There are various ways to start a fire. This article will show you a couple of unusual and creative ways to get a flame out of harm's way. It is a pleasant and fun experiment for the whole family and friends, almost romantic. Creating a lighter with your own hands is simple and ingenious at the same time. Follow the instructions step by step.
Steps
Method 1 of 2: Make a Lighter Using a Battery and Aluminum Foil
Step 1. Take all safety precautions
Obviously, it is important to guarantee personal safety and that of others when lighting a fire, but also when dealing with electrical charges and batteries that contain dangerous substances.
- Put on a pair of gloves. Although Taystee did not take much safety measures to create his lighter in the "Orange Is the New Black" prison, it is best to take precautions and protect your hands.
- Have a fire extinguisher and a garbage can handy. If you have to throw away the battery, be sure to recycle it. In some municipalities it is possible to recycle batteries following certain collection procedures.
- Don't hesitate to throw it away if it starts to excrete a liquid. It could be the acid contained inside: it is dangerous and corrosive.
Step 2. Use new batteries
Do not use an oxidized battery. It also needs to be charged enough to generate the flame. Any type of battery will do, but the AA alkaline batteries are the most used for this type of experiment and are the appropriate size. If you can, get a pair or a 9 volt one, as there is a risk that a single AA battery is not powerful enough.
Step 3. Prepare the aluminum foil
To make the lighter you will need a sheet of aluminum foil. In the absence of it, you can use the wrapper of a chewing gum or the silver paper of cigarettes.
- If you are using an AA battery, try folding the aluminum foil into a strip about 1cm wide and 3cm long to form a small bridge connecting each end of the battery.
- Make the foil strip small enough so that it heats up easily, but not too hot that it burns or breaks quickly.
- You will probably need to change the measurements and shape of the strip and see which size works best.
Step 4. Prepare a transfer source
The flame produced by this lighter ignites and burns out quickly. So, if you want to keep it burning, you need to have a flammable source at hand to transfer the fire to.
- Paper trash, newspapers and dry leaves will do.
- It is important to transfer the fire and not allow the pile to ignite, otherwise it may explode.
Step 5. Find the positive and negative poles
They are clearly marked on most batteries. On AA batteries and other cylindrical-shaped batteries, the positive (+) pole - called the cathode - has a small convex protuberance, while the negative (-) pole - called the anode - has a small concave indentation into which to insert the protuberance of the other. Polo shirt.
Step 6. Connect the aluminum foil
When you are ready to light the flame, connect one end of the tinfoil to the negative pole of the battery, then carefully place the other end on the positive pole and voila! Here is the flame!
Method 2 of 2: Make a Lighter Using a Pencil Handle
Step 1. Get a pencil handle and cover one end with a ball of aluminum foil
It uses a foam handle about 4 cm long. It does not need to be ergonomic and flexible; the important thing is that it remains firm and straight. Using aluminum foil, form a ball large enough to plug the hole in the end of the handle and snap it inside.
Step 2. Get some cotton balls and shape into balls
They should be almost the size of peas. Apply a thin layer of petroleum jelly or a petroleum-based substance between each piece. As the petroleum jelly heats up to melt, its fumes will act as fuel.
Step 3. Place the cotton inside the handle
Insert the cotton balls into the open end of the handle, pushing them towards the foil ball at the other end. Add them until the cylinder is full.
Step 4. Insert a paperclip
Using your hands, straighten a paper clip and insert it into the handle, from the foil side. You will need to insert it between the inner wall of the cylinder (up to ¼ of its length) and the aluminum ball.
Step 5. Take two rubber bands and wrap them around the handle
They must be about 2 cm long. Roll one about 1 cm below the top of the handle and the other about 1 cm below the bottom. In this way the mechanism you have obtained will hold steady and you can wrap the handle with aluminum foil.
Step 6. Cover the handle with aluminum foil
Cut a finger-wide strip. Wrap it around the circumference of the handle, from top to bottom.
Step 7. Secure the foil with the rubber bands
Wrap them around the handle over the aluminum layer. Get two rubber bands and roll one around the top and the other around the bottom. Leave about 1 cm between each elastic and each end.
Step 8. Turn on the top end of the handle
Once you have your DIY lighter, you need to use the cotton balls as fuses to melt and ignite the petroleum jelly. Hold the whole contraption by grabbing the straightened paper clip. Use a match to light the other end of the handle.
Advice
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If the lighter does not light up, you need to double check a few steps.
- Check if you used a charged battery.
- Try adjusting the shape of the tinfoil or use less or more.
- Use a charged battery with a higher voltage, for example 9 volts.
- Try using two batteries instead of just one. In this case you should attach one end of the aluminum foil to the cathode of one battery and the other end to the anode of the second battery.
Warnings
- Prevent the battery from igniting, otherwise it may explode.
- Ask a parent or other adult to assist you with this experiment.
- Try working near a sink.
- Fire is dangerous. Be careful while making this project.
