Cosy Bed Side Lamp
Introduction: Cosy Bed Side Lamp
It all started because my son wanted a cosy lamp for his bedroom. He could not find anything he really liked. Therefore, I proposed that we make one ourselves.
I had some off cuts, of various types of wood, and there was a very nice block with different layers. We decided to use it and make a lamp based on one we saw in a DIY centre.
This is a quick and quite easy instructable. However, if I had made a hollow box, instead of a solid block, it may have been easier.
This instructable is meant as a basic guide. Hence, you need to use some of your own imagination because it depends on the wood you use what final touches you make to it.
You will need to know how to wire a plug
and lamp holder. Each country is different so I will not go into details.
- Do not do electrical work if you do not know what you are doing.
- Do not use power tools if you do not know what you are doing.
- Always use safety glass, masks and gloves when working with power tools. I accept no responsabilty for injury or damage.
The lamp I used was a decorative lamp like these: Amazon.com: light bulbs - Antique Replica Style / LED Bulbs / Light Bulbs: Tools & Home Improvement
They are quite cold to touch. Do not use hot filament lamps. The lamp is quite
near to the wood and there is a risk of fires if a hot lamp is used.
Supplies
I always try to salvage whatever I can before throwing something out. Hence, most of the materials for this project were from salvaged parts. I was also given the piece of wood to burn on the stove. However, I but I could not bring myself to do it. Now I am glad I saved it!
The cable with switch and lamp holder were from various old lamps. The bracket was also bent from a piece of scrap metal. I only bought the special lamp and the threaded tube (cut in half) to fix the lamp holder to the bracket.
I have plenty of salvaged wood screws . However, You can find all the parts in any DIY shop. 787
For tools, I did not have the correct size boring bit for wood. Hence I used a 35mm bore and finished with a 43mm circle saw. I have included a sketch below.
Step 1: Getting Started
Choose your piece of wood. Mine was W=190mm x L= 80 x H=90 (these are the minumum dimensions you should use)
I decided which would be the bottom side and divided the width in two. Hence, I drew a line across the half way point then I measured and marked a point in the centre of the one of the halves.
Step 2: Start Drilling
The lamp holder I used had a 40mm diam and was 54mm long. So you will need at least a 42mm diam. hole bore. I only had a 35mm diam. hole bore so I made the first hole with that and then made the outer diameter bigger with a 43mm hole saw.
Fit the hole bore in a column drill and start to drill into the wood. Drill down till you arrive at approximately 5mm from the other side. If you have the correct tools then that part is finished. In my case, to cut my way down a bit a time then lift out the hole saw and break away the thin wall that was created. As it happens it worked quite well but I wouldn't recommend it.
Step 3: Drilling the Centre Position
Once you have reached 5mm from the other side (don't go all the way through!), take a battery drill, fit a 1 or 2mm bit and drill from the inside of the hole you just created. You need to drill in the centre, so that you can easily find the centre position from the other side. My drill chuck was a close fit in the first hole and so was guided enough for making a small hole in the centre. Alternatively, you can turn the wood over and find the centre point of the hole from the other side.
Step 4: Make a Second Hole for the Lamp
Now turn the piece of wood over.
The inner diameter of the lamp holder is 35mm. Hence I used a 35mm hole bore to make a smaller hole from the other side. In this way, the rim of the lamp holder will be hidden completely under the surface of the wood.
Step 5: Fixing Bracket
Make a suitable bracket.
Turn the block of wood upside-down and start by placing the lamp holder into the larger hole with the lamp end facing downwards.
The bracket needs to go from the bottom surface, of the piece of wood, to the end of the lamp holder. 56