This is my version of the DIY glow pad. I kinda followed the version from Metku Mods (Japala is a great guy) but I did not route a hole for the LEDs. I used a USB socket and a USB cable to power the LEDs.

During the time, Home Depot didn't have acrylic sheets thick enough to hole a 3mm LED (they didn't even restock their acrylic sheets for months). I just used the window from my old case, which was the right thickness. Instead of routing a path on the acrylic (let's just call it plexi since it's easier to type), I cut a long hole big enough to fit the whole LED bulb plus a length of the LED legs. I used some 2-pin header connectors and just slipped the 3mm LEDs in them so I can replace them if I want. I then superglued the header connectors on the plexi with the LEDs bent into place pointing downwards across the pad. This way, all you need is a drill, instead of a steady hand to route the plexi. The five LEDs are wired in parallel, and of course, with a limiting resistor.

To power the LEDs, I used the USB lines of my system since you can get 5v from them. I already have a USB cable but I didn't want to cut it up just to wire it to the glow pad, so I decided to use a socket. It would look clean and kinda professional looking since you can plug and unplug it. But my cable has the square type plug on the other side, which is called the USB B-type plug. So I got myself a B-type connector (I also bought some A-types, just in case). Here's a link to the pinouts.

I drilled three holes for the plug. One big one in the middle for the leads, and two small ones for the socket pegs (those little arms on the side of the socket). I just bent the pegs down to help hold itself on the plexi, and some superglue. Now since the header connectors are glued to the bottom of the pad, this makes the pad uneven. So I glued some pieces of plexi to help left the pad. The good thing is, this helped give the pad a hovering look when it is lit.

Now since the pad will be covered with an actual mouse pad (I have an optical so I have to use a mousepad), i just taped the wires on the bottom so they won't go anywhere. The size of the glowpad is shaped to fit my Max Payne mousepad. Since the pad is edged on top by the USB connector, there are still some areas of the plexi visible. this is intentional since I can put other things in there, like some designs or another light, but I was planning on making myself a DIY mouse bungee since the USB connector gets in the way of the mouse cable.

You can see my glowpad tutorial in the Gideontech Forums and some pics of it in Metkumods' mod gallery (It's in the first few pages, near the old ones).