Discussion
groups
Websites
Supplies
Books
How-To tips
Misc.
More info
(at a kaleidoscope yahoogroup)
Kaleidoscopes
DISCUSSION GROUPS
Kaleidoscope
Builders Knowledge Base (now
at yahoogroup...used to be Kaleidoscope Korner
at delphiforums)
... http://groups.yahoo.com/group/kbkb
....originated
by Gabe... a place to ask and/or answer questions all about kaleidoscopes
....can
read messages without joining the group, but must join to
see photos, ask or answer questions, etc.
.........(see names of some message
threads in their archives at bottom of this pg.).
kaleidoscopecollector.....(a
yahoogroup)
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/kaleidoscopecollector
....a
group for kaleidoscope collectors, kaleidoscope artists and kaleidoscope
dealers to discuss kaleidoscopes, kaleidoscope artists, kaleidoscope dealers
and related subjects
for lessons, information & inspiration
POLYMER
kaleidoscopes:
Kaleidoscope
Builders Knowledge Base
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/kbkb
Irene’s lesson on making a kaleidoscope and using
a polymer cane for viewed pattern
....(this one’s made with PVC pipe,
acrylic disks, and regular mirror (strips)
http://www.polymerclayhaven.com/lessons/kaliedo.htm
(gone)
Dotty’s kaleidoscopes (extensively decorated
on the outside, many fancy stands)
http://alookingglass.homestead.com/Dottykaleidoscopes.html
http://www.pbase.com/dottyinca/kaleidoscope
Linda Geer's kaleidoscopes
(& photos of patterns created inside scopes using various items as "filters"
--sunni's)
http://home.comcast.net/~caneguru/scopes/kaleidoscopes.html
Flo's kaleidoscopes
http://www.picturetrail.com/gallery/view?p=999&gid=518167&uid=155794
Christy S's kaleidoscopes ... also look in side bar for good descriptions
of what each was made from ...wait
for each photo to appear
http://www.skygrazer.com/polymerclay/gallery/kscopes1.htm
Joanie’s kaleidoscopes (+goose egg kaleidoscope,
stained glass kal., and two tiny scopes) (website
gone)
Skygrazer's mini scopes (..plus
2 longer scopes)
http://www.skygrazer.com/polymerclay/gallery/kscopes1.htm
...for the longer kaleidoscopes, she found the cardboard a little too flexible
so used PVC pipe for the second one; PVC endcap with
small lip used for lens, plus another closed PVC endcap with
drilled hole for eyehole, tacked into place with Sobo glue; completely
assembled before baking and covering with clay
NON-POLYMER kaleidoscopes
lesson
on Making a Simple Kaleidoscope (no polymer) with a Pringles Potato Chip can or
PVC pipe,
plus info on types, pictures, kits,
and Care of Kaleidoscopes
http://www.kaleidoscopesusa.com
(click on Facts & Fancies, then on Make a Scope)
Haug's
lesson on building a kaleidoscope
http://my.pclink.com/~jhaug/howto.html
technical
...mirror configurations at K'Heaven
http://kaleidoscopeheaven.org/he00002.htm
technical ...math program/project info
http://kaleidoscopeheaven.org/he00004.htm
Here's a FABULOUS source for all kinds of
scope related info including how mirrors work, how scopes function, some supply
source info, artists links... just EVERYTHING! Joanie
http://www.kaleido.com/ (Kaleidoscopes of America --supplies, how-to, links, LOTS)
http://www.kaleido.com/feature.htm
(kits and photos of k’s, including necklace
kaleidoscopes)
http://www.kaleidoscopesusa.com
(lots of kaleidoscopes, and much more)
Kaleidoscope Heaven
website (a later, different K'Heaven, in addition to the original) (inside-kal.
photos)
http://kaleidoscopeheaven.org/
John
Haug's gallery, etc.
