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Compact
Standard Lamp
This
is a nice easy project using readily available
parts from the local DIY and general stores. It's a compact standard
lamp approximately 1100mm tall made from a 250mm round bread board
(from The Range),
a 41mm x 900mm hemlock stair spindle (from Wickes) and a
150mm x 300mm conical lampshade (from George Asda). Other parts required are a mains
plug, some 2 core mains cable and
trunking (optional), a switched bulb holder and a 1/2"
threaded brass
back plate. Oh... and some
screws and a bulb. The photos at the end
of the page show the general idea but I'll give a brief description
anyway
I would liked to have been able to drill a
hole for the cable all the
way through the spindle top to bottom but I just don't have the means
to do that. So instead I went as far as I could down from the top with
a 6mm x 150mm drill and then made another hole at the back for an exit.
This hole is drilled at an upwards
angle and then carefully filed and sanded so that it ends up oval in
shape. This makes it easier to push the cable through and gives a
neater appearance. The cable can just hang down or if
preferred, be kept tidy with a length of 16mm x 600mm half circle
profile trunking from B&Q
which actually has a matching wood grain effect!
Before
assembly, the spindle is given a wipe over with linseed oil to bring
out the grain and add a bit of protection. The spindle is attached
to the bread board with a 30mm M5 bolt that screws into an M5 threaded
hex drive insert at the base of the spindle. The bulb holder is
attached to the top of the spindle using a 1/2" threaded brass
back plate secured by three 3mm x 25mm wood screws. Although
I'm located in the UK, I
would guess that similar items are also obtainable in other parts of
the
world.
It's a very simple idea, and the compact height and small footprint
make this lamp perfect for many locations, for example, placed at the
end of a sofa or in a hallway. The shade of course should be chosen to
reflect the mood |
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Bulb holder
with brass mount
Cable entering trunking (Top)
Cable exiting trunking (Bottom)
Full length view of rear
Underside of base with hex
insert
The finished lamp
ELECTRICAL
WIRING SHOULD ONLY BE CARRIED OUT BY A QUALIFIED PERSON
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