Light Bulb Lamp

After seeing this forum post I was dumb-founded that, Brooklyn Industrial Designer Sergio Silva, was selling these pairs of Light Bulb Lamps for $650!! So, with my creative senses tingling, I went scavenging around the house for what would become a much cheaper rendition of Sergio Silva's own, Oyule Lamp Set.

Step 1 Supplies

So, you want to beat the system and not pay $650 for a set of Light Bulb Lamps? Sounds good, you'll need:

• a clean light bulb
• a shoe lace (cotton)
• a metal bottle cap
• a rather large washer/spacer
• two little magnets

Tools:

• drill/punch
• drill bit a little smaller than your shoe lace
• tape
• lamp oil
• preferably sand, its more abrasive...
• water

Comments

[martyh]

Beautiful instructable, I had so much fun making it. Thankyou. I used a hinged cap from one of my housemates fancy beers so you can refill the bulb stylishly. So stoked how well it fitted. I made this as a present for a friend who was trying to live without electricity for a week, good luck buddy.

[martyh]

Forgot to add image

[light.spark.flame.]

This looks epic. Any chance you could explain how you attacked the hinged cap to the bulb. I'd love to make this as a Christmas present for my dad.

[bumpus]

That looks excellent! :D

[cook$]

I'm struggling to find a bottle cap that will fit the threads on my lamp. I'm in the UK by the way, I don't know if USA lamp threads are different or even if you are in the USA.

So basically, can anyone in the UK suggest a bottle cap that would fit?

Thanks!

[Matrix-technician]

Wow, this is really late reply but i hope it helps. Head to you rlocal store hobby craft or hardware, and buy a socket for the bulb. Simply remove the metal socket out of the base and this makes for a perfect cap.

[Lol 2 second day]

lol

[pedla]

Try citronella oil not only is it perfect for lamps but mosquitos hate it. Most camping shops should sell it.

[Hamish121212]

I am having trouble finding a screw on metal cap that fits the thread of the bulb. Is it a perfect fit - or is the cap bigger and just sits over the end of the bulb? It might be because I am in Australia - perhaps the bulb threads are different where you are?

[golddigger1559]

i used a beer cap

[bumpus]

I used a Jones Soda bottle cap, it threads on completely flush with the threads on the bulb, you should be able to get some Jones' in Australia, I'm not sure though..

[Zimminger]

Everyone has an old lamp socket in their junk drawer, right?  That would make it easy to fabricate a cap.  Great lamp!  I never knew the frosting could be taken out.  I might epoxy the magnet and washer to a wider base, though.

[sindaear]

You can actually buy light bulb shaped jars at craft stores.  I know this is about using a bulb for something it wasn't originally intended, but the jars have much stronger walls and they are made to sit upright without the need of a washer.  All you would need to do is drill the hole for the wick in the cover of the jar (which looks like the metal threads).

[iMakeItHappen]

 the point of the washer-magnet assembly is to not only have it sit upright, but also you can have it sit at an angle, i believe its in a pic in step 1

[Arbitror]

EEEK! Don't put glass in between 2 magnets! I did it once, and learned the hard way... shattered glass all over the floor...

[Pie Ninja]

Obviously don't use rare earth magnets, the weak crap that's used in fridge magnets won't do anything to the glass.

[Arbitror]

You just have to be careful not to let it jump from your fingers...

[Arbitror]

Nice ible though! =)

[Awsome Fairy]

What fuel is better: Paraffin Oil (aka. Kero), Metho/Alcohol or Oil. What do they smell like, how flammable are they, if it spills out of a light bulb and brakes what one would do more damage? All those kinds of things I want to know Thanks

[Pie Ninja]

If you can find some Lemon Essence, they can get to be around 85% alcohol, it will burn decently, and smell like lemons too. :D

[_soapy_]

Try going to a shop that sells oil lamps, and get some of the nice oil they sell. It burns generally cleaner and nicer. You can buy a bit of nice wick, too, rather than burning a shoelace.

