Homemade Candle Lantern from tin cans!

Second item in my DIY camping gear series is a lamp. It's also my first attempt at soldering sheet metal - I'm a blacksmith not a tinsmith!
If all goes well, I'll have both a light source for camping and a handy new skill for future projects.
The book I was working from is called 'Toys From Tins' from EP Publishing (ISBN 0 7158 0794 3) and is a 1982 English re-print of a 1980 French title 'Jouets en fer-blanc' by Dessain et Tolra
Chapters:
00:00 Intro and prep
09:03 Making door
16:56 Candle holder
19:15 Roof
29:31 First lighting
30:03 Tweaks
Homemade Camping Gear series playlist:
• Homemade oilcloth tent...
#MYOG Make Your Own Gear
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My website: maximusironthumper.co.uk/

[@TheDinnermoney]

When you first put it's little hat on is when it's light truly first started to shine...

[@huwalban]

Quote of the year, "I wasn't expecting much, and I'm still disappointed" Class!

[@jeph-rey]

You had fun making it, we had fun watching you make it, win win .

[@alskjflaksjdflakjdf]

A couple tips - those large soldering irons are a tool of last resort, as I think you were discovering. They are used only in tight spaces when you can't use an open flame, like around highly flammable substances. You will get great results with the open flame even on the small bits by holding down the small item in place with something pointy like a punch or crappy screwdriver. The thin tin will heat up quicker than the screwdriver and the solder will stick to the tin. A second suggestion it to put a couple holes near the bottom of your lantern. As long as you don't put too many the flame won't get blown out by the wind. Just like the holes in the top of the lantern it will keep the temperatures manageable, but the temperature will drop across the whole lantern and you will get a brighter flame from it. Thank you for filming this project! I'm going to try it myself and see how it turns out!

[@crgmrgn]

What a great little project, seemed as enjoyable for you as it was for us watching … now can't lose the image of Max doing a "Wee Willie Winkie", nightgown flapping across the campsite … ;)

[@joanlowes8992]

Lovely project. Don't take orders though.😁 suggest a gift for your Mum sometime. Your camping experience is going to be special

[@gigi3242]

I love that your mum looks at coffee tins and thinks, Max can have some fun with these. Cool little candle holder. Thanks for the video. Take care, be well

[@ukpolska5335]

You are a lovely, genuine character, and I enjoy your videos. Plus, I recommended you to my nephew, who is restoring his own 1982 Landrover. Please keep up with such wonderful videos.

[@Ffug]

Couldn’t help but be reminded of Button Moon watching this!

[@madmerlin5]

remember always add the solder to the work and not to the iron, that'll help, and yes use loads of flux it's your friend!

[@maxwiz71]

Fab little build. I used to make little model motorbikes for mates (mostly chops based roughly on their bike) I used copper wire, beaten out copper coins and occasionally thin copper sheet. I'd like to offer a couple of tips for anyone doing similar small scale soldering. I can't see why these tips wouldn't work exactly the same with aluminium if you're repurposing cans. Any time you have a closed seam (like on your cone) have tags on both edges of the seam. Fold one tag one way and the other the opposite way so they hook together (like a seam in denim). Make sure there's plenty of flux inside the seam before you hook it together and flatten. Then the solder will wick down between the layers. This is a very strong joint. For joints like the one you have between the cone and the can an extra ring of material really helps. So make a ring of wire that fits into the gap. Tin that ring and tin a circle on both pieces to be joined. Set them into position, drop the tinned wire ring into place like where you had your ring of solder. Heat a spot with a torch, move the spot around the whole joint. If you tin well enough you will only need to add a tiny amount of extra solder. Again, with that additional ring this is a very strong joint. You can make waterproof joints with this method. For joints that might be impacted by heat during use or in situations where you need to solder together previously soldered components without the original soldering coming apart use silver solder for the components. Has a much higher melting point than regular lead solder so will hold together if you're careful with the heat. Wet, cotton based thin rope can be used to prevent heat travelling to parts that have been previously soldered. Wrap components that you want to 'heatproof' with the wet rope.

