Introduction: Gas Pipe Flashlight
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!
35 Comments
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.
10 years ago on Introduction
YAY something that can show you path AND maim someone.
jk a very very useful instructable.
11 years ago on Introduction
try bringing this on an airplane
11 years ago on Introduction
sweet!
both a flashlight AND a holdout weapon.
seriously, how much does it weigh?
11 years ago on Introduction
Its awsome!!!!!!!!!!
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!!!
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!
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.
11 years ago on Introduction
http://blog.makezine.com/archive/2010/08/flashlight_from_galvanized_iron_pip.html
Congratulations on bing featured on the Make: Magazine blog!!! Way Cool.
Reply 11 years ago on Introduction
Awesome!
12 years ago on Introduction
Sweet flashlight, it would really come in handy in those dark nights when someone is following you. A bit of blackpaint and it's done.
Reply 12 years ago on Introduction
OW. Could you imagine how much it would hurt to get cracked over the head with this thing?
Reply 11 years ago on Introduction
Just like a maglight beat-stick... only more brutal.
Reply 11 years ago on Introduction
What sucks the most is you could weld on spikes to this one if you wanted to!
Reply 12 years ago on Introduction
just what i was thinking!
Reply 12 years ago on Introduction
I smell concussion(s)!
Reply 12 years ago on Introduction
hahaha
Reply 12 years ago on Introduction
lol
Reply 12 years ago on Introduction
Just use black pipe.
11 years ago on Introduction
sorta looks like a lightsaber