u/PracticeLife9295

I have a lot of little salvaged lenses so I'm sure I have something that will work but tips are highly appriciated

Like is there anything I can do to encourage maximal seeds/ make seeds quicker?

Hello, I know a 3d printer is the most obvious solution but because of my limited access and limited transportation, it'd be kinda tricky to go that route. I'm willing, but if possible it'd be cool to be able to make a mold and cast it, so that trial and error can be sorted out without having to schedule another trip to the library/ makers space.

Context is important here. I'm making kaleidoscopes, and I have an assortment of small lenses pulled from disc drive laser systems.

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I am also a stained glass artist, and stained glass is a common (and in my case, the easiest) way of constructing the body of the thing. So, ive been thinking of mounting some of these small lenses (to feed light into the mirrors, not to observe through) by using the copper foil I use for stained glass, in conjunction with solder.

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I wouldnt wrap the lens with the same sensibility as I would glass, where it is wrapped along the edge in a sort of ring. Instead, I imagine two layers of copper foil basically sandwiching the lens, with a hole through them that is sufficient to both hold the lens and allow enough light to pass, then giving that copper foil a very light application of solder to reinforce it.

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My question is, can lenses like these handle heat like that? I imagine they can get hot during operation of the laser, but im not sure how much this heat would differ, im worried uneven heating would fracture it, but I honestly have no clue. Surely I could just try it, but id like to not risk waste if I can, especially because each of these lenses I have are unique and will be selected with artistry in mind.

Hello. I've been collecting an assortment of lenses all kinds lately with the intent of using them for "light art" for lack of a better term, as well as kaleidoscopes and hopefully experimental "projectors" for venue lighting as I am very involved with my local experimental music community. Anyways, I only explain my purpose in looking into optics so you can perhaps understand the level of quality and procedure I can/ care to handle, if that makes sense.

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I have stuff from huge projection lenses, to little camera lenses, to disc drive salvaged laser componentry (I am also interested in hearing some ideas of what I can do with this stuff! Making a microscope is definitely something I'm interested in). The disc drive components really interest me, especially for macro lens experiments and kaleidoscope related stuff, but I am trying to think of a good system for organizing them and storing them in a way where everything is easily accessible, but the risk of damaging them is minimized.

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I can think of some obvious solutions, for example making little paper envelopes that can easily be labeled, but im interested in hearing opinions from people who know what they are doing. Thanks!

Il preface this by saying I am nowhere near the precision I know I need to be in order to do this yet, its just that this is where my sights are set in terms of building. I dont really have much interest in making production units and going that route (although if that winds up happening sort of as a byproduct, im sure I'd be happy to and would be good at managing this kinda thing) but I have almost a psychological NEED to push the bar in whatever I'm doing and dedicate myself to experimental pursuits, and as such I am researching and experimenting with optics in some pretty radical ways and coming up with some very unusual ideas. I think this thought pattern makes me a good "candidate" for a market like this, and what's more is I feel like that makes a market like this a good "candidate" for me.

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If I could be continuously experimenting and carrying out wild ideas, and make enough money from it to make it possible, althewhile creating beauty for someone who craves it, I think id be pretty happy.

I got my hands on a rear projection tv, anything I should know about for salvage?

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Before anyone says, I am aware of the risk of charged capacitors and I feel decently comfortable mitigating that risk, however advice in this regard is still welcome. Just figured I'd save the time itd take for people to inform me of this danger.

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But yeah, any general advice? One thing I was wondering, is there a way i can sort of apply a protective film once i get access to the 1st surface mirror?

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If I want to preserve the projector assembly to later be used for analog video projects, is there anything I should know about that?

Before anyone says, I am aware of the risk of charged capacitors and I feel decently comfortable mitigating that risk, however advice in this regard is still welcome. Just figured I'd save the time itd take for people to inform me of this danger.

​

But yeah, any general advice? One thing I was wondering, is there a way i can sort of apply a protective film once i get access to the 1st surface mirror?

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If I want to preserve the projector assembly to later be used for analog video projects, is there anything I should know about that?

I've got the bug and I rarely order online, i want these mirrors TOO SOON! I have a weird aversion to ordering because I'm impatient on an existential level...

If theres no great options I am fully prepared to commit to the projection TV route. But let me know what yall tend to buy, I see options for acrylic mirrors as well but I have no reference for quality

I'm in a salvage mood, for a few reasons. Firstly I come from a background of diy audio circuitry so in my infancy in that I became accustomed to salvage. Second, I know I could order everything I need, but for some reason I HATE ordering stuff like the plague. I think it's an adhd. Lastly, I'm interested in the creative aspect of being limited by stuff like this. Let me know any general salvage ideas. Mirrors, lenses, anything.

I'm wondering if there's anything i could disassemble or something to use. For example, ive seen those clip on fisheye lenses at the dollar store, perhaps one of these?

Although I am electrically inclined and am comfortable working with mains electricity, id rather not have to obtain whatever safety qualifications are required in order to do this legally, and of course id hate to be liable. id rather it be a creative pursuit mainly, and not even a primary income stream. Just something where I can put myself out there a bit and occasionally have some small business. Custom hanging lamps for restaurants and such. Anyways, is it common practice to basically hire an electrician or some kind of interior design installation and add that fee on top of the price? Do business usually already have a contact for this kind of service? Basically I'm just curious how the transaction between the artist and the business occurs in this kind of service really.

Now, obviously this is going to vary heavily from person to person, but im interested in hearing about all the varying factors. I'm also interested in getting a range, for my own financial planning.

I personally feel comfortable with working with mains and have made glass lamps before this way (and prefer the look of incandescents) but idk if this can become a liability problem. Any easy "drop in" solutions? I've thought about literally just using fairy lights or something but that feels kinda dumb.

This sounds like i just want weed but I promise you, I have my own. I am doing some art projects that will involve pressed cannabis leaves. I find this concept exciting because these art pieces could someday be viewed as history, essentially. "Can you believe this is from back when weed was still illegal??!!?"

I'd be happy to provide art in return!!

Idk how to ask this. I guess what kind of studying should I do if I want to get better at design broadly speaking? I am mostly into lamps and other structural type stuff but I also want to make window panels, its just hard for me to look at it from an art perspective (meaning like a drawing or painting, of course its art).