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Steampunk Airship Goggles

by aintMichael on October 15, 2007

Table of Contents

intro: Steampunk Airship Goggles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

step 1: Ingredients . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

step 2: Lenses and lense holders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

step 3: Eye cups . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

step 4: Back pad . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

step 5: head band part 2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

step 6: Finished . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

Related Instructables . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

Advertisements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

Comments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

http://www.instructables.com/id/Goggles/
intro: Steampunk Airship Goggles
By request: My take on goggles.

Often times after piloting my steam dirigible, I arrive at my destination only to find my eyelashes and eyebrows have collected a mass of gnats, fleas, and small birds.
What to do? My last three windscreens have been stolen by flying glass pirates, so I decided to make two smaller windscreens and an apparatus to hold them securely to
my head. ha HA! Those scoundrels will have to take my head before they they pilfer these!

These are the goggles that I set out to make when I found the Batman character that was the inspiration for my costume.

*note: anytime a say "an inch" or "half an inch" these are really just rough guesses as I didn't actually measure anything

step 1: Ingredients
OK here's what I used, and I spent under $30:

Leather - leather coat purchased at salvation army for $9

Small buckle - from women's shoes at salvation army $3
Waxed sinew - from leather supplier $5
Metal rings - these I had lying around, I think they came from a craft store $?
Plumbing coupler - Home Depot $3
Plastic sheet - also had lying around

Tools:
Dremel with cutting wheel
Curved needle
Sewing machine
Liquid Nails Clear
Leather punch (you could actually use just a small nail or something, a leather punch just makes nicer holes)

Image Notes
1. coupler
2. waxed sinew
3. curved sewing needle
4. small buckle

http://www.instructables.com/id/Goggles/
 5. scrap leather
6. someone's going to make an Apple comment, but just so you know I dual boot with XP, and i dislike them both equally :)

step 2: Lenses and lense holders

I started but cutting off the threads on both ends of the coupled, and grinding off the chrome from the insides. I did this just so that they would be brass on the inside,
unfortunately the outside rings were not brass and therefore would always be silver no matter how much I ground them. They could be painted I suppose, but I left them
silver.

I cut two circles out of a clear plastic sheet the same diameter of the inside of the outer ring. I screwed the threads back in to hold the lenses in place.

Image Notes Image Notes

1. cut here, just below the threads 1. threads after cutting them off
2. outer ring 2. plastic sheet lenses
3. outer ring from the top

step 3: Eye cups

I took a piece of leather about about three inched wide and wrapped it around one of the lenses, cutting the length so that there was about a quarter inch overlap. I folded
over the bottom edge around the front of the lens holders, pulled it tight then used the curved needle and sinew to stitch it together where it overlaps. Repeat for each
eye. Hopefully the pictures explain this a little better.

Next I cut what was now a leather tube on an angle downwards toward the overlap. This keeps the slightly bulky overlap in the middle near the nose. I folded over the
edges a wrap stitched them with the sinew and needle to put a better looking edge on them.

I cut a small strip of leather about an inch and a half long by an inch wide for the nose bridge. I actually had to cut this twice, because the first time it was to big for my
face, you may have to adjust this to your own face.

I stitched this piece just above the overlap on the lenses.

Hopefully the pictures will make sense...

Image Notes Image Notes

1. folded edge 1. wrapped around lens holder with overlap

http://www.instructables.com/id/Goggles/
 2. cut on an angle towards overplap cup size ;) will depend on size of you head

Image Notes Image Notes

1. stitch here once it is tight enough to hold lens holders 1. about how much it should overlap

Image Notes Image Notes

1. folded over an wrap stitched to give it a better edge 1. stitched together the overlap
2. stitched on the nose piece
3. stitched overlap of the other side
4. nose piece stitched in same place on other side

step 4: Back pad

I took a rough measurement around the back of my head from just over my ears, and cut a inch and a half strip to match the length. I folded the strip over itself twice so
that it became half an inch thick but three layers. I put a thin bead of Liquid Nails between each layer and clamped it all together. I don't think it was entirely necessary,
but it made the next part easier. I ran the whole thing through my sewing machine with a leather needle and denim thread using a stitch that my machine has built in that
looks like a heartbeat pattern. This obviously was just an aesthetic choice.

