[MakeLV] Shakespeare's Eyes

Tue Mar 13 15:42:36 CDT 2012

Before giving up on the existing sphere, I would try a "grain of wheat"
12-16v bulb - brighter than your typical small flashlight and easy to
insert in a narrow hole that will not compromise the integrity of the ball
if it does not work.   Also, easy to power from a pair of 9V batteries or a
hobby transformer.

http://www.goldmine-elec-products.com/prodinfo.asp?number=G15581, or
http://www.frys.com/product/2764833 for example.

Dave Smith

On Tue, Mar 13, 2012 at 3:48 PM, Ellis Farmer <saxywolf at gmail.com> wrote:

> Clear isn't necessary.  They are going to be lit up from the inside, so...
> semi-translucent?  We'll need to diffuse the light somewhat.
>
> Actually, I was thinking even 1/2 a sphere would work.  I didn't measure
> the degree of rotation, but I imagine it isn't too big.  The trick would be
> to fit it onto their holder/bracket.  Their bracket is setup to hold a
> sphere in place.  See the attached picture.
>
> We can't use the current eyes.  For one thing, we don't want to mess with
> what they are using so close to the performance.  Also, we put a flashlight
> to the plastic and it didn't travel very far leading us to opine that the
> plastic is too opaque without doing invasive drilling/scooping.
>
> I think using LEDs would be better than bulbs so they can easily change
> color.
>
> It has eyebrows and whatnot.  Well, I think it does.  I forgot to take a
> picture of the front.
>
> -Ellis
>
>
>
> On Tue, Mar 13, 2012 at 1:43 PM, Karl Wacker <kwwacker at ptd.net> wrote:
>
>> **
>> Small 110V lights [10-25W] will light up the eyes.
>>   [The bulbs for appliances are ideal]
>>   The plastic of the eyes is not opaque, but milky white.
>>
>> 1) Move the attachment point for the handle away from the
>>     absolute rear of the eyes to near the top or bottom.
>>
>> 2) Cut holes for the lights at the current attachment point for the eyes.
>>
>> 3) Add eyebrows - they help a lot to convey expressions.
>>     See: http://hackaday.com/2011/08/14/eye-see-you/
>>
>>
>>
>>  *From:* Rob Roschewsk <rob at pabut.org>
>> *Sent:* Tuesday, March 13, 2012 1:30 PM
>> *To:* Build things for fun! <makelehighvalley at makelehighvalley.com>
>> *Subject:* Re: [MakeLV] Shakespeare's Eyes
>>
>> Do the eyes NEED to be spheres?? What I'm getting at you may have better
>> luck finding something like a clear or translucent salad bowl or some such
>> in that size..
>>
>> The only other thing that comes to mind is a laboratory flask (Florence
>> flask <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Florence_flask>) that is round ....
>> a tad expensive ... but here is one: http://goo.gl/YY569
>>
>>
>> On Fri, Mar 9, 2012 at 11:28 PM, Ellis Farmer <saxywolf at gmail.com> wrote:
>>
>>> Yesterday, we saw the giant Shakespeare head/face for the stagegroup...
>>> The eyes don't light up!  (btw, the poster for the play is the image
>>> attached.)  So, if we can come up with eyes that can be dropped in place it
>>> would be awesome.
>>>
>>> The eyes are 25" in circumference with 19-5/8" center to center.
>>>
>>> The eyes they have are (fairly) solid plastic spheres that are too
>>> opaque to light up even if we embedded LEDs in them.  I think the hard part
>>> will be finding/making the spheres.  Lets assume we won't be able to find
>>> suitable eyes in a craft store, how would we make them?
>>>
>>> As far as the handle that moves the eyes, it is just a few items to pick
>>> up at the hardware store.
>>> 2 Small Hinges (so the eyes don't rotate too oddly)
>>> Wood Dowels (or should we use small wood slats so it is easy to attach
>>> the hinges)
>>> Spring (This allows you to pull the handle apart so you can cross the
>>> eyes)
>>> Small hooks (To attach the spring to the dowels)
>>> PVC Sleeve (for the spring/rod to travel in)
>>> Threaded Rod & a Nut (this is so we can adjust the length of the bar,
>>> but probably not really needed as long as the dowel is cut after the eyes
>>> are installed)
>>>
>>> The LED portion shouldn't be too hard, but might need some time to
>>> experiment with diffusion.
>>> I'm think at least Blue and Red as far as color.  More would just be
>>> gravy.  Blinking?  Fade colors?  All possible, just need someone to spend
>>> the time on the circuit.  Don't forget that someone needs to control the
>>> eyes.  So, we really need to integrate the switch onto the handle.
>>>
>>> The eyes will have about 4" of dowel (or wood slat) straight out the
>>> back with a hinge on the end, then from hinge to hinge...  I should diagram
>>> these, but for now here are 3 possibilities:
>>> Hinge - Dowel - PVC sleave - Spring (attached to both dowels) - dowel
>>> Hinge - Dowel - Threaded rod - Nut - PVC Sleeve - Dowel plug inside
>>> sleeve - Spring - dowel - hinge
>>> Hinge - Slat - Drawer slider - Slat - Hinge
>>>
>>> *What kind of single axis hinge can you use with a dowel?  Bend it
>>> around the dowel so the screws make a sort of X through it?
>>> How could we make the spheres?  (Still, keep an eye out for them.)
>>> What would make a good toggle switch?  Will need two colors.
>>> We don't have a meeting this Thursday so we need to have everything
>>> ready to go for the following Thursday.*
>>>
>>> -Ellis
>>>
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>>>
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>>>
>>>
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-- 
David L. Smith, Ph.D.
Director, Teacher Professional Development

3145 Hamilton Blvd Bypass
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