Even MacGyver Wouldn't Make It

I spent the last two days modelling an Impossimal scene in the studio using similar techniques to the latest release "Home Comforts". The technical side of these models are increasing at such a rate I'm now needing lots of new equipment to cope with it, all home made of course. This particular model needed a small light to cast big shadows acting as a back light to the main scene. Not having a light handy or indeed small enough prompted me to pull out the tool kit and get stuck in.

I dismantled an old way too big torch for its nifty switch and bulb using screws and cable pins to fasten them to an off cut of wood, this was to be the wired remote control for the small light so I could sit behind the camera and set it off when required. A small spring was included to push the battery to the screw terminals on the left.

Carefully I soldered two wires to the screw terminals and then one back to the switch, the other wire was joined to the rest of the circuit that led to the bulb. Everything was then fixed with electrical tape. Basically the whole set up cost 0p, should you wish to construct this handy and nifty torch and be the envy of the street, you could even make them as gifts for Christmas so the family can marvel at the wonder of the new fangled electricity. Anyway, here's a parts list...

1 x 4"x1" bit of wood for mounting everything on. I used a cut off from the compost bin but you could posh it up with mahogany or oak.

5 x Wood screws to fix in the battery, any type but again brass ones look posher.

1 x Spring, use this to push the battery to the terminals as shown. For an economy version use tightly coiled newspaper.

1 x Switch, any switch will do, even an old light switch fitting, for those without switches loop the ends of your wires to look like a C, this way you can join them together when you want to switch it on and pull them apart for instant darkness, simples!

1 x 2m of wire, mine is made from old doorbell wire but yours could be made out of anything that conducts, joined paperclips make an ideal substitute whilst at the other end of the spectrum bacon is unsuitable due to its tendency to cook.

1 x 9v Battery, I wouldn't recommend anything stronger as it will probably blow the bulb, also don't lick the battery terminals unless you like your tongue to spasm and you to wet yourself.

1 x 6v Bulb, any less and it will probably glow like the surface of the sun before showering you with glass when you connect the battery, step it up to a twelve volt one and it will look like a candle three miles away. Don't be tempted to string together enough batteries either to use a 240v bulb, the resulting bang and shock will act like a electronic scrambler and it will erase all data from every electrical item within two miles and again you will wet yourself and forget who you are for a day.

Err, that's about it apart from some tools like a screwdriver, hammer for the cable pins I forgot to tell you about, some soldering equipment (don't get this confused with welding equipment, I did and the first torch I made is now three carbonised molecules on a badly charred workbench).

So now you know how to make this elegant small torch or desk lamp, mine as you can see is beautifully placed to enhance its surrounding of balsa wood and hot glue, simple perfection in this Tiffany style light.

Made one already? Then why not display it on our online gallery at www.imadeacraptorch.tat.com

Next stop QVC and my handy torch kit or the T-it for short, only £0.23p plus £4.99 delivery, buy one today!

 

www.petersmithcollective.co.uk Home Of Everything Impossimal