This is the one part that I don't have many pics, but it's also probably the simplest and easiest to change pieces. You could really make this out a lot of different ways. I
chose to make it thicker than the side strips to give the whole things a little more weight, both actually and visually.

http://www.instructables.com/id/Goggles/
 Image Notes
1. my sewing machine had a little trouble with three layers of leather

step 5: head band part 2

I used the metal rings to act as a transition between the thinner adjusting and side straps, and the thicker back pad.

I cut strips of leather the the right width for the buckle ,there are five pieces total: 2 short ones that are attach the metal rings to the pad in the back, 1 longer piece to
attach the metal ring on the left side to the eye cup, 1 long piece to connect buckle to right eye cup, and 1 long piece for the adjusting strap through the buckle.

Each one of these pieces is stitched with the sinew to it's appropriate place... it's hard to explain so the pictures are probably easier than words.

I cut the adjusting piece to a point at one end and used a small leather punch to make holes.

Image Notes Image Notes

1. short piece folded in half and stitched to back pad 1. small piece stitched to back pad
2. longer piece attached to left eye cup and metal ring 2. this piece is wrapped around center bar of buckle and then both ends are
stitched to right eye cup
3. this is adjusting strip attached to metal ring and run through buckle... see next
pic

http://www.instructables.com/id/Goggles/
 Image Notes
1. run through buckle with hole punched for adjustability

step 6: Finished
Strap on you goggles, shout "Full Steam Ahead" and pilot your skyship to the nearest mad scientist convention!

Image Notes
1. the lenses are pretty easy to take in and out and could be replaced with some colored ones to make "sungoggles"

Related Instructables

Steampunk Ray Steampunk

Raygun - Gun and Make realistic My Steampunk Mad Scientist
Steampunk Steampunk Goggles Steampunk Beer Goggles by
Costume Dr. Horrible sluggoweezul
Defense by Protect your Airship Goggles (slideshow) by Goggles by
(slideshow) by Goggles by eyes from
aintMichael goldensurprise by greensteam corey_caffeine pleasedontspamme
mrthumbtack onions - with
goggles by
Rectifier

http://www.instructables.com/id/Goggles/
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Comments
50 comments Add Comment view all 182 comments

ianrab says: Sep 12, 2009. 10:15 PM REPLY

RE: MAC COMMENT
What about Linux? I've never tried it, but you might hate it less...

(oh, and great 'ible)

bicherc says: Aug 31, 2008. 11:25 AM REPLY

this is really cool, will ya help me make an aviator hat???

corn fluffleberry says: Sep 1, 2009. 5:57 AM REPLY

you should try this helmet its very comfy http://www.instructables.com/id/Steampunk_Flying_Helmet_with_goggles_and_headphone/

kyle.marsh says: Jun 23, 2009. 12:08 AM REPLY

Try solipsism's instructable: http://www.instructables.com/id/Steampunk-Leather-Skypirate-Helmet-wizard-skullca/

aintMichael says: Aug 31, 2008. 10:47 PM REPLY

I've been working on some different headgear lately, but I haven't quite figured it out yet. As soon as I do I'm sure there will be an instructable.

ClockCollector says: Aug 23, 2009. 9:24 AM REPLY

Thanks for the great Instructable. :)

A word of warning to anyone who uses PVC. It stretches. A lot. Also, it will rip. I had to replace some of the thin strips with elastic.

sawsef says: Sep 13, 2008. 3:28 PM REPLY

nice instuctable:)
p.s.just wondering were do you get the waxed sinew for this project.it would help me greatly for a project im considering.

jamenblack says: Aug 9, 2009. 11:47 PM REPLY

I get my sinew from http://www.matoska.com/cgibin/gencat.cgi?AC=gencat&PC=10&ST=0&RS=NULL&S1S2=50%2CNULL

aintMichael says: Sep 13, 2008. 7:34 PM REPLY

I got it from The Leather Guy although, I bought it in person so I don't know what is available on his site.

