Introduction: Gobo Light Projector

About: Nick Thomas Design is a branding and design studio for the built environment. We are located in the creative community known as Portland, Oregon. We are happy to share with this inventive community of doers a…

This gobo light projector uses found objects, store bought lighting parts and one (1) custom fabricated armature. You can order online or make your own gobos that pop into this apparatus to project illuminated images at various sizes. We custom designed  cloud and grassy field gobo to be dreamy. This sculptural lighting assembly is decorative and interactive.

Step 1: Diagrammatic Assembly

Review the overall assembly of parts that you will need to find, make and buy. We chose to repurpose a hard cigar box for the base because it had a functioning lid that made wiring easy and has a nice wallpaper-like pattern.

Step 2: Parts Check List

Parts List: Grounded 120v A/C plug, 18 guage electrical cord, mid-cord toggle switch, wire nuts, cord grip, cigar box, custom support arm, misc. screws, 5/8” rubber grommets, metal flashing, cable sleeve, 50W MR-16 lamp.

From Tech Lighting:T156 Pendant, Freejack Canopy, Gobo Assembly, Gobo holder accessory, additional magnifying lens.

From Hollywood Lighting:
Gobo (laser cut-out image) 

Step 3: Drill Cigar Box

Drill holes for power cord (2). Drill holes for mounting the Canopy base. Layout all parts first and mark holes with a pencil. You should probably make your custom armature at this point. Do not drill mounting holes for the armature at this point.

Step 4: Pull Power Cord

Pull the power cord into the box. Use a “cord grip” to secure the power cord in position. Leave just the right amount of cord to be wired into the canopy.

Step 5: Wire the Fixture

Secure the canopy base to box and pull the power cord into the canopy base and expertly wire using wire nuts.

Step 6: Mount Armature

Insert the surface canopy over the canopy base. Next, align the tube opening in your custom armature with the pendant mounting hole in the canopy. Mark armature mounting holes, drill and mechanically attach the armature.

See that tubing at the end of the armature? Be sure the diameter is bigger than the end of the pendant. Now, insert the T156 pendant through the armature and into the canopy. Use the rubber grommets (split by you) to position the pendant stem within the oversized tube support.

Step 7: Wire Plug + Switch

Here is what your grounded plug should look like. Wire this up and wire the in-line switch to the power cord and plug it in!

Step 8: Armature Dimensions

We custom fabricated this armature from steel per specifications attached. Alternate methods are encourage, but they need to be very durable—send us a photo.

Step 9: Overall Dimensions

Overall dimensions and specifications.

Step 10: The Final Assembly

Here is the final assembly. The most difficult part will be fabricating the custom armature. Please note: the T156 pendant does not stand on it's own and requires the armature support in this table top configuration. Have fun. The gobo image can be projected large or small and that makes this light fun to use over time.