This page is part of my Premium Base series of articles.

In the twelfth stage of the Premium Base assembly, we finish assembling the Base Segments and lighting.

This stage will be identical to the previous two stages, just moving to the next section of the base.

Parts

Materials: All of the non-electrical parts in this issue are plastic.

Build

Mark III Premium Base (12)

Stage 1 – Placing the LED Strips

Step 1

Peel the backing paper from one side of a Double-Sided Adhesive Tape:

Step 2

Press the exposed adhesive side of this Double-Sided Adhesive Tape into the center of this groove of a Base Segment:

Step 3

Remove the second backing paper from the Double-Sided Adhesive Tape, leaving the adhesive strip behind:

Step 4

Carefully place the smooth side of an LED Strip onto this Adhesive Tape with the wiring heading towards the right, as shown. When happy with the alignment, firmly press the LED Strip into place:

Repeat these steps to install the second LED Strip into the other Base Segment:

Stage 2 – Assembly of the Base Segments

Step 1

Retrieve your Premium Base assembly. As before, fit the two Base End Caps to the seams between two Outer Frames, then secure them to the Base with two (2) JM screws in each:

There are tabs along the sides of these End Caps that fit into the thick groove along the Outer Frames. This is also your friendly reminder to try using 3-in-One Oil on all screws going into metal:

Step 2

Turn your Premium Base assembly over, lay the two Base Segments on top, and connect the plugs of each LED Strip to sockets ‘C’ and ‘D’ of the Printed Circuit Board, as shown:

Step 3

Fit these two Base Segments (with the LED Strip facing down) into the last two openings, as shown.

The left-side ledge of the last Base Segment will need to slide under the edge of the neighboring segment. Also, be careful not to trap or pinch any of the LED Strip wiring while installing these Segments.

Secure the inner edges of the both Base Segments to the Base Cover with four (4) IM screws, as shown:

Step 3

Secure the outer edges of these last Base Segments to the Base End Caps with three (3) LP screws:

Stage 3 – Placing the Batteries and Turning on the LED Lights

Step 1

Install four (4) AAA batteries into the Battery Box, paying attention to the correct polarity. Then, press the power button disguised as a decorative screw (arrow below) and verify all LEDs illuminate:

With my studio lights turned off, this base puts off a nice upward facing glow:

Thoughts

This stage completes the main construction of our Premium Base. In the two remaining stages, we will assembly a ball-bearing turntable that will allow us to easily rotate the base around.

Next Stage

Premium Base 13 – Bearing Balls, Bearing Ring/Holders (Coming Soon)