A good name says: Aug 30, 2008. 8:44 PM REPLY

Does anyone know alternatives to leather? (I'm talking something that doesn't involve the slaughtering of animals here)

Looks like a great project, but until I can find an alternative, I won't be able to do it.

hellfreak007 says: Jul 26, 2009. 6:00 AM REPLY

BUT if you must, (i too was searching for leather). i couldnt find any. and i dont have a car to take me places (im 15) so i stepped into an old abandoned
house and i found a fake leather purse. in otherwords. buy a cheap bag or purse.
or if you dont want fake leather, umm.. thick denim could work if you want a punkish look.

hellfreak007 says: Jul 26, 2009. 5:58 AM REPLY

i agree with morphious69 and aintmichael.
having the option to use leather and still turning it down is wasteful

A good name says: Jul 26, 2009. 5:24 PM REPLY

That's like saying I should eat meat because it's already dead.

I refuse to use animal products, no matter what shape or form it is (I can rarely eat processed food anymore because almost all of it has animal fat in
it). I don't care if it's going to a landfill, I wouldn't wear my family's skin, so I sure as hell won't wear another animal's skin (contrary to popular belief,
animal life is just as valuable as humans, if not more, because animals are not ruthless and uncaring. And before anyone asks, no, I don't have a
hatred towards the human race)

http://www.instructables.com/id/Goggles/
 hellfreak007 says: Jul 26, 2009. 7:11 PM REPLY
i wear cotton ;D

A good name says: Jul 26, 2009. 10:13 PM REPLY

:P Alright.

Don't get me wrong, I'm not against animal "products" (eggs, milk, wool) just anything that involves killing or putting the animal in extreme
discomfort.

randomray says: Jun 25, 2009. 6:53 PM REPLY

I don't know if you have any qualms about using the hide of naughas , and in addition to the faux stuff a brocade would look even better then the period
canvas look . With brocade you would have many choices . When selecting brocade make sure it isn't too stretchy.

pocketwatch says: Jun 5, 2009. 10:44 PM REPLY

Well, why not buy a PVC or other imitation bag at a charity shop?
Personally, once something is being resold by a charity I feel ethically sound purchasing it as I am not contributing directly to death, but if it is just the
thought of something's skin on your face that you can't stand I think the pvc, or vinyl, is the best choice.

greensteam says: Mar 6, 2009. 3:08 PM REPLY

You sometimes see very old goggles not of leather but of heavy canvas. I would reccommend that and then use shoe polish, or beeswax to waterproof it.
perhaps even old denim would do.

morphious69 says: Sep 21, 2008. 5:16 PM REPLY

if you use fake leather you should be aware of the death and discomfort that is caused by the toxic chemicals produced while making these synthetics
and realize that the only way to avoid this is oak or similiar vegtable tanned leather. the animals killed for this are being killed anyway for food and it is
best not to waste any part of something killed so that another animal will not be killed. just stick to leather from animals used for food only and not
exotics. this helps and in the case of these things utilizing smaller pieces of leather you can opt for a place that sells scrap leathers because this is stuff
that will end up in a land fill else wise.

raimen says: Apr 16, 2009. 3:41 PM REPLY

well said :D

ncp246 says: Sep 7, 2008. 1:12 PM REPLY

I've had the same problem. :) I took apart an old vinyl baseball by cutting along the seams, then dyed it with shoe polish. I was using a different tutorial,
but I'm sure you could figure something out! you can find faux leather or vinyl leather on the internet, too. Hope this was helpful!

