Friday, April 11, 2014

SteamPunk Goggles

Did you start to wonder if I had forgotten about this blog thing? 

This next weekend is the Salt Lake ComiCon, Fan Expo. We have spent the past week working on costumes but nothing really blogable. 

Except maybe this. 

My oldest daughter is doing a sort of Steam Punk Snow White. For her head band she wanted a pair of goggles. Now comes the part where I reference the wonderful Epbot.com.  http://www.epbot.com/2011/07/how-to-make-steampunk-goggles.html

Yes. I use her site ALL the time. I couldn't have made this had she not shown me the way. 

However, I made these once using metal pipe like in her directions and realized they were going to be too heavy for a headband. This is my adjustments for a lighter end result.
These are the items I bought.
2 - 1 1/2 die cast slip joint nuts (@$2.50 each)
#4 mini clamp. ($.40)
1 1/2 " PVC slip joint coupling. ($6.00) 

The coupling comes with plastic joint nuts but they're ugly and not the right shape 
for the look we were after. So just toss those. 
There are metal couplings as well but they add so much weight. I found some to purchase by themselves that were lighter. They were in a high box at Lowes. Not something you will just notice but if you watch for 1 1/2 die cast slip joint nuts you will spot them. 

 See how they have the grip corners around the edge. 

I then found a leather looking fabric at walmart. I think I bought 1/4th yard. 
I cut it to about 1 1/2" wide then sewed the edges down. 

Next I used a scrap of paper to determine the shape of the fabric eye piece. I placed it in the ring to determine the length. 

Then cut the paper to scoop like this. I know it's not even or perfect. It evened out in the stitching and seems to have worked fine. 


I used it as a pattern to cut out the fabric. Then I stitched the edges and connected the ends. I didn't take a photo of the pipe but I used a dremmel tool to cut it in half. I used a slight angle so they would have a scoop to match the fabric. Then glued the fabric to the pipe.
 

Next I wanted to find a good size for the screws. I took a photo of the drawers to maybe help.  
I wanted really small screws which are only available in stainless. 


I bought 2 tiny screws (0-80 x 1/4 flathead + hex nuts) I drilled holes in the shorter, inside of the tubes then attached the spray painted mini clamp for the nose piece. At the deeper end of the tube I drilled through the fabric and the head strap then placed 2 larger screws (4-40x1/4 Pan head +Hex nuts). I worried about the length but it ended up being perfect. 


Some spray pain on the nuts. 
We used Rust-oleum Metallic in Flat Chestnut. Screw on the pipe ends

And thats it. Steam punk Goggles. It really was a fast project. 


For the "lenses" we used Vellum but I don't like that you can't see through them at all. My daughter is fine with it since it is a headband. I think I would use a matte finish page protector or a thick plastic folder. 

So If you are at FanExpo and recognize the goggles, say Hi. 
I'll be the mom behind her in the Molly Weasley sweater.  


Yesterday was my birthday. I finally got my own finishing sander which is Great because I have 4 wood projects taking space in the garage and I'm about ready to get back at it.  

Have a wonderful week.