How to Make a Torch
What do you do when the power goes out and your flashlight quits working? Make a
flashlight, of course. With a few supplies that you probably have lying around the house and
a little ingenuity, you'll be seeing again in no time. Follow the instructions below and become
a household MacGyver in an emergency or just to impress your kids.
Difficulty:
Moderately Challenging
Instructions
Things You'll Need
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Paper clip
Batteries
Cardboard roll
Lightbulb
Brass fasteners
1. Push brass fasteners though a cardboard tube. The tube can be one from a
toilet paper or paper towel roll. Attach a paper clip to one of the brass fasteners to
use as an on/off switch. Do not let the paper clip touch both fasteners.
2. Connect wire to each of the brass fasteners on the inside of the tube. Make sure
the wire is securely attached so it will not fall off. Wrap the wire tightly around the
brass fasteners a quite a few times. Let the wire hang out of each end of the
cardboard roll.
3. Tape two D-cell batteries together with the positive end of one of the batteries
touching the negative end of the other battery. Make sure the batteries are pressed
tightly together. Tape the batteries tightly so they don't slip away from each other.
4. Slip the batteries inside the cardboard roll. Don't let the batteries slip all the way
through or disconnect the wires from the brass fasteners.
5. Attach one end of the bottom wire to the negative end of the batteries. Use a
strong tape to attach the wire to the batteries. Tape the negative end of the paper
towel roll so the batteries cannot slip through.
6. Wrap the loose end of the positive side wire around the connector-end of a light
bulb. Set the light bulb in the paper towel roll but do not allow it to touch the positive
end of the batteries. Tape the light bulb to the paper towel roll but do not let the tape
touch the bulb.
7.Touch the paper clip to both brass fasteners to complete the connection. The
light bulb should light up. If the light bulb doesn't light you need to check the
connections to ensure they didn't come loose.