Don't throw away that blender just because you want a new one! Turn it into a lamp! I'll show you how easy it can be to turn your blender into a light source.
Step 1: Prepare the blender jar
I chose to use this attractive Back to Basics Ice Master 3000 Blender for my lamp. I highly recommend Back to Basics blenders/smoothie makers!
You can choose to leave the blender jar as is, meaning a glossy, transparent glass. I think a frosted look adds a little more and helps to diffuse the light so it's not so bright and harsh.
I had this particular jar sandblasted at a local trophy/sign shop. Since I used to work there I got it done for free, so I'm not sure how much something like that would cost. I blasted the inside and out to give it a nice frosted look.
You can choose to leave the blender jar as is, meaning a glossy, transparent glass. I think a frosted look adds a little more and helps to diffuse the light so it's not so bright and harsh.
I had this particular jar sandblasted at a local trophy/sign shop. Since I used to work there I got it done for free, so I'm not sure how much something like that would cost. I blasted the inside and out to give it a nice frosted look.
Step 2: Get a light socket, cord, switch and plug
I looked around for cheap parts at places like Home Depot and Lowes for these parts, but couldn't find anything worthwhile. Lo and behold, IKEA--came through! Go to the 'As-Is' section and look through their baskets of misc. parts and hopefully you'll find these! They're extra parts from some of their lighting. It's all one perfect useful piece. It's exactly what I was looking for. A socket, switch, cord and plug on the end ready to use! And yes, that price does say $.19! I would have spent all kinds of money at Home Depot for these same parts to assemble myself. Blessed Ikea! I pick these things up every time I'm at Ikea. For 19 cents, you cannot go wrong!
The only thing is that they come in white only...at least that I've found.
The only thing is that they come in white only...at least that I've found.
Step 3: Remove blade assembly
Once your blender jar is frosted and ready, reassemble the base without the blades.
Step 5: Remove motor
With the blender base disassembled, remove the motor. You might have to cut wire and remove more screws, but this is simple and should only require a screw driver and pliers with wire cutters.
The motor will get in the way of the light socket. Although, the weight of the motor would be nice to give the lamp stability, it does fine without. You can always add something else for weight if you wish.
The motor will get in the way of the light socket. Although, the weight of the motor would be nice to give the lamp stability, it does fine without. You can always add something else for weight if you wish.
Step 6: Create hole for light socket to reside
Now you'll need to cut a hole in the top of the blender base where the light socket will go. You need to measure the diameter of the socket and cut the hole accordingly. I used a dremel to make this hole. It was fast and easy. The hole doesn't need to be perfect. It just needs to be big enough for the socket to fit through, but not too big that the socket cover, when it screws on and holds it in place, falls through.
Keep testing the hole with the socket until you get it the right size.
Keep testing the hole with the socket until you get it the right size.
Step 7: Place the light socket
With the hole cut to the right size, fit the socket through the hole from the bottom up. Screw the socket cover over the socket until a nice tight fit. The socket should now be in place.
Step 8: Reassemble the bottom housing
With the light socket in place, screw the bottom housing back into place as it originally was. Make sure that the cord doesn't get in the way and exits the inner housing through the hole in the back (or bottom depending on the blender).
Step 9: Find a light blub to use
Now that the blender lamp is all put back together, find a new light bulb and screw it in.
Step 10: Place blender jar on base
Place blender jar back on base over light bulb. Careful not to bang the bulb and break it when taking the jar off and on.
Step 11: Complete assembly
Put the lid back on top of the jar. Since I used a CFL (Compact Fluorescent Light) it burns a lot cooler and shouldn't be a problem with this lid in place when the lamp is on. Feel free to keep it off if you want.
Step 13: The Blender Lamp
Pretty cool. Instead of throwing your blender in the garbage, you've recycled it into fun, attractive lighting! I have this on my desk at work and get lots of oohs and ahhs.
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If it is plastic, lightly sand the inside with a fine grit paper.
For either plastic or glass, you can use a "spray paint" designed to frost bathroom windows for privacy. It also works well with masks and stencils to create frosted designs.
(shoots self in foot slightly)
This would go well in the "Make it Glow" competition to win some sweet bike wheel light things. I've got a vaguely similar project I'm meaning to write up and enter for that competition, hence the self-foot-shootings, but I will acknowledge that yours is cooler than mine :)