables below this line
$fn=facets;
toprad=top/2;
botrad=bottom/2;
outside=inside+2;
base=baselen+5;
difference(){
union(){
difference(){
union(){
//Outside shell of globe
hull() {
//base of globe
sphere(r=botrad);
//top of globe
translate([0,0,height-toprad-botrad])
sphere(r=toprad);
}
}
//Inside hollow of globe
hull() {
//base of globe
sphere(r=botrad-1);
//top of globe
translate([0,0,height-toprad-botrad])
sphere(r=toprad-1);
}
}
//LED base cylinder
translate([0,0,0-botrad-(base-5)])
cylinder(h=base,d1=outside,d2=outside,$fn=100);
//LED base dome
translate([0,0,0-botrad+5])
cylinder(h=(outside-led)/2,d1=outside,d2=led+1,$fn=100);
}
//LED base interior
translate([0,0,0-botrad-(base-5)-.01])
cylinder(h=base+.02,d1=inside,d2=inside,$fn=100);
//LED dome interior
translate([0,0,0-botrad+5])
cylinder(h=(outside-led)/2-1,d1=inside,d2=led,$fn=100);
//LED hole
translate([0,0,0-botrad+5])
cylinder(h=10,d1=led,d2=led,$fn=100);
//x-ray cube
//translate([-50,-50,-40])
//cube([100,50,100]);
}