Introduction: Flashlight Duct Tape Dispenser
I saw Creativeman's duct tape dispenser and it inspired me to make this one. I decided to make mine have more than one function.
Step 1: Tool and Materials
Tools
Drill
1/4th inch drill bit
utility knife
hack saw or metal cutting blade on miter saw
scissors
pliers
Materials
Duct tape
Flashlight
1/4th inch threaded rod (I had some left over from refurbishing a swing set)
3 nuts
washer
straw
bottle cap
2 AA batteries
Speaker Wire
Optional Materials
Gorilla glue
Packing tape dispenser
Step 2: Assembling the Roller
I cut a piece of straw the width of a the duct tape. I put a nut on the rod. Then I drilled a hole in a soda bottle cap and threaded that onto the rod. Then I put the straw onto the rod. I placed another nut on the other side of the rod. A washer simulated the body of the flashlight. Finally a washer and a nut secured the end. I cut the threaded rod after attaching everything to make sure I had enough rod. You can leave a little extra just in case. As your last step select some duct tape to roll onto the straw.
Your results might be different if you use a different flashlight. Mine is a Stanley.
Step 3: Installing the Dispenser in the Flashlight
Drill a hole in the bottom flashlight using the 1/4th inch bit. Then remove the spring at the bottom. Took off the end nut and washer and set them aside. Then I dropped the rest of the roller assembly into the flashlight with the bottle cap pointing up. Using my finger I held the threaded rod still while I screwed the flashlight onto it. Then I put on the washer and nut on the exposed rod. If you are worried about the exposed metal just cover it with duct tape.
Now you will want to cut a hole in the side so you can get to the duct tape. Using your utility knife cut a rectangular hole 1/8th an inch wide and 2 1/2 inches long.
Step 4: Rewiring the Flashlight
We are short on space inside the flashlight so I downgraded the batteries to AA. It will not last as long, but I had to make compromises to realize my vision. I took some speaker wire and separated it and stripped the ends. I also took a small bit of wire and wired the two batteries in a series with the help of some duct tape. I then taped the ends of the speaker wire to the contact points in the flashlight. One I put on the terminal on the cap and the other on the sliding bar in the body of the flashlight. Then I placed the battery pack into the flashlight and screwed the lid shut.
Step 5: Light Up the World and Fix It All With One Tool
You now have a working flashlight duct tape dispenser. Now if you are ever in a situation, such as being stranded on a deserted island, where you can only bring one item you can proudly say, "My flashlight duct tape dispenser."

Participated in the
The Great Outdoors Duct Tape Contest
11 Comments
6 years ago
WTF?
10 years ago on Introduction
i just dont understand what this does. what makes it useful?
Reply 10 years ago on Introduction
It is a flashlight that also has duct tape inside it.
Reply 10 years ago on Introduction
why is that useful?
Reply 10 years ago on Introduction
Duct tape is always useful. My wife used the duct tape to rig a nightlight when she went camping with the kids.
Reply 10 years ago on Introduction
what i mean is that flashlights are useful. duct tape is useful. combining the two does not improve either of them. it would be far simpler to just wrap duct tape around a flashlight and tear off tape as needed, if you were dead set on having duct tape and a flashlight as one unit.
Reply 10 years ago on Introduction
troll
10 years ago on Introduction
Sorry but the one item I would pick is my pocket knife, it never leaves my side and doesn't run out of batteries or tape.
Good ible though.
Reply 10 years ago on Introduction
You could duct tape your knife to the flashlight and take them as one item, lol Thanks for the comment.
10 years ago on Introduction
Thanks for sharing!
10 years ago on Step 5
I'm sure you had fun making it!