I always wanted to make an Altoid tin light.

[carbine15]

And now I have. It took me 30 minutes and a few junker spare parts.
my goal was to use old parts that I have no use for.

recycled parts list

-Forward clicky switch from a dollar store stickup light. (I think it's the same as used in vital gear clickies)

-Old aluminum smooth cree reflector that I damaged with my careless dremelling.

-12 inches Teflon wire (thanks mudman!)

-Old cell phone battery from V3 razr.

-Part of a motherboard heatsink that I cut for memory coolers but never installed (fins too long)

-Cool white cree emitter. A very nice emitter I swapped for a warm one in my current EDC light.

-a tiny dab of arctic alumina and some superglue to hold the switch/ reflector/ and heatsink in place.

And now submitted for your pleasure. My Altoid Tin Tactical Illuminator!

Looks like and ordinary chocolate covered Altoids Tin
​

Something is different.
​

Oh, yes. something is definitely different.
​

Inner workings. Need a battery holder.
​

It works! It's Alive!
​

Half-moon beamshot. The beam actually looks a lot worse than this.
​

I hope you enjoyed my project. I've been wanting to do this for so long. I feel a sense of relief and accomplishment. I know it's a junker but it works and it's brighter than most of my lights.

 

[lumafist]

Ha..!

Very cool...!
Iwas fiddlingg around with stuff like this just the other day aswell.

I need to get somekind of charger but my idea is done using AL sheeting hardsoldered together and a "hidden" no-reflector hole for the CREE to stick out...

This is fun..!

 

[carbine15]

...no-reflector hole for the CREE to stick out...
This is fun..!

I was contemplating how to make no external changes to the Altoid tin. My plan is to make a flood-light that comes on when you open the lid. The switch would activate when the lid opens to reveal an array of LED's. Feel free to use my awesome idea!

 

[lumafist]

I was contemplating how to make no external changes to the Altoid tin. My plan is to make a flood-light that comes on when you open the lid. The switch would activate when the lid opens to reveal an array of LED's. Feel free to use my awesome idea!

That sounds REALY cool...!
That way the underside of the lid makes for a "reflector"....?

 

[jeffosborne]

Good job, Carbine15! The Altoid tin is a good fit in the pocket - shirtpocket or pant pocket. I do not see a resistor or regulator, so we are direct-driving, yes? Have you re-charged the battery since you finished the assembly? Cheers, Jeff O.

 

[carbine15]

I'll add a driver and run this off 1-2 aa batteries soon. Just need to get a battery holder.

 

[kuksul08]

that's pretty sweet, it'd be funny to bust that out and surprise people haha

 

[greenLED]

Did you solder onto the battery?

 

[EngrPaul]

I'll add a driver and run this off 1-2 aa batteries soon. Just need to get a battery holder.

If you decide to keep it Li-ion, I have an barely-used battery pack 3.7V 1700mAh. The dims are 2.10 x 1.40 x .45 inches. It came out of a bluetooth GPS unit someone gave me but I didn't need. PM me if interested.

You could put a charging jack rewire a nano charger to have a cable and plug....

 

[Burgess]

I love it !


The form-factor reminds me of those old, classic

Vest-Pocket flashlights, from the early 1900's.


:twothumbs
_

 

[carbine15]

I like the idea of a charging jack. I wonder how I would work that. The battery is stuck on with handitac reusable adhesive and the wire leads are held in place by friction with the plastic housing of the battery.

 

[kramer5150]

THATS great!!

I have used altoid tins to house amp circuits... you can do a google search for "cmoy" and find some other case ideas there.
:thumbsup:

 

[lumafist]

Got off work a couple off hours ago and just reread this thead Carbine...!
NOW when I see pictures ( I can`t from workcomp.) I see what and how you mean.....


Good job man...!

 

[carbine15]

Now if I could make a place to keep some tasty candies inside the light, then it'd be complete. I love that it's a forward clicky so I can call it a tactical tin.

 

[socom1970]

Awesome! I need to do that. I have a bunch of Altoid tins and assorted parts around, too!

(Sidenote: Donn, check your email!)

Anyway, Great idea and great job, carbine!

 

[daloosh]

Very nice job, thanks for the graphic details! I have a couple Altoid tins lying around...but no time.
daloosh

 

[LLCoolBeans]

You know, this thread gives me an idea. Why don't we have CPF modding/homemade light contests? Not for a prize or anything, but just for fun.

Something like this...

Start a thread announcing the contest and give a deadline entry submission date. Once that date has passed, create a poll thread for CPF members to vote on the one they like the best.

Themes could be something like the following...

Create a home made flashlight using only scavenged scrap parts.
Create a flashlight using an Altoids tin for a case.
Create the most powerful automotive dome light.
So on and so forth...

 

[collector]

Nice mod, memories......

-Forward clicky switch from a dollar store stickup light. (I think it's the same as used in vital gear clickies)
I've been looking for exactly such a switch ! Can you get me some ?

 

[carbine15]

sylvania dot it lights use the same setup.. they may have the same switch.
as much as I hate KD, these switches are very nice indeed

 

[greenLED]

You know, this thread gives me an idea. Why don't we have CPF modding/homemade light contests? Not for a prize or anything, but just for fun.

Something like this...

Start a thread announcing the contest and give a deadline entry submission date. Once that date has passed, create a poll thread for CPF members to vote on the one they like the best.

Themes could be something like the following...

Create a home made flashlight using only scavenged scrap parts.
Create a flashlight using an Altoids tin for a case.
Create the most powerful automotive dome light.
So on and so forth...

We did that a loooong while back. I think somebody with a pumpkin (or was it a potato?) light won.