Rishnai says: Sep 2, 2008. 8:03 PM REPLY

I've got a couple of old fake leather belts. They don't seem to be of an agreeable material for doing this. Vinyl looks the most promising, possibly
scavenged from your 80s wardrobe...

aintMichael says: Sep 2, 2008. 1:30 PM REPLY

There are plenty of leather alternatives, although I'm of the opinion that by purchasing second hand leather I have not only not added to the demand for
leather, but also not wasted a resource that already existed.

A good name says: Sep 3, 2008. 6:42 PM REPLY

Sorry, but I don't believe in killing animals, so well... yeah. I don't support it at all... I don't use the products, nothing.

hellfreak007 says: Jul 26, 2009. 5:54 AM REPLY

plants are living too. just because you cant hear them screaming it doesnt mean they arent.

morphious69 says: Sep 21, 2008. 5:20 PM REPLY

again I have to point out that plastics kill and maim as well as cause birth defects in both animals and humans so using plastics of anykind is
fueling this death and destruction. if you are whole heartedly going to ban leather then use cloths that do not use synthetics. cotton and such and
please be aware of the stuff used for coloring too as this is pretty toxic in some cases and they throw that stuff right into the rivers and streams.
kills fish and everything that eats them as part of the cycle.

http://www.instructables.com/id/Goggles/
 The Reconnect says: Jul 2, 2009. 12:49 AM REPLY
These are gorgeous. Once I've assembled the materials I'm going to use a blue lens variant.

_Ko0LaiD_ says: Jun 24, 2009. 10:28 PM REPLY

I would have to get Prescription lenses.

randomray says: Jun 25, 2009. 6:33 PM REPLY

If you can afford it ,most lenses come as blanks, meaning the outside has to be ground down to fit in the eyeglass frames . This means you could have
them made special for your goggles . Or as you are making the goggles already see if you have an old set of eyeglasses to use as donors , then just
build your goggles to them . And really you'll just wear them on your forehead or around your neck anyway . I spend hours wearing industrial goggles at
work and after about 30 seconds they get hot and annoying .

qpmarl says: Oct 19, 2007. 9:02 PM REPLY

What about getting some real glass for the lenses. I think that I will build a pair and get some tempered glass or polycarbonate for the lenses.

aintMichael says: Oct 20, 2007. 6:46 PM REPLY

They lenses are really easy to change. They will handle just about any thickness, because the between the thread that are cut off are much smaller than
the amount of threads in the cap.
I'm thinking about replacing them with a tinted acrylic or glass. I just didn't have anything else around when I made them.

kyle.marsh says: Jun 23, 2009. 12:24 AM REPLY

I'd suggest using poly or thick glass if you intend to use them in any sort of real environment; I use a pair of gas welding goggles in the shop which
have very thick lenses. I am considering switching them out for poly in case something hits them hard enough to shatter the glass; protective lenses
that damage you are ironic. And no one likes irony when it's poking you in the eye.

Of course...if they're just for decoration, go wild.

Revvi says: Mar 7, 2009. 9:52 AM REPLY

Awesome, I plan on making these once I get all the materials together. Instead of a buckle from a shoe, I'm gonna try a sort of d-ring belt system.

kyle.marsh says: Jun 23, 2009. 12:05 AM REPLY

Ooh! I like that idea! I've been using elastic I got from the fabric store because I found fixed straps difficult to adjust to a comfortable position D-rings
would probably work nicely. Might get a bit uncomfortable if you like wearing your goggles tight; I think they'd dig into your temple (or wherever on your
skull you placed them)..

a.nony.mouse says: Apr 6, 2009. 2:19 PM REPLY

if only i had the resources to cut pieces off of a coupler *sigh*

kyle.marsh says: Jun 22, 2009. 11:22 PM REPLY

Why don't you try getting a PVC coupler and using that? Most plumbing can be found in both metal and PVC variants, and PVC can be cut with just a
hacksaw and you can spray-paint it the proper color if you need to.

