Film Canister LED Flashlight

In this Instructable I will show you how to make a flashlight out of an old, 35mm, film canister and some ultra-bright LEDs!
You don't need to spend 10$ on a flashlight that isn't even that bright. For 4$ or less, depending what you have lying around the home, you can make a really bright LED flash light. Its got for camping or just for back yard fun.
This flashlight is easy to make,looks cool and most importantly, effective!

Step 1 Components

You aren't going to need many components for this project.

1. 4x Ultra-bright, white LEDs (picture 2)

2. Film canister

3. Push switch

4. 3V coin cell battery

5. some wire (I used telephone wire)

Comments

[npendleton1]

I'm using this for a cub scout project. Could a salvage an old string of LED Christmas lights?

[heretolearn98]

what do you mean that all negative (shorter) sides are connected, and positive (longer) sides are connected? you mean i trim the LED ends a certain way?

[Krz]

wow, this is great! Very clever use of the film canister.
I'll change the bright LEDs for red light ones, and it will be a charm for using in the photography dark room. (or maybe just use bright white ones with a film over them)

[acosicris]

good job! I like the simplicity!

[comodore]

Thank you!

[StarkIndustries]

I would so make this! but my dad won't let me use his soldering iron. =(

[comodore]

Well, maybe you can make it with your father...
He can solder all the connections...  :)

[NicOmbra]

 This might make me sound like I don't know where anything is (correctly), but where can you buy a push switch?

[comodore]

IN your local electronic shop like RadioShack...or some other shop that sells electronic components...

[NicOmbra]

thanks.

[komecake]

  O__O... I love this website. Seriously. I've been on here like 2 days and I've already made so much stuff that I would have spent SO MUCH money on. This is a great one, thanks.

[comodore]

Great that you love Instructables and my Instructables!  :D

[photogirlmim]

Having my son make this as a cub scout project... Thanks!

[comodore]

:D Just knowing that some one is also making these makes my day! Thanks! :)

[MADAVEEN]

i made one out of a pill case...thanx for the idea...

[comodore]

Cool! Can you please upload some pics of it! I think everyone would like to see it! :)

[mackintoshlinessless]

can some one tell me what happened to the comments here

[akonichi]

ingenious!

[chopstx]

by rating this 5 stars, i bumped up your status from 3.81 to 3.85! .04 difference! great instructable

[comodore]

Thanks for the rate and for boosting my moral! :D

[comodore]

hehe Thanks! :DD

[SPORTSGUY17]

DOES ANYONE KNOW WERE I CAN GET A SWITH THINGY?

[comodore]

Its a push button... At any electronic store or you can salvage it from basically anything....

[ElementAngel29]

hey man- this is just what i was looking for- i wanted something that looked relatively easy so that i could learn from it- however before i begin - 1 question: i have a rocker switch but its not momentary( when i push on/off it stays in that position), does this matter for this project or will it work just as well? ---- oh and btw- the rocker switch i have is also illuminated( so therefore has an extra solder point on back- making 3:ground,load, and power. do i have to run a separate battery to that single prong to light it up or what ? thanks man -- appreciate it - ElementAngel

[comodore]

It doesn't matter that when you push it it stays on (or off)... I wont make a difference... As for the 3 lead...just leave it like that... You can check what 2 point you need whit a multimeter that show continuity...it make a sound when current is passed from point A (your red needle) to point B (your black needle). You want to find the two ends that when the switch is in the on position you hear a beep from the multimeter and when it is on the oposite side you don't hear a beep... Feel free to ask if you have any more questions! Thanks!

[tech-king]

good ible. i like it BTW: did you ever build that spark generator?

[comodore]

Thank you! No, I will build it in summer, I have a really big test coming up and I have to prepare! As I said before,sooner or later I will build it!!!

[tech-king]

good luck then

[comodore]

Thanks! :)

[E-R-IC]

look way right and scrool up

[comodore]

????Why????

[E-R-IC]

no not here. on the previouse comment page. you will not believe how far the replies went

[comodore]

I have a problem whit that, i can't see all the comments... But, any way it wasn't on the list of Instructables whit the biggest number of comments, we were beat by about 30 comments... :P

[pyro man]

well well just have to fix that wont we?

[comodore]

Yes we do! :D

[pyro man]

nice job.very simple for beginners,yet it provides a reason for the more expierienced workers to build one themselves

[comodore]

Thanks! :D i am glad you like it! If you your self make one of these be shore to post some pics! :)

[noah1r]

I think it is cool

[comodore]

Thanks!

[ReCreate]

i will make this instead with two quadruple A batteries(from a 9v battery) so it lasts longer i am also getting 100 high intensity white led's for ten bucks so i will probably jam as many as possible in there!