Introduction: A QUICK BATTERY HOLDER -- for Electrical Experiments

By www.angelfire.com/in2/manythings
About: I'm a refugee from Los Angeles, living in backwoods Puerto Rico for about 35 years now and loving it. I built my own home from discarded nylon fishnet and cement.

This is a quick way to hold wires to the terminals of a AAA or a AA battery for electrical experiments. Two modified clothespins are mounted to a 3/4" thick wood spacer. The clothespin springs maintain pressure on the battery terminals.

Two holes in each of the clothespins allow for attachment of the wires.

I just nailed the clothespins to the wood with 3/4" finishing nails. You could also use a little glue if you wish.

Step 1: MODIFY THE CLOTHESPINS

Slide one half of the clothespin sideways out from under the spring that holds it. Cut the end off one of the halves. Make sure that when the battery is in place, the terminals of the battery will make contact with and be held by the contact points on either side of the holder.

If you don't have a tiny drill bit to make the holes with, you can just drive in and pull out a 3/4" finishing nail. If the wood splits, it may still work. If it splits badly, try another clothespin. Sometimes they don't split.

Step 2: NAIL THE CLOTHESPINS TO THE SPACER WOOD

Use a 3/4" finishing nail to nail the short half of the clothespins to the spacer wood. I nailed them with the springs in place. Just be careful not to hammer the springs, and finish driving the nail with a nail set.

Step 3: INSERT THE WIRES THROUGH THE HOLES

Stick the wire through one hole and back through the other. Bend over the end of the wire to hold it in place.

The clothespins come apart easily sideways. Putting them back together is easier by sliding the tapered end in under the spring until everything snaps in place.