Introduction: Jack-O-Laser of Doom
Ok, I thought the Laser Vortex was the coolest Halloween project yet. So this project pays homage to it. For my project, however I needed to make it small and portable to fit into a pumpkin. I also needed to make the laser and spinning mirror all 1 unit. So with a couple of mods, the Jack-o-Laser of Doom was born.
Step 1: Make the Spinning Mirror
If you need to see how to make the mirror mount see mever's instructable,
steps 8 & 9 here-https://www.instructables.com/id/EXB5CA21JPET9K5F7Y this
is the genius of the project.
I Used a little 3 volt radio shack motor with the cog on it, and drilled a
hole in the bottle cap. Then I pressed the cap on the cog and put a lot of
super glue gel on it.
For my needs mounting the mirror at a 45 degree angle produced a vortex that
got too big in too short of a distance, so I just glued the mirror in the
bottle cap at a couple of degrees so I could get a tube of light.
Step 2: Make the Motor Mount & Attach to the Base
Ok for this step I used my favorite prototyping material....Lego... I used two twelve Pieces for the base and then mounted the motor on 3 pieces 6 long on top of the base (see foto) This gave room for the bottle cap to spin. Then I took 2 zip ties and used them to mount the motor.
I had to use the 2x3 bricks on top and bottom because when I sinched the zip ties down It spread the pieces and those bricks held the assembly straight.
Step 3: Attach Laser Mount & Laser
For this step I mounted the 7 or 8 length lego with the axle so I can change the angle of the Laser.
Next I took apart a $30 laser pointer from office max and used another zip tie to mount it.
I Put the zip tie over the momentary switch and sinched it down so that the switch stayed on.
**Help.. the switch has 4 solder points on it... I wanted to figure out a way to jump the switch but didn't want to risk ruining the laser** what is the proper way to take care of this?
Step 4: Add Some Feet to Get Proper Angle and Stability
To make sure the beam shot up instead of straight out, I lifted the front foot a little higher than the back. This keeps the laser beam from being blocked by the laser unit.
Step 5: Mount Laser in Jack-o-Laser
In this step I took the ice cream spoon and flattened out the bottom of the pumpkin. Then I powered up the unit and it shot the circle patern on the inside wall of the pumpkin. This helped me know where to cut the hole.
Step 6: Run Wires and Insert LED's for Eye Lights
The Jack-o-Laser Is only meant to be seen from the front. So I drilled a couple of holes in the back to run my wires... I used the alligator clips because this thing will rot in a couple of days and I was running out of time and patience for this whole deal at 2am this morning.
Step 7: Wait for Night & Shoot a Death Ray at the Kiddies
I got one of those smoke machines at Target for 20 bucks and it is not the greatest but I think the effect is cool..
This would work better inside because the smoke dissapates outside due to the wind.
My wife wasn't as excited about putting this in the house as i was so.... Its on the porch.
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30 Comments
14 years ago on Step 3
if you look on the bottom of the curcuit board you will be able to see that there are metal film cut out and laid on to forn the different curcuits by looking three of the solder points should be conected togeter with one of these films all you have to do is put in a jumper wire conecting the three pins to the fourth completely bypassing the botton this will make the laser come on all the time when power is hooked up
14 years ago on Introduction
looks like a shoop da whoop
IMA FIRIN' MA LAZAR BLLLAAAAAAAAAAARGH!!!!!!!!!
15 years ago on Step 7
Freakin' Sweet!
15 years ago on Step 1
cool
15 years ago on Step 7
try cooling the fog, or make a tunnel out of 1/4 pvc and sheets
16 years ago on Step 3
An FYI: A keychain laser pointer can be found for $1.00 USD at dollar stores.
Reply 16 years ago on Introduction
would love some help finding one the laser lights. i've searched everywhere from 99 cent store to hardware stores. would a laser level work? great project. one more shopping day until halloween. thankx.'
Reply 16 years ago on Introduction
I bought a laser pointer at staples.Or any office supply store. A laser level might work....
Reply 16 years ago on Introduction
eBay is pretty good - they have loads to pick from - mostly for knock down prices.
16 years ago on Introduction
This was the first spinner project I saw. Thanks for the inspiration. With additional ideas from the references, I put together a two mirror projector. Used with and without fog. I was afraid children would look into the beam, so I pointed it at the garage door. Not the best craftsmanship, but it worked. Keep up the good work.
16 years ago
How many MWs must the laser be?
Reply 16 years ago on Introduction
most laser pointers are around 5mw, so almost any laser pointer will work
16 years ago on Introduction
what type of battery is the laser hooked up to?
Reply 16 years ago on Introduction
2 AA batteries in series... but that was what was in the laser pointer to begin with.
16 years ago on Introduction
A lazy man's way to this is to buy a gizmo called a "laser widow" (about $50) that will make all kinds of patterns & can be triggered w/music or sound. Stick on of those in there & add a couple tri-color changing LED's (I found them @ a dollar store) for eyes & you're done.
Reply 16 years ago on Introduction
Yes; but that would cost 50 dollars >>.. not 7 - 10 Nice alternative if you're not able to do these instructions though.
16 years ago on Step 2
How much did this cost, I might do this.
Reply 16 years ago on Step 2
the motor was around $5 us. I had to buy a bag of mirrors at a craft store for $5. Someone said you can get laser pointers for $1 at dollar stores.
Reply 16 years ago on Introduction
Nice i made one!
laser:1$
mirror:1$
motor(in a toy fan)1$
=3$ and work perfectly.
awesome, thanks you allot!
16 years ago on Step 2
cool, about $11? that is a very good deal for such a cool thing!!!!