Hemma Light Chandelier Hack

 by coozerlv
Featured
07.JPG
Building off of an instructable by "edwinston14" and a suggestion by "piaferre" I created this custom chandelier for our dining room.  It was relatively cheap.  Got it all done for less than $100 with parts from Ikea, Lowes and a local Lighting/Fan store. 

SUPPLIES:

-10 Hemma Lights
-10 Air Gap Caps (used to cover the Hemma fixture and hide the threading)
-10 Washers
-10 Eye Hooks
-10 Drywall Anchors (optional)
-Cover (from a lighting & fan store)
-10 Light bulbs
-2 Large Electrical Wire Nuts
-Plastic Cable Ties
-Glue

TOOLS:

-Wire Cutters
-Sanding tool (Dremel or Mouse Sander or Metal File)
-Drill with large bit
-Electrical Wire cutter/stripper

 
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Step 1: Stretch out Hemma cords

01.JPG
Step 1:  Open all Hemma lights and stretch out cords to remove kinks (best done overnight)

Step 2:  Cut all plugs off of Hemma lights
TXTCLA55 says: Mar 4, 2013. 8:49 AM
off topic, but what is on those square pictures on the wall?
khaines says: Jul 23, 2012. 12:45 PM
It would be fairly easy (though a bit time consuming) to feed the cords through some chainmaille. Might add a nice touch :)
mmestre says: Jul 7, 2011. 11:55 AM
Sweet! Thank you! I will post pics of my twist on your idea as soon as it's ready. Again, thank you!
sanewby says: Jan 13, 2011. 1:56 PM
here is the Edison Chandelier that someone mentioned above...

http://www.potterybarn.com/products/edison-chandelier/
samandjan says: Mar 2, 2010. 3:54 PM
looks very similar to the $400 Pottery Barn "Edison Chandelier".  very cool, thanks
cloudyerout says: Jan 29, 2010. 3:17 PM
This looks SOOOOO cool
beccane says: Jan 21, 2010. 8:24 AM
 This is great but i live in an oooold building. Do i need to be careful what wattage bulbs I use?
coozerlv (author) in reply to beccaneJan 21, 2010. 1:00 PM
 I am not an electrician so I can't really comment on this.  Sorry.
clarkt in reply to coozerlvJan 22, 2010. 6:01 PM
You will want to be mindful of the wattage, especially with an older electrical system.

P(watts) = Voltage (v) * Current (I)
therefore,, I = V/W
                   I = 120 / 40
                    = .333 Amps per bulb 
Times 10 bulbs = 3 1/ 3 amps.   This is for 40 Watt bulbs. 

60 Watt bulbs would draw 1/2 amp per bulb, or 5 amps total. 

However , with 10 bulbs, I am betting that 40 or even smaller would do nicely.  
Pagan Wizard in reply to clarktJan 23, 2010. 9:03 AM
With a fixture like this over a dining room table, I would suggest 15 watt incandescent bulbs on a dimmer switch. You really do not want to light up a dining room table for a meal too much, it is better to keep the environment more intimate with lower levels of light.
clarkt in reply to Pagan WizardJan 28, 2010. 6:38 PM
I agree.   Even 40 watt bulbs would put out a tremendous amount of light in quantities of 10.  However there may be a need for such light at times.    And as long as you are adding a dimmer, you can always cut the 40s down to a dim glow.   Then when you are at the table building your next instructible project, you may want all the light those bulbs can muster.  


clarkt in reply to clarktJan 22, 2010. 6:03 PM
And oh yeah, it looks cool too.   

Nice work
coozerlv (author) in reply to clarktFeb 1, 2010. 12:28 PM
 Thanks much for the comments.  Before I installed this light I had this really dim thing from Lowes that I hated.  I had installed a dimmer from the get go because this really puts out a lot of light but because the room is so open it's not actually as bright as it seems.  

I also tried it using frosted bulbs but wasn't as nice looking and I tried the bulbs that are metallic opaque on the bottom half but those did not put out enough light.

Doctor What says: Jan 15, 2010. 9:02 AM
 Cute!  If you took some small black chain link (or get some chains regular chains and spray paint them black) and fed the wires through it, it would remove the "wire look".  

It's a simple fix.  A quick look at lowes.com shows 10 feet for about 10 bucks.  I'm sure you could find chain for less though.

This is a gorgeous idea.

www.lowes.com/pd_47623-273-5973000_4294934403_

Pagan Wizard in reply to Doctor WhatJan 23, 2010. 9:09 AM
I like your idea, but I would suggest the use of plastic chain that can be found at most hardware stores or big box home improvement stores. The plastic chain would help achieve your desired look, but would also be a lot lighter, putting less strain on the wires.
centrd says: Jan 21, 2010. 8:55 PM
This is awesome. Perfect for the current industrial trend in chandeliers. And at a fraction of the cost! Thank you!
piaferre says: Jan 21, 2010. 7:26 AM
geniall
bobtannica says: Jan 16, 2010. 8:52 AM
Very neat instructable. Thanks for putting it up. One question... what is a hemma light? I tried googling it and all I discovered is that you can buy them at Ikea. Doesn't really state what it is?!?!? Anyway, thanks again but I would love a definition.
coozerlv (author) in reply to bobtannicaJan 16, 2010. 10:59 AM
 A Hemma light is basically a light fixture that has a 15 foot cord, a standard plug on one end and a standard light bulb plug on the other.  At Ikea the cord is intended to be run up a wall from the outlet then hung from the ceiling using the included plastic mounting clip.  They also have a number of lamp shade styles to go with it at Ikea.
bobtannica in reply to coozerlvJan 16, 2010. 3:24 PM
Thanks! Again, very neat instructable!
coozerlv (author) says: Jan 15, 2010. 10:40 AM
 Thanks for all the feedback.  Glad you all liked it!
monniemoo says: Jan 15, 2010. 8:23 AM
 gorgeous!
! xD ! says: Jan 14, 2010. 8:30 PM
Although I think putting shades on them might help, I really like the design! Kinda reminds me of the City of Ember...
luvit says: Jan 14, 2010. 4:57 PM
 if i press on my eyes for a minute, then open them, i get the same effect.
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