Introduction: Simple Laser Spirograph With Retro Looking Case
I always wanted a laser spirograph and the many Instructables on this site have helped me with this. The only thing missing for me in other Instructables: a nice enclosure.
I had all the parts already in stock and most items are recycled from old appliances.
An overview:
MDF (surplus from other projects)
varnish (surplus of another project)
three twelve volt fans (old computer)
two power adapters (broken radio (12volt) and Walkman (3V))
on / off switch (from old computer)
main power cable and socket (from old computer)
red laser (from broken level)
mirror (old copy-machine)
piece of glass (old copy-machine)
the only thing I've bought are three potentiometers with matching knobs (2,5 euros = 3,5 USD)
I started by making the laser spirograph itself
The process is simple:
· Glue the mirrors to the fans whit on one side a thick piece of paper, this gives the angle.
· Connect the negatives of the fans to the negative of the 12 volt adapter
· Connect the positives of each fan to the potentiometers, split the positive from the adapter in three and connect them to the potentiometer.
· Connect the 3 volt adapter to the laser
Ones I had this lay out I made the measurements for the enclosure
On the rear side of the enclosure I made vent holes, for ventilation but also because it creates a retro look.
After putting everything together I varnished the enclosure whit dark wood varnish.
You can create a real wooden effect by the way that you varnish the first layer. (You will have to push the paint brush a little harder and make some slopes. )
Note: i made the mistake not to varnish the inside
The pictures of the laser in action aren’t that great because I couldn’t adjust the shutter speed of my camera.