This instructable will show you how to build a LED flashlight.

Step 1: Tools and Materials Needed

Tools
Soldering Iron
Hot Glue gun
Nail clippers
Wire strippers
Marker

Materials
1/2" Pipe Cap
4.5" x 1/2" Threaded Pipe
1/2" to 3/4" Pipe adapter
Perforated circuit board
Spring
Wire
Solder
Hot glue sticks
10 5mm LEDs
Sheet of foam
Shears or Dremel with cutting wheel

Step 2: Cut the Perforated Circuit Board

Cut a circle out of the perforated circuit board that will fit inside the pipe adapter.

Step 3: Dry Fit the LEDs

Put the LEDs into your circular circuit board to see how they fit. Then trim the LED leads and leave the longer lead slightly longer.

Step 4: Solder the LEDs

First solder the LEDs to the circuit board. Then solder all the positive and all the negative LED leads together. Test your LED board with a 3 volt power source to make sure you have soldered the LEDs correctly.

Step 5: Create a Spring

Create a spring for the flashlight.

Step 6:

Screw your LED board into the steel adapter. Leave an uninsulated wire connected to the negative connection of the LED board hanging so it makes contact with the steel adapter when screwed in.

Test your connections. If it is working properly make a contact with a washer and some solder. Fill the area behind the contact with hot glue.

Step 7:

Cut some foam spacers that go between the battery and the contact point. The spacers create a switch that is on when the adapter is tightened.

Step 8:

Tweak the number of foam spacers so that the flashlight turns on only when the adapter is tightened.

Runner Up in the
Flashlight Contest

1 Person Made This Project!

thepuppetman made it!

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35 Comments

Nemesistant

9 years ago on Introduction

Working on making one of these out of copper pipe and then reacting it with zinc to give it a nice brass layer and more of a steampunk look.

tyler303047

10 years ago on Introduction

YAY something that can show you path AND maim someone.
jk a very very useful instructable.

snowluck2345

11 years ago on Introduction

try bringing this on an airplane

Nyanman

11 years ago on Introduction

sweet!
both a flashlight AND a holdout weapon.
seriously, how much does it weigh?

kurshiukas

11 years ago on Introduction

Its awsome!!!!!!!!!!

Wasagi

11 years ago on Introduction

Nice, I was toying around with the idea of making something like this with a shower head, but I never go around to it. Nice work!!!

DaPope

11 years ago on Introduction

Very cool, I picked up the pipe yesterday. Just gotta get some LEDs and we're in business. My wife also thinks it's really cool and wants me to make her one to keep in her car!

rossjima

11 years ago on Introduction

I'm constantly crushing, breaking flashlights on the farm. I have to make one of these. What about extending it so it holds more batteries? Would that make it brighter. It would up the voltage for sure but I don't know much about how leds behave and are speced.