Hanger Lamp

This instructable will show you how to create the 'Hanger Lamp' I have designed as part of my BA Product Design final project. My project is based on democratising Upcycling by making designs freely available for re-creation by anyone, I chose to do this as I had noticed that although Upcyled designs are made from free and abundant materials the prices being charged for such designs were pricing many out of the market and creating an exclusive style club for the rich. In order to prove my concept I will need other people, across the globe, to recreate this design and post it to me in London to be displayed at my degree show in June. Please visit my blog Design Democracy for more information, designs and news.

Step 1 Tools & Materials

Materials:

1. Drinks can (500ml is best as it long and has a large diameter)
2. Wire coat hanger
3. Length of 2-core wire (2 metres is a good length)
4. Standard Plug
5. Pendant Bulb holder (the type used on ceiling lights)
6. Small energy efficient bulb

Tools:

1. Permanent marker
2. Scissors
3. Wet & Dry abrasive paper (320 grade)
4. 2mm drill bit
5. 30mm hole cutter
6. Hacksaw, Band saw or Stanley knife
7. Mole grips (Vice-grips)
8. Pliers
9. Can cutting template: download from here

Comments

[cbg3868]

A classy project. I think a FOSTER's beer can would be interesting. Some ot the electrical fittings were difficult or me to see and discovering you location in London, I understood. Maybe someon in the USA could do the project and the parts would be a bit more recognizable for the novice in the states.

[Tinseltoy]

Nice tut! I like the look of the lamp, although your lamp has that extra touch thanks to the fabric on the wiring. Where did you get that fabric-covered wire?

[Gorfram]

Totally nifty design: sound & elegant. Nice Instructable, too. :) Just a brief note from the "Two Countries Separated by a Common Language" Dept. - What are "mole grips" (presumably not some sort of tool specialized to the purpose of grasping subterranean rodents)? In the US, we have a type of locking pliers known as "vice grips" - do you know if these might be the same as "mole grips"?

[designplant]

Cheers! After a quick Google I can confirm that mole-grips and vice-grips are indeed one and the same, I knew about the spanner/wrench thing but this is a new language lesson for me!

[Gorfram]

There are a seemingly infinite number of language lessons awaiting we who try to communciate across the pond. It's not even the first time I'v been (figuratively) tripped up by a mole - you should have seen my Aussie friends when I asked them if it didn't take an awfully large number of moles to make a pair of moleskin trousers. :)

A picky little point from the "Hope You Don't Mind" Dept.-
Was re-reading this today (am seriously thinking about trying to making one), and happened to notice:
"step 7 - Clean Up...
...Let the can dry fully before attempting step 14."
But we're done in step 11. While this does ensure that the can will indeed be fully dry long before we ever get to step 14, I'm not sure that's quite what you'd intended. :)

[designplant]

Thanks for pointing that out! This whole mass collaboration thing is really useful! I think I had written a guide in word beforehand which had a few more steps but when I adapted it for Instrutables I must have forgotten to change that bit.
Please, please do make one, It will help me out so much and you'll be able to say that something you have made has been displayed at a design show in London! Send me a message when you have finished or visit my blog (http://designplant.wordpress.com) and I'll get the postal address to you and sort out paying for your postage!

[Gorfram]

Oh - you'll be able to pay/reimburse for the postage? ...The needle on my feasibility meter just took a big jump towards "positive." :)

And while I'm getting ahead of myself -
- Would you want just the stand & shade, or all the electrical parts as well? I think you have to use adapters to get US electrics to work on UK circuits; but then, you might want to do that to emphasize the whole "globalness" of the project.
- And would you need/want me to ship the bulb? I might be able to pack it well enough to get there in one piece, but if UK and US bulbs are interchangeable (are they?), it might not be worth the bother.

You must be living right - I wouldn't drink Red Bull on a bet (well, not on a small bet, anyway :), but yesterday some un-civically-minded litterbug left an empty 500 ml can just where I would find it. :)
(Imitating yours as closely as possible will be good for my first attempt, but I'm also keeping an eye out for some very "American," or at least distinctly un-British, beverage can to use for the one I'd send to you. Budweiser, maybe? Or (shudder) Coors?

[designplant]

Yeah, I will definitely pay/reimburse for postage, whichever way round you prefer. Ideally I'd need you to send all the electrical components too because, as you correctly pointed out, this will emphasise the "globalness" of the project. You don't need to send the bulb though as I can get a bulb to fit here and UK mains supply is 240v so it'll blow a US bulb immediately! A first ayyempt is a good idea as cutting the can can be a bit tricky at first and if you can get hold of a particularly American can then that again would emphasise even further the "globalness". Thanks for helping out, you've really got me excited about this project again, I was beginning to think I'd never be able to get anyone to help prove my concept!

[Gorfram]

Great - we can work out the details on the postage thing once I get the thing done, it's just good to know what to plan for. No worries re shipping the electricals (it makes good sense now that I think about it), and not having to worry about packing a light bulb for trans-atlantic gorilla transport is good. I'm sure there's a better & more proper word than "globalness," but I don't seem to be able to think of it. :)

[Crusty_07]

My guess, as un-educated as it may be, would be the part where you start adding wet cans to electrical wiring... I would be interested in knowing where step 14 is though and what indeed it is meant to contain.

[fire_weasel]

very classy!

[lemonie]

I see "Stripe", Red Bull and San Miguel: which is your favorite, for drinkin and for a lamp? L

[designplant]

I think Red Stripe and San Miguel are best for both as I'm not a fan of Red Bull (tastes like medicine to me) and the can has a smaller diameter so it is harder to cut and assemble, any 500ml can is best really.

[lemonie]

I think San Miguel has the better look, but I'd rather drink Stripe. L

[rimar2000]

I like it.

[bumpus]

Most excellent project indeed.

[gmjhowe]

I love how resourceful this project is. The final result actually works really well! Great work!