7/28/2019 DIYby

http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/diyby 1/4

DIYb y Grace Bonney 

this clever outdoor diy idea comes from erik anderson of gerardot & co.- a creative branding and design agency inindianapolis. erik was kind enough to share a fantastic project that turns an everyday bottle into a modern backyard tikitorch. i love the way these torches look and am dying to find a backyard to use these in- too bad the closest thing we haveis a 2×2 foot fire escape. but for those of you with yards, i hope you’ll enjoy this project from erik.  click here for moreinfo on the project and click hereto check out erik’s work at gerardot & co. thanks, erik! 

CLICK HERE for the full project instructions after the jump!

7/28/2019 DIYby

http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/diyby 2/4

[****Safety Note: This is for outdoor use only. Tiki brand recommends that the wick never be set higher than 1-

inch, and I recommend that you exercise the same discretion and common sense that you would with any small

open flame.*****]

Recycled Wind Bottle Torch In any of my design work, whether for clients or for myself, I’m most proud when I can find a solution that’s highlycreative and effective while keeping resources to a minimum. This is totally inexpensive (around $5- bucks). Plus it’s a

great way to recycle a wine bottle.

It’s been a record year for  mosquitoes here in Indianapolis, Indiana and I’d been wanting to add some Tiki-esque torchesto the patio to combat the little buggers, as well as provide some ambiance in the evenings. After searching the world over to find a torch that was affordable and atypical, I came to the conclusion that unless I wanted wicker or bamboo, I wouldneed to become a bit more resourceful. A glance into my recycling bin and an aimless stroll through the local hardwarestore provided me with this clear solution.

1. Empty Wine Bottle (You can use any bottle you like as long as it’s glass and the neck is 1” in diameter. Be clever!) 2. Teflon Tape 1/2” 3. Copper Top Plate Connector (threaded for 3/8”-16 thread rod)4. 1” Split Ring Hanger (threaded for 3/8”-16 thread rod)5. 1/2” x 3/8” Copper Coupling 6. 1/2” Copper Cap 7. Two Hex Nuts (threaded for 3/8”-16 thread rod)

8. Two #10 x 1” Zinc Plated Wood Screws (if your mounting it to wood) 9. 3/8”-16 Zinc Plated Threaded Rod (I bought a 3’ rod and cut it down to 8, 4-1/2” rods with a hacksaw.)10. Tiki Replacement Wick 11. Torch Fuel (For safety reasons, only use fuel made specifically for outdoor torches. i.e. Tiki brand)

Helpful Tools: Channellocks, adjustable wrench, hacksaw, power screwdriver, and a funnel

****Safety Note: This is for outdoor use only. Tiki brand recommends that the wick never be set higher than 1-

inch, and I recommend that you exercise the same discretion and common sense that you would with any small

open flame.*****

7/28/2019 DIYby

http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/diyby 3/4

Building Instructions 

The Hanger 

1. Decide where you want to mount your Recycled Bottle Torch. Position the Top Plate Connector on your mountingsurface and mark the holes for where the screws will go. It’s easier to keep it level if you pre -drill your screws first.2. Once you have your Top Plate Connector mounted you can screw in the 3/8”-16 Rod until it stops. Channellocks arehelpful for this part.3. Thread the two Hex Nuts on to the Rod and tighten one all the way down at the point where the Rod meets the TopConnector Plate. Leave the other Hex Nut at the front end so it can be used to secure the Split Ring Hanger.4. Thread on the Split Ring Hanger just enough so that the Rod is flush with the inside of the ring. Turn the 2nd Hex Nutcounter-clockwise to snug it up against the Split Ring Hanger.

If you’d prefer your hardware to keep its shiny, unweathered look you can always give it several coats of clear  polyurethane before you mount it. Personally, I think a weathered patina will add a nice element of character.

7/28/2019 DIYby

http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/diyby 4/4

The Bottle

1. Carefully and tightly wrap the 1/2” end of the Coupling with your Teflon Tape. You’ll want to keep each wrap nice andclean so that it creates a smooth, even surface. Continue building up the tape until it fits very snugly into the opening of your bottle. You obviously don’t want it to fall in. 2. Insert the Wick into the Coupling until it sticks out about 1/4”. The Tiki brand replacement wicks are about 3/8” in

diameter so they fit really well. Once they absorb the torch oil they’re even tighter. 3. Unscrew the Split Ring Hanger on one side and position the bottle neck into the ring.4. Flip the front half of the ring back into place and tighten down the Hanger evenly on both sides. You may need toloosen the other side to make sure both sides are an even tightness. (Don’t over tighten the Hanger. You don’t want to

 break the glass.)5. Use a funnel to fill the bottle with your favorite torch oil. (I use Tiki’s BiteFighter because it’s clear and seems to do agood job of keeping the mosquitoes away.)6. Insert the Coupling & Wick into the top of the bottle and twist it snugly into place. Give the Wick a few minutes toabsorb the oil before you try to light it.7. I typically just blow my torches out. Use the Copper Cap to keep the Wick dry when you’r e not using your torch.

Good Luck!