Pattern for the Beer Goggles

I'm utterly forgotten to scan the pattern for the goggles! Thank you, Nanairoacha, for reminding me. Here it is. I'm assured by the scanner that its correct dimensions are preserved, but I'm somewhat suspicious of this and I may attempt the crazy process of producing a .pdf of the pattern.

For those who are mystified, I wrote a photo-chronicle/tutorial/ramble some time ago on my throwing together of some goggles from scraps around the house. It can be found in two parts: One and Two. Now, you too can make some goggles out of a ginger beer bottle and cans of Guinness!

Really Easy Beer Goggles, Part II

This is part two of the how-to-make-cheap-brass-goggles-from-stuff-in-the-kitchen chronicle. The first part of that is here.

Yes, that is Claw of the Gods, for those who attend Profound Decisions' lrp event, Maelstrom. There was some belief that we were spawning some sort of motivational poster fodder for the forums, but that's another story.

Caveats and Warnings:


Incidentally, a housemate of mine is embarking on similar goggle-making adventure (whilst eyeing the two other cans of guinness - we had bought a four-pack) and it seems prudent to note that if you decide against making stew, it is inadvisable that you drink your cans of beer immediately before making the goggles.


Yes, these goggles are a bit primitive compared to the much more exciting stuff being made out there. If it's looking like kitchen-alchemy to you, that's because it is. I'm not selling these goggles and I don't presume anyone out there wants to buy them. This is simply a chronicle of how I made of decent-looking prop goggles and since I suck at this sort of crafting, I thought others might benefit (or enjoy mocking) these efforts.

6) Cut out some Lenses


Cut out some lenses out of the plastic ginger beer bottle. If you want clear goggles, use the plastic off a lemonade or similarly uncoloured bottles. Any 2 litre plastic soft drink bottle will do, though it is likely that cheaper drinks will have thinner plastic and is thus easier to shape.

I drew around the larger end of the eyepiece, cut that out and then carefully shaved it down to size. Too big and it'll curve and too small it will slip out (and the gaffer/glue used to attach it will be visible) so whilst there is a margin of error, it is smaller.

7) Gaffer Lens to Eyepiece


I used small pieces of gaffer stick down the lens to the inside of the eyepiece. Check to make sure the gaffer isn't showing too much on the other side. The whole process if fairly forgiving, but I was pedantic. If the lens was cut to fit well, this part would be insanely easier. Otherwise, well, y'know.

You could really use any other tape. I believe Emily used parcel tape. A glue gun would probably also work (though careful of it oozing everywhere). Superglue less so since you need to hold it down whilst it dries.

Rest of tutorial under the cut.

Brass Goggles from Ginger Beer Bottle, Part I

Preamble:

The original and utterly awesome goggles (aka "beer goggles") were made by a friend of mine named Emily for her character at the local larp system (on of the many offshoots of the orignal Treasure Trap). They can be seen into the steampunk skirt and steampunk dress photos. Here is simply a chronicle of my terribly exciting adventure of trying to make something similar (so as not to run off hers and fail to ever give them back).

A word of warning to those who wish to attempt to follow this recipe. These goggles They Do Nothing. Actually, they do even less than nothing. They are prop-quality only and you should avoid wearing them over your eyes in sunglight as the coloured plastic would dilate your pupils, but not protect them from ultraviolet light.

Materials:

• 2 beer cans (note the colour of the top rim and its shape)
• 1 ginger beer bottle (or any large plastic brown-ish coloured bottle)
• some leather scraps (or suede or fake suede)
• 1 buckle, two studs, two (or more) eyelets
• lots of gaffer tape (black)

Notable tools:

• bull-nosed pliers and tin snips
• glue gun and glue sticks (or superglue)
• a pair of scissors (you'll probably want a whetstone at some point to sharpen them)
• leatherworking tools (if you're using leather; much easier with fake suede where you could just use normal needle and thread)

The Mercenary's goggle-making adventures with many photographs and of dubious excitement value under the cut.