Kaleidoscope Instructions

Supply List: 1. Mirrors: Three for each kaleidoscope • Description: Acrylic mirror: 7-7/8" x 1-1/8' x 1/8' finished size • Supplier: US Plastics Corporation. Item number 42461 Clear Mirror Sheet 24: x 48" x • •

1/8 $39.12 (February 2007) Yield: Each sheet will make 110 mirrors or enough for 35 kaleidoscopes

Preparation: 1.

2. 3.

First - On a table saw with a carbide-tip blade, cut the mirror into strips measuring 7 7/8 inches, then rip into individual mirrors. This should only be done by someone with experience in operating table saws with a carbide-tip blade. Note: The 7-7/8-inch dimension was chosen to allow for the blade kerf when cutting 48 inches into strips. This length should be approximately equal to the length of the PCV tube of the kaleidoscope. Use this cutting pattern-- six mirrors wide and 19 mirrors high. For a larger view, click on the thumbnail to the right. Vacuum the sawdust from the mirrors.

2. PVC Pipe: One for each kaleidoscope • Description: 1-1/2 inch PVC Pipe (schedule 40; white) • Supplier: Local plumbing supplier • Preparation: 1.

2. 3.

Cut pipe to 7-7/8 inches long on a chop saw (compound miter saw) with a carbide tip-wood blade. This should only be done by someone with experience in operating a chop saw (compound miter saw). For a larger view, click on the thumbnail to the right. Depending on the condition of the pipe when received, the tubes may need to be cleaned prior to distribution. To each tube, attach a label bearing the name of your school or organization.

3. PVC End Cap: One for each kaleidoscope • Description: 1-1/2inch PVC Socket End Cap (schedule 40, white) • Supplier: Local plumbing supplier. These end caps are manufactured in a number of

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styles. I prefer the ones with a rounded end, although those with a flat end will work as well. The best manufacturer I have seen is Spears. The cost of these varies significantly depending on the source. In 2004, we have paid between $.25 to $.50 per piece. Preparation: 1. Drill a 3/8 inch hole into the center of each end cap. I have a fixture for centering the hole, but a paper or cardboard pattern might work as well. 2. If needed, clean the end caps before distribution to children.

4. Adhesive-backed Foam Strips: Three pieces for each kaleidoscope • Description: Self-adhesive, Closed Cell Sponge Rubber Weatherstrip, Super Firm 1/2 • •

inches x 1/2 inches x 10 feet long. Supplier: Ace Hardware Item number 57631 10-foot long roll In 2004, the cost is about $5.00 per roll. Yield: 120 pieces per roll or enough for about 40 kaleidoscopes.

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Preparation: 1.

Cut into pieces about 1 inch long.

5. Foam Rope: Three pieces for each kaleidoscope • Description: Dennis® Caulk Saver Foam Rope (or caulk backing) 1/2 in h in diameter • • •

x 1 inch long Supplier: Ace Hardware. UPC # 79843-00157: a 20-foot long roll. Cost is about $5.00 per roll. Yield: Each roll yields about 240 pieces or enough for about 80 kaleidoscopes.

Preparation: 1.

Cut into pieces about 1 inch long.

6. Petrie Dishes: One for each kaleidoscope • Description: 60 mm x 15 mm Plastic Petri Dish • Supplier: VWR. VWR# 25384-090. 500 per case. Cost is about $30.74 per case. • Preparation: 1.

2.

Glue the bottoms of the Petrie dishes to one end of the PVC tubes. This forms the window on the end of the kaleidoscope. The PVC cement should be first applied to the outside of the end of the tube, and the dish is then placed on the tube. Be careful not to get cement on the center of the dish as this will spoil the window. Be sure to do this operation in a well-ventilated room, and give the glue plenty of time to dry prior to having the students assemble the kaleidoscope. For a larger view, click on the thumbnail at right Reserve the top (or large piece) for the final kaleidoscope.

7. PVC Cement 8. Transparent Tape: About one roll for every five kaleidoscopes 9. Labels: With the name of your school or organization 10. Sharpie Markers: Permanent, in various colors 11. Small pieces of sandpaper: About 100 grit Before Class 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6.

Cut the acrylic mirror into strips. Vacuum the mirrors. Cut the PVC pipe into 7-7/8 inch tubes. Clean the tubes. Drill holes in the center of the PVC end caps Cut the adhesive-backed foam weather stripping into one-inch pieces. Cut the foam rope into one-inch pieces. Glue the bottoms of the Petrie dishes onto the PVC tubes.

In Class

For each kaleidoscope, remove the protective film from the faces of three mirrors.

Gather the mirrors in your hands, long edges together.

Gently and carefully fold the mirrors into a triangle, shiny sides in.

Line up the corners to form an equilateral triangle.

Wind transparent tape around the triangle, approximately 1/2 inch from each end. Students may want to work in pairs for this, one student to hold the mirrors and another student to wind the tape.

When securely and neatly taped, the mirror triangle will not wobble.

Remove the backing from a piece of weather stripping and place it on one side of the triangle, approximately one inch from one end.

Add two more pieces of weather stripping, one to each empty side of the triangle. The three pieces of weather stripping should present a uniform appearance when placed correctly.

Insert the mirrors, weather stripping down, into the PVC tube.

Compress the weather stripping slightly to make it fit.

Insert a one-inch piece of foam cord into the empty place between two points of the triangle.

Insert two more pieces into the remaining spaces in exactly the same manner.

Place the PVC end-cap onto the PVC tube.

The PVC end-cap will fit the tube tightly, so hit the end cap with the flat of your hand to be sure the end-cap is completely on the tube.

Add the self-stick label. Your kaleidoscope has no colors in it, but reflects the world via the mirrors, so we call it a WorldView Kaleidoscope.

Enjoy the view.

To add colors to your kaleidoscope using Sharpie markers Use the remaining (larger) half of the Petrie dish to create a kaleidoscope with colors. With a few colored Sharpie markers, draw lines on the inside face of the dish. Fewer lines work better than more.

To prevent the world from being seen, lightly sand the outside face of the Petri dish.

To operate the kaleidoscope, hold the colored Petrie dish half onto the end of the kaleidoscope, with the colored side toward the kaleidoscope and the sanded side toward the world, and then rotate the Petrie dish by hand.

Enjoy the view.