Big lamps from Ikea lampan lamps

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by daan

introBig lamps from Ikea lampan lamps

This Instructable shows you how to build large spherical lamps out of Ikea lampan lamps ( $4.99 each ). The lamps are based on platonic solids. With this method I have built large spheres up to 32 lamps.
In the PDF below i included three templates: for the six, twelve and 32 lamp versions. These are all generated from a python script in the Maya software. I calculated that the largest sphere that could be build has about 120 lamps and i would love to build that one; but it will be heavy and bright and probably needs some serious thinking on the structural integrity. Drop me a mail if you are interested in having one.

See the flickr set for more pictures and my log .

Big lamps from Ikea lampan lamps

platonic_sun_building_template.pdf(595x842) 1 MB

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step 1Tools

You need a couple of tools. I burn holes in the lamps with a soldering iron and connect them together with 'tie-wraps. You need also tools to strip the wires and connect them together. I use piggy-back connectors (used in cars). They come with a nice tool to squeeze them together, but there are various other ways.
You can use a clothes hanger to mount the lamp on the ceiling.

Tools

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74 comments	Add Comment

1-40 of 74

Aug 15, 2010. 7:08 AMholotropic says:

4 lamps.....tetrahedron............3 holes (evenly drilled in the base of each lamp)
6 lamps.....cube........................4 holes
8 lamps......octahedron............3 holes
12 lamps....dodecahedron......5 holes
20 lamps....icosahedron..........3 holes (not always possible(may overlap)) more possibilities use peda polypro software and find incredible numbers

May 15, 2010. 8:11 AMMrMadmonkey4 says:

thats so cool! :D

Mar 19, 2010. 1:21 AMEyTommy says:

I was building my dodecahedron the last three days. It wasn't such difficult as is thought. Thank you for sharing this instruction and the time you've spent in developing the whole idea.

Oct 3, 2008. 8:50 PMludivego says:

Just an FYI. It will not look like this if you do this in the US. There is not color coding. I did use a voltmeter when I did mine to make sure that I wired up the same wires to each other. I also soldered the connections and used shrink tubing instead of butt connectors. As for the safety of it. When I bought my lamps at Ikea I also bought the compact fluorescent bulbs (about $4.50 each). They are rated at about 7 watts each so for 6 the lamp is about 42 watts. I have left it on for several hours to see if it would overheat or if the wiring would "melt" so far after about 10 hours of use no problems. All in all I love the lamp and I am thinking of building the 12 lamp version.

Feb 8, 2010. 12:44 PMirishchaos says:

When you say, "... wired up the same wires to each other", do you mean positive-to-positive and negative-to-negative? Since there's no color-coding in the U.S. version, I heard that the wire with writing embossed in the plastic is the "hot" wire? Does it matter, as long as you're consistent?

Feb 8, 2010. 1:21 PMludivego says:

Yes it does matter and you do need to be consistent. So Positive to Positive and Negative to Negative.

I used a Digital multimeter and tested the wiring to make sure that it was all consistent.

Oct 14, 2009. 2:55 PM

whiskeybear00 says:

when connecting wire for US. how did you use the voltmeter to makesure the wires were right

Dec 13, 2009. 10:47 PMB.oom says:

i love how the red one glows when its turned on!

please have a look at my lamp i created over the weekend

>Chinese take out lamp <

Dec 8, 2009. 3:14 PMsurfturf says:

Its a uite "steep learning curve" here from unpacking the lamps to Print out the appropriate page(s) of the template PDF". Maybe you should present the pdf:s and the usege of those holes earlier? Good idea though. I WILL make this one..

Dec 5, 2009. 12:18 AMkronflux says:

aw crap not roller mines again.. >,>

Aug 3, 2009. 2:01 PMrewena says:

cooool!!! can u just get a light bulb and hard paper around the light bulb like the ones in the starbucks bathroom on ocean gate hey that gave me an idea for an instructable!!!!

Nov 11, 2009. 7:13 PM

imrobot says:

post it!

Oct 2, 2009. 1:47 PMtokechamp says:

fantastic easy way to build a great designer lamp and i builed it in red NAJZ

Aug 28, 2009. 7:15 PMGETLOST says:

it was really cool, but I have a question. what colored lamps did he use in the picture of the Instructable(the orange one). dono, but I read somewhere in comment section it was a red base and white shade. if so, is there ne way I can buy the shade and the base by them self from ikea? thnx in advance :) p.s. im new to the hole instuctable thing; sorry for being anooyyyyiiiing.

Aug 27, 2009. 4:55 PMLePyro says:

Dude they look like rollermines from half-life 2!

Aug 27, 2009. 5:58 AMaadjan says:

And here is big one: a no92 (it's even interactive!). Took a bit more work than say a no12. or even a no32. There is an internal supporting frame inside otherwise the poor lampans would crush each other and the lamp would not look particularly spherical.
There is a more info on this page: http://waprile.weblog.tudelft.nl/
(Image credits: Walter Aprile)

Aug 15, 2009. 9:47 AMBobvanvelzen says:

This is mine, This instructable really helped allot! I hope you like it, I sure do. Thanks, Bob

Jul 23, 2009. 4:36 PMmissus_s says:

I probably don't have the skills to build one of these, but I must say that I'm glad i came across it. I saw these little lamps at IKEA, but the warm plastic smell plus enclosed bulb worried me about fire hazards. However, just one would be perfect for a little space that needs light in my house. Knowing you successfully built lamps with multiples, i.e., without burning down your house, is just the push I needed to go get one of these cute little lamps. Thanks!

Jul 19, 2009. 10:15 AM200412375 says:

SWEET, very Brilliant.

