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Showing posts from January, 2012

Resources: where we get materials project inspiration

Recently at a Community Science Workshop network training/skill swap day I was asked where we find our ideas and our project materials.  Thinking about this I realized it was quite a long list and that there was no way I was going to remember all the good ones in that conversation. So in this post I will try to provide a more complete list of what resources we use on a regular basis. Materials: Online: American Science and Surplus •A good source for cheap optics, lab ware, electromechanical parts, and a wide variety of hardware and equipment. While their inventory changes over time it is relatively stable. Surplus Shed • Very cheap high quality optics, a great place to go if you wanted to get the components for a telescope for under $40.  The down side of Surplus Shed is that its almost completely surplus, so if you find a cool lens today it might not be in stock in the future so plan accordingly. Electronic Goldmine • This site has a fairly complete selection of electronic

Stereoscope Viewer

Image
Materials: • Foamcore: one piece big enough to fit the viewer template (about 10''x4''), a 4''x5'' piece to mount the images, an 2''x2'' right triangle.  • 2 small lenses (we used surplusshed.com Item #:L10039:  RECTANGULAR PCX 22MM X 20MM X 80MM FL) • yarn    Tools: • Hot glue gun • Utility knife  • Metal ruler          If you're just making one viewer transfer these dimensions directly onto a your foam core, if not you may want to make a template like this so it can be traced onto multiple pieces of foamcore. Note that the two unmarked dimensions for the nose hole are approximately 1'' at the top and 1.5'' at the bottom.  After you  transferred the pattern cut out the nose and eye holes and score the hinges between the front and side flaps.   Next fold up the side flaps and glue in the 2''x2'' triangles to hold them in place.  While you can put th