I've been keeping old Nescafe Azera and Kenco Millicano coffee tins for a while because I thought I might find a use for them and I have. 1. Wire wool the paint off 2. Remove the top and bottom with a can opener 3. Trim with your wife's best dresmaking scissors (if you like living dangerously!) 4. Roll both the edges over so the reflector grips the frame rods. That's it! For cat/dog owners, the plastic lids are perfect for sealing the opened tins. (Can I have a job on Blue Peter now? UK residents only!)
I used mine on my new Golden Globe but I'd guess it would work on any similar lantern. BTW, the unrolled length of the tin is exactly the right distance to span three frame rods.
Thank you Jean! I truly love making things, solving problems and saving money! In this instance the result looks pretty much perfect! I was so pleased with myself.
That’s a great idea @ColinG. I’m now looking for tins to do the same. Thank you for sharing. Cheers Pete
These new coffee tins are perfect for the job. The exact one I used was the Azera tin as it had less printing on it. I used a little petrol when I rubbed the paint off and it made it a bit easier. You could use paint stripper I guess and wash it off after.
74 or 75mm to the outside of the rim. Height is 120mm top to bottom, 114mm useable metal after trimming. I used a brass wire brush with some paint stripper to clean the outside of the can and washed it with detergent after. The can needs to be one with straight sides.
Like this, but make sure you remove the printing first. I cut along the seam when I'm opening out the tube.
When you've cut the top and bottom off, you're left with a rough, wrinkly edge which I flatten using a 10mm drill end wiped back and forth on a smooth surface.
@ColinG , thanks for your reply ( and in metric units ) A nice granit piece you have, I've the same on a table !
That looks promising, Colin. As neat as anything one would wish for. I've never used a reflector in any of my Petromax-styled units before. Certainly sounds tempting.
I've made one for three of my Chinese p'max clones and they really make a huge difference! With the reflector I honestly think it doubles the brightness being thrown forwards.
I'll certainly make myself at least one to try out. I'm not particularly patient so it's unlikely to be as neat as yours.
4 aus 1 ; Seitenreflektor aus Badmülleimer - Pelam.de Forum See Colin, Did the same, on basis of a chrome bathroom-wastebin. The chrome needs less polishing. And you get up to 4 reflektors out of one bin (10 €). ;-)
I made this kind of reflektor for Primus some years ago. I'll see if I can find a photo when I'm back from work. I rolled a piece of stainless steel sheet after it had been polished to mirror shine. I think the reflector function is secondary. It doesn't really do much for the light in reality. The real advantage is that it block the glare when you are using the lamp in front of you, or even beside you.