[@tonywatson987]

Max, those little cook's blowtorches, or even those rocket cigarette lighters, work great on these small jobs with long runs of solder, much better than a clunky iron. As you found out, good prep of surfaces is the key. And a couple of air holes in the bottom will aid in keeping the flame clean. Thanks for sharing your skill-set improvement!

[@christopherpowell6135]

Totally loved that episode, blue Peter meets How! Excellent results,can't wait to see all the kit in action

[@AWROAL]

And don’t forget TomTom

[@flatmoon6359]

We have to be of a certain age to remember How.

[@gramursowanfaborden5820]

There's something beautifully ironic about a power hammer swage being used for such a humble craft project as this

[@chriswills4064]

This is why god made the internet. Excellent video, Max; thank you. Mums, eh? Mine has every single plastic tub and bag ever received from supermarkets, etc, and predates the whole reduce, reuse, recycle movement by about 50 yrs.

[@timgriffiths2505]

From memory of making a pop pop boat with my Dad, painting the areas to be soldered with flux and then coating them with a thin layer of solder before assembling the joint, then reflowing it once the joint is assembled makes for very neat joins. To quote my Dad, "you don't want to rely on that capillary action son..."

[@davidyendoll5903]

If you are soldering pipes for gas or water under pressure you do not need to 'tin ' , or pre coat the copper pipes . The pipes are made accurately enough to fit closely and cleaned , fluxed copper transmits heat nice and evenly . If you need to join wires , which cannot be scratched clean of oxidation reliably or easily , you need to chemically clean the wire surfaces with flux before applying some solder , which stops oxidation , Then you can join the wires with more solder . If you are soldering two bits of metal , it might be a good idea to tin the joint areas , depending on how quickly oxidation occurs ...depends on the metals . Suck it and see , but I would think that a neater job would result from pre tinning anyway . Where is that coat again .

[@colliedogjoy]

Superb. You're good with materials! You could make a motorbike 🙂

[@Denis-jd6dr]

Worth watching just for the brilliant editing

[@anndoig2459]

A cute little elfin lantern - lovely

[@mceajc]

I hope you don't mind me if I say I was surprised at how well that went! It looks like a blast, this soldering lark.

[@grumpygrandpa3640]

I sometimes watch those Indian vids of folks making stuff from tin after watching your struggles it makes me realise just how skilled they are

[@bjrnhjjakobsen2174]

Cool project - going to copy that apart from buying the blowtorch😂

[@Tinachimneycreekfarm]

That little lantern ended up way better than I expected! Well done! You’ve got some great skills there!

[@Patmac74]

I love the adapting of method, from tin opener and snips to angle grinder and scissors

[@martinjustice]

I honestly thought this was going to be a Depresso video of you trying to Mocha a lantern but this episode turned out to be quite Brew-ti-ful. Good to see you’ve Bean keeping busy and delivered another perfect blend of humour and brut force over ignorance. I guarantee you won’t get Roasted in the comments. Still, time for a Cold Brew. (I’ll get my Coat) If you stick 'How To Make Your Own Flux' in to YT you will see a young Anthony Hopkins give you the perfect recipe in under two minutes.

[@koolkats724]

Great work, cheap torch but just what you need!

[@ianallen2]

You need a couple of holes at the base of the lantern for air flow. Great item. I think I will have a go at making one.

[@dennisp.2147]

Before the advent of Pyrex glass, the globes in gas lanterns were made of Mica sheets inserted between tin channels.

[@MapleMarmite]

That Mica stuff is pretty impressive - a few years ago I was given an old wood stove to install in my barn. At the start of the ‘restoration’ I noticed the windows on the door had drop in slots and my first thought was ‘Some idiot has put bits of plastic in here’. Of course, I was the idiot for not knowing what Mica was. It had gone opaque with age and was obviously thicker than the stuff Max used in the lantern, due to the application. An old guy who lived nearby educated me about the stuff and had an old box full of the pieces in the same size - I guess it was a standard format used for a lot of wood stove doors before the larger one piece glass doors came in. 👍🏻

[@brendanrobertson551]

Another great project Max showing you don't have to have big, expensive projects to get enjoyment and learn new skills. Thank you for being the inspirational, kind and amusing human being you are and brightening KZbin watching with every episode you produce.

