DIY Thunderbird Projector

Place the shoe box horizontally on a table with the open end facing up. Measure 2 inches in from the upper left corner of the shoe box and 2 inches down from the 2-inch mark. Cut a hole in the shoe box at this mark with the point of a utility knife. Repeat this procedure, only starting from the upper right corner of the shoe box.

Rotate the shoe box 180 degrees. Repeat the procedure to cut holes on both sides of the shoe box. Hold the 8mm film reel so that the end of the film is falling off to the right. Run the end of a pencil through the hole in the left side of the shoe box. Run the end of the pencil that is inside the shoe box through the hole in the 8mm film reel. Run the end of the pencil through the hole in the shoe box farthest from you.

Repeat this procedure at the right side of the shoe box with an empty 8mm film reel. Run the end of the film from the 8mm film reel over to the empty 8mm reel. Place the end of the film in the slot in the reel. Rotate the pencil clockwise to wind the film onto the reel. Stop rotating the pencil after two complete revolutions.

Measure from the side of the left pencil to the side off the right pencil. Make a dot on the shoe box at the halfway mark. Cut a hole through the shoe box at the dot with the utility knife. Run the blade around the inside edges of the hole to enlarge it to twice the size it began as.

Stand the mini-maglight inside the shoe box with the reflector facing up. Turn the mini-maglight on. Move the mini-maglight so that it is beneath the film. Place the magnifying glass vertically inside the shoe box. Push the end of the magnifying glass through the hole. Adjust the magnifying glass so that it is above the 8mm film.

Tape the end of the magnifying glass that is outside the hole to the sides of the shoe box with strips of duct tape. Close your left eye. Place your right eye about 2 inches from the magnifying glass. Rotate the pencil to your right clockwise to advance the film.