TECH: How To Make a Fast And Easy Projector

Looking to make a homemade movie projector but don't have much cash? In this video, learn how one person created a video projector with $60 and some old cardboard.

Tips from the video maker: Add spacers on bottom of cardboard to keep LCD screen about 1/8 of an inch above the overhead's surface. Circulate air in between using a household fan. This will keep the screen from getting hot.

This article will teach you how to make an iPod video projector for about $6 (depending on what materials you have) that works pretty well. First off, you need to gather your materials. I had everything except the magnifying glass, which I bought for $3.

Materials

Cardboard Box: I found one that was about 20" x 20" x 4.5". Usually you can use an oatmeal box, but my magnifying glass had to be further away from the mirror.
iPod: Or any other backlit device.
Mirror: Mine was about 5" x 4".
Cheap Foam Rectangle: You can get these at a craft store for 89 cents.
String: Used for the screen.
Duct Tape: Workshop essential.
Magnifying Glass: Square ones probably work better, but a circle one will do fine.

Tools

X-ACTO knife: General cutting of the cardboard.
Scissors: Rough cardboard cutting.
Ruler: Just measuring.

Step 1 Cut the Cardboard

This is the most time consuming step, because you need to cut all of the cardboard. The box should be at least a size that fits the backlit device, the mirror, and the magnifying glass.

Remember that the closer the projector is to a wall or screen, the further the lens has to be from the device. So the longer the box, the closer and more focused you can get, but it will make the image smaller. I made my box a lot smaller. I cut it down to 4 1/4" x 4 1/2" x 20". Since an iPhone's screen is 2 by 3 inches, I made a 2" x 2" box with 1/2" extruding on either side, so I can rotate the iPhone. Also, cut out the front—this is where the image will be projected from.

[1] Yes, that is a Star Wars ruler. 4 1/2 inches tall... [2] ...4 1/4 inches wide. [3] The hole for the iPhone. [4] Big box.... [5] ...little box, [6] Cut open the front.

Step 2 Attach the Mirror

As I said earlier, my mirror was about 4" x 5". You have to create a 90 degree angle so the mirror will bounce the image of the iPod. To do this, I cut a scrap into squares and then in half. I then duct taped the mirror to this and then taped it under the iPod hole.

Step 3 Attach the Magnifying Glass

The magnifying glass is the main component of the projector. It focuses the light from the iPod into a concentrated beam. You can make the handle protrude from the sides or the top—I chose the right side. You should cut a hole a little smaller than the base of the handle so the glass won't fall down.

[4] The box hasn't been sealed in this photo.

Step 4 Finish the Projector

First, tape the sides closed. Since my magnifying glass was too small for the hole, I put a piece of foam on the side so it would make a snug fit. You want all of the unused holes to be covered up. I made two cardboard L's to cover the open parts beside the magnifying glass. I used the flap on the front to prop the projector up when playing, but you can use whatever you want.

How to use the projector

To focus, move the magnifying glass closer or further away from the iPod.
To make the image larger, move the projector further away from the screen, and the opposite to make it smaller.
Make sure the magnifying glass isn't tilted or turned, as this will make the image distorted.
Remember that if the image of the iPod is crooked, don't tilt the projector, move the iPod.
Also, the image will move on the opposite direction that you turn the iPod because the image is flipped.

Step 5 Make a Screen

This step is optional. I didn't have a good place to project the image, so I made a screen. You can only make the image a certain size to fit on the screen, depending on the size of the foam rectangle. I used a cardboard L taped to a base plate. I taped the foam to the top of the L and made supports so the foam won't bend. I supported the screen with strings so it wouldn't fall down.