http://my.pclink.com/~jhaug/index.htm
Light Opera Gallery's unusual kaleidoscopes
http://www.lightoperagallery.com/index.cfm?Dept=Kaleidoscopes&Item=k0020&NextRow=1
ZenZero's clickable kaleidoscope patterns, with quotes
http://www.zenzero.com/scopes/index.html
SUPPLIES
(Larry's) PolymerClayProject's kaleidoscope kits
for covering with clay (all parts included; the thick cardboard
tube bases are 8 5/8" x 1-1/2" . . . I just got in some great new kaleidoscope
blanks too- These 'scopes are small but heavy duty, beautifully gold plated,
with front surface mirrors (that's the high quality type), and a 'wand'
filled with glittery metallic pieces suspended in a clear oil based liquid. Because
these are of higher quality, they do cost a bit more.
http://www.polymerclayprojects.com/kaleidoscope.htm
...The
tubes I have from you are chipboard, but just a little thinner wall thickness
than the ones I use for my large scopes. However because they are also smaller
in diameter, a thicker wall isn't needed. They are extremely sturdy tubes and
work very well with the clay. The end caps are not needed and wouldn't work well
at all. They are easily made from the clay using a set of circle cutters. . .
. .Anyone wanting to make their first scope would do well to get one of
Larry's kits. That way when it's done, they would have the basic information they
need to go on to make other scopes. Larry has already done the hard parts, parts
that are crucial to making a good scope with good images. It's an excellent way
to learn scope making. DottyinCA
Kaleidoscopes
of America (site with lots of info, resources, suppliers)
http://www.kaleido.com/
many links to kaleidoscope kits
http://www.google.com (enter the phrase kaleidoscope kits)
Stained
Glass Supplies http://www.stainedglasswarehouse.com/kalandotclar.html has their entrie catalog
online, but the descriptions/pictures aren't detailed enough for me to know if
any of the eight Kscope items could be covered with clay or not.
Glass Crafters: http://www.glasscrafters.com/
…kits…
two things on their scope page you might be able to use..
#9162 Lil scope brass spiral (has everything but requires a little soldering)
#9131 Mini scope refill (Just mirrors and an axle... you can use them
to build your own scope from other materials)
..... From their web page you can get their phone number
and request a catalog.. . . parts…Their catalog is ok, and include
pictures of their scopes. Their web site needs some serious help, though. . .
. I bought the oil wand kaleidoscope kit from them for $15. It comes
with 3 first surface mirrors and an oil wand, plus detailed instructions for making
a stained glass kaleidoscope. Since my scope was wood and PC, the only part of
the instructions I used pertained to mounting the mirrors inside the scope.
Gabe
mini kaleidoscope kits plus more from the Woodturners
Catalog; great service
http://www.woodturnerscatalog.com
(search for mini kaleidoscopes...without shell, and mini k. kit)
Kal-eggoscope
Kits (mini kits, wands, etc.)
http://www.pennstateind.com
(search for kaleidoscope)
Warner-Crivellaro Online (kits, wands, etc.)
http://www.warner-criv.com (search for
kaleidoscope)
Art Glass World kits and
parts, Dotty
http://www.artglassworld.com/
…
Edmund Scientific http://www.edsci.com; they have optically perfect glass circles
i just received in the mail today a catalog
from "glass and mirror etching & decorating supplies". it is mostly
etching supplies, but it is also full of all sizes and shapes of glass
and mirrors. surely there would be stuff in there for you to use. the
glass comes in all shapes, thicknesses, craft and optical quality. the prices
look pretty good. they are at http://www.etchworld.com
and 1-800-872-3458. kathy #3
Tap Plastics stores have a kaleidoscope kit for 12.00 which features a clear tube for the body and a clear plexiglass? orb on the end; they will cut the outer tube to whatever length you request. . .not yet (or never will be?) available at their website http://www.tapplastics.com/
You can buy the thick-walled cardboard tubes at PaperMart.... you want to click on Tubes at http://www.papermart.com. I believe the ones we order are the .060 chipboard, which are 13" in length (we cut them a little shorter) and 2 1/2" in diameter. We have to buy a pallet of them at a time, but they are not all that expensive and that way we always have one handy when we get an order, or an inspiration. . . .When I use these, I coat the outside with Sobo glue and let dry. Then I begin covering them with my polymer clay designs. DottyinCA
BOOKS
I have a book which I love---The Kaleidoscope Book, A Spectrum of Spectacular Scopes to Make, edited by Thom Boswell Sterling Books 1992. It has many kaleidoscopes made by artists and then the basics. Just enough to inspire, but also very practical how to and how it works. I've pulled it several times thinking---I'll never make a kaleidoscope, I should sell this on eBay. But I look through it a second time and it goes back on my shelf! Jeanne R.
