If you’re thinking about creating a DIY projector to watch your favorite movies or to provide your kids with a more exciting way to watch their cartoons, you’re in the right place.
Projectors can be expensive, but making one yourself is not as difficult as you think. You only need a few things and not more than one hour to get a functioning projector. And guess what?
You probably have all the necessary things around your home, so making this projector might not cost you anything. Even more, this can be a great thing to do with your kids, as all of you will have a lot of fun building it.
So, how to make a projector using magnifying glass effortlessly, quickly, and effectively? Keep reading because you will find the easiest way to create a fully functioning projector.
How to Make a Projector Using Magnifying Glass
This guide will show you the cheapest and easiest way to make a fully functioning projector. You will need a box, magnifying glass, glue and pencil, and a box cutter. Therefore, you need to follow the steps I’ve created for you.
Stick to them, and I guarantee that you and whoever is joining you in this DIY journey will greatly enjoy and have lots of fun.
Read more: How Much Does A Projector Cost
Step-By-Step Guide
This is the easiest, most simple step-by-step tutorial on the Internet. So, read it twice if you have to, and carefully follow it.
Step 1: Gather all the necessary things
You will need a couple of tools, so before starting, make sure you have the following things:
- A cardboard box (a simple shoebox will do the job)
- Black paper or black paint
- A magnifying glass
- Glue and pencil
- A box cutter
Step 2: Place the magnifying glass
If you have a magnifying glass with an easily removable handle, that will be perfect because you will need to detach the handle from the magnifying glass. But if you don’t, try to carefully remove the handle, as you won’t need it, and it will only get in the way of making your projector.
Put the magnifying glass in its center on the shorter side of the box and trace it with your pencil. Then, cut the traced part using the box cutter, but be careful while doing that.
If you do this with your kids, do this part yourself, as the box cutter is better to be kept away from them so that they don’t hurt themselves.
The part you’re going to cut out is the hole in which you will put the magnifying glass, so make sure it’s not too big or too small. Place the magnifying glass in the cut-out circle, and use the glue to attach it more stably.
Step 3: Darken the insides of the box
The box’s insides should be as dark as possible if you want a higher-quality projected video. Because the shoeboxes are usually white on the inside, it’s best to cover the insides with black paper to achieve that darkness.
If you can’t find black paper, another effective thing you can do is to paint the insides of the box black. Be patient and wait for the paint to dry before continuing to build your projector.
By doing that, you will prevent the light from the phone from reflecting on the light walls. You can skip this step, but do it if you want the projected picture to have better quality.
Step 4: Position your phone
The most important thing when setting your phone is to turn its screen brightness to the maximum. Another important thing is to disable the auto rotation.
You’ll notice that the projected picture will be upside down, so to avoid that, lock your screen and place the phone upside down so the image will be projected the right way on the screen. The lens of the magnifying glass will invert the picture; that’s why doing this is important.
Also, you will need a phone stand, but attaching a smaller binder clip inside a larger one or simply straightening paper clips and bending them in the form of a phone stand can be ideal. This way, you don’t have to waste your money buying one, and that’s the beauty of this project.
Step 5: Properly set the projector
That’s it, your projector is done, and all that’s left to do is set it properly. To do that, place the box on a flat surface, for example, on a table, in front of a flat white surface that might be a wall or a white sheet. Make sure that the height is appropriate for your projection.
Set the proper distance by adjusting the clarity of the picture. Move the box closer to the wall or place it further away. Play with the distance until you find what seems best for you, and get the clarity you need.
Step 6: Additional improvements
You can always add some additional improvements, so applying these simple tips can improve your projector. For example, by moving the phone back and forth, you can set the sharpness of the image, so do that until you get the sharpest projection.
Using the maximum brightness drains the battery faster, so fully charge your phone before using it. Also, you can cut a small hole on the opposite side of the box, big enough to slide the charging cable so that you won’t have any interruptions while watching.
After you finish doing all of these steps, the last thing left for you to do is to close the box, get your snacks, sit down, and relax while watching your favorite movie.
Also read: How to Make a Projector Wireless
Conclusion
So, now as you’ve learned how to make a projector using magnifying glass, are you surprised by how easy it is? Use this great opportunity to spend quality time with your kids or loved ones.
As a result, you will get a functioning projector that you can use repeatedly. Without a doubt, you will have plenty of fun building it, so try this and enjoy!