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Modifying Welding Goggles into a Steam inspired look

Modifying Welding Goggles into a Steam inspired look
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I wanted a pair of goggles. I told myself it was because I wanted to use them for sunglasses, or that I wanted them when I rode my bicycle. Really, I just wanted a pair of goggles for the reasons that I just wanted a pair of goggles.

For this project I used one pair of cheap welding goggles found at my local non-chain hardware store.
Some leftover black suede from other projects.
Epoxy. Hmmmm, I loves me epoxy.
Some of that Fusion plastic pain in black.
Some acrylic brass colored paint.
Some brass jinglies left over from some other jewelry project.

I am often inspired by Steampunk asthetics, and was going to work on something much harder before I found the forum at Brass Goggles. There is even a thread titled The Definitive Goggle Thread where a wonderful person named TheRedMax suggested welding goggles as a launching point.

Previous to that I was going to cut and shape colored plexi and attach it to brass or PVC painted fittings. As fantastic as that would be, my laziness coupled with an intense desire for instant gratification won out. Plus, the welding goggles were only $8 and some change. That was far cheaper than my original plan.

This project could be done in one or two days depending on drying glue or paint times. It took me the better part of a week because I was ill with acute tonsillitis. Epoxy is nausea inducing by itself let alone when you are already ill from your tonsils going bad. I tend to tinker when nervous, so here you go.

(Not to worry! I go to surgery today in a couple hours to get them out. I am going to ask if they will give me the tonsils, but I suspect that request will be denied. If they do give me my tonsils I will post a picture, I promise.)

As a side note, my camera is very old and in poor condition. For some reason it shoots colors oddly, and is in general a pain. Please forgive the nature of the pictures, and the wonky colors.
 
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Step 1Get Your Goggles

Get Your Goggles
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Get a pair of cheap plastic welding goggles. I got mine for eight dollars, and some change, at a local non-chain hardware store. They are pretty cool with screw off front bits, and a green lens and a clear cover lens.

I found out from a wonderful man named Kabuki in the thread that lens darknesses range from a rating of one to ten, with one being the lightest and ten being the darkest. He stated:

3 is sufficient for soldering with a torch, and 5 is sufficient for brazing. 5 is a little dark for, say, sunglasses replacements, but 3 or 4 would be great.

I found that fascinating.

Mine came in a horrible teal color, but that didn't bother me. I knew I would be covering them anyways. There is also elastic to hold them on your head. I am sure some folks might like to trade that out for a leather strap, but my head is tiny, and sometimes I wear dreads that make it huge. Elastic fits that every changing hair extension induced head dimension.
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98 comments
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Oct 8, 2011. 1:25 AMkretzlord says:
Absolutely fantastic! i've been looking for the right way to work my way into steampunk and you've provided it for me. Great instruction makes a great instructable
May 15, 2011. 10:48 AMkb1012 says:
I just wanted to properly thank you for posting this - it has inspired me to make a pair of my own! Granted, they aren't for me - they're for a craft swap - but I still appreciate the informative inspiration! I also made a storage compartment for them using one of those pre-formed paper mache boxes...perfect for stashing away all those important, mad science-y secrets!

Thanks again!!
Jan 12, 2009. 4:57 AMStormy_rayne says:
Awesome job, you have managed to infect me with the want to make these myself, they sure beat paying those prices online for them.......why buy when you can make yourself
Sep 30, 2010. 6:03 PM2 stroke says:
we have black gogles the exact same but black in out welding class
May 29, 2009. 6:41 PMStormy_rayne says:
sorry for the late responce, but of course i will, crafting is what i cove to do, though i don't think they'll come out as good
Aug 15, 2010. 9:21 PMco2wms7whcc says:
This is my pair, I found you instructable the day I finished them.
Apr 15, 2010. 6:38 PMBlackIceRedbone says:
 Hay I have a tip... use Hot glue for rivets instead of Epoxy
Aug 10, 2009. 11:21 PMmattimusmaximus says:
nice, like the rivet dots, tres cool
May 12, 2009. 5:27 PMTBJ5 says:
I have these green goggles as well, and your modifications make the ones I tried kinda pathetic (the green is pretty annoying). I'll give this a shot, hopefully it turns out as nice as yours.
Apr 6, 2009. 12:16 AMRy- says:
I desparately want to do this. I'd wear them to school. My dad won't let me due to he thinks it's weird and bizarre. He never likes anything I like or what I do...
Mar 4, 2009. 4:51 PMFarrelbark says:
ok, now how much suede, and what shape should I cut out for dis? BTW, awesome concept, and soo easy! *2 thumbzors up*
Feb 9, 2009. 1:22 PMDELETED_KillerBruin says:
(removed by author or community request)
Jan 26, 2009. 7:28 PMMrLouque says:
neat, where did you get the goggles though?
Feb 8, 2009. 1:57 PMDELETED_KillerBruin says:
(removed by author or community request)
Feb 8, 2009. 12:55 PMDELETED_KillerBruin says:
(removed by author or community request)
Dec 29, 2008. 1:04 AMdraik41895 says:
i just got my tonsils taken out and no they wont let you keep them
Oct 30, 2008. 8:45 PMAsbestosy says:
I just did this, turned out awesome. Have yet to try and thread the elastic though... will be doing that tomorrow once everything has dried/cured. Also, I apparently suck at making glue dots :( didn't like the look so I yanked them off and just painted over.
Oct 7, 2008. 9:06 AMJinglesmar says:
Those are great! And a great tutorial, too! And whats up with the docs and your tonsils? They're YOURS, after all!
Jul 14, 2008. 9:01 PMeman_p says:
Ok, it's so cool to see this here... I was looking at goggle instructables and imagine how surprised (at first) to see your username...

I came 'cause I saw these instructions from another site: http://thismight.be/offensive/uploads/2007/10/22/image/215493_%5Bbig%5D%5Bscroller%5D%20maxxer%20project%20for%20halloween%20costume.jpg

Awesome job with yours!
Jun 4, 2008. 8:40 PMgrayfaction147 says:
How exactly do you "dry brush" the brass paint? I am making a pair like this and really don't want to totally screw up the whole project.
May 21, 2008. 6:38 PMr3db0x says:
Wonderful! I have this exact pair of goggles at home, but really despise the green. I was worried about painting the eyepieces (don't want paint flakes on my face), but covering them with cloth is just brilliant. Thanks!
May 13, 2008. 5:40 PMpyroman50 says:
way cool I'm totally going to make these
Apr 11, 2008. 1:55 PMpinkwerewolf says:
Are you a Toy Soldier in Dr.Steel's army? If not you should be, .... and by the way you look like my twin sister. Cool goggle guide! Im on it now!!
Apr 21, 2008. 9:27 PMColbyCirca89 says:
Not heard of Doc Steel?!? Sacrilege!! Just go to http://worlddominationtoys.com/drsteel/enter.html and check it out. You can also find a few cartoony music vids around the net.
May 12, 2008. 4:27 PMGrmgunner says:
I love dr. Steels music vids :)
Feb 3, 2008. 7:19 PMCruiz Lee says:
l just finished my own goggles based on your instructions. Thanks for putting them up.
1-40 of 98next »

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