Introduction: Innerspace Loupe
About: One-half engineer and growing, I spend a lot of time wondering what the world will be like when we run out of oil. Then, I wonder why I'm waiting for it to happen rather than getting started on that world righ…
Create a magnifying loupe to inspect your soldering, look at your hangnail or really small bugs, or just get up close in your buddy's ear and pretend you're Dennis Quaid cruising around inside Martin Short!!
Step 1: Materials
I gathered up some things I had lying around... A 3V rechargeable lithium battery from a laptop a workmate tore into, a tiny magnifying lens from a copy machine that I tore into, some amber LEDs (white would be better, if you have them) and a pushbutton from an old VCR that the interns at MAKE tore into, and some 5 minute epoxy, which I have learned to stop using to brush my teeth. Good luck finding all of this stuff!!
Step 2: Attach the Engine
Well, not an engine actually, but close. Epoxy the battery to the lens.
Step 3: Attach the Switch
It's a momentary switch, for when you go voyaging to poorly lit regions! Roughly fit it on, and solder one wire from the battery to one terminal, and two wires from the other terminal for the LEDs. Make sure to put it on the right terminals, do a continuity check first. I clipped off the ones I didn't need, cos I'm the type that discovers his mistakes after the epoxy has set!
Step 4: Epoxy the Switch to the Lens
Just do it. Make it look nice! And don't get epoxy in the switch. Like I did. Air turned blue for 2 minutes...
Step 5: Add Headlights
Do you know how to hook up an LED? How about two in parallel? You do?! Great!! Then I don't have to explain all that. Watch what wires you hook up, measure them well, since they will be getting epoxied to the lens body. Be careful not to short out the LEDs, and be sure to test them out before you glue them on, not just as an afterthought. Hang the LEDs out a little from the edge of the body, so they can be focused later.
Never has five minutes seemed so long!! It's like being 4 years old all over again!
Never has five minutes seemed so long!! It's like being 4 years old all over again!
Step 6: Get Crosseyed
Bend your LEDs in a little, so they're focused on what you're looking at.
Step 7: You're Done!
Congratulations! You are now extremely tiny! Get in there and have a look around!!