Detachable 360deg "Mag-Lights" for Workshop Glasses

Have you ever wanted light while you are working, but wanted both your hands free?

These Mag-Lights stick to the sides of your Safety Glasses - but also be added to Helmets, Ear-Defenders, Bikes, Drills, Raves, you name it. I think what's great about them is that they use the magnets in two useful ways:

1. The lights are in a handy place when you are working - you can detach them easily, either to switch on/off, or to temporarily stick elsewhere. (e.g. you might take one and stick it under the car for a fixed light when the other is still attached to your glasses).

2. The magnets allow rotation, so you can tilt them to focus on a particular area. (You don't need to 'lock' your head at one angle when you are working, and if you've been camping with Head Torches, you know it's annoying when you dazzle people when you are talking face-to-face!)

I actually got this idea as a 'spin-off', when a friend asked me if I could solve his problem of 'late night BBQ-ing in the dark', as he wanted to see if the meat was cooked, without fumbling around for a light. So not only can you do all the above, but you can even stick these Mag-Lights onto many metal BBQ tools as well, to make probably the most high-tech (and washable) BBQ Tools around!

UPDATE: Just watched another video from the legendary Jimmy DiResta - and was like - yup, even the Pro's might need this, rather than holding a MagLight in their mouth!

Disclosure: This project utilises a product called Sugru - a Moulable Glue. To be clear - I do work for Sugru, as Head of Research, Design & Development, and indeed, other glues might work ok too, but I think this is a credible use, because of the nature of the construction of the "Mag-Lights" as you'll see. I have been doing projects on Instructables since I was at Dyson, and run a website called Design Modelling, with tutorials demonstrating stuff like this. This project is not affiliated with Sugru, nor are they responsible for it, and the views expressed here are my own. ....With the legalese bit over, I hope you enjoy the Instructable!

Step 1: What You'll Need...

You will need the items listed below. I'm guessing many people on Instructables have some of this stuff - or will use these items for various projects, so although I've given '1-off' purchase links, I'd suggest you go 'bulk-buy' - as it's much better value, and you'll probably use it for other projects (some stuff is even cheaper for 10 than for 1!)

Main Items To Buy:

Safety Spectacles: (Quality) or Safety Spectacles (Cheap)

"10x3mm Magnets" (Value) or "10x3mm Magnets" (Cheap- $1.89)

Sugru (Value) 8 pack. or Sugru (Cheap) 3pack.

Key-Ring Lights (bulk x10*)

*(These are actually more expensive to buy 1 at a time...so I guess the Sellers know you'll find loads of fun things to do with them, so I'd get the Value Pack of Magnets too if I were you! And you can even replace the batteries)

Step 2: Cut Off the Key Ring

Comes off easily with pliers, and probably can be forced off somehow if you don't have pliers, they are pretty cheap!

Step 3: Prepare Your Sugru

If you are new to Sugru, it's described as 'mouldable glue', so it feels like play-doh and stick to many materials in 24 hours. This is an opened pack of Sugru, and I'd suggest kneading it for a 10-20 seconds, and then breaking it in half. Cover up one of the halves, and take the other half and break it into 4 pieces. Now you are ready...

Step 4: Magnetise Your Lights

Take 2 of the small blobs (eights of a pack) and place on the back of the lights (not the button side!)
Using your marker, label the magnets in pairs. You need to know which is 'North' (A) and which is 'South' (B), so that you can have the same orientation on both the lights and the glasses - so it does not matter which side you stick them on.
Press your magnets into the Sugru blobs, and smooth round with your finger.
Optional: Take a tiny piece off the large half blob of Sugru and use it to cover half of the LED light. (This reduces glare in your peripheral vision, although it's pretty much ok without it).
Check that you have not squeezed too much Sugru and covered the screw holes!
Put aside to dry for 24 hours, and next do the glasses...

Step 5: Magnetise Your Glasses

1. Take another small blob (eighth) of Sugru, and apply it to the side of the glasses/goggles.

2.Take care not to get it into the hinge.

3. Press the magnet into the blog (checking the orientation/labelling*).

4. Focusing the Beams: While the Sugru is still malleable, you can adjust the beams so that they converge at a convenient distance from your head. Switch them on, sit down and focus them at a good working distance and gently adjust the Sugru to suit your preferred angle**.

5. You want to have finished your Sugru-ing in under 30mins, for best results.

*At the risk of this being patronising, you need to make sure that your magnets attract, (not repel) each other, so the easiest way to check, if to cover the 'glasses-side' magnet with your thumb - and put the 'light-side' magnet near it....if it pulls together, it's good, if it repels, you need to quickly take one of the magnets out and flip it over (remoulding the Sugru as you go). I still ended up doing this to check, as once the Sugru is set, it's really strong!

**Arguably, this is one of the benefits of using Sugru... you can make very small adjustments to the angle of the lights, and it will 'hold' in place - and then set. Other glues may confine you to working parallel to the frame of the glasses or they will set too quickly to make adjustments. Useful to know...

Step 6: 24 Hours Later

24 Hours is the suggested drying time, but I found mine were fine overnight in a warm room.

You can now see how the light twists easily to any direction - and read on, to check out what else you can stick them to!

And in case you were wondering, yes, glasses with lights on do already exist - but as far as I can see, they don't have this cool 'rotational' thing, and you can't take them lights off for a moment and stick them to things. You might also consider that you can fix these lights to your chosen pair of glasses, which if like me, you are a bit particular about, is preferable to having an uncomfortable pair. It's your call :o)

Step 7: Magnetise It Where the Sun Don't Shine

You might be needing more light when drilling (some drills do have these light - but have you noticed, they cash a shadow right where you want it, this Makita is a classic example!)
Sticking it on a Bulldog/paper Clip might be useful for reading.
Most Tools are magnetic, so it can often be a case of adding more light in poorly lit areas, like working under your car, etc.
I use a Proxxon precision drill, and it's handy to have the extra light, for very detailed work.

And last, but not least, for my BBQ-ethusiast friend - it does stick to your BBQ Tools, for late night cooking, without fear of undercooked meat!

But...you still have half a pack of Sugru left - it'll be dry in 24 hours, so what to do with it now?

Step 8: Encoré

So, if you've been paying attention, you'll have realised that you still have almost half a pack of Sugru left over... You can take a look at Sugru.com for other ideas, or you can make some comfy/grippy ends to the arms of the glasses, if your's don't have rubberised ends.

Simply roll it out, split in two, apply to each side (it takes a while to squish it round evenly), smooth it down with your finger (or even texture it with a rough object if you prefer), leave it to set, not touching the table, overnight and it's dry.

And if you are wanting to do something more advanced...read on...

Step 9: More Adventures in Design, Sugru, Making - and Even Space Travel

I hope you've enjoyed this project (please give it a Favourite/Vote if you did), or ask any questions below.

If you are intrigued by any of the tips shown here, or are in Design/Engineering you might want to check out some of the other Hey_Jude Instructable projects, a Makezine article I wrote, or even my website, Design Modelling.

And who knows, perhaps this is a good one for your old man on Father's Day - 21st June! (Though I'm sure your Mom/Mum/Ma will enjoy a matching pair too!).

Cheers,

Jude