[@BaggieReg63]

That's a lot of coffee cans.... does Mum get much sleep? Brilliant Max, another fun project.

[@ChristieNel]

It always amuses me when someone says "soldering" and gets out a 1" iron and a blow torch. It turned out great. It has real character.

[@TEMPLARBAGGINS]

Good job on controlling the urge to use a welder 😂

[@alanargent5422]

Just an idea. You could make one with 3 or 4 hinged sides so that you can fold it flat. Save it getting squashed when you pack it. Did did something similar (twig stove) with cheap oven trays.

[@dustymiller7758]

That was a fantastic little project that will come in handy. So satisfying making something useful as you know.

[@erikboon6549]

The idea of soldering is that you first bring the objects up to temperature and then let your soldering material flow on that. Otherwise you will get "cold solderings" that come apart easy.

[@fred-bevhogendorn8023]

If you dip the lamp into a solution of copper sulphate (blue crystal) then the “tin” iron will bond much easier to the solder and provide a rust protection coating.

[@minusvanbaalen]

Unfortunately Rick from The Luminary Shoppe no longer makes KZbin videos, but for those interested in soldering lamps in particular the channel is still extremely interesting

[@theshedofhope1919]

Well done dear fellow. I like your choice of tin. I solder using a very small jet in an Oxy Accetylene set up. Its a wonderfull skill to have. And extremely useful. I have a similar designed torch as your new toy, however its bigger and dates back to at least the 1950s. It will run on accetylene too. Bronze welding and brazing with brass rod is fun too. I tend to use an active flux nowadays, It makes it a lot easier. Power Flow is best, If ever you use Laco oyou must wash off the flux with a damp cloyh. if left, it will eat through thin steel and copper. You have inspired me to may be get out there and do some. Apart from being used for heat in mechanical settings, ie, undoing rusted objects in need of repair, and gas welding a Ford Transit exhaust, i haven't done any soldering or brazing in a very long time, I might make a video, possibly, may be.... Be well, Loving your work. Best wishes.

[@dtec30]

thank you to all the mums

[@sarkybugger5009]

Three tips when soldering: Flux, flux, and more flux.

[@_stoatchaser]

In that case use the flux capacitor

[@edgeeffect]

I've got the voice of Danyk from "diodegonewild" in my head saying "mooore rosiin, mooore rosiin".

[@highdownmartin]

Clean the job. If it's prepared,you won't need that much flux

[@davidyendoll5903]

Or spam , spam , spam , spam spammity spam .... from Monty Pythons Vikings !

[@davidyendoll5903]

I agree about using sufficient flux , but try not heating the join with direct heat which causes oxidation quickly . Instead supply the heat indirectly and watch the solder melt into the join . For example , in the lamp project here , the candle holder inside the tin could have been soldered into place by heating up the outside of the tin , on the underside of the candle holder inside the tin base . The heat would travel through the metal to melt the solder inside the tin cylinder . If you are joining copper pipes , plumbing , it is best to clean all joining surfaces thoroughly , apply flux , push the fittings together and then warm up either side of the join , away from the flux , so that the copper heats by conduction . When you see the flux starting to smoke a bit it might be time to see if some solder will melt . If and when the solder melts it will flow into any gaps around the pipe joint by capillary action and seal , so long as there is enough heat , the surfaces are very shiny clean and the flux stops oxidation due to the heat applied . Clean , flux , warm up , heat up , solder perfectly ! Take your time and soldering is a dream . Remember is wash the joints with soapy warmish water once the soldering jobs are done , else the flux will carry on working and turn your copper joins green , possibly causing a leak eventually . I will get my coat . ATB

[@Crowtherstephen79]

I love these little projects as much as the big ones. Good work Max

[@snowflakemelter1172]

Solder paste, wipe off with a damp cloth, perfectly tinned surfaces ready to take solder. ✔️

[@richardhart7652]

When soldering tin or steel use bakers soldering fluid if it's still available it works better than paste type fluxes

[@OldManTony]

Maybe try silver solder next time. It has a higher melting point and is stronger than the electrical or plumbing solder.

