Making or modifying eyeglass frames
Does anyone have any references for how to create or modify eyeglass frames? I have a couple of very hard and nice looking sapphire crystal rounds from very expensive projector lights that I would love to make into a set of hi-tech John Lennin glasses.
Any tips? Links? Instructables I missed? I know I could probably cajole an eyeglass place, but want to do this on the super cheap. Thanks!
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Jan 27, 2008. 5:30 PMBran
says:
IIRC, Instructables HQ (otherwise known as Squid Labs) invented an eyeglass former that makes lenses quickly and cheaply. I doubt they'd let you in on their secret, though. Sorry I can't be of more help.
I'm looking more for how to make frames - I already have some cool lenses. Thanks, though!
Apr 20, 2009. 1:36 AMpecman
says:
http://www.adam.co.nz/workshops/#eyeglasses
Great site. Brian Adam is a jeweller who specializes in eyewear and low tech casting. He runs frequent workshops - Australia, NZ,USA and Canada(I think).
Great site. Brian Adam is a jeweller who specializes in eyewear and low tech casting. He runs frequent workshops - Australia, NZ,USA and Canada(I think).
Hmm, these might look good. Anyone have ideas on how they were done? Looks like some planed down board, a coping saw to rough it out and them some carving. I wonder how strong they would be?
Jan 30, 2008. 5:21 PMjtobako
says:
Standard carving-cut profiles, carve or sand down details. Lenses can be set like windows, with the larger hole in the back where the lens goes in and a small strip of putty or wood to hold the lens in place. Zebra wood is fairly hard, and the grain was chosen to be durable. Maybe a little less durable than plastic frames.
How do you think they did the hinges? Perhaps scavenged from another pair and epoxied in? I can't imagine that wood hinges would hold up well unless they are hiding something really bulky in the photo.
Jan 31, 2008. 4:45 AMjtobako
says:
They are the same as any other hinge: a tab that goes into a slot and held by a pin. Wood hinges aren't rare, and are as strong as any other. Just make sure to take the grain into account to minimize short cross-grain.
Jan 29, 2008. 2:18 PMbeado4ever
says:
I bought from a well known online auction site something called thermo plastic. You disolve the granules in pretty warm water (60 degrees or so), squeeze out the residue, then you can form it by hand into almost any shape you want and when its cool i would guess its up to holding your bottle-bottoms in place.
Jan 29, 2008. 7:38 PMjtobako
says:
They don't dissolve, they just soften. Some brands are usable in the microwave.
Jan 30, 2008. 10:26 AMbeado4ever
says:
Sorry, bad wording, but you get the general idea. (Thinks: "Hmmmmm might be worth an Instructable." Scampers off to the secret underground laboratory)
Jan 30, 2008. 5:36 PMBran
says:
If you have any second thoughts about not doing the Instructable, just remember Kiteman's Law.
A few places are one link is here for a certain type of frame, and one that shows how they are made
And some of the materials used can be found here
And some of the materials used can be found here
Jan 27, 2008. 6:43 PMjtobako
says:
Metal or plastic frame? Do the lenses have a ridge or groove around them? You can look at a pair of sunglasses or prescription glasses for ideas. There are about three ways for the frame to hold onto the lens-bezel set (a strip of metal is bent into a c-channel that holds the lens or the plastic is a very tight fit), a screw that tightens a band around the lens, or small holes are drilled for rivets. Which are you looking to do? Easiest would be to find a pair of cheep glasses who's lenses are close, and modify them.
I found a pair of sunglasses at my local discount store that have holes drilled in the lenses for $1. I think that would probably work. Any idea where to find tiny drill bits that will drill sapphire crystal (I'm guessing diamond tip will work)?
Not sure about the groove/ridge. I haven't fully disassembled everything yet (it's easy to rip things apart, but a lot harder to put them back together). Metal frames would be best. I think you're right about modifying a cheap pair. I was just hoping for some super-amazing idea that I could use :)
Oh, and here is a photo of the lamp I got the lenses from. They're called cermax lights. There used in projector units. There run around $800 a pop and had to be changed out every 6 months. I got a small box full of the swap-outs.
Piano wire? I guess you could bend it into shape, cover the ends behind your ears with heat-shrink, but would the lenses survive the heat of soldering where the frame and arms meet?
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