A mini flashlight, commonly called a torch, requires batteries to power its incandescent bulb. You can make a mini "shaking" torch that will never need batteries to power its LED bulb. A few hardware and hobby store supplies are needed, but no electrical or mechanical skills. As its name implies, your mini shaking torch only needs to be shaken to light up.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Newspaper
• 32-gauge copper wire spool
• Wire cutters
• White LED bulb
• Two rare earth magnets
• Plastic 35mm film can
• Duct tape
• Ruler
• Utility knife
• Soldering iron
• Solder

1. 1
   Put a sheet of newspaper on a table. Stand the plastic 35mm film can on the newspaper with the film lid facing up. Remove the film lid.
   
2. 2
   Measure one inch up from the bottom of the plastic 35mm film can. Wrap duct tape around the plastic 35mm film can at the one-inch mark.
   
3. 3
   Measure one inch down from the top of the plastic 35mm film can. Wrap duct tape around the plastic 35mm film can at the one-inch mark.
   
4. 4
   Measure six inches from the end of the copper wire on the spool. Place the copper wire at the six-inch mark against the duct tape at the bottom of the plastic 35mm film can.
   
5. 5
   Wind the copper wire around the plastic 35mm film can and up to the duct tape at the top. Wind the copper wire around the duct tape at the top and then down around the plastic 35mm film can to the duct tape at the bottom.
   
6. 6
   Continue winding the copper wire up and down the plastic 35mm film can an additional 38 times.
   
7. 7
   Wind the copper wire around the plastic 35mm film can an additional time if necessary so that the copper wire is at the top of the plastic 35mm film can.
   
8. 8
   Cut the copper wire off the copper wire spool with the wire cutters.
   
9. 9
   Place the film lid of the plastic 35mm film can on the newspaper. Cut a hole in the center of the film lid with the utility knife.
   
10. 10
    Push the white LED bulb through the hole from the bottom of the film lid so that the white LED bulb is peeking out of the top.
    
11. 11
    Solder the end of the copper wire that is at the top of the plastic 35mm film can to one of the two pins that are attached to the bottom of the white LED bulb. Let the solder cool for a minute.
    
12. 12
    Solder the end of the copper wire that is at the bottom of the plastic 35mm film can to the other pin that is attached to the bottom of the white LED bulb. Let the solder cool for a minute.
    

How to Make a Mini Torch

A mini flashlight, commonly called a torch, requires batteries to power its incandescent bulb. You can make a mini "shaking" torch that will never need batteries to power its LED bulb. A few hardware and hobby store supplies are needed, but no electrical or mechanical skills. As its name implies, your mini shaking torch only needs to be shaken to light up.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Newspaper
• 32-gauge copper wire spool
• Wire cutters
• White LED bulb
• Two rare earth magnets
• Plastic 35mm film can
• Duct tape
• Ruler
• Utility knife
• Soldering iron
• Solder

1. 1
   Put a sheet of newspaper on a table. Stand the plastic 35mm film can on the newspaper with the film lid facing up. Remove the film lid.
   
2. 2
   Measure one inch up from the bottom of the plastic 35mm film can. Wrap duct tape around the plastic 35mm film can at the one-inch mark.
   
3. 3
   Measure one inch down from the top of the plastic 35mm film can. Wrap duct tape around the plastic 35mm film can at the one-inch mark.
   
4. 4
   Measure six inches from the end of the copper wire on the spool. Place the copper wire at the six-inch mark against the duct tape at the bottom of the plastic 35mm film can.
   
5. 5
   Wind the copper wire around the plastic 35mm film can and up to the duct tape at the top. Wind the copper wire around the duct tape at the top and then down around the plastic 35mm film can to the duct tape at the bottom.
   
6. 6
   Continue winding the copper wire up and down the plastic 35mm film can an additional 38 times.
   
7. 7
   Wind the copper wire around the plastic 35mm film can an additional time if necessary so that the copper wire is at the top of the plastic 35mm film can.
   
8. 8
   Cut the copper wire off the copper wire spool with the wire cutters.
   
9. 9
   Place the film lid of the plastic 35mm film can on the newspaper. Cut a hole in the center of the film lid with the utility knife.
   
10. 10
    Push the white LED bulb through the hole from the bottom of the film lid so that the white LED bulb is peeking out of the top.
    
11. 11
    Solder the end of the copper wire that is at the top of the plastic 35mm film can to one of the two pins that are attached to the bottom of the white LED bulb. Let the solder cool for a minute.
    
12. 12
    Solder the end of the copper wire that is at the bottom of the plastic 35mm film can to the other pin that is attached to the bottom of the white LED bulb. Let the solder cool for a minute.
    
13. 13
    Drop two rare earth magnets into the plastic 35mm film can.
    
14. 14
    Cut a notch in the top rim of the plastic 35mm film can. Push the two copper wires attached to the pins at the bottom of the white LED through the notch and into the plastic 35mm film can.
    
15. 15
    Put the film lid onto the top of the plastic 35mm film can.
    
16. 16
    Pick up the mini shaking torch you have made. Shake it to light up the white LED bulb.