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I've saved the mirrors out of every scanner I've dismantled, planning to make them into a window hanging or a mobile one day. Then I thought they might look cool reflecting the lights on the Christmas tree...so I did this instead. They have a cool icicle-like effect. I've entered this in the Homemade Holidays contest, be sure to vote for your favorites!
These ornaments are surprisingly simple to make without a lot of special equipment. I used a drill press and belt sander, which I recommend it they're available, but really the only specialized tools you need are a glass cutter and a glass drill bit.
These ornaments are surprisingly simple to make without a lot of special equipment. I used a drill press and belt sander, which I recommend it they're available, but really the only specialized tools you need are a glass cutter and a glass drill bit.
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It looks scarily long, but that's because I ramble.
Materials:
-Scanner mirrors. These are the long, thin mirrors that reflect the image from the scanning head down to the CCD or CMOS or Polaroid or whatever it uses. They're front-surface, which makes them very shiny on one side, but also relatively shiny on the other side. Shiny is good.
-Hanging things. I just used a bit of fishing line, but you could also use thread, paperclips, twist ties, whatever works for you.
Tools:
-Glass-cutting bit. You can probably get expensive ones if you feel like wasting money, but I used a 1/8" spade-point bit from an $8 Harbor Freight eight-piece set. These spade bits are basically a little spear of pure tungsten carbide, making them very very very hard, but also somewhat brittle and prone to heat problems. We'll address that later.
-Drill. Drill press if at all possible, it will help keep the pressure constant and the angle straight.
-Sanding thing. I like mah belt sander, but a bit of sandpaper and a block of wood works too.
-Glass cutter. Again, there's lots of different ones-mine is something similar to this $2 tool, also from Harbor Freight.
-Combination square. Make your cuts purty.
-Old mousepad. It's a big square of neoprene, which is excellent for supporting the glass while drilling it.
-Liquid Coolant Dispensing Device. I like a spray bottle filled with a 50/50 mix of rubbing alcohol and distilled water...it acts as both a cutting fluid and a glass cleaner.
-Lintless rag. Save the Shiny!
-SAFETY GLASSES. WEAR THEM.
Materials:
-Scanner mirrors. These are the long, thin mirrors that reflect the image from the scanning head down to the CCD or CMOS or Polaroid or whatever it uses. They're front-surface, which makes them very shiny on one side, but also relatively shiny on the other side. Shiny is good.
-Hanging things. I just used a bit of fishing line, but you could also use thread, paperclips, twist ties, whatever works for you.
Tools:
-Glass-cutting bit. You can probably get expensive ones if you feel like wasting money, but I used a 1/8" spade-point bit from an $8 Harbor Freight eight-piece set. These spade bits are basically a little spear of pure tungsten carbide, making them very very very hard, but also somewhat brittle and prone to heat problems. We'll address that later.
-Drill. Drill press if at all possible, it will help keep the pressure constant and the angle straight.
-Sanding thing. I like mah belt sander, but a bit of sandpaper and a block of wood works too.
-Glass cutter. Again, there's lots of different ones-mine is something similar to this $2 tool, also from Harbor Freight.
-Combination square. Make your cuts purty.
-Old mousepad. It's a big square of neoprene, which is excellent for supporting the glass while drilling it.
-Liquid Coolant Dispensing Device. I like a spray bottle filled with a 50/50 mix of rubbing alcohol and distilled water...it acts as both a cutting fluid and a glass cleaner.
-Lintless rag. Save the Shiny!
-SAFETY GLASSES. WEAR THEM.
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The other option that springs to mind is to make a cradle out of hanging wire. A very long cradle. Or hang them sideways.
I see you are a man after my own heart who never misses the opportunity of autopsying dead tech and harvesting all the fun bits.
keep up the good work.
They are just what i need to make my kaleidoscopes from. Great . I can't wait.
I hadn't thought of a kaleidoscope with these mirrors...that sounds great! I hope to see an Instructable!
BTW Has anyone tried a wet tile saw to cut these with? I left the ones i made long because i do not have a glass cutter handy, and i was not able to fire up my tile saw...yet.
I plan on gilding one of the square profile mirrors with Gold leaf = extra shiny :-)
Nice reuse project, and great intro picture. ;)