To aintMichael: Great 'ible! I got some old bakelite gas welding goggles on e-bay before I discovered instructables (won two pairs, so I have one with
clear lenses and one with green lenses). I use them as shop goggles and occasionally sunglasses. I really like what you've done here, though, so I may
end up trying my hand at making a pair. For variety you may want to do the strap ends with rivets instead of stitching, but the stitching around the
eyecups looks amazing.

mage says: Jun 11, 2009. 10:45 PM REPLY

yes, these look like they would aid me when i have to ride those damn airships

pocketwatch says: Jun 5, 2009. 10:48 PM REPLY

This is a great tutorial! Maybe I can find some round sunglasses, because often at events it is just so bright, and it would be kind of sad to have to stow these
in my bag and bring out the sunglasses.

SteamyPunk says: May 22, 2009. 9:09 AM REPLY

What did you use to cut the plastic rings? Also, might you know where one could buy a plastic sheet or something similar like premade lenses? Thanks

http://www.instructables.com/id/Goggles/
 aintMichael says: May 23, 2009. 8:58 AM REPLY
I'm pretty sure I just used a sheet of transparency paper or something like that. It may have even been some packaging material or something. Then I
just traced a circle and cut it out with an x-acto. Depending on the materieal you could just use scissors too. Basically find any clear plastic and anyway
you have to make it into a circle.

SteamyPunk says: May 24, 2009. 7:11 PM REPLY

Ahhhh... I went out and bought some Plexiglas, because I have a Dremel tool with a tip that can cut it. :)

Thanks though! I can't wait to get started on these!

troppoforte says: May 27, 2009. 8:49 PM REPLY

At this point, I have finished the lenses and the lens holders.

I was lucky enough to get some free Plexiglas from my local hardware store. Anyway, I marked it at least .5 inches from the edge that was
measured on the inside of the coupling end piece (I also purchased my coupling from my hardware store, but it was MUCH thicker; somewhere
close to 1 lb. I had to use my reciprocating saw to cut the ends off.). I then used the turbine-looking bit for my Dremel and ran it slowly around the
marked area. Then, I removed the rough edges and rounded it down to size with my bench grinder. It worked extremely well!

I can't WAIT to finish these!

For the record, I purchased my leather, waxed sinew, and leather needle from The Leather Guy!

aintMichael says: May 28, 2009. 6:39 AM REPLY

Awesome. I'd love to see the finished product. I met The Leather Guy at a Renaissance faire and he was just a super cool dude, glad I could
send a little business his way.

hellfreak007 says: May 18, 2009. 3:34 PM REPLY

though they arent my favorite, theyre still the most professional looking steampunk goggles on this site. and im sure with how good these look you could sell
them for alot of money

phant0m_sp00f3ra says: May 17, 2009. 8:44 PM REPLY

I want to do this, but in the Glass part i want to add an old pair of Ray ban Glasses i have Lying, so this would be my Sun Glasses, just like the Mythbuster's
James guy who wears one of this, any tips?

aintMichael says: May 18, 2009. 7:57 AM REPLY

Hard to say, this design makes it difficult to change the shape of the lenses much, so unless you can modify the sunglasses to fit by cutting them or
adding to them you may have to come up with some different system.

shawnon says: May 4, 2009. 9:47 PM REPLY

I used a slip joint nut instead of a coupler. It comes with a rubber washer that fits on the inside, and I just glued the lens between the nut and washer. It looks
the same, and no metal-cutting involved! _

holyfire says: Apr 27, 2009. 6:44 PM REPLY

Yay! I finally finished my own pair of goggles! Mine deviate from yours tho, but i kept the basic idea the same. I will try to get an instructable up about how to
do mine w/ the limited resources i had available.
gr8 ible btw nd thx 4 helpin me with mine =)

Silver! says: Mar 29, 2009. 12:36 AM REPLY

This is truly a wonderful how-to, thank you very much!
Where did you get the plastic sheets, and can you get them in different colors? And another note on that topic, how did you cut the plastic?

lostlegend says: Mar 16, 2009. 6:55 PM REPLY

VERY VERY nice! Way better than some of the el cheapo versions on this site! Gonna make some of these!

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http://www.instructables.com/id/Goggles/