There are three
books out there that are fairly good . . . (The book I got is "The
Kaleidoscope Book : A Spectrum of Spectacular Scopes to Make"
Thom Boswell(Editor); Paperback; @ $11.96 each) . . . That's a great book, and
the one that we started with. I think it helped us the most to get going. Dotty
I got started making scopes when I discovered a book called "The Kaleidoscope
Book" by Thom Boswell. You can probably find it at your local library
if you are interested. It has pictures and plans of different types of scopes
you can make and a large gallery of pictures of different scopes made by pros.
Gabe
The other one you should get if your interest in the scopes gets stronger is Cozy Baker's latest book. It is spectacular! You'll love it. But it's more "show" than how-to. ... Each of them gives pretty good information. … Also, Joanie's idea of trying a kit first is excellent. I'm sure some of your stained glass shops there will have them, or can order them. However, if you want to start from scratch then just start simple. Even if you can't do trigonometry, you can probably find someone to figure out the angles and measurements for you and then keep them handy so you don't have to do them over again. And don't try to do some of the more complicated mirrors until you feel comfortable with the easier ones. An 3-mirror equilateral triangle is probably the easiest to begin with. Dotty
There
are only a few books on the subject of making kaleidoscopes but they are
quite good. They contain all the information you need to know about the types
of mirrors you will need, hints on glass cutting, figuring the math needed to
set the mirrors to the angle you want for however many star points you want in
your image, the variety of object wheels and object containers, as well as some
history.
Cozy Baker's books have exquisite photographs in them that will
inspire anyone wanting to make scopes. I talked with Cozy last week and she says
she has a new book in the works. Cozy is also the founder of the Brewster Society
which is an organization much like our national polymer clay guild. Their big
show and seminar "Kaleidoscope Jubilee" will be held in San Diego this
year from May 24 to the 27th. The society puts out a newsletter which is
great for scope designers, collectors, and lovers of kaleidoscopes. Their
website is: http://www.brewstersociety.com. Dotty
Here are the books that I own. There may be more, but I haven't been able
\to find any, except a few that required special ordering which didn't turn up
the books. Dotty
by Cozy Baker:
Kaleidoscopes : Wonders of Wonder
Kaleidorama
Kaleidoscope Renaissance
Through the Kaleidoscope--
And Beyond
AND ALSO:
The Kids' Book of Kaleidoscopes/Book
and Kaleidoscopes, by Carolyn Bennett
Simple Kaleidoscopes : 24 Spectacular
Scopes to Make, by Gary Newlin
For those of you who want to make kaleidoscopes from scratch, there's a pretty good book out, a paperback. It might be by Corki Weeks, but I wouldn't swear to it. If no one knows the book, I'll look for it the next time I'm at Barnes and Noble. I bought it at one time, thinking I'd try to make my own. I think the directions are very clear, and it discusses simple scopes through better ones. I ended up returning it, though, deciding just to remain a collector. Randi
For beginners? I recommend you go to a local stained glass shop and see if they carry a scope kit that uses a metal, or wood, tube for the body. There are several sizes available. Then just build the scope according to the kit... except you will add your polymer embellishment to the tube before you completely assemble it. By the time you're finished.... you will KNOW how a kaleidoscope works and you can branch out as far as your imagination will take you. It's a project you'll love forever! Joanie
I use plumbing
pipes or brass tubing for most of my scope bodys. Although I've used large
goose & rhea eggs too. You can use
anything you can insert
a mirror set into ...
add an image generator to...
and leave
an eyehole in. (author?)
Kaleidoscopes
are pretty simple once you understand the mechanics.
You just need 4 things:
1) a mirror assembly... this is simply
3 mirrors, taped together to form a triangular tube.
2)
a lens... the tricky thing with this is depth of view... too long or short
and you will find you need an optical lens for a clear image.... about 8"
is a good depth for viewing without a lens.
3)
an image maker.... this can be colored wheels that turn on an axis... a
liquid & gem filled tube... a chamber with *tumbles* inside... anything that
will create an interesting image.