May 19, 2009. 9:51 PMquoa says:

My boyfriend and I just finished building our own dodecahedron lamp! It really looks great - now I just need to find some cheap energy-efficient bulbs. We put a bunch of 40 Watt incandescent bulbs in it just to see how it looks, and it's seriously bright and very, very hot. I'm thinking 7 Watt bulbs will be okay. Thanks for the tutorial!

Apr 14, 2009. 11:42 PMhorrible_consequences says:

I so owe you money

Mar 31, 2009. 1:21 AMblugyblug says:

That first picture seriously makes it look like a fireball or a huge lava lamp or something...

Feb 28, 2008. 3:50 PMp996911turbo says:

This is simply awesome. I'm seriously considering building either a 12 or 32 lamp version. If I was crazy enough to build the 32 lamp version (and I'm pretty crazy...), would it actually fit in my house? Roughly what is its diameter? For that matter, how big is the 12 lamp one?

Mar 30, 2009. 5:44 PMandu says:

The 12-lamp version that I built had a diameter of 85cm. It fills the corner of a room surprisingly well!

Feb 29, 2008. 5:19 AMdaan (author) says:

The 12 version has a diameter of about 75 cm and the 32 version about 95 cm. The 32 version pushes the limit: it is quite heavy and I'm not certain that it is suitable for hanging.

May 15, 2009. 6:50 PMMr. Lemon says:

dude i built the 32 it has been in my room for over a year

May 18, 2009. 5:56 PMHeidiJJJJ says:

Post a pic?

Mar 1, 2008. 4:35 AMp996911turbo says:

Yeah, reality has gripped my now disappointed mind, and I've realised that the 32 lamp version has a few downsides: 1) It won't fit through my doors - I'd have to build it in the room I want it to hang in... 2) 32 Lampan lamps in this country will cost me AU$254.40 and I'd have to buy 32 bulbs too... 3) With 32 bulbs I'll be constantly replacing them unless I go for LEDs ($$$) I think the 12 lamp version is a serious bet though. I can afford it, it still looks awesome, it fits through doors and 12 bulbs isn't completely insane (just a bit crazy). Would it cast enough light to fully light a large room or would it be more of a decorative chandelier that needs lamps to provide the useful lighting? Obviously that's dependent on the bulb used and colour of the shade. So let's say the white shades and a 7W CFL.

Mar 2, 2008. 11:32 AMdaan (author) says:

i think the 12 is the best, it's a real polyhedron and the curves of the lamps make a nice smooth sphere inside.

1) well, you could remove the shades, than the 32 version becomes about 70cm, that should fit?
2) I bought these energy saving bulbs also from Ikea. They feel kind of sturdy and they cost about the same as a Lampan in Holland, so for me the 12 version was about 60 euro plus some tie-wraps and connectors.

I now fit all the lamps with those 5w ( 20 Watt equivalent ) energy saving bulbs; see this picture to get an idea: http://www.flickr.com/photos/daan/2300590032/

btw the 32 version (with an equivalent of 640 Watt !!) is the only light i need in my living room. :D.

Mar 2, 2008. 2:15 PMp996911turbo says:

The temptation to build a 32 lamp version is still strong, but at the very least I'll do a 12 lamp version first. That photo looks really really good. It looks like you've struck a good balance with a usable amount of but still subtle enough to look nice. I think I'll aim for 5W CFLs to attempt to match that. Thanks for all your advice!

Jan 23, 2009. 6:10 AMp996911turbo says:

Although it took me many months, I finally got around to building a 12 lamp. It looks damn good! Turns out 12 of the 7W CFLs from my local lighting store is enough to light the room and the hallway and it visible from outside the house through our light curtains… Here's a picture of it.

Feb 23, 2009. 10:20 PMkmcgladr says:

Three hours of my life are now gone, and I've been using the recommended "butt splice" connectors and a continuity tester from the Home Depot. I get to the last wire, the absolute last wire, the one that'll connect to the wall outlet. The left prong produces a test light on all twelve lights. The right prong produces a test light on six of the twelve lights. A wire has come loose. Somewhere, buried in the home-made electrical tape & butt splice jacket, a wire has come loose. Switching to soldering. I don't know how many new skills I'm learning, but this is certainly a character building experience. With the solder, I'm also less likely to worry about living with a lamp that might one day burn the apartment down.

Jan 19, 2009. 9:23 AMFasteners says:

yeah that is so cool!

Sep 13, 2008. 12:36 PMpedrotome says:

Could you show us a simulated (Maya) 120-lampan lamp?
That would be awesome.
BTW, I love the concept. 5*

Sep 26, 2008. 1:51 PMdaan (author) says:

hi!, here is a render of the 100 lampan version.

Sep 27, 2008. 12:20 PMpedrotome says:

wow

Dec 19, 2008. 12:36 PMflio191 says:

I second that motion.

Dec 3, 2008. 3:00 PMmarcosdjcm says:

Great idea! i think i'll try it when i have the room Where do you get the moodlight LEDs?

Nov 12, 2008. 9:35 AMNewblit says:

When I first saw this I never looked at what it was about because I thought it was a lamp made out of those little vibrating balls with the little things around them, and I thought that would be really ugly. But this is awesome!!! Good job.

Sep 26, 2008. 10:39 AMsvelasco says:

Just got back from IKEA (gentofte in DK) with everything I need + 12 lamps. So I have my weekend project !! I saw that the base (bottom part of the shade?) of black lamps wasn't as opaque as the base of the white lamps so the bulb showed through quite clearly. As I prefer more of a "glow" look I considered the flat-top energy saving bulbs which, I guess, would send the light more towards the top of the lamp shade rather than in all directions. I ended up with 12 white lamps, and will save the black lamp project for another day. Great, great idea this one !!!!

1-40 of 74

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