Homeade light diffusers to use flahslights as laterns

[rumme]

What are you guys using to put on the head of your flashlights so it turns the beam into more of a whole room illuminator in times of power outages, or for camping in atent, etc...

I know they sell light diffusers that friction fit over the head of flashlights , but im sure that something could be found in our homes/ food pantrys that is plastic and would accomplish the same thing, all for free..

 

[Yucca Patrol]

Look around the house for disposable items made of translucent plastic. Depending on the flashlight, things like water bottle caps and chapstick caps might work. I once stuck one of my lights into a hotel shampoo bottle and got a nice lantern effect. You may have to cut the plastic with a razor knife as needed.

 

[bluepilgrim]

The few times I needed to diffuse the light I just used a piece of toilet paper and a rubber band. :green:
Or I point it at the ceiling, or at a piece of white paper.

I tried some fine nylon mesh (like for silk screening) which worked well without much loss -- but I have two LED lanterns if I need them. It's the light loss which concerns me most. I'm thinking maybe the mesh works better because it works mostly by diffraction.

I did cut out a piece of plastic 1/2 & 1/2 bottle to replace the lens in a dollar incandescent to get rid of the artifacts, but it does lose light.

 

[Sgt. LED]

Hair spray lids

You can always do what I did for a light I coun't find anything to fit on. Go shopping. I took the light to Walmart and walked around sticking lids on it till I found one I liked.

 

[Illum]

Look around the house for disposable items made of translucent plastic.

buy yourself a couple plastic cutting board, they come as white or an assortment of other colors
looks something like this: http://img.alibaba.com/photo/249225100/cutting_board_chopping_board_chopping_mats.jpg

 

[HKJ]

What are you guys using to put on the head of your flashlights so it turns the beam into more of a whole room illuminator in times of power outages, or for camping in atent, etc...

If there is a white ceiling, bouncing the light of the ceiling can work much better than a diffuser.
You will get a more uniform light in the room and no blinding hot spot, when looking at the diffuser. But it will usual require more light, i.e. use more batteries.

 

[alpg88]

i use disposable plastic cup, that has a milky color, works great.

 

[JWP_EE]

Here is a shot of a Fuji film canister diffuser I made for my L0D.

http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/...16&postcount=4

 

[Flying Turtle]

A ping-pong ball on top of your tail standing light works nicely.

Geoff

 

[Illum]

 

[JWP_EE]

I copied and pasted it from another post and now I don't know how to fix that. If I click on it and make an edit it seem to change. But when I come back in again it is still there and my edit hasn't taken effect. :shrug:

 

[UpChUcK]

For my Maratac AAA light, I plan on using a Chapstick cap like kramer5150 did with his ITP A3 EOS. Brilliant! :thumbsup:

I have been looking all over for the right Chapstick. :sigh: I may have to raid my daughters' stash.

 

[Woods Walker]

A Crazy glue cover works great on my iTP, S2 (LOD head) and E01 for a lantern as it is longer than the chapstick cover so offers a nice glow. A bit like a chem light stick only better as there is some real light.

 

[Vesper]

...a piece of toilet paper and a rubber band.

MacGyver IS IN THE HOUSE! :nana:

I'll have to try that ping pong ball trick. Sounds good. I find a small clear plastic bottle full of water works great (when I'm goofing off - have never tried it in an actual outage).

 

[pobox1475]

 

[sledhead]

This is a great idea! Shame all the kids have are orange balls! I guess I'll be picking up a pack of white to try it out. Thanks for the idea!

 

[alpg88]

just try not to ignite them balls, ..things i did with them when i was a kid..

 

[pmoore]

G2 bottle caps fit most of the P-60 style lights.