4) the body... this can be
anything that you can fit all the rest into or on. In the case of polymer scopes,
you have to use a body that you can cover and then bake. (glass, metal, some pvc's
or even a cardboard tube.) You can buy metal tubing at hardware stores.... and
solder an axle on the front for wheels... or solder wire from top to bottom to
cradle a filled tube or tumbler. Or you can buy metal kaleidoscope kits at stained
glass shops and cover them. Joanie
...it may look simple
(to make a kaleidoscope) but it has some traps for the unwary. I make scopes full-time,
primarily out of glass at the moment (see http://www.ckscopes.com).
There are three things I would recommend to you if you want to make
a *good* scope:
1. Enclose both ends. Too often scopes are open at
one end and this will result in a degraded image after a few years of dust and
moisture.
2. Use the best front-surface mirror you can afford. I use
the glass variety but there are also acrylic versions. Both have a thin layer
of aluminium on the reflecting surface and require gentle handling. I think you
can purchase the glass variety pre-cut from stained glass suppliers.
3. Choose
your images carefully, especially incorporating contrasting colour and
strong texture.
........There are three things that will help you make
a *great* scope:
1. Practice 2. Practice 3. Practice . . .
.Tony
Has anyone else ever made
a polymer clay kaleidoscope? Is there any information out there on the web? I
couldn't find much. It came out a little better than it looks in the scan but
the major problem I had making it was trying to figure out the best way to put
the pieces together so it would be durable.
....lesson: Basically
I used 3 mirrors, taped together with duct tape in a triangle, 3 round pieces
of plexiglass for the ends and to block off the object chamber, some broken glass
for the objects IN the object chamber :), a paper towel tube for a round form
and polymer clay to cover it all and hold it together.. I've already figured out
that I need something more rigid than cardboard for next time but does
anyone else have suggestions for improvement? Thanks, Christy
Just
making 3 mirrors in equal widths is the easiest, like
Dotty said. You can expand from that as you learn more of the specifics and feel
more comfy with it. That will give you an image that endlessly repeats
itself in a big circle.
. . . One easy variation is to replace one
of the mirrors with an equal sized piece of black illustration board.
Adding the black piece will create a *contained* image.... mandala like...
with a black border. Joanie
Speaking of nice kaleidoscope images Dotty, I'll tell you a little trick I use in creating great tumble images. I have a set of test mirrors made up. I only use them to test the image I'm going to get in a new scope, so I don't worry if they get a little dusty. I just blow them out with canned air once in a while and keep them in a baggie when I'm not using them. . . . I add my chosen tumble pieces to a little transparent cup... and use the test mirrors to view them. If I'm not liking something in the color mix... I take it out. Or I add more pieces if the image is weak. Or if it needs more texture, I find something to toss in that will add a nice texture. Once I like what I see, I use it in a scope. The point being, you can really control the type of image you're creating & be sure each one is really special. Neat trick, huh? Joanie
...Wonderful trick! I love it! Way to go, girl! Very creative. I'll have to remember that. I'm not yet doing the tumbling objects, but plan to pretty soon. Mine are all just two wheels. I like tumblers as the design can never come up the same. Two wheels are pretty good that way also, but not as good as the tumblers. I also want to do some in glycerin but haven't found the right container yet.
One thing another kaleidoscope creator suggested to me was to use aquarium glue to insure you don't get any leaks. Good idea. Dotty in CA
Yes, you can cover them with clay, but we did have a problem with the first ones we did. I started by using PVC pipe and covering them but I found that the PVC distorted when I baked them. Turned them into an oval which didn't work too well with the optics. So I searched the internet and found some great chipwood mailing tubes in two sizes and ordered a case of each. Dotty in CA
Though for mini scopes, PVC pipe is fine? . . . (can be baked standing on end too)
The very little I did find in a search on kaleidoscopes (of course this was AFTER I'd already made mine :) did mention using pvc pipe as a base.. I think someone was having a problem with the ends coming off though and figured out that you had to bake the pipe (with or without clay - I wasn't sure) before putting on the ends because the pipe shrinks just a little on the first bake. Christy
I
love to make kaleidoscopes. Congrats on the one you made. I encourage all crafts
people to make them. So far, I haven't made any from polymer clay, but I'm working
on it! The last one I made I used some lightweight tubular plywood called
"Hollowood." I got it from http://www.brandnew.net
I paid a good price for some that looked like Red Oak.
