Projector Slide Window Hanging

Intro: Projector Slide Window Hanging

I managed to snag an old box of projector slides at the thrift store for a buck fifty and just had to do something fun with them! They're really neat little collage images, probably from some art class. They're all from 1998 and 1999, so they're not really old enough to be cool. I love them just the same for their bright, colorful images and for the look of the slides in general!

The slides take on a whole new look (obviously) when held up to a light source, so I wanted to make the most of that feature. I decided to go with a sun catcher sort of creation but with kind of a sparse look to it. I like the look of the large chain links because it gives it kind of a modern industrial feel. As long as you can get a hold of some old slides, this project is quick, easy, cheap, and lots of fun!

STEP 1: Materials

Materials

• Chain with at Least Twelve Links (or S Hooks)
• Two Pairs of Pliers
• Drill
• Twelve Slides

STEP 2:

Begin by gripping each side of one link's opening with pliers and then twisting one side away from you and one toward you. Think of it as a giant jump ring.

STEP 3:

Continuing opening links until you have at least twelve. They should be opened just enough to pull them apart, like in the photo. Set them aside for later.

STEP 4:

On each slide, mark the middle of the top and bottom using a pencil. This is where you'll drill your holes, so you want it to be centered.

STEP 5:

Drill a hole on the places you've marked at the top and bottom of each slide. In one slide, only drill a hole in the top. This will be the bottom slide and won't need to be connected to anything at the bottom.

STEP 6:

Continue until all twelve slides (except the last) look like this.

STEP 7:

Thread a link from your chain through the hole in one of the slides.

STEP 8:

Thread another slide onto the same link.

STEP 9:

Using your pliers, close the link the same way that you opened it.

STEP 10:

Continue adding links and slides until they're all connected, and you have one long strand of slides linked together.

STEP 11:

You can add additional links to the top as desired, depending on how long you want the hanger portion of the chain to be. I used two links.

STEP 12:

You're all done! Go hang your quirky little piece of art in a window to make all your neighbors jealous!!!

Comments

[bertus52x11]

Very Cool!!
When I first quickly read  your instructable, I thought it was for hanging in a sliding window (slide - sliding) to keep the flies out (not joking!!).
You know these the vertical rubber strips people hang in door openings to keep the flies out in summer, but still provide easy acces?
Is that an idea?

[sweetlife90]

A very inspirational Instructable! I have thought of many projector slide projects because of this, one of which i have pursued (just in time for the holidays):

CHRISTMAS TREE ORNAMENT:
If looking for a non-traditional christmas tree ornament, use the above Instructable. I made one for my mother and my grandma. Went to my grandmother's house and grabbed a bag of hundreds of old family projector slides (circa 1958-1975) from family vacations and parties. Sifted through them all and grabbed all the Christmas morning and winter-related slides. Using these, brass chain links, and a drill press, made 2 sentimental ornaments of varying length for family members. Can be strung on a tree vertically, or horizontally like garland.

[Lorelle]

Cool idea! I've been wracking my brain for what to do with these old slide mounts that I inherited from my dad. I finally came up with this project: https://www.instructables.com/id/Mosaic-Tile-Poster-Using-Slide-Mounts/

But now that I've seen your wall hanging, I know what to do with that box of old family vacation slides after I scan them!

Lorelle

[zanne101]

I like this. Could you do several strips (maybe not as long) connected horizontally? Sort of a film slide chain mail? You could use this on a window where you don't want complete visibility from outside.

[ShrimpSaladCircus]

I've actually thought about that!!! I think it would look really neat; you'd just have to be carefully making your holes on the sides because the space is thinner, but I think that would be fantastic!

[mike sterling]

A hand-held single hole punch and a template slide would make that stage easier.

[ShrimpSaladCircus]

Actually, the plastic is a bit too thick to punch comfortably with a regular hole-punch. A leather punch or something along those lines might work, but I don't think it'd be very efficient with a standard office punch. As far as the template, I actually did use the first one as a guide for the rest, but I had already marked all of them (oops) before I thought about it. I should update that.

[Sandisk1duo]

Fascinating! I wonder how well the film withstands the eliments

[kissiltur]

Beautiful, and beautiful photographs too. The opened links curving off into an uncertain distance in step 3 is a striking image all on its own. When drilling the slides, I'd be looking for a way to drill all of them one go - some kind of clamp or jig, perhaps. Definitely worth it if you were to make a lot of these!

[ShrimpSaladCircus]

Yes - the drilling was slow-going for sure. I tried to drill several at once, but I kept slipping and having them fly out everywhere. A clamp would be perfect! Thanks for the compliment!!!