Replies

1. 
   ErnieConover | Oct 01, 2007 02:48pm | #1

   I would look on websites catering to "stained glass" for kaleidoscopes" are something these folks commonly make. It is where I went about 10 years ago when I decided to make some. You basicly need a correcting lense (a +2 diopter is about right for most eyes) which you can get from Edmond Scientific, two front coated mirrors that run the length of the tube and some round pieces of glass to contain the junk you are going to make the patterns with. I used flash light lenses available at my local hardware for the last item. I made one frosted by rubbing it on another piece of glass with valve grinding compound on it. Edmond may have all these items. I held the glass circles in the front of the tube by scraping grooves and snapping wire rings on each side of each circle. I made the rings by bending welding rod around a form i turned slightly larger than the tube id. You may be able to get kits from Craft Supply USA or Packard Woodworking. The only thing that is odd is the correcting lens and the rest can be made yourself for peanuts compaired to a kit price. I bought the front coated mirror material from a stained glass shop in town and used black electrical tape to hold everything together. I cut the mirror material with a common glass cutter.

   With best regards,
   Ernie Conover

1. 
   stapes | Oct 02, 2007 01:30am | #2

   Thanks Ernie.

1. 
   ErnieConover | Oct 02, 2007 11:48pm | #3

   I had an hour betwixt and between today and made a sketch of the kaleidoscopes I made some years ago. Coopering them from 6 or 12 staves makes for easy nesting of the mirror box. Have fun!With best regards,
   Ernie Conover

   
1. 
   stapes | Oct 03, 2007 03:00am | #4

   Beautiful clear illustration Ernie.

   Much appreciated