What type of red paper would I need to cover a flashlight? Is it something I could get at Menard's?

I don't want to buy a red light flashlight if I could wrap one of the 3,000 flashlights I have in red paper.

Red cellophane is good.

You can obtain a red LED from Radio Shack for $2.69. It has a 3000 mcd output so is sufficient for map reading. Take an old flashlight bulb or a new one if that is all you have and carefully break the glass bulb from it. If you are careful you can solder the LEDs terminals directly to the already existing lead wires that went to the filament. If they break off you will need to remove the insulating material to insert the LED leads directly. Some experience soldering is required. After soldering carefully press the LED to the wired base. Gluing the LED to the base is not necessary, but you can if you wish. The LED increases the battery life. This is an economical alternative to purchasing a high priced LED flashlight.

(be sure to observe polarity. identify the leads on the LED. the shorter of the two is the cathode. cathode goes to the negative terminal of the base and the anode goes to the tip of the base-the positive connection.)

Another simple option is to paint the existing bulb with red finger nail polish.

You can go to your local auto parts store and buy a roll of tail light lens tape , cut it to size and stick it on the lens of the flashlight.

Bill

My first red flashlight (many,many years ago) was a regular flashlight with a couple of layers of red cloth held over the end with a rubber band. I had to experiment to get the right thickness for the cloth. It is a very simple and inexpensive way to do it. I have also cut disks from a rigid sheet of transparent red plastic and used them instead of the clear flashlight lens. They work very well. For my small Maglites, I have discovered that certain red, plastic Bingo chips work well.

Best wishes,

Rick

In the long run an LED flashlight is well worth the expense due to its low battery drain. I own several different models. One that works well for reading charts is the Astrolite-LED.

http://www.astrolite-led.com/

I have no commercial ties to this outfit.

Dave MItsky

I recently purchased an inexpensive flashlight from WalMart that has both a white and red lens that thread on to the flashlight itself. I found it in the camping section. It works great.

Thanks - Bill

You can also get a right-angle Army flashlight on Ebay for about $4 bucks.

These come with different color filters (including RED) concealed in the bottom of the handle.

They also come with a belt clip, a pull-out hanger, and can be stood on their base for hands free lighting.

They also have a "signal" button you can press for instant on-off glimpses when you only need a quick look.

For use as a regular flashlight, the filter can be easily removed and stored in the base.

I got one because it had so many more features than the expensive astro flashlights advertised that aren't as versatile.

http://24.6.214.193/8xturbodyno.asf

I just painted mine with red nail polish and it worked great. But then, I'm a woman and had the nail polish handy anyway! LOL

Here's another one to add to the list of "Making your own Red Flashlight".

Take some basic red Acyrillic paint and put an layer on; let it
sit for a few minutes to dry ~ put on another layer.

Then put on an third, very very light layer.
After extensive testing using the bathroom as an simulated dark envioment,
I was able to determine it'd work as I was able to use it to clear read my fresh copy of
the Cambridge Star Atlas.