Introduction: Episode 15: Hack an Etch-A-Sketch to Draw Circles
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.
Step 2: Making the "Circle Maker"
Before we open up the glass to get inside the Etch-A-Sketch, we fist have to make the device that will be making the circles.
For those of you who don't know how an Etch-A-Sketch works, the knobs move a plastic stylus that scratches the super sticky aluminum powder off of the glass.
So we want to make a plastic circle with sharp edges that will scratch the powder off the glass to form a circle when you twist the knob.
I used the plastic ring from a 2 Liter Soda Bottle and taped/glued it to metal wire from a hanger to make this device, but you can experiment with other stuff to get similar or better effects. Just make sure you're able to twist the plastic circle easily.
You should use a scissor to scratch the surface of the ring so it'll be rougher.
Step 3: Installing the "Circle Maker"
Now comes the messy part!
Use a blade to open up the glass and plastic layers of the screen to get inside the Etch-A-Sketch.
Once inside, bore a hole through the back center of the Etch-A-Sketch, then quickly cover up the hole on the outside with duct tape. Then, poke the duct tape with your "Circle Maker" device. This ensure that when you're using the "Circle Maker" that none of the Aluminum Powder will seep through.
Once your "Circle Maker" is through the hole, try it out. Make sure you can move it around where the screen would be and make sure you can twist while applying pressure to the screen. Also make sure you can pull the "Circle Maker" away from the screen and that it doesnt interfere with the regular Etch-A-Sketch mechanics.
Once all those tests are complete you're ready to seal it up!
Step 4: Seal Up the Etch-A-Sketch
This sounds simple, but you're forgetting the super sticky aluminum powder.
At this point it will be EVERYWHERE!
Try to get as much of it as you can back into the Etch-A-Sketch, then super glue the screen back on.
Then put the plastic cover and the knobs back on.
I can pretty much guarantee that the aluminum powder will find a way to seep out, so i would suggest putting a tape seal around the seam of the Etch-A-Sketch, just to be safe.
Step 5: Drawing a Circle!
Unfortunately, the "Circle Maker" we used broke a little bit while it was inside and after it was sealed up, so we can't twist it properly, but we are able to make circles that are a million times better than anything we made before.
So there you have it! A cheap and easy way to hack an old Etch-A-Sketch to make a perfect Circle!
It's a fun rainy afternoon project, and we highly recommend it!
Below is our abstract Circle/Line art that we were able to make using this Instructable!
Enjoy!
The Stupid Invention Team
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