Scraplight 1.0

[xdes]

Just for fun, i made a light using only household items. It looks quite good though. I even use this one in the house.
The Donor led unit was from a cheap 16 LED headlight. (~20-25lumens i guess) I used plastic tubes, caps and other scraps i found in my drawer to build this.

The switch is a reverse clicky from a cheap 3 LED flashlight. (2 of its 3 led died, so i disassembled it for my scraplite project) The battery carrier is also from this cheap flashlight. It Uses 3 AAA batteries.
The blue body is from a wet mop handle. (Thick plastic tube)
The head is a plastic deodorant cap.
The tailcap is a plastic copier toner cap. (this one is in my drawer for 6 years. i knew it will be good for something)
The custom made button extender is a small cap of a pen tube + rubber ring + something white plastic ring.
The positive contact is a 4-5cm long screw in the head.
The negative contact is a wire inside the body.
There are some metal rings inside the head, and some things (like spacers, plastic tubes) that are unnecessary to mention here.

The upgrade options are limited here, since it is pure plastic. I surely don't want a melting light in my hand. But i consider to get a 37led headlight or something that fits there.

more images:

mirror: http://img825.imageshack.us/img825/5240/scraplight2.jpg

 

[jason 77]

I love it! An entire flashlight from bit and pieces lying around! Good job

 

[Kestrel]

The blue body is from a wet mop handle. (Thick plastic tube)
[...]
The tailcap is a plastic copier toner cap.

I think we have two CPF firsts here. :thumbsup:

 

[xdes]

Thanks.

 

[mrartillery]

Well, you certainly have the only one out there that's for sure. :laughing:

 

[greenLED]

I love to see these really home-made lights.

:welcome:

 

[Flashlike]

I think you should apply for some design patents really quick before one of the Surefire engineers sees this!!

Seriously, though--this is really cool and definitely original. :goodjob:

 

[junglewarrior]

This light is great!

I instantly started looking around to see what I could make one out of...

Well done that man

 

[Illum]

xdes, holy cow...I would not have been able to combine so much stuff into one light!

I love to see these really home-made lights.

:welcome:

I made a flashlight out of a gutted highlighter that only lit up when the cap is jammed behind the marker exposing the LED where the ink would usually flow from. 1AAA + DC boost, exposed metal contacts where the cap pushes in on the back. A small staple was fired into the cap and filed to fit. Line up the sharpie line and insert the cap into the end and it lights up

Come to think of it I should have took pics before I sold it. I was offered a $10 and given the cost of the materials out of pocket [2 transistors, 1 LED, 1 AAA] I accepted it.

Once there was the deodorant lantern...takes 2xCR123A, a potentiometer replaces the deodorant elevator and a bank of LEDs pointing up. Rotate the wheel for desired output, my lantern got lost during a camping trip...I'm guessing it walked away

Look around you fellas, theres about 1000 different things in your house that can be turned into a flashlight, if I had all the time in the world [I.E. retired, disabled, or both] I'd build low output lights everyday

 

[Kestrel]

Once there was the deodorant lantern...takes 2xCR123A, a potentiometer replaces the deodorant elevator and a bank of LEDs pointing up. Rotate the wheel for desired output, my lantern got lost during a camping trip...I'm guessing it walked away

Now this I would have liked to have seen. :huh:

 

[ma_sha1]

Very nice, 100% recycled material & good looking too

 

[Hill]

Very creative build!! I have been thinking about creating custom lights, but don't have a lathe. You've put together a nice looking light. Although it won't work for high power emitters due to inability to heatsink, it's a nice build.

Congrats!!

 

[xdes]

some improvements on my scraplight.

- i modified the head unit so i can use 18650 battery too. (it was too long)
- i also modified the 3xAAA battery holder. (an extension added).
- i enhanced the negative contact inside the tube. (added an aluminium tube / ring)
- added a new black plastic ring.


and here is a video.