Make An Infinity Mirror!

 by signalred
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!
hankyknot says: Feb 11, 2012. 9:15 AM
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.
MorNuN in reply to hankyknotOct 14, 2012. 9:21 PM
you could use a one way mirror (I'm not sure it's called like that)
and put tiny LEDs on the inside of the frame, so if you turn those LEDs on, you can see the image.

I don't think you can control it by the external luminosity, to see if there's a mirror or not, you need light, more or less, but you need it.
nmoraga says: Oct 18, 2011. 4:49 PM
hehehe i made one too. unfortunately i cant upload the video i made . thanks for the instructables.
IMG_0870.JPGIMG_0871.JPGIMG_0872.JPGIMG_0873.JPGIMG_0874.JPGIMG_0875.JPGIMG_0876.JPGIMG_0877.JPG
zeldamaniac95 in reply to nmoragaJan 11, 2012. 4:34 PM
where did you get the mirror tint? I have no idea where to look for it. The internet has too many different things.
dubbya in reply to zeldamaniac95Oct 10, 2012. 6:57 PM
Any decent sized automotive supply store will have small rolls of the stuff for about 10-12 bucks. Pep Boys, Autozone, etc. Home improvement stores also carry it usually but their rolls are bigger and about 30-35 bucks.
nicolae2099 in reply to zeldamaniac95Jan 27, 2012. 11:34 PM
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!
ralexmoreno says: Sep 17, 2012. 5:39 PM
where did you buy your light strand from?
RaniaMomo says: Mar 15, 2012. 9:04 AM
how much time does it take?
longwinters says: Jan 19, 2012. 8:55 AM
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.
zeldamaniac95 says: Jan 11, 2012. 4:33 PM
just wondering where you got your mirror tint. thanks
timothymh says: Jan 2, 2012. 7:02 AM
What if the back was a one way mirror too? :o
RoboTable in reply to timothymhJan 4, 2012. 6:24 PM
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.
spawnos3717 says: Dec 25, 2011. 6:37 PM
For a clock, one could etch the numbers on the back of the mirror with backlighting and drill a hole for the clock module...
oxidase says: Oct 11, 2011. 8:17 AM
It would be even cooler if you made a mechanism that would make the LEDs spin
spawnos3717 in reply to oxidaseDec 25, 2011. 6:29 PM
You could use a light set with a multi function module atatched
bbarbaros in reply to oxidaseNov 23, 2011. 1:29 PM
you can lid leds by order with a small controller :) actually I liked the idea :) I`ll give it a shot :) thanks
Pr0pmaster says: Dec 14, 2011. 9:15 PM
Thanks,for posting this, I have already made but I still not finish it, and thanks for the idea
jwgillon says: Dec 8, 2011. 12:19 AM
I had to use a clock frame and no mirrored window tint but still looks cool. Thanks!
SAM_0429.jpg
prototype2213 says: Oct 24, 2011. 10:13 PM
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.
awsomeegan says: Jun 13, 2011. 3:46 PM
does the side of the glass with the mirrior tint go in facing the led's or outward towards you?
blinkyblinky in reply to awsomeeganSep 24, 2011. 9:27 PM
Facing the LEDs.
ccobra says: Aug 5, 2011. 10:15 AM
thats so cool
Anykey says: Jul 4, 2011. 9:06 AM
I dont really get it ,it's like if the plexiglass had a mirror face and a transparent face like in interrogatory rooms
tinker234 says: May 21, 2011. 6:50 PM
hey yeah could i use el wire in difrent colors to make the strgate effect of going thourgh a worm hole
Think with portals says: Apr 11, 2011. 5:56 PM
5/5 That is Amazing! It looks complex but its really not!
flame boyyyy says: Dec 24, 2010. 12:59 PM
0_o
michaelgohjs says: Dec 16, 2010. 10:31 AM
oh and i rated 5* for you ^^
michaelgohjs says: Dec 16, 2010. 10:31 AM
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
9ale7 says: Nov 14, 2010. 9:51 AM
WOOW love the other videos you made.. AMAAAAAAZING !!
hottamaleindustries says: Nov 10, 2010. 3:55 PM
Do you think with small LED's and some very careful craftsmanship, you could make a watch face like that?
Puzzledd says: Oct 23, 2010. 8:09 PM
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!
IDF says: Sep 7, 2010. 8:19 AM
This looks great. You have inspired me to make one ... or you could just give me yours :D
hwall13 says: Aug 28, 2010. 8:47 PM
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!!!
jimk3038 says: Aug 21, 2010. 2:09 PM
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
chaoschao99 says: Aug 19, 2010. 12:07 AM
awwwwww i want that soooo much
dombeef says: Aug 18, 2010. 10:05 AM
I want it! That is very cool!!!
alexd619 says: Aug 17, 2010. 2:32 PM
This would make one really sweet wall clock
thewizard42 says: Aug 17, 2010. 6:52 AM
Pretty sweet haha
greeenpro says: Aug 17, 2010. 4:37 AM
These are awesome. Nice video.
Tape-structable says: Aug 16, 2010. 9:59 PM
The effect is so beautiful. I wonder what it would look like with EL wire...
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