Episode 15: Hack an Etch-A-Sketch To Draw Circles

We here at Stupid Inventions love the Etch-A-Sketch, but we lack the artistic talent to draw anything good on the classic toy.

So we came up with a cheap and easy way to hack the Etch-A-Sketch so that not only can you draw the old way, but you can draw a perfect circle wherever you want too!

For this hack you're going to need:
1x Etch-A-Sketch
1x Metal Wire (we took ours from a hanger)
1x Plastic Ring From A 2-Liter Soda Bottle
1x Sharp Edged Pick (something that can bore a hole into plastic)
Super Glue, Duct Tape, Scissors, and other miscellaneous parts...

Warning: Although the Aluminum Powder inside the Etch-A-Sketch is Non-Toxic, it does get everywhere, and I mean EVERYWHERE! So prepare the area where you'll be operating on the Etch-A-Sketch accordingly.

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Step 1: Opening Up The Etch-A-Sketch

This is actually not that hard, just messy.
Remove the knobs from the Etch-A-Sketch, then use whatever tool you have to separate the front and back of the etch a sketch at the seam.

You'll discover that the front plastic, in our case the blue Toy Story design, is actually just a cover, all the aluminum powder and plastic beads are sealed behind the glass and plastic.

Comments

[psalm1914]

Now that I'm not a kid, I finally learn how to draw circles on the Etch! LOL

I think this is great! And, if the powder was going to be a problem, I think George Vlosich III would have found that out many, many etches ago... since making his artwork permanent involves opening the Etch-A-Sketch up, emptying the powder, and removing the stylus.

I now have two kids who barely give the Etch-A-Sketch a second look. Maybe if I make it so it can do circles, they'll be more inclined to give it a fair shake (bad pun intended).

[StupidInventions]

Thanks for kind words! lol, one of the goals of Stupid Inventions is righting all those childhood wrongs, just check out our Infinite Slinky! Cool, I would love to know how that works out!

[andrewdpham3]

Its the start if an invention (useful or not). I think it could use some touching up.

[StupidInventions]

True, but at this point, i'm more about quantity over quality... I set a goal for an invention, and when i accomplish it I post, even if its 99% duct tape and super glue... Once the summer is over, ill only be able to post about 1-2 inventions a month, so ill try to make them more polished...

[iectyx3c]

Here's part of the Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) WARNING! *INHALATION OF ALUMINUM IN DUST OR POWDER FORM MAY CAUSE IRRITATION AND HAS BEEN REPORTED AS A CAUSE OF PULMONARY FIBROSIS. *ALUMINUM POWDER OR DUST IS A FLAMMABLE SOLID WHICH FORMS FLAMMABLE AND EXPLOSIVE MIXTURES WITH AIR. *CAUSES DAMAGE TO THE FOLLOWING ORGANS: RESPIRATORY TRACT, SKIN, EYE, LENS OR CORNEA.

[gobitz]

ETCH A SKETCH BOMB!

[knex_mepalm]

Above can cause spontaneous human combustion, or close to it: ALUMINUM POWDER OR DUST IS A FLAMMABLE SOLID WHICH FORMS FLAMMABLE AND EXPLOSIVE MIXTURES WITH AIR

[NTT]

"Above can cause spontaneous human combustion, or close to it:..." Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha! You're brilliant!!! lol ;o)

[knex_mepalm]

i didnt notice the humor side of it...now i do...hahhhaa

[StupidInventions]

Yeah but are you sure that includes the aluminum dust in Etch-A-Sketches? I've never heard of an explosive Etch-A-Sketch and im sure the company would make sure it doesn't explode or kill....

[knex_mepalm]

WHEN IT REACTS WITH OXYGEN IT WILL GET INTO YOUR LUNGS AND MAY FLAME UP, IM PRETTY SURE IT IS ILLEGAL TO OPEN AN ETCH-A-SKETCH, I THINK THEY END UP SUING YOU spontanoues combustions neevr exploded anybody,yet, just flamed

[StupidInventions]

I hope youre joking KNEX because I actually emailed the company showing them my instructable, lol

[knex_mepalm]

i reread the T&C and it says its ok to pry it open but no warrenty or watever, im pretty sure it is a=n occasional chaince of flaming, as long as you are careful

[venomireland]

It'll only ignite if exposed to Iron Oxide and a flame.

