Molotov Lantern

Light your patio and keep the bugs away with these quick, easy, and attractive bottle lamps.

Materials:

bottles (beer, wine, liquor, soda, whatever)

tiki torch wicks

2 - 1" wood screws

pipe mount hardware (I had to go to a construction supply store as opposed to the average hardware store for these, but the guy at the hardware store told me where to find them.)

2" threaded rod (that fits the pipe mount hardware) I bought a 12" rod and cut it into 6 pieces with a hacksaw.

large wood bead (This is optional but makes the hardware more attractive.)

tiki fuel

1/2" - 3/4" copper coupling

aluminum tape (maybe-depending on the size of your bottle)

plastic/rubber tubing

1. Mount the plate

2. Screw the bead onto the middle of the rod. Some of my beads gave me trouble wanting to go onto the rod. If you screw the rod into the plate and then put the bead on while it's mounted, it will go on easier. This bead is decorative, but it also acts as a nut to keep the rod and bracket from swiveling if it is put on tightly.

3. Screw the bracket onto the rod.

1. Slide the wick into the copper coupling by pushing it in from the larger end.

2. Fill with tiki fuel.

3. Fit copper coupling into the mouth of the bottle. If it's too small, use strips of aluminum tape to bulk it up.

4. Cut a piece of the tubing to fit the neck of the bottle. This will allow you to get the clamp tight without putting too much pressure on the bottle and possibly breaking it. (Thanks Reengineered for the idea) I had some lying around the house that was just a bit too small so I cut two pieces to make it all the way round, but if you bought tubing for this project you could buy a size that would fit better.

5. Sandwich the bottle with tubing into the bracket and tighten.

For those worried about the surface you've mounted these lanterns to, you can add any kind of protective plate from a piece of sheet metal to a decorative plate as I've done.

1. Mark the center of the plate with a marker.

2. Begin drilling with your ceramic bit following the directions on the packaging. I did mine in the sink with a small board underneath so that I could cool the bit down from time to time.

3. When you've breached the other side, flip the plate over and drill from the other side for a quick finish.

Note: If your plates are porcelain, these bits will be chewed up quickly. Choose ceramic plates or get a bit made for porcelain.

4. Use a screw to mount the plate behind the wick. Be careful not to over-tighten. It will break the plate.

1. Loosen the bracket.

2. This is where I needed a friend. One person needs to hold the bottle while the other tightens the bracket around the bottle.

3. Light and enjoy your patio's new bug free ambiance.