Next time
I will buy the cheapest they have and cover it with Polymer clay. Strong
and lightweight. And about $2.50 a foot. Good for scope making. Gabe?
When you refer to the lens, were you saying that if the tube is about 8 inches long, plain glass will do? Do you need optical lenses for other lengths?
That's exactly what I was saying Roni! And, yes, you'll need some sort of magnifying lenses for other lengths. eight inches is an approximate size for the best *non-aided* viewing length.. there's a little give & take there. Test the length with the mirror tube you plan to use held up to your eye and make sure you get a clear image. (front surface mirror will give you the very BEST image by the way) Joanie
If you do decide to try tiny scopes... you'll have to use an optical lens. Any scope longer, or shorter, than appx 8" will not give a clear image to those with normal vision. And of course you'll have to be sure the lens you get has the correct focal length for the scope you're making. I have to use them in my eggscopes. I usually wait till I have them to cut the mirror length. That way if the focal length is a bit off... I can adjust my mirror accordingly.
we have to cut them to 10 inches which is a good focal length for most people. Any shorter and many people over 40 old can't focus the image. . . For shorter ones, you need a magnifying lens. Dotty
….but where do you get the correct optical lenses if that doesn't work???
I
order them through Edmund Scientific (see above in Websites)... although
I've referred people there in the past and they've had trouble getting just what
they need by phone (trying to get the focal length correct) I've never had any
trouble describing what I need & have always had the friendliest and most
helpful service, so I don't know what to say. I'm sure American Scientific that
Lynelle mentioned earlier, would have the same type and quality product too...
I've always been happy with Edmunds and haven't tried them though.
When ordering...
I just tell them that I want the lens to be only about 14mm wide and I want to
see clearly at, say, 81mm.... and that I want the best grade optics. Then they
check their stock and might come back to tell me that they have one that's 15mm
wide with a focal length of 80mm.... the difference is usually so slight that
it's still workable. It's unlikely that they'll have EXACTLY what you need, unless
it is ground specially & you don't want to pay for that. As it is, the lens
will cost you anywhere from $6 to $35. (don't ASK me how they determine that)
Joanie
Pardon my ignorance, but what makes it a "front surface mirror?" Is there such a thing as a "rear surface mirror?"
A
front surface mirror is the only acceptable mirror, in my opinion, for
a quality scope. For newbies info.... a regular mirror is silvered on the back
(the mirroring is laid on the back of a piece of glass and that gray stuff seals
it) so you are looking THROUGH the glass before you see the image. Okay for most
things, but it doesn't give you a crystal clear image in a scope... you'll have
blurring …With front surface, the mirroring is on TOP of the glass and you get
an incredibly sharp, crystal clear image.
There are different grades of
front surface as well. The best is a very thin mirror, with a plastic sheet electrostatically
applied to the surface for protection. You don't peel the plastic off till you've
done all your cutting and are ready to assemble and install it. Once it's installed,
it's safe …the mirror stays completely clean and unscratched. It's beautiful!
Once you've seen the difference they give in a kaleidoscope, you can never settle
for anything else. Joanie
Joanie's right, the first-surface mirrors DO cut like butter. Not hard at all. I didn't need the trig for some of the mirrors, but when I needed to do a nine-point star, etc. then I had to do some figuring. But don't be a dummy like me and toss the figures. Keep them on hand so you don't have to figure them out again. Also, there is probably an easier way to figure the different configurations than what I'm using but my DH who is helping me, is an engineer. Need I say more? Dotty in CA
**I
make my own oil wand ends, for my stained glass kaliedoscopes...
I use a mixture of glycerin and mineral oil... glycerin is too slow, mineral
oil is too fast... sometimes I add distilled water too, because the water
won't mix with the oil, and as it turns the water breaks up into little crystalline
looking globs... makes a nice image. I've never put any clay in them though so
can't really give you a report on that.
I mix it about half & half. Or
if I'm using heavier *objects* sometimes I mix it 2/3 glycerin & 1/3 mineral
oil.
