Mini Laser Show

Laser shows are great to watch, but can cost a lot of money when using microcontrollers and what not. In this Instructable, I will show you how to create a mini laser show that uses few materials, is quick and easy to make, doesn't cost a lot, and is portable. I hope you have fun making this and I hope it will satisfy your cheap entertainment needs.

To make this Instructable, you need the following materials:

~Wood (I used balsa)
~Laser pointer
~Small hinge and screws
~Spring (long thin ones work best)
~Altoids tin
~Rubber Band (Optional, to hold your laser switch on and to hold altoids tin together)

You will also need the following tools:

~Hot glue gun/super glue
~Wire cutters
~screwdriver/drill

First, you must make sure your wood is cut properly. Have one end cut at a 45 degree angle so when they are put together it forms a 90 degree angle. The wood pieces should also be about 3 inches long each.

Attach the hinge to both pieces of wood so they can bend freely. Make sure there are still two holes open. They will be used later.

First, cut the spring in half. Make sure that both pieces are the same length. You could also just use two springs, I just had a long one handy.

Next, glue both of the strings to the laser. Do this carefully, making sure each spring can fit in the leftover hinge holes. You could even glue the springs to the hinge holes to make setup time faster.

To create your "projector", hook the springs onto the holes in the hinge. Then, balance the bottom of the wood pieces on the two front corners of the tin. Take the lid of the tin and use it two support the wood by putting it on the top of the wood or by placing it on any left over hinge that is there. This may seem confusing, but when you actually make it, it is a lot easier to understand.

You can take it apart and fit all the pieces in the altoids tin, making it portable and easy to move around. You can even fit it in your, I don't know, pocket?

When your laser is set up, there are many ways to create your show. Tapping things such as the tin, the laser, and the surface the tin is on make the laser move just enough to make a cool show. Gently shaking the switch on the laser (if your laser is like mine) also works, as well as blowing on the contraption.

I hope you had fun reading this Instructable, and if you liked it please vote for me in the pocket-sized contest. (This was my first Instructable, so please don't be too harsh with the comments.)

Sorry about my poor filming skills on the video. I just simply tapped the board under my laser upwards to do it but there are many other ways. The more coils in your springs, the better and easier it will react.