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Make An Infinity Mirror!

video Make An Infinity Mirror!
Infinity Mirror Illusion.

Extremely simple concept with stunning results.

The illusion may look complicated but it was really very easy to make.

Details of materials and construction for Infinity Mirror Illusion
The sizes and measurements i've provided may not be 100% accurate. Feel free to experiment with your own materials and measurements.

1 - 7" Cardboard lid 1 1/2" height
1 - 9" Cardboard lid 1 1/2" height

1 - 15 bulb LED light strand

1 - 7" diameter mirror
1 - 1' X 1' 1/10" thick plexiglass or real glass (whichever you prefer -- real glass will give a cleaner result)

Take the 7" Cardboard lid and mark a spot every 24 degrees on the outside rim halfway between the top and the bottom.
That will create 15 marks around the lid for the LED's

I used a hand drill to create the holes for the LED's. Make the wholes a little smaller than the LED's so that they'll fit snug

Push the LED's into the hole. Push them in far enough so that they visible from the inside.

Cut the bottom of the lid out.

Glue the mirror in the middle of the inside of the 9" lid.

Place the 7" ring with LED's into the 9" lid. The small ring should sit directly on top of the mirror.

Cut a piece of mirrored window tint and apply it to the plexiglass / glass.

Attached the plexiglass/glass to the top of your lids.

I used duct tape to hold the glass to the cardboard lids then cut black construction paper to cover the sides and back.

I cut a ring out of silver construction paper and placed it on top to hide the duct tape.

I used velcro to hold the battery back to the back or the top of the infinity mirror device.

Good luck!
37 comments
Mar 15, 2012. 9:04 AMRaniaMomo says:
how much time does it take?
Feb 11, 2012. 9:15 AMhankyknot says:
I'm trying to find out how to do something very similar that you may be able to help me with. I want a picture frame that when the light is off looks just like a regular mirror, but when the lights are on you can see a photograph inside the frame.
Oct 18, 2011. 4:49 PMnmoraga says:
hehehe i made one too. unfortunately i cant upload the video i made . thanks for the instructables.
Jan 11, 2012. 4:34 PMzeldamaniac95 says:
where did you get the mirror tint? I have no idea where to look for it. The internet has too many different things.
Jan 27, 2012. 11:34 PMnicolae2099 says:
I found some at Home Depot in the Window section. I got a large roll big enough to cover 3 windows for $30. I went on a massive scavenger hunt for the stuff and that's the only size roll I found and the only place I found that had it. Good luck on your hunt!
Jan 19, 2012. 8:55 AMlongwinters says:
easy question for you, did you half the distance between the back LED and the mirror compared to the distance between the two LEDs ?

Nice project thanks for posting it.
Jan 11, 2012. 4:33 PMzeldamaniac95 says:
just wondering where you got your mirror tint. thanks
Jan 2, 2012. 7:02 AMtimothymh says:
What if the back was a one way mirror too? :o
Jan 4, 2012. 6:24 PMRoboTable says:
I was intrigued by your question so I decided to test it out with my own infinity mirror, whatever was on one side of the mirror also repeated itself making it to "infinite."Personally one one way mirror has the best results.
Dec 25, 2011. 6:37 PMspawnos3717 says:
For a clock, one could etch the numbers on the back of the mirror with backlighting and drill a hole for the clock module...
Oct 11, 2011. 8:17 AMoxidase says:
It would be even cooler if you made a mechanism that would make the LEDs spin
Dec 25, 2011. 6:29 PMspawnos3717 says:
You could use a light set with a multi function module atatched
Nov 23, 2011. 1:29 PMbbarbaros says:
you can lid leds by order with a small controller :) actually I liked the idea :) I`ll give it a shot :) thanks
Dec 14, 2011. 9:15 PMPr0pmaster says:
Thanks,for posting this, I have already made but I still not finish it, and thanks for the idea
Dec 8, 2011. 12:19 AMjwgillon says:
I had to use a clock frame and no mirrored window tint but still looks cool. Thanks!
Oct 24, 2011. 10:13 PMprototype2213 says:
Very awesome. I wonder... with some small LEDs, I bet these would look neat as the eye pieces for some (Steampunk?) googles, or the eyes for a Halloween skull. Good job.
Jun 13, 2011. 3:46 PMawsomeegan says:
does the side of the glass with the mirrior tint go in facing the led's or outward towards you?
Sep 24, 2011. 9:27 PMblinkyblinky says:
Facing the LEDs.
Aug 5, 2011. 10:15 AMccobra says:
thats so cool
Jul 4, 2011. 9:06 AMAnykey says:
I dont really get it ,it's like if the plexiglass had a mirror face and a transparent face like in interrogatory rooms
May 21, 2011. 6:50 PMtinker234 says:
hey yeah could i use el wire in difrent colors to make the strgate effect of going thourgh a worm hole
Apr 11, 2011. 5:56 PMThink with portals says:
5/5 That is Amazing! It looks complex but its really not!
Dec 24, 2010. 12:59 PMflame boyyyy says:
0_o
Dec 16, 2010. 10:31 AMmichaelgohjs says:
oh and i rated 5* for you ^^
Dec 16, 2010. 10:31 AMmichaelgohjs says:
you just gave me an idea..when i buy my own house, i am going to make a larger version (huge as in few meters square) it is going to make the house look big
Nov 14, 2010. 9:51 AM9ale7 says:
WOOW love the other videos you made.. AMAAAAAAZING !!
Nov 10, 2010. 3:55 PMhottamaleindustries says:
Do you think with small LED's and some very careful craftsmanship, you could make a watch face like that?
Oct 23, 2010. 8:09 PMPuzzledd says:
This is gorgeous. I'm even motivated to try to buy some mirrored tint- usually I'm too cheap to pay for materials.

Would it be possible to include some still shots of key points? I find the video clear but to fast- have to keep going back to look more closely.

Thanks for a brilliant 'ible!
Sep 7, 2010. 8:19 AMIDF says:
This looks great. You have inspired me to make one ... or you could just give me yours :D
Aug 28, 2010. 8:47 PMhwall13 says:
i saw one so small it was gift card sized and i wanted it but i could not buy it but now i can make thank you for the instructable!!!
Aug 21, 2010. 2:09 PMjimk3038 says:
What kind of mirrored tint material did you use?

I did a quick search and found this:

http://www.stylintrucks.com/part.aspx?category|category_root|-25=Exterior&category|cat_-25|390=Window+Tint&partfamilyid=1130&partid=795126&x=74003&scid=FROOGLE

The film is 20% ( I assume the 20% number is the amount of transmissivity). There is also 35% and 50%. Seems like getting the right film is key to making a cool design.

Any suggestion for the best film?

Thanks,
Jim
Aug 19, 2010. 12:07 AMchaoschao99 says:
awwwwww i want that soooo much
Aug 18, 2010. 10:05 AMdombeef says:
I want it! That is very cool!!!
Aug 17, 2010. 2:32 PMalexd619 says:
This would make one really sweet wall clock
Aug 17, 2010. 6:52 AMthewizard42 says:
Pretty sweet haha
Aug 17, 2010. 4:37 AMgreeenpro says:
These are awesome. Nice video.
Aug 16, 2010. 9:59 PMTape-structable says:
The effect is so beautiful. I wonder what it would look like with EL wire...

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