May I ask do you soak the glitter? (or whatever) in the glycerin/oil before putting the wands together, or isn't that necessary? (I had originally seen directions to make the water globes by soaking the glitter for about a week in the water before assembling the globes, so am trying to determine if that is actually beneficial.)
Oil wands aren't hard... of course mine don't look like the long skinny plastic ones... I make stubbier ones... and they *roll* in a sort of *cradle* rather than turning the tube upside down. I just cut glass tubes into sections... then I make caps out of copper plumbing caps. For my stained glass ones, I solder on gems & wire and do decorative soldering on. Joanie?
...
for the clay scopes, I cover them with clay decorations. Then you fill one finished
cap with silicone, stick the glass tube in... let sit overnite... fill the tube
with your liquid and image *objects*... fill the second cap and stick it on...
let it sit upright overnight so it doesn't touch the liquid... and the next day,
you're ready to add it to the scope. Joanie? (see more detail below)
I bought an oil wand scope kit from Glass Crafters. It comes with 3 precut
1st surface mirrors…. It also comes with an 11" oil wand. It makes very pretty
patterns and you don't have to worry about anybody getting glass chips in their
eye!
For the end pieces, I cut some small glass circles from thin
glass. It is clearer than plexiglass and doesn't scratch as easily. Not difficult
to cut, but if you don't want to cut your own, you can buy optically perfect glass
circles from Edmund Scientific. Web address is http://www.edsci.com.
...If you use 1st
surface mirrors, optical quality glass for the lenses, hollowood for the base,
oil wands for the objects, well two things will happen - you'll pay more to make
a scope and the scope you make will be much higher quality and last a lot
longer and look a lot better inside.
...I learned this from a nice lady named
Joanie who has a web page at http://members.aol.com/kraftey/
She likes to do whimsical scopes and she does
really nice work. Even though the scope I made is more experimental than anything
else, I'll include a picture. Mind you, I can do better! This one uses polymer
clay to hold the glass lenses in the end. It is a tube of plywood with green and
tan marbled polyclay on the ends and an oil wand. Gabe
Yah, the clear silicone plumbing stuff is about the same thing, and that's what I use. I make my oil chambers using old glass medical tubing for the oil ends that I got at a salvage place. I cut it with a glass band saw into segments. I cap them off with copper plumbing caps. You have to cover them and bake them first though.... you won't want to bake them after you've assembled & added the glycerin/silicone.
I put silicone in one
cap... insert the glass tube... let it sit overnite. Then I add the oil and doo-dads,
leave a little air on the end to accomodate the silicone.... Then I put silicone
in the other cap and fit it over the end. I leave it sitting upright over night
until it's had plenty of time to dry.
To attach it to my glass tubes...
I string a bead on two pieces of wire... solder them to the top and bottom of
the tube scope. When I slip the chamber through the wire, I can use the bead
to tighten it down. The oil chamber will turn freely in the wire trap. I'm sure
there are other ways... probably way better. When you figure it out for yourself,
share it with us, okay? Joanie
Yep, I fuse my own glass for the wheel ends. I have a small table kiln, it works great! I also want to do some lampworked bits & pieces for my tumble & oil chambers. GMTA!
When I'm going to use beads and gems in my kaleidoscopes, they need to be completely clean & dust-free before they go into the chamber. I toss them into a small strainer with a handle Anyway, I fill a bowl with some hot water and dish liquid... swirl the bowl of the strainer around it in real good. Then I lift the strainer out and spray all the soap & residue off with a good stream of water from the kitchen sink sprayer. Once that's done, I try to shake off as much water as I can.... then dump them on a paper towel that I have on a plate. I zap that for a minute, in the micro wave, to pull the rest of the moisture off. Drying them with other items can just add more lint & dust.... which really shows up in a 'scope image. I doubt you'd need to go through that whole drying routine for your use.... but the washing part works great & it's fast! Joanie
I
have had to remove the foil backs from some of the glass jewels
I use on the object wheels on my kaleidoscopes. There are two ways to do this.
