START
MOD A MIRROR THAT REFLECTS
MORE THAN JUST YOU
Time:
2– 3 Hours Complexity: Easy
1. PREP THE IMAGE BACKING
Work along the edge of a tabletop or
a work surface that you don’t mind
scratching up.
With a pencil, mark the 1½" center
points along the length of the strip
of r" balsa. Use clamps or a small
vise over a metal yardstick positioned
down the center marks of the balsa
strip. With the metal yardstick as your
guide, cut the piece in half lengthwise
with a utility knife, creating 2 pieces
each 1½" wide. Repeat with the
second 3"-wide strip, and set aside.
NOTE: Don’t use a
clamp or vise directly
on the soft wood, as
it will crush the wood
and make dents in the
surface.
2. CREATE THE FRAME BOX
2a. Using the same method as before, cut the
6" strips of balsa in half lengthwise.
2b. From the backside of the frame — glass removed — measure the inside
dimensions of the long sides of its lip (where the glass would rest). Saw 2 strips
of the split
6" balsa to the exact length of the long side measurement of the
frame lip. Lightly sand their ends to remove any splintering. Stood on its edge,
each balsa strip should fit snugly into the long sides of the frame lip.
2c. With the 2 long strips in place, take the measurement of the 2 short sides
of the frame lip (the area of clearance between the 2 long balsa strips placed
into the frame). Cut 2 pieces of the
6" balsa to fit inside the 2 long frame box
pieces, and sand their ends to remove any splintering. When placed on edge,
each of these short pieces should fit snugly inside the long pieces, creating the
frame box.
