Hows to Make an Inexpensive 35mm Slide Viewer

Do you have some 35mm photos slides and want to make prints but want to view them first?  If you don't have a slide viewer and don't want to buy one for just a one-time use to make your prints, here's a way to make a cheap slide viewer with stuff you have at home.

I'd like to apologize in advance for the poor photography, but I have an inexpensive camera and this is the best it can do.

Step 1.

You probably already have these items in your home:

1.  An inexpensive flashlight.
2.  A used, clean margarine container with a cover that has no printing on it.
3.  Some lightweight cardboard or construction paper that is dark colored (black preferred) on one side and light colored (white preferred) on the other.
4.  Some Scotch tape.  It can be generic but I don't know what to call it besides Scotch tape!  lol.
5.  A pair of small scissors.

Step 2. 

Cut a hole in the bottom of the margarine container that is the size of your flashlight's body (which is usually smaller than the head of the flashlight).  It's important that the hole is the diameter of the body of the flashlight and not the head, as the slightly larger diameter head is what holds the flashlight securely to the margarine container's bottom.  The smaller your scissors are, the easier it will be to cut a small hole.

Step 3.

Line the inside of the margarine container with the construction paper or lightweight cardboard, using the Scotch tape to hold it in place.  It is important that the dark side face outward and the light colored side is facing inward.  The dark color helps prevent light from the flashlight 'leaking out' and the light colored inside helps to diffuse the light and direct it towards the lid.

Step 4.

Push the flashlight from inside the margarine container, through the hole you cut in the bottom.

Step 5.

Put the margarine lid back on and you're done!

Step 6.

Switch on the flashlight and put your slide on the cover to view!  Now you can pick and choose which slides are worthwhile to print!