One is to put the pieces into a jar which has a solution of vinegar and
salt. A pint of vinegar to a half cup of salt usually works for me. Put a
lid on tight and shake the jar. Let it sit for a few hours, and shake again. Do
this for 24 hours. Then rinse and rub at any foil that's left using a towel.
The second way is to use a mild solution of acid. I can't give you the
strength on this as I don't use this method. But a lapidary shop might have the
answer. I'm told it's much faster than the above method, but I don't like to fool
around with any acid that's stronger than the vinegar. Dotty in CA
The
variety and creativity is endless. I think that polymer clay, as usual, has terrific
potential for making beautiful scopes. Not only can you work on surface colors
and textures but you can also sculpt.
…BTW, the better made scopes sell
for a very good price. I've seen some done in stained glass in my area
selling for $80 to $125. Gabe
(and, of course, see the websites and groups above for lots more info and tips on making kaleidoscopes)
skygrazer warns not to ever use superglue on plexiglas since it will a white foggy area which will ruin the clarity of the lens.
I
just got a web cam. You know, the little camera attached to a wire that
sits on top of your computer?
....I used it, with Paint Shop Pro, to
capture the image of the inside of the scope. ...Just stuck
the lens of the cam against the eyepiece of the scope and clicked "acquire"
in PSP. It was my first try at using it and I need to practice with it to get
better quality pictures, but I think it will work out really well once I learn
how to use it properly… Gabe
. . i wonder, tho',
if the colors along the wall will still be reflected if the tube is covered and
no longer exposed to light. Dotty
... I was guessing they wouldn't ...that's
why I said the polymer decoration would have to be different. Maybe some kind
of partial onlay say at the back end, or twining vines, e.g., around some of the
business end??? I forget though, can we actually bake thick acrylic? If not, the
decorations would have to be glued on, or created around a paper tube then slipped
on the acrylic tube after baking. Just seems like there should be something to
do with it! Diane B.
lesson on making a "polariscope"
....which is made from a clear acrylic rod, random shapes of mylar film,
two polarizers (cut from cheap sunglasses, etc.), and an acrylic end
cap
http://www.scitoys.com/scitoys/scitoys/light/polariscope.html
=============================================================
some helpful MESSAGES re kaleidoscopes
at Kaleidoscope
Builders Knowledge Base
yahoogroup (used to be Kaleidoscope Korner)
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/kbkb
These
old message threads (plus all their old threads) are available as Acrobat PDF
files to those who join the kbkb group.
They are available to read and have
descriptive names, but won't show up in a search of the message base.
Cutting
Tools? [1] 4/2/2000
Liquid Kaleidoscopes [1] 3/15/2001
Hi [2] 1/1/2000
Signing In! [5] 12/21/1998
Tscope/Kscope [1] 12/27/1998
Glass
cutting [11] 1/6/2000
first surface mirror sources [4] 10/4/2000
Check out this [1] 1/7/2001
How? [1] 12/11/1998
Rules [1] 12/16/1998
Oops [1] 12/18/1998
Hi! [7] 12/18/1998
PCC FREE AUCTION open
for Business [1] 11/26/2000
Using the Show & Tell area [3] 3/16/2001
Mirror needed for scope project [7] 3/30/2000
A very good book on Kaleidoscope
Making [6] 1/18/2000
Questions, Please [4] 12/13/1998
Swap Idea
[1] 12/17/1998
New kscope project [4] 2/2/1999
Upcoming Folk Art
Show [1] 1/19/1999
Need some direction [3] 1/1/2000
Making embedded
object ring [3] 11/10/1999
Kaleidoscopes at auction sites [1] 11/10/1999
Need source for a kit . [3] 12/31/1999
first surface mirror sources
[1] 1/6/2000
A reason to use plastic lenses [1] 1/6/2000
Types of
announcements [1] 12/11/1998
A Philosophy of Kaleidoscopes [3] 12/12/1998
Swapping homemade kaleidoscopes [14] 12/13/1998
High End Kaleidoscopes
[1] 12/17/1998
Basic 'Scope Assembly [3] 12/17/1998
Welcome To Kaleidoscope
Korner [1] 12/11/1998
Thinking about new kscopes [6] 12/18/1998
Using
the Show & Tell area [2] 12/11/1998
A couple of web sites for Kaleidoscopes
[1] 12/11/1998