How to Make a Periscope out of PVC
A periscope can be an advantageous tool to have at your disposal. This is especially true if you don’t want to risk giving up your position while looking around. Making one doesn’t need to be complicated and time-consuming process, and the following project outlines the underlying principles about how periscopes work as well. This is also a great project for kids as it helps them develop their skills while training them to think tactically.
Required Items:
2 feet of PVC pipe that is around 2” in diameter
2 corresponding elbow joints
Knife
Heat source to soften PVC (optional)
2 mirrors (trimmed to match the dimensions of the periscope)
Adhesive or epoxy
Getting Started
The first step is to choose the length of the periscope. It can be as long or as short as you want it to be, but keep in mind that the longer the periscope is, the image will get smaller when looking through the view hole.
The next step is to trim the mirrors and insert them into the elbow joints. You have a couple of options to consider. First, you can use circular mirrors, such as those found in cosmetic products, or you can use square ones. If you use square ones, you will need to cover the edges that protrude outside of the elbow joints later. You can also carefully trim the mirrors so they don’t protrude at all with a glass-cutter. In any case, it’s important that the mirrors are properly placed inside of the periscope.
To do this, you want to put them inside both of the elbow joints so they rest at a point above and below where the elbow bends. The mirrors also need to be situated at a 45 degree angle in order for them to properly reflect the image being viewed. The easiest way to install and anchor the mirrors is to cut two slits through the outside of each elbow joint. Make the slits at a point above and below the bend, and make them wide enough for the mirror to slide through. You can also install the mirror from the inside if it is small enough, and then push the edges into the slits so they stay in place.
You also have a couple of options when it comes to making the slits. First, you can use a knife, razor or small saw in order to cut them out of the material. You can also take a torch or other heat source and soften the spots where the slits will be cut. This may make it easier to cut them out, but it’s important that you use a heat source that is narrowly-focused so that it won’t soften the rest of the material. This is why a torch or a torch lighter may be the best option.
In any case, make the slits wide enough for the mirrors to fit and rest at the appropriate angle. Next, take the adhesive and apply it to the slits in order to hold the mirror in place. It’s best to do this from the outside in order to prevent any of the glue from dripping or getting smeared on the mirrors and impeding the view. Wipe off any excess material and allow it to dry.
Next, attach the elbow joints to the main PVC shaft. The top one should face outward and the bottom one should face inward. This will make it easier to view targets because you can rest the periscope against something while looking through the view hole. All you need to do now is decide whether or not to anchor the elbow joints to the shaft with adhesive. The parts will obviously be more secure if they are anchored in place. However, doing so will also prevent you from being able to adjust the viewing end as you use the periscope. Consider both options and decide on the one that best suits your preferences.
Finally, take precautions to make sure that any glass that is protruding from the elbow joints is covered with some tape in order to create padding and prevent accidental injury. It is highly-recommended that you trim the glass before installing in order to get it flush with the pipe as possible. However, this is not necessary in order for the periscope to work, rather it is an important safety feature. Even if the glass is trimmed perfectly and flush with the elbow joint, it may be a good idea to cover it with tape just to be on the safe side.
Try this out for yourself, and see how this simple project can help kids to create something useful while also giving them the chance to improvise as they go along. Keep in mind that you never know when you may also benefit from the periscope, even if it seems like a remote possibility now. Consequently, this is a worthwhile project for everyone involved, and it can give users a tactical advantage during a million-and-one different survival scenarios.
