Eclipse (or Altoids) Torch

I always wanted to do an Altoids project but i have never seen them for sale here in New Zealand... we do however have these Eclipse mints...

Plus its recycling and it green..!

So here goes a simple torch with a a squeezy switch..

First get your trusty empty tine... these eclipse mini tins are good since they have a nice little door that snaps closed...

Choose a tin that flexes when you squeeze it...

Drill a hole in one end to snugly fit an LED...

Solder 2 wires (i used cat 5 twisted pairs) to an LED... i chose an ultra bright green to match the tin...

Then glue a couple of wooden packers to the bent prongs... this is to set the LED back from protuding too far through the hole... that way the tin will still stand up....

Hot glue the LED assembly into the tin so the LED just pokes thru nthe hole...

Get a microswitch and solder 2 wires to it....

Hot glue 2 pieces of ice block stick to the micro switch... at right angles to one another... these need to be tuned to fit inside your chosen tin...

the idea is that these sticks will hold the microswitch i place so the flexing tin can actuate it...

Hot glue the assembly inside the tin...

Join together 1 wire from the LED with 1 wire from the switch....

The LED only requires button cells.. but mind needed 3 in series... simple hot glue the remaining wires to each end of the cell pack.....

Wrap the lot in insulation tape...

Stuff the wires inside the tin and close the lid...

Now give it a squeeze to light the LED... check the photos of it in action... quite bright...