[NTT]

Being a scientist I have to correct you there -- if you add iron oxide you will get thermit. If you ignite that, then you really do get a hot, virtually unstoppable reaction (displacement reaction). My point being though, aluminium powder on its own is more than capable of burning, assuming it has been aspirated (got into the air, like a cloud of dust).

[knex_mepalm]

not necessarily a flame, but a source of ignition helps

[red-king]

yeah. so don't do that... lol

[StupidInventions]

ok, i wont, lol :)

[StupidInventions]

Thanks for the warning! I was able to wash most of off from my work ared/clothes/skin. Is that enough or should I be taking more precautions? How dangerous is it? Because the Etch-A-Sketch website said its non-toxic...

[GlueyMcGee]

actually, some people take the aluminum powder inside an etch-a-sketch to make pyrotechnic compositions. it is toxic if breathed in but should be easily treated.

[StupidInventions]

wow, are you serious? any articles or videos that mention that? thankfully its all cleaned up and im feeling ok, but i don't think ill be opening up any more Etch-A-Sketches any time soon!

[w0ot!]

Google thermobaric or fuel-air explosions.
Pretty much any fine dust is explosive.

[GlueyMcGee]

I see why etch-a-sketch puts that it's not toxic.

aluminum powder is not toxic if ingested but it is harmful if inhaled. Pulmonary fibrosis can only occur if you are exposed to it for a long time or continuously exposed to it (chronic exposure)

here's the complete MSDS http://www.rocketmotorparts.com/pdfs/Aluminum%20Powder%20MSDS.pdf

[=D]

Why would it be only harmful if inhaled? I would have thought that ingesting it would be worse.. but both ways it's still getting into your body. And sweet mod, now my happy faces can have bodies!

[GlueyMcGee]

inhalation gets it into your lungs. ingestion into your stomach..then into your intestines..then...*out* the only problem you'll have is if it turns into aluminium chloride whish may cause vomiting.

[StupidInventions]

ok thanks for clarifying GlueyMcGee!
I will steer clear from aluminum powder from now on...

glad you enjoyed the mod =D, be sure and check out the rest of my Stupid Inventions...

[thecheatscalc]

If it's such a fine powder, most metals will actually spontaneously combust... Aluminum, Magnesium, etc. Likely, since I've NEVER heard of an etch a Sketch blowing up, (on it's own) it's Aluminum OXIDE. Meaning it's non-reactive. If I'm not mistaken, they use it in everything from deodorant to baking powder... Of course, getting it in your eye would probably be a bad thing.

[Bright Shadow]

Isn't aluminum oxide black, though?

[StupidInventions]

well the powder in the etch a sketch is grey if that helps...

[Bright Shadow]

I'm not sure if it helps, either...

[555mst555]

is'nt Aluminum OXIDE rust?

[orangesrhyme]

Aluminum oxide is oxidized aluminum (Captain Obvious would be proud). Anyways, aluminum oxide can crystallize and form a gem most people know-- sapphires! And, no, it isn't black in powder form. it's a darkish gray.

[StupidInventions]

im learning way more about Aluminum powder then i ever expected to... Thanks everyone! :)

[thecheatscalc]

*er sorry, not most, SOME metals

[StupidInventions]

thanks for shedding some light on the issue... i think if there was a danger in the Etch-A-Sketch we would have heard something by now... still, im not gonna eat the powder or put it in my eyes...

[thecheatscalc]

Good call ;) As for aluminum oxide being black... most the aluminum I see is a Grey color. Which, by the way, Aluminum oxidizes FAST. And No, oxidization is not rust, Rust is oxidation. *Oh, and the aluminum oxide seems to range from white (pure) to almost any shade of grey, and brown, depending on contaminants.

[StupidInventions]

Thanks for clarifying! and thanks for commenting!

[Shut Up Now]

So this kinda limits the use of your etch a sketch but it would be a neat bet...easy money until you run out of friends to fool.

[StupidInventions]

No, when you pull back the plastic circle inside the Etch-A-Sketch you'll be able to use the knobs like a regular Etch-A-Sketch! Look at my drawing in the last step to see the circle with some lines...

[stephenniall]

Lol great I got one of the original red etch a sketch They're awesome !