An "easy-build" torch (flashlight) that will give many hours of pleasure.

This project started as a solution to the common problem of never having a light when you need it. It then grew into providing Christmas presents last year for the family, when a dozen were made, all of which worked first time apart from one – a copper track fault had to be fixed.

There are LED torches available in the shops, but those seen usually use three battery cells, none yet being electronic. One objective for this project was to use a single 1·5V cell with a simple converter to run the l.e.d. A small button cell would have been ideal, but the only holders encountered were for the large diameter lithium cells rated at 3V.

The smallest cell for which a suitable holder was found was the N-size, which required the box being slightly larger than the author would have liked, but still compatible with a keyring. The final choice of box was one measuring just 50mm × 35mm × 17mm.