A periscope allows you to see objects that are around a corner or from a higher vantage point than normal. Although modern submarines and other technology vehicles now use a complex system of lenses and prisms, you can build a simple mirror periscope at home by following the instructions in this tutorial. You will have a tool that will produce a fairly clear image and that was widely used for military purposes for much of the twentieth century.
Steps
Method 1 of 2: Cardboard Periscope
Step 1. Get two mirrors of the same size
You can use any flat mirror, be it round, rectangular or any other shape. They don't have to be the same shape, but they need to be small enough to fit into the carton.
You can buy mirrors from home improvement stores, fine art stores, or online
Step 2. Cut out the top of two empty milk cartons
Get two empty one-liter containers, as these are large enough to hold the mirrors. Cut out and discard the triangular top, wash the insides thoroughly to get rid of any odors.
- You can also use a long, sturdy cardboard tube.
- You can also replace the milk containers with a flat sheet of sturdy cardboard. Gently engrave it with a cutter to divide it into four sections, close it on itself to form a box and secure the structure with adhesive tape.
Step 3. With scotch tape, join the two milk cartons
You can use packing tape or another similar product to secure the two containers together at the open ends. At this point you will have a long box. If you want to fix the structure even more firmly, try to glue the internal faces of the containers together and then use tape to join the outside.
In the same way you can glue two tubes or two homemade cardboard boxes and thus create a longer periscope. However, you must remember that the longer the structure, the smaller the image will be
Step 4. Cut a hole in one side of the frame large enough to insert a mirror
Put the latter on one of the vertical sides of the milk carton, about 6 mm from the end. Trace the contours of the mirror with a pencil to determine the size of the hole.
- At this stage, a utility knife is the most suitable tool, but you should only use it under adult supervision, as it is very sharp.
- If you have decided to use a cardboard tube instead of milk containers, flatten it slightly so that you can draw the contours of the mirror.
Step 5. Fit the mirror into the hole at a 45 ° angle
Use sticky plasticine or double-sided tape to attach it to the inner wall of the cardboard, across the direction of the hole you cut. Arrange the mirror so that its entire reflective surface is visible through the hole, but at the same time it is pointed downwards and towards the other end with an inclination of 45 °.
- To check the angle, use a ruler and measure the distance that separates the closest edge of the cardboard to the lower edge of the mirror, at the point where it touches the structure. Then measure the distance from the same edge to the top edge of the mirror where it touches the structure. If the angle is 45 °, the two measured values are identical.
- Do not use glue at this stage of assembly as you will need to make changes and adjustments.
Step 6. Cut out a second hole on the other end of the structure, so that it is open in the opposite direction to the first
To figure out where to cut, place the cardboard so that the shorter side is facing you, with the first hole at the top. Rotate the frame so that the hole is now on the opposite side. The second hole needs to be cut out on the surface which is now facing you, right at the bottom. Trace the outline of the mirror as you did earlier.
Step 7. Snap the second mirror into the second hole
Exactly as you did for the first one, also in this case you must be able to see all the reflective surface through the hole, but at the same time it must be facing the other mirror at a 45 ° angle. In this way, one mirror reflects the light inside the periscope and the second through the hole to your eye. The reflected light will be the image of what is in front of the opposite hole of the periscope.
Step 8. Look inside a hole and apply the necessary changes
Do you see a clear image? If it was blurry or if the only visible thing was the inside of the periscope, adjust the position of the mirrors. When both are at a 45 ° angle, you should be able to see through the instrument without difficulty.
Step 9. Lock the mirrors permanently
If sticky clay or tape isn't enough, use glue. When the mirrors are well fixed in the right position, you can use your periscope to spy on people or to see above the crowd.
If too much light enters the "eyepiece" of the periscope, add black tape to the edges of the hole to limit it
Method 2 of 2: Periscope with PVC Tubes
Step 1. Get one or two PVC pipes
Look for a piece whose length is between 30 and 50 cm, but remember that the longer the tube, the smaller the image. You can also use two elements with slightly different sections, so that they can fit into each other without problems. In addition, this allows you to rotate the periscope while using it and be able to observe the surrounding environment.
You can find PVC pipes in hardware stores and DIY stores
Step 2. Add a small elbow joint at each end
These elements allow you to give the tube the true shape of the periscope. Make sure that the openings of the elbow joints are in different directions, so you can see behind obstacles or corners.
Step 3. Get two mirrors that can fit into the tube
Their dimensions must be such as to be able to fit them at the end of the PVC. They should also be circular, to facilitate assembly operations; you can get them in DIY stores or online.
Step 4. Insert the first mirror into one end of the tube at a 45 ° angle
Use adhesive plasticine or a very strong double-sided tape to fix it in the corner of the elbow joint. Look through the joint, towards the mirror you just mounted. Adjust its position until you are able to see the base of the tube at the opposite end. Alternatively, remove the other elbow joint and adjust the mirror until you see through the length of the tube.
Step 5. Snap the second mirror into the other end
Always fix it at a 45 ° angle, so that the light reflected from the first mirror bounces along the length of the tube, hits the second mirror and comes straight out of the elbow.
Step 6. Once the two mirrors are in place, attach them to the frame
Adjust their position until the periscope is functional. When you get a clear image, secure the mirrors in place with several layers of masking tape, PVC-specific glue, or epoxy.
Advice
- The larger the mirrors, the greater the field of view.
- Use masking tape to seal the center.
- You can make mirrors out of an old CD, but remember to wear gloves and safety glasses to protect yourself from splinters and work under adult supervision. First heat the CD with a hair dryer to make it less crumbly, then engrave it several times with a small knife until you can cut it into the shape you want.
