How to Make a Homemade Microscope

Microscopes allow you to magnify items that you would not usually see with the naked eye. They are scientific aides and assist in the investigation of small items. You can make your own portable microscope that can be used anywhere. It can be small or large and custom made to your preferences.

Things You'll Need

• Plastic bottle with a threaded cap
• Glass fiber
• Round piece of thick card
• Piece of card in the shape of a stick
• Glue

Instructions

Steps

1. Cut the bottom of the bottle off and cut a square hole in the side at the bottom of the bottle to allow light to enter.

2. Place a mirror in the bottle supported against the side of the bottle so it can rotate. Cut a hole in the bottle cap allowing light to hit the mirror.

3. To make the lens, hold the glass fiber up to a flame until a glass bead forms at the end. Take the glass fiber off the flame and detach the glass bead. Make sure you leave a thread attached to the glass bead so you can hold the bead later.

4. Make a little hole in the middle of the thick, round piece of card. This can be done using a needle. Push the thread attached to the small bead through the hole in the card until the small bead is set tightly in the hole. Make sure the lens is clean before weaving it through. Hold in place using a little glue on the part of the thread farthest from the bead.

5. Make more beads over the flame and continue to thread beads through the hole. Create a support to allow the card to sit above the bottle with the freedom to rotate using a stick of card, attached to the side of the bottle. Place the card over the bottle at the top and the item you want magnified between the card and the bottle cap.

Tips & Warnings

• If it is difficult to position the item you want magnified over the bottle cap, place a microscope slide over the bottle cap to hold the item instead.

• If you don't feel confident about making the lens, let a glassblower assist you.