Introduction: Oil Lamp
This instructable will show you how to make a simple recycled oil lamp.
Step 1: Materials
For the materials you can use all old stuff lying around the house. You need any kind of old oil from frying (i think olive oil works the best), An old cotton sock,nail clippers with file,and any kind of old glass bottle with a metal cap.
Step 2: Cutting the Wick
First thing you need to do is to cut the sock into one long strip big enough to curl up into the bottom of the bottle and come out of the top.
Step 3: Punching the Hole
Next you need to make a small hole in the bottle cap. I have done this two different ways you can either use a small metal object like a nail file and punch it through the cap or the easiest way is to just drill a hole through with a power drill.
Step 4: Filling the Lamp
The last step is to pull the wick through the small hole so it sticks out just a little bit. Then fill up the bottle with oil about and inch or two from the top and then put the wick into the bottle and tightly put on the metal cap. Let it sit for at least and hour before lighting it so that the wick can soak up some of the oil. And that is all you have to do to make a simple oil lamp out of all recycled materials.

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10 Comments
9 years ago on Introduction
The easiest way is to to get a nail and a hammer... The rest is obvious. It makes a neat hole the size of the nail you used, and no batteries needed! Nail files and knives aren't very... clean.
10 years ago on Introduction
Looks good!
Reply 10 years ago on Introduction
thanks and thanks for sending the DIY patch
10 years ago on Introduction
Your lamp is brilliantly simple, but it will probably blow out in a hurricane because it lacks an upper shield. Here is the same type of lamp with a glass shield. And, no, these cannot be used as a molotov cocktails cuz they are accident proof. Here's a safety test of the same basic lamp. I recommend everyone learning how to make these for blackout days. Thanks for the instructional.
Reply 10 years ago on Introduction
Ya I have not wind profed it yet but it works great without wind
10 years ago on Introduction
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Reply 10 years ago on Introduction
Thanks I am always trying to think of more projects
10 years ago on Introduction
Could also be used as a Molotov Cocktail in a pinch. just add the words "throw and run" to the last step. LOL.
Seriously though, This seems like an interesting way to make reusable "tiki" torches. You'd just need a sharpened stick, and a coat hanger. You'd be amazed at the number of things you can make with a sharpened stick, and a coat hanger.
I wonder if this would work with some of that anti-mosquito oil.
Nice instructable.
10 years ago on Introduction
another great instructable. im going to make one of these for the hurricane irene.
brilliantly simple.
Reply 10 years ago on Introduction
ya so simple to make and all u need is old materials lying around the house