View Full Version : Tin Works


IdahoDavid
12-02-2007, 16:41
It's been a snowy week here in the North Country and I have been experimenting with tin (steel) cans for stoves and lanterns. I came up with some ideas I like or at least some that may develop into final projects. (Do we ever really stop experimenting?) I've been using for my materials various size cans that come with the pull-top lids.

The main project is a tea light candle lantern may from a Campbell's concentrate size can. I've put a small hatch on the side of it using some tin as hinges, coat hangers for the bail. I use the bottom cut from a larger can to make the heat diffuser that fits on top. I just crimp around the edges to hold it in place.

The nice thing about this design is that when you close the hatch you can put a small pot or metal cup on top of the lantern and use the candle to keep something warm. You can also replace the candle with a tea light stove, as shown in the pictures, and use it heat water.

The tin cans are ncie to work with because the metal is still soft enough to pierce easily with a good sharp awl or with a small cordless drill. I like it for a candle lantern because the cans more abuse in a pack than aluminum. Also pictured here is an aluminim-steel hybrid stove and a tealight stve with a tin-can pot suppoort.

Photos to come.

IdahoDavid
12-02-2007, 17:05
http://www.whiteblaze.net/forum/vbg/showimage.php?i=20339&catid=member&imageuser=739

IdahoDavid
12-02-2007, 17:06
http://www.whiteblaze.net/forum/vbg/showimage.php?i=20340&catid=member&imageuser=739

IdahoDavid
12-02-2007, 17:10
I'm a bit rusty with the photos. But here are the other two.

zelph
12-02-2007, 19:30
I'm a bit rusty with the photos. But here are the other two.

After a bit, your cans will be rusty also;)

PJ 2005
12-02-2007, 23:39
Very cool... careful in those shelters though!

zelph
12-03-2007, 15:10
I'm a bit rusty with the photos. But here are the other two.

Nice use of the fiberglass cloth. Well done. You're right about tin being easy to cut. cans are available often, make new stoves when the old ones look dogeared. Easy come easy go. make good wood burning stoves also.

JAK
12-03-2007, 15:14
When I am finished marking exams and lab reports and term papers this term I think I am going to go on a wee hike before Christmas and maybe take some stuff with me to make some small wood stoves and candle lanterns and oil lamps as I go. Nice stoves.

gaga
12-03-2007, 15:20
consider this instead of the candle::sun

zelph
12-03-2007, 15:42
consider this instead of the candle::sun

All of you stove makers take note how much of the wick sticks out of these little guys in the above photos. Very little for a clean burn.