Aluminum Can Lantern

[Manwich]

http://www.homegrownevolution.com/2006/12/make-aluminum-can-lamp.html

Make an Aluminum Can Lamp (http://www.homegrownevolution.com/2006/12/make-aluminum-can-lamp.html)

http://photos1.blogger.com/x/blogger/6463/3347/320/866627/canlast.jpg (http://photos1.blogger.com/x/blogger/6463/3347/1600/75238/canlast.jpg)Inspired by an article in Wilderness Way (http://www.wwmag.net/), SuriviveLA made our own post-apocalyptic lighting out of two aluminum cans. According to the author of that article, Del Gideon, the Vietnamese used to make these lamps back during the war. You can also use these lamps to heat up water. Making one is easy:
1. Remove the top off a can. We like to do this by scoring the inner ring of the top with a razor blade and then using a pair of pliers to bust it out. The fastidious and safety conscious may want to file down the sharp edge.

2. Cut a 2 1/2 inch square window out of one side of the can with a pair of scissors.

http://photos1.blogger.com/x/blogger/6463/3347/320/893351/cutting.jpg (http://photos1.blogger.com/x/blogger/6463/3347/1600/935646/cutting.jpg)3. Now cut the bottom 1 1/2 inches off of another can. We like to do this by taping a razor blade to a piece of metal and inserting it in a book. Simply rotate the can against the blade a few times and you will get a nice even cut. Precision isn’t necessary for this project (unlike the Pepsi can stove (http://survivela.blogspot.com/2006/07/make-pepsi-can-stove.html)) so you can also do this step with a pair of scissors.

4. Punch out a 1/4 inch hole in the bottom of the can for the wick.
http://photos1.blogger.com/x/blogger/6463/3347/320/248179/wick.jpg (http://photos1.blogger.com/x/blogger/6463/3347/1600/523181/wick.jpg)
5. Cut a 1/2 inch by 3 inch piece of cotton from an old shirt for the wick.
http://photos1.blogger.com/x/blogger/6463/3347/320/970713/wick2.jpg (http://photos1.blogger.com/x/blogger/6463/3347/1600/456926/wick2.jpg)
6. Cut out a 2 inch by 1 1/2 inch piece of aluminum and use it to wrap up the wick tightly.

7. Fill the can with the window with lamp oil. Insert the aluminum wrapped wick in the hole you drilled in the other can and squeeze both cans together as shown in the image at top.

8. Trim the wick, light it, and wait for WWIII.

[hoz]

That's a neat, elegant solution. The Tinyman just spent a couple videos to show how he makes some kind of water filled candlelight. If he sees this one he'll steal it for his "store".

[Doctari]

I make mine simalarly but instead of cutting a square hole, I make an I cut, which adds side reflectors that (seem to?)concentrate the light more. Just cut a few inches along (near) the top, then the same size near the bottom, then connect the 2 with a vert. cut about mid line of the previous 2 cuts, then fold out. Be careful when folding, I have been cut. Granted it was a "paper cut" but be careful none the less.

[Tinker]

For anyone interested in backpacking oil lanterns, I have an old Candoil lantern in perfect shape that I'll sell for $10.00 plus shipping.
Unless you need heat or like smoke, don't bother. LED technology has delegated candles and oil lamps to the category of romantic notions.
To be fair, having a little oil on hand can get a nice campfire going, though. :)

[Smile]

Very cool lantern ;)

[Ramble~On]

That's pretty cool..when I first looked at the picture I thought it was a tea candle lantern. Same thing with can as reflector.

[sly dog]

What I like, (dont know if someone already posted), is my headlamp facing into my water bottle. I use Aquafina 1 liter bottles and if you put the light at the bottom of the bottle facing in and wrap the strap around the top of the bottle(to hold it on the bottle), it reflects the light like a lantern thru all the water. Keep in mind it works best if bottle has no wrapper and is full of water.

[Manwich]

What I like, (dont know if someone already posted), is my headlamp facing into my water bottle. I use Aquafina 1 liter bottles and if you put the light at the bottom of the bottle facing in and wrap the strap around the top of the bottle(to hold it on the bottle), it reflects the light like a lantern thru all the water. Keep in mind it works best if bottle has no wrapper and is full of water.

I would take a nalgene and throw one of those small but bright LED lights into it to make a little lantern.

[Pootz]

This is great. I will be making one of these tonight. May even have to leave work early. Will probably not take it hiking but it looks like fun to build

[cphobes]

That's a neat, elegant solution. The Tinyman just spent a couple videos to show how he makes some kind of water filled candlelight. If he sees this one he'll steal it for his "store".

Hoz, Oh brother! Give it a rest will ya.

Totem, zenstoves.net has a section on candle stoves many of which appear to be multi purpose light/stoves. At least one looks similar to the one you posted. Never built any but they have info even on waxes and fuels.

Tinny's "Waterlite" which he used to sell in his store is easily made using the video instructions he provides on his website. Uses a water jacket to keep cool (1-2 oz). The waterlite does throw off a good amount of light, enough for reading but I don't think you can cook on it.

Goto www.minibulldesign.com (http://www.minibulldesign.com) search his "myadventures" using the word waterlite and it will yield a lot of information on the product. Including how to make your own and how to use it etc. So far as I know it's his creation and the instructions were part of a CD I bought back in 2005 from him.

Never made one myself but have been considering it again since I've read about another backpacker using a candle (especially during winter trips). Wondering just how much heat or benefit an open candle (dangerous in a tent) might have.

Good luck!
-Stephen