[@pj7484]

Very nice little candle lantern good job!😀

[@mikeyyoyo6464]

I absolutely love it!! It’s gonna give off some heat too!! I’d get some matches though lol 👍

[@bren106]

When two worlds collide. In order to film a trip using a makeshift tent and lit by candles in a tin can you have to also carry lithium ion batteries for power, LED lights and digital media tools.

[@firsttrade4029]

Max we watch all your videos, highly entertaining. You've built somewhere to live , rebuilt landrovers , rebuilt tractor engines, and tinkered with many things....but this single lantern looks to be one of the trickiest things youve made haha! All the best for summer 23 !

[@MrMannakin]

I think you might need to use more flux? I have a fair amount of experience but then again i'm normally using solder that has flux core and i'm only soldering circuit boards for amplifiers (transistor and valve). Very well made and very boy scout!

[@martinkavanagh196]

"BRILLIANT" Thanks 'Mum'.

[@davidbrodie5044]

What a lovely project! I do a bit of soldering work occasionally and get on much better with a gas jet rather than a big soldering iron for metal work.

[@MrNineCherries]

How cool was that 👍🏻 im tempted to try something like that just for the hell of it. Loved it.

[@karlab9557]

I agree. Fun! (watching you make it)

[@888johnmac]

i'm honestly surprised Max ownes such a small hammer ( about 9 mins in )

[@davidyendoll5903]

He has Thor's one in his attic !

[@TheCitroenman1]

at 21.17 i thought you where making the rocket from button moon 😂

[@Grahame59]

Lovely job! And I can totally appreciate the satisfaction from making this. Well done!

[@grenvillephillips6998]

As cute as a button - I enjoyed that!

[@richardguse3410]

Now, to build a reflector behind the candle.Yes, I understand the tin is the reflector, however, the window seems small. Looks like a great candle heater with lighting. I continually admire your resourcesfulness.

[@moiragoldsmith7052]

Fab! Waste not want not! 👍

[@markavis7232]

You had me wondering whether the top of the door would clear the skirt of the roof, when you came to open it... :-) Good to see someone else struggle with soldering. Perhaps try soldering new nipples onto oily old motorbike cables - don't do what I did when I ran out of hands, and put the hot cable between my teeth!

[@selfsufficientsandy977]

Great to see the coffee tins being recycled into something useful!

[@MACLADILLY]

Great project! pop rivets can be hammered flat after using which creates a nice finish as well as the back part then not protruding. Might be useful to join the roof or lid part together, as you used pop rivets anyway. (would have to be done before soldering on the lid obv...) Feel a bit nervous offering you advice as you are such a competent maker!

[@worldofrandometry6912]

I was thinking that was going to get ferociously hot, especially at the top and also see the candle struggle through lack of oxygen. The holes obviously were the way to go. Interesting to watch. Well done.

[@truckertom3323]

Very enjoyable to watch, good video.

[@dragontattooee]

I have loads of those coffee tins, saving them for some reason. I now have that reason. Now just to hunt for the solder kit I put away safely and have forgotten where I put it

[@shimmeringtrashpile]

I love this series! Thanks!

[@petergilbert7106]

It was a lovely insight into watching you learn new techniques with bonding metal. I was amazed that you hadn't worked with soldering like this before, but impressed with how quickly you made it look easy.

[@kevinsimpson7114]

Great little project.👍🏻

[@CarlJones14]

Maximustintapper. I used to be a sheet metal worker.

[@KevinLee-ww3ny]

That was fun to watch. I also was surprised how well the torch worked. Cute lantern 😂

[@elvyn123]

you are so gifted

[@growingknowledge]

Very cool Max, very cool !

[@aljotock]

Top tip Mx…small pieces of solder the size of grains of rice. Prep the surfaces like you’ve done then use a very fine flame to heat the area. The solder will bond to the adjacent surfaces and with luck look much neater.👍

[@Jaqaroo]

That was great Max!

[@kanejansen]

This was fantastic!

