How to Build a Periscope Milk Carton
Periscopes are instruments which allow you to see the things which are not directly visible to you. These long, tube-like devices can be used to see over a fence or around a wall. Actually, periscopes contain two mirrors which will reflect the images from its top hole and let you see it by placing your eye on the bottom hole. There is no complicated science involved in periscopes and you can build your own at home. This won’t require any expensive things to be used and even a milk carton can be turned into an effective periscope. Only few spare things within your house can be used for this fun-filled project and it won’t take much effort either.
Things Required:
– A 1 litre empty milk carton
– A pair of scissors
– Two equal sized rectangular pieces of mirror
– Paper tape
– Glue sticks
– Glue gun
Instructions
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1
An empty milk carton can be easily converted into a periscope. Wash the milk carton thoroughly with soap and make sure it doesn’t smell anymore. If you don’t wash the carton properly, it will generate foul smell far beyond endurance!
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2
Place the milk carton horizontally on a table and cut it across in two pieces. Measure just ½ inch from the top corner and use a knife to cut open the box, making it look like a shoe box with separate lid.
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3
Now you have to affix the mirrors in the opened milk carton but first of all, you need to incise sufficient place to adjust the mirrors. Place the mirror at the top side of the milk carton and use a marker to trace around it. Do the same at the bottom end but on the opposite side of the carton.
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4
Use scissors to cut out the rectangular tracing but only cut three sides, leaving the fourth side intact to make a flap. Fold the flaps inwards to affix mirrors on them.
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5
Place the mirrors on two flaps using a paper tape and make slanted angles inside the carton. See the bottom opening if you can get a clear view through the top hole and keep adjusting the angles of the flaps until you get a clear view. A 45 degrees angle is ideal for both mirrors.
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6
Use the glue gun to apply glue to the flaps and fix them firmly in their respective position.
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7
Place the lid back onto the carton and seal the edges with paper tape. Your milk carton periscope is ready to use!
