Introduction: DIY Cardboard Periscope

This easy cardboard periscope is the perfect gadget for a little spy. A periscope is a tool used on a submarine to look above the surface of the water, while the submarine is submerged. This periscope is made using every day materials with a cd for the mirrors. Since you will be using a cd as the mirrors, make sure it is not scratched.

Supplies

  • cardboard toothpaste box
  • hot glue gun
  • glue sticks
  • masking tape
  • permanent marker
  • hair dryer
  • heavy-duty scissors
  • cd (one that is not scratched)

Step 1: Marking the Box

Open the toothpaste box on one end. Remove the toothpaste. Hot-glue the flaps on that end back into place. Put a piece of masking tape on all four of the long sides of the box, leaving a tab on one corner of each piece of tape to make removal later easier.Label the pieces of tape 1-4. On sides 2 and 4, put T on one end for the top, and B on the other end for the bottom.

Step 2: Cutting the Holes

On side four, mark a line on the top (the T end) 1 3/4" from the top end. And on side two, mark a line on the bottom (the B end) 1 3/4" from the bottom end. Cut the spaces out to leave two holes on opposite sides of the box, and on opposite ends. If any flaps come loose, hot-glue them back. I put arrows on side one, to show you where my two holes are.

Step 3: Cutting the Cd

We are going to start by cutting the cd in half, to make it a little bit easier to work with. Heat it up, a little at a time. Then slowly cut it with heavy-duty scissors. Next in the middle of each half, mark a section as wide as the box. Cut this out, and trim up the edges.

Step 4: Putting in the Mirrors

Hot-glue the mirrors into the holes, angling them down into the box. Now look into one of the mirrors, and you should see whatever is being reflected in the other mirror. You are done!

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