[@JohnDoe-qg6hm]

I don't know about flux paste but some fluxes are just Rosin from the sap of pine trees and alcohol and If i remember its to allow the solder to 'flow' better and perhaps to clean as well. Hope that helps.

[@stigrunetefke2157]

nice Lantern :)

[@mumblbeebee6546]

Thank you for taking us along again! Great video! Decent ugly little torch :) The ring of solder you put in was a neat idea, but it did not want to go all the way - from watching Blondihacks I learnt that cutting shorter bits of solder works better, they can fall right into the joint. Other than that, no notes :)

[@pauljenkins2501]

As someone who is incrediibly ham fisted, I can but admire your patience and ability to succeed in this project. I have made a couple of beer can spirit stoves, just out of interest. Could you make a coffee can stove, perhaps? Thank you for a great video.

[@darronjknight]

You could make some joints with a slot in one side and a tab on the other, which passes through the slot and bends over. With some careful C. A. D (cardboard aided design) one could avoid quite a lot of soldering.

[@Icebuntrucker]

Welcome to the joys of soldering Max . I can recommend the Dremel mini gas torch its my go to when working on my primus stoves . And the lamp is perfect ,

[@Chrisamic]

Yes, most flux compounds can be washed away with alcohol. I like to use a spray bottle with methylated spirits. To solder tinplate you need at least an 80 W iron with a large copper tip. You only use as much solder on the tip as you need to transfer heat into the piece. Once the solder starts to wet onto the metal, you keep applying heat and sweat the joint.

[@KHGrinderboy]

You are an absolute Legend, Awesome,

[@Wolfcubware]

Lovely video, been watching you for years and I;m glad your content has stayed so humble and interesting. Looking forward to seeing your kit in action on your trip!

[@awalk5177]

Great fun....but ever thought about taking a torch with you? Those nice ones for inspecting under cars have a convenient hook to hang them and a magnet. The techniques were good and inspire me to make some headlights for a childs ride on electric car from small bean cans. Also the chefs refillable (propane) blowtorch 10 pounds from Amazon (for crème brulee) have a small adjustable flame but quite fierce, ideal for this kind of fine soldering.

[@lenhornsey2175]

It looks great!! Good soldering tips in the comments too. Gonna be a pain humping that big gas bottle and torch to light the candle though 😂😂 and your mom is going to give you a hard time for using her best kitchen scissors to cut the tin 😀🇻🇨

[@opticaltrace4382]

That really made me smile to see you have so much fun making that. I remember the tin smithing part of my C&G general engineering. I loved it. We had to make stuff that would hold water just using lap joints etc. Difficult but i still remember the sense of satisfaction when you got it right

[@edgeeffect]

The advice i get over and over again for soldering is "use more flux... no more than that... still more". Seems to work, but then you've gotta clean the muck up. My best flux bears a disturbing similarity to earwax.

[@blenderNOOb69]

Greeting to your mom

[@williambowman7589]

Really great wee video😊

[@loadzofhobbies4219]

Absolutely brilliant 👌

[@thepenguin11]

When soldering I drench the area I am soldering. Basicly place is under flux for me. It cleans up super easy with alchocol. Also applying solder the the area you want to solder on both parts, makes soldering supper easy afterwards. I probably would of chosen to use rivets for aomething like this.

[@mrjohnsonclarke]

You certainly are a man of many talents! I'd love to get my hands on a copy of that book.

[@maximusironthumper]

All the book's details are in the video description!

[@mrjohnsonclarke]

@@maximusironthumper Thanks 👍👍

[@lewisgardner1660]

You will struggle carrying that gas bottle with you to light the candle old chap surly a match would do the job 😂😂😂

[@stina6762]

Brilliant Max . I don't feel so bad that my husband and I have made shoe polish and bean tin cookers so we can brew up when we walk the dog . I believe most folk use a device called a thermos ! 😂 Keep it coming 👍

[@Squarepeg57]

Brilliant ! 👍

[@billywhizz7928]

Bravo!

[@thornwarbler]

Thats a cracker mate.Well done.

[@terrycambridge8937]

Love this

[@davidlawrence503]

Have you ever looked at Simon , a bloke in the Woods .... nice guy and fun bushcraft videos