Illusionist Locket

Hello, wanted to add my take on the illusionist locket. I saw the instructable on the site here but it demands 3d printing and some complicated joinery.

What you will need for this project is:

1. Wood (I used mahogany)
2. Frame depth coping saw (http://goo.gl/OJ80YU )
3. Dremel any type + bits ( http://goo.gl/lVhWjw )
4. Crazy Glue
5. Sanding paper, 120grit
6. Magnets (3x1mm magnets , 3x4mm magnets , 3x10mm magnets )
7. Caliper (or some kind of precise measuring tool) (Caliper )
8. Angle measuring tool (tool)
9. Scroll saw or band saw (can also use the coping saw if you do not have access to the other ones)
10. Small vice (Vice )
11. Clamps (clamp )
12. Acrylic clear coat spray, acrylic paint pen
13. Nylon coated stainless steel micro wire (bead wire)
14. Crimping beads (1mm)

The measurements for the raw materials are:

Length: 5cm
Width : 2.5cm
Depth : 1.5cm - 1,6

Draw a circle on both ends ( I used an old film canister )
Find the middle on the raw piece, draw a line across it at a 45° angle
Make a cut in the middle of the piece across the 45°angle line, 2-3mm down
Saw off the ends off the circles

Use the dremel with a sanding bit (80 grit) to get the required shape you want
Sand the piece with the 120 grit sandpaper until all of the scratches from the dremel are gone
Fasten the piece with a scrap wood under it to get a finer cut
Finish the cut along the 45°angle line

I had to make another one because the cut on the 45°angle line was a bit off,
so the heart shapes were the wrong size.

The thickness of the slices are:

Thicknesses are not precise, choose your size but they must be bigger than 3mm to fit the magnets.

Small slice: ca. 5mm
Big slice : ca.10mm

For the scroll saw, I used the clamps to hold straight edge wood to align along the blade to get a good cut.

These magnets can be tricky to setup, they all want to be together.

Use the dremel with a round flat bit to score the holes in the slices
The holes need to be aligned with each other, usually have to make them a little bigger on one side
For the small slices you need 3 magnets on each side to hold them together.
For the sliding mechanism drill a hole in the bigger slice about 3mm down, glue one 3x1mm magnet in the hole
In the opposite end glue the 3x4mm magnet ( you have to adjust a couple of times)
For the rotating middle: Draw a line on the big slice with one small slice removed, do both big slices
Measure the middle of the big slice on both halves, drill a hole about 6mm so you can fit a 1mm magnet in both ends, and use the 10mm magnet rod to hold it together.

I used Acrylic paint, first i used a clear coat spray and then used acryl pencil to draw the butterfly.
You can of course draw the butterfly first then do the clear coat. I was not sure this was going to work so did it afterwards, I tried using white spray, but that leaks all over and had to resand the clear coat again.


Here is a youtube link how the mechanism works:

For the neck cord fastener i used 5cm of bead wire (0,6mm), and 2mm bead crimp

Drilled a 1.5mm wide hole about 5mm down the middle of the back slice of the locket.

Drilled a hole angled up to align with the first hole, widened the gap so the bead crimp can fit inside.

I measured the size for the neck cord for about 5mm to leave room.

Add one crimp to the wire, slide them both through the hole, add another crimp to the end, crimp after measuring.

Cut the excess wire, slide the crimp into the widened hole. Adjust the fastener rotation and crimp the last crimp.


Hope you enjoyed reading.