Maker Camp is funded in part by the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation and the generous support of the Members of Make: Community.
2 Hours
TO COMPLETE
WHAT WILL YOU MAKE?
WHAT WILL YOU NEED?
- Paper towel tube
- Scrap foam
- Black ABS plastic sheet, enough for three strips, about 6" × 8"
- Tricolor RGB LED
- SPST switch
- Hook-up wire
- CR2032 3V button cell battery
- Battery clip for button cell
- Compass
- Hobby knife
- Solder iron and solder
- 3/4" and 1/16" drill bit and drill
- Download Spider-Man comic here.
- Super glue
- Electrical tape
STEP 1
Cut 6-1/2″ from a paper towel tube — this will be the body of the kaleidoscope. Cut three strips of black ABS, 1-1/4″ wide and 6-1/2″ long. Arrange the three strips in a triangular shape, shiny sides facing in, and insert it into the tube. The three shiny surfaces make a great first-surface mirror!
STEP 2
Cut a 1-1/2″-diameter disc out of ABS. Drill or grind a 3/4″ hole in the center. Drill three small holes near the edge and thread the LED’s legs through. Bend the legs to ensure the LED will shine inside of the mirrors when the disc is in place. Attach the switch to the disc, across from the LED, using super glue.
Solder the LED’s flat-side lead to ground of a 3V button cell battery holder and solder the other leg to one of the contacts on the switch. Solder the other switch contact to the positive on the battery. Insert the battery into the holder, then flip the switch to turn on the LED and watch it cycle through its colors!
STEP 3
Make a small hole for the switch on the side of the tube. Position the disc, LED side down, on top and slip the battery into the space between an ABS strip and the tube. Slide the switch through the hole. If needed, cover the back and side of the LED with a small piece of black electrical tape to shade your eye from glare.
WHAT'S NEXT?
Once you’ve bathed the black and white Spider-Man comic in the dazzling colors from your kaleidoscope, try adding two LEDs to see the new light effects. Will you try red and blue for Spider-Man colors, and yellow and green for one of his archenemies? You could also make two kaleidoscopes, one with each color combo, so you can play out a battle between the two in colorful lights!
Download Spider-Man comic here.
Please Note
Your safety is your own responsibility, including proper use of equipment and safety gear, and determining whether you have adequate skill and experience. Power tools, electricity, and other resources used for these projects are dangerous, unless used properly and with adequate precautions, including safety gear and adult supervision. Some illustrative photos do not depict safety precautions or equipment, in order to show the project steps more clearly. Use of the instructions and suggestions found in Maker Camp is at your own risk. Make Community, LLC, disclaims all responsibility for any resulting damage, injury, or expense.
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