Film Canister LED Flashlight

 by comodore
Contest WinnerFeatured
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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!
 
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Step 1: Components

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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)
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ibrahimabbasi says: May 10, 2013. 3:42 AM
nice portable led light
heretolearn98 says: Jun 4, 2011. 1:35 PM
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?
fretted in reply to heretolearn98Dec 14, 2012. 10:56 PM
The legs of the LED'S are already cut short and long some brands you have to look close to see the difference !
Marri81 says: Nov 4, 2012. 9:05 PM
This is perfect for my cubs' engineering achievement! They will love this. Thanks so much!
npendleton1 says: Sep 3, 2011. 3:44 PM
I'm using this for a cub scout project. Could a salvage an old string of LED Christmas lights?
Krz says: Oct 31, 2010. 6:00 PM
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 says: Aug 6, 2010. 7:20 AM
good job! I like the simplicity!
comodore (author) in reply to acosicrisAug 22, 2010. 7:30 AM
Thank you!
StarkIndustries says: Feb 5, 2010. 6:48 PM
I would so make this! but my dad won't let me use his soldering iron. =(
comodore (author) in reply to StarkIndustriesFeb 6, 2010. 4:10 AM
Well, maybe you can make it with your father...
He can solder all the connections...  :)
NicOmbra says: Dec 16, 2009. 4:09 PM
 This might make me sound like I don't know where anything is (correctly), but where can you buy a push switch?
comodore (author) in reply to NicOmbraDec 17, 2009. 6:41 AM
IN your local electronic shop like RadioShack...or some other shop that sells electronic components...
NicOmbra in reply to comodoreDec 21, 2009. 6:26 AM
thanks.
komecake says: Oct 24, 2009. 2:40 PM
  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 (author) in reply to komecakeOct 29, 2009. 5:22 PM
Great that you love Instructables and my Instructables!  :D
photogirlmim says: Oct 1, 2009. 8:42 PM
Having my son make this as a cub scout project... Thanks!
comodore (author) in reply to photogirlmimOct 2, 2009. 1:26 AM
:D Just knowing that some one is also making these makes my day! Thanks! :)
MADAVEEN says: Aug 20, 2009. 1:57 PM
i made one out of a pill case...thanx for the idea...
comodore (author) in reply to MADAVEENAug 28, 2009. 4:00 PM
Cool! Can you please upload some pics of it! I think everyone would like to see it! :)
mackintoshlinessless says: Jul 23, 2009. 1:16 AM
can some one tell me what happened to the comments here
akonichi says: May 7, 2009. 3:28 AM
ingenious!
chopstx in reply to akonichiJun 10, 2009. 6:02 PM
by rating this 5 stars, i bumped up your status from 3.81 to 3.85! .04 difference! great instructable
comodore (author) in reply to chopstxJul 2, 2009. 10:03 AM
Thanks for the rate and for boosting my moral! :D
comodore (author) in reply to akonichiMay 7, 2009. 4:13 AM
hehe Thanks! :DD
SPORTSGUY17 says: May 15, 2009. 2:44 PM
DOES ANYONE KNOW WERE I CAN GET A SWITH THINGY?
comodore (author) in reply to SPORTSGUY17May 22, 2009. 2:13 AM
Its a push button... At any electronic store or you can salvage it from basically anything....
ElementAngel29 says: Apr 22, 2009. 4:10 PM
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 (author) in reply to ElementAngel29Apr 27, 2009. 10:53 AM
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 says: Apr 21, 2008. 2:04 PM
good ible. i like it BTW: did you ever build that spark generator?
comodore (author) in reply to tech-kingApr 21, 2008. 2:08 PM
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 in reply to comodoreApr 21, 2008. 2:10 PM
good luck then
comodore (author) in reply to tech-kingApr 21, 2008. 2:12 PM
Thanks! :)
E-R-IC in reply to comodoreFeb 13, 2009. 10:18 AM
look way right and scrool up
comodore (author) in reply to E-R-ICFeb 13, 2009. 11:40 AM
????Why????
E-R-IC in reply to comodoreFeb 14, 2009. 10:14 AM
no not here. on the previouse comment page. you will not believe how far the replies went
comodore (author) in reply to E-R-ICFeb 14, 2009. 11:14 AM
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 in reply to comodoreApr 6, 2009. 2:52 PM
well well just have to fix that wont we?
comodore (author) in reply to pyro manApr 16, 2009. 3:48 PM
Yes we do! :D
pyro man says: Mar 29, 2009. 1:15 PM
nice job.very simple for beginners,yet it provides a reason for the more expierienced workers to build one themselves
comodore (author) in reply to pyro manApr 3, 2009. 3:53 PM
Thanks! :D i am glad you like it! If you your self make one of these be shore to post some pics! :)
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