While you can always buy at a lamp at the store to save you time and money, this guide will provide you with the tools to build a one of a kind.
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Step #1:
Next
- Take the wooden lamp and cut the plug from the wire.
- Leave enough wire to reattach the plug after the lamp is assembled.
- You can discard the vertical wooden support and the inner metal cylinder.
- This should leave you with a round wooden base and the electrical part of the light element to use.
Step #2:
Next
- On the butt of the batt, drill a 5/8" hole.
- This hole will be used for support of the structure.
- Locate a 5/8" hollow steel or pvc rod to be used in step 3.
Step #3:
Next
- Cut the 5/8" diameter rod to roughly 12".
- This measurement does not need to be exact as it will be inside the bat and not visible.
- Drill a hole in the wooden base just slightly under 5/8" for the rod to fit into.
- The rod will be pressed into the hole in the base and housed inside the bat to create a vertical support.
Step #4:
Next
- Let the previous part sit aside for a little while and we will focus on the helmet now.
- Remove the foam in the inside of the helmet as best you can.
- This can be done using a knife, but not all needs to be removed.
- The foam is removed to make the lamp safer as it could pose a fire hazard otherwise.
Step #5:
Next
- Drill two 1/8" holes in the back of the helmet at the desired locations.
- You can choose to the variety in bat lengths and helmet sizes.
- These two holes will be used to attach the helmet to the bat as a light shade.
Step #6:
Next
- Now lets finish up the work on the bat.
- In the wide part of the bat, cut a rectangular notch into the side of the bat using a metal bandsaw or hacksaw.
- This will be where the light fixture goes in the end.
- Depending on the lightbulb used, this can be cut to different dimensions.
- My rectangle is cut to be 2" and the width of the bat.
- Locate this about 2" below the top of the bat the the light will be housed in the shade.
Step #7:
Next
- Having cut the notch in the front half of the bat, you can now figure out placement for the helmet.
- Take your helmet which has the two holes drilled in the back.
- Line up where you wish to have the "shade" and mark the two holes off the helmet onto the bat.
- My top hole is about half an inch from the top of the bat.
- Place the two screws through the holes and tighten them down using the nuts.
- This can be done using your fingers.
- If tighten too much the helmet will crack.
- You can now put the bat on the base for future use.
Step #8:
Next
- The physical structure is done and now it is time for the light fixture itself.
- Run the wire through the 150 degree pvc pipe connector.
- This will help angle the bulb into the helmet shade.
- Use liquid super glue to bond the pvc connector and bulb port.
- This will need to sit a couple hours for the glue to dry.
- My glue had dried in about 3 hours.
Step #9:
Next
- String the wire through the bat and hollow steel rod.
- Place the light fixture where you wish pointing out of the notch.
- Tap the fixture in place and use super glue to fully secure.
- This will also take about 3 hours and the tape should be left on until dry.
- As that glue is drying the base can also be glued. That is between the wooden base and the butt of the bat.
- Allow to dry before handling the lamp further.
Step #10:
Next
- The final touches are added here!
- Using the cut end of the wire, strip the plastic off and discard.
- Lace the wire together having matched the containing plastic for grooved and nongrooved.
- Use electrical tape to cover the exposed wire.
Step #11:
- Screw in a light bulb and plug your lamp in.
- Turn it on and there you go, a unique lamp to enjoy.