[chuckr44]

I did some experiments with olive oil, alcohol, and kerosene. The thinner alcohol and kerosene will travel further up the wick as the liquid burns down, so they are a better choice. There's a reason why ancient olive oil lamps were shallow: it's because the olive oil only travels 1-2 inches vertically before the flame goes out.

[bumpus]

I would just use Kerosene, its more-or-less the standard I guess.. BTW, did you mean to spell 'Awesome' without an E? :D

[animed]

I've put together two so far, though if I did so under the influence of this instructible I don't remember, using a few extra light bulbs that I had hollowed already as part of a magic trick. Mine's a bit more practical that attractive- solved the problem of finding a cap by just using rolled-up shop towels as wicks- take for ever to go out on their own, and since I started to use them, about three days ago, I've only used about two inches. Only problems e that if you let the wick burn for about an hour, you can't advance it without putting it out, and adding oil requires pushing the wick in or pulling it out- the first preferable, to having to wipe up as much, plus the wick pretty much stays within needle nose range.

[panni]

thankss!! it was a worderful idea!!!

[alisonsusanne]

Do you have to take out the inner wire part if you are using a clear light bulb, anyway? I think that part, especially in older designs, can be especially delicate and interesting.

[beehard44]

just gutted out two of these bulbs. Gonna be future lab devices. one is the regular florence flask, the round bulb and the other one is the erlenmeyer flask, from an old floodlight.
Need help in gutting it out, check this out: http://www.instructables.com/id/Light-Bulb-Shrimp-Aquarium/
or this is much clearer:
http://www.teamdroid.com/diy-hollow-out-a-light-bulb/
but a stepp not in these sites:
you need to crack the glass separating the glorious insiddes from the wonderful outsides in the bulb before you grab hold of your filament. Do this with a screwdriver and clear out any mess you made in the bulb. The filament is particularly large, so try to grab the glass portion of the filament and TUG with your pliers. you may also need to cut the wires leading to the filament to get it out

Very rewarding when you did it!

[NeedTungsten]

I just built one of these and it turns out that Baby Oil works just fine as fuel. This is a good thing because I sure didn't find any use for the stuff with an actual baby. I ended up using some absorbent string from the drawstring of a clothing store shopping bag.

[drobertson]

It is called baby oil because it is MADE from babies nor because it is FOR babies. (sorry - I realize this joke is in terribly poor taste but it was just lying there)

[Manav.Vanam]

Have made many flower vases from fused bulbs but never a lamp; the use of magnets was very innovative. Thanks.

[sharlston]

nice job

=)

[jetsmiley123]

i was wondering, when your taking off the light bulbs innards, you say to "break the black glass" is that what is pictured? and do i have to take off the threaded metal piece? respond asap, this is a last Minuit gift for my mom, lol!

[Marble of Doom]

The black glass is the black part in your picture. Break that out with pliers and remove the metal tip above it also. Leave the threaded metal so you can put a metal cap on it. Next you have to break the filaments out of the inside. If you want the glass clear, you can scrub the inside with a toothbrush an water. Hope that helps!

[bobt4]

MOLOTOV!

[SarahMichelle]

Isnt there some way to add some cush around the sides or somehow make the glass stronger? Would had to have a firm grip and it pop all over me.

[lycoris3]

ever tried clay? idk if that will work, but sounds like a good idea.

[bumpus]

I'm not really sure, probably could..

[SarahMichelle]

I really like your bulb lamp, just wondering how to make it stronger, because I'd really like to make one out of a bulb thats out... *giggle* but havent thrown it away yet...

[mstark77]

Very nice. Like the wine bottle lamps I've seen, but this one is more interesting. My favorite part is the clever use of magnets. Thanks for sharing.

[clubb]

I think the magnet should be placed in the bulb after adding the oil just so when you drop in the magnet, it doesn't end up smashing the bulb so easily as the oil will slow the fall. However if it still smashes after adding oil then it is a bigger mess of glass fragments and inflammable liquid which is highly dangerous.