How to Cut a Transparency for a Kaleidoscope Lens

You can construct the lens for a kaleidoscope out of glass. However, the lens will be heavy and may fall out of the kaleidoscope. As an alternative, use lightweight transparency sheets.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Small sharp knife
• Transparency sheets
• Marker
• Mailing tube
• Scissors
• Glue and glue gun
• Beads

1. Use a small sharp knife to cut off a 1-inch piece from the end of a mailing tube. You should now have a circle that will become the kaleidoscope lens when completed.

2. Lay the circle onto a sheet of transparency. Trace around the circle on the transparency with a pen or a marker.

3. Draw around the circle a second time so that you have the 2 transparency circles you will need to make your lens.

4. Cut around both tracings with scissors. Your cutting does not have to be precise. You can always trim the piece with your knife after the lens is completed.

5. Glue the transparency onto one end your cardboard ring with a hot glue gun. This will form the beginning of the lens.

6. Add beads or pieces of cut-up transparency sheets colored with markers to the lens.

7. Seal off the lens by gluing the second piece of transparency to the other side of the cardboard ring.