Squirtle Squad Sunglasses From Pokémon
Introduction: Squirtle Squad Sunglasses From Pokémon
I have wanted a pair of Squirtle Squad Sunglasses ever since I saw the "Here comes the Squirtle Squad" episode of Pokémon as a kid. Now as a fully grown adult I finally made myself a pair!
This project was a little intimidating at first as I have never built a pair of sunglasses before. Once I broke the process down into individual steps, they were fairly easy to make and really fun too.
Using a few basic tools found in most small garage workshops, I will show you how to build a pair of Squirtle Squad Sunglasses of your very own!
Supplies
1/8th inch Clear Acrylic
Automotive Window Tint Film 5% Rating
Super 77 Spray Adhesive
e6000 Adhesive
220 Grit Sandpaper
2000 Grit Sandpaper
Xacto Knife
Painter's Tape
Donor Pair of Sunglasses
Tea Light Candle or Lighter
Polishing Compound
Microfiber Towel
Hard Squeegee or Old Credit Card
Soapy Water
Step 1: Attaching the Template and Cutting to Size
I start this project by attaching a copy of my template to a piece of 1/8th inch clear acrylic using Super 77 Spray Adhesive. I can fit two sunglasses on one sheet of paper. Using my bandsaw I separate the pieces and save one for a future build. The 3/4 inch resaw blade on my bandsaw tends to chip the acrylic so I stay a good distance away from the line.
Step 2: Sanding to Shape
Using my combination belt and disc sander I smooth out the rough cut left behind by the band saw and bring the shape down to the line. Using my spindle sander, I sand all the spots my belt sander couldn't reach. I give the piece it's final sanding by hand using 220 grit sandpaper. Once the piece is completely sanded I can remove the protective film and the template.
**Pro Tip**
Adding a small round over to the nose portion of the sunglasses with some sandpaper or a small file may make them more comfortable to wear for longer periods of time.
Step 3: Harvesting the Hardware
I harvested all of the hardware that I need from a pair of sunglasses I bought at a dollar store. I start by removing the temple pieces from the hinge mechanism. Using the heat from a candle, I soften the plastic around the hinge, making it much easier to remove.
The protruding parts on the bottom of the hinge won't allow it to lay flat on the lens. In order to fix this I need to grind the bottom flat. 401
My disc sander removed the majority of the material and I cleaned up the rest using a file.
Step 4: Attaching the Hinges to the Lens
To get the hinge placement on the lens in the correct location I lay the lens down on the template and secure it with tape so that it won't shift around. I apply a small dab of e6000 Adhesive to the bottom of the hinges and attach them to the lens. The e6000 has a fairly long working time so I can take my time adjusting the hinge placement to get them just right. I use a toothpick to clean up any glue squeeze out. The e6000 was allowed to cure for 24 hours before moving onto the next step.
**Note**
Something I had overlooked when I sanded the acrylic was that a burr had formed along the edge. This burr will interfere with the next step if left on the lens. To fix this I knocked it down with a few swipes of a razor blade.
Step 5: Giving These Shades Their Shade
I need a clean work surface for this step so I lay out a sheet of acrylic. You can skip this if your work surface is clean from any dust or debris, but because I am working in a dusty workshop I found it to be useful.
To give these shades their shade, I'm using automotive window tint film. I used a tint rated at 5% which means that it blocks out 95% of all light and blocks UV rays.
I measure out how much tint I need, plus about an inch or so extra on each side and cut it to length. I remove the clear protective sheet from the back of the film and spray the film and the lens with soapy water. With both parts wet I applied the film to the lens. Starting from the center, I squeegee out any air bubbles and excess water.
**Pro Tip**
The hinges prevent the lens from laying flat. Using a folded microfiber towel ensures that the lens remains straight, making the squeegeeing process easier.
Step 6: Trimming the Tint to Final Size
With all the excess water removed, I trimmed the window tint film to final size using an Xacto knife. 626