Lens specifications:
Edmund Scientific 35x82 DCX lenses (A95,796 - $5.80 each)
Focus adjustment:
Yes
Interocular adjustment:
No
Type of illumination:
Steal the light
Materials:
Red oak, brass, white PVC plumbing pipe, translucent white plexiglass (2447)
Formats supported:
Rocky Mountain, King Inn
Description of viewer:
The viewer is two pieces; a lens plate shell and diffuser/slide mount shell. The lens
plate shell is made of 1/4" red oak. The inside dimensions of the shell are just
large enough to accommodate the viewing area of the slide. The inside is painted flat
black for less visual distraction. Each lens rests in a ring of white PVC plumbing pipe
which is screwed into a decorative brass housing. These housings are wick retaining skirts
for kerosene lamps (I know, this has nothing to do with a slide viewer but it works).
They, in turn, are screwed into the front plate of the viewer. The diffuser/slide mount
shell is made from red oak "chair rail" molding. A slot was cut in the top of
this housing to insert the slide. Corresponding grooves to guide the slide are on the
inside of the viewer. Light is diffused by a rectangle of translucent white plexiglass
just behind the slide. A hole was drilled in the bottom of the lens plate shell and a
screw runs through the hole and into a slot in the bottom of the diffuser/slide mount
shell. This slot runs front to back and allows the lens plate shell to slide in and out. A
decorative brass finial lets the user hold onto the screw to move the lenses in and out,
and to lock the two sections tightly once the correct focus has been achieved.
Construction comments:
All the materials in this viewer are more robust than they need to be. This not only
causes the viewer to weigh much more than it should, but made for some unnecessary
complications in engineering the slide slot. Red oak was used because it was easy to get
for the prototype, but a more exotic wood will be used for future viewers.
Are these viewers for sale?:
Not at this time.
Availability of plans:
No plans available.
If you would like to discuss this viewer, drop me a line.
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