This is a fun little project to build out of scrap pipe and an old mason jar. Another option is to buy the parts from the hardware store which should run around $50.

This lamp was built from purchased ½” pipe and fittings. The fittings are generally bagged. The pipe comes with labels glued to the pipe which took a while to get off. I had to use a razor blade and then washed the fittings to remove the excess glue and oil from shipping. I used a 24 oz. mason jar with a wide mouth. The depth was needed to accommodate the length of the compact fluorescent bulb. The wide mouth allowed room to attach the pipe flange.

Video of the Build:

Step 1: Tools

Drill and bits
Wire cutters
Screw driver

Step 2: Materials/Cost

Step 3: Build Per This Drawing

Step 4:

Position and drill a hole in one of the Tee fittings large enough to feed the cord through. I used a ¼” drill.

Step 5:

Drill 5 holes in the mason jar lid. The first will be in the center. It should be large enough to allow the threaded light socket rod to pass through. The other four holes should match the flange mounting holes.

Step 6:

Assemble the bottom section of pipe as shown. I waited to fully tighten the pipes/fittings until the end.

Step 7:

Feed the cord through the Tee fitting. Pull enough to reach the estimated end length (bulb). Be careful to not damage the wire insulation when pulling the wire through the pipe.

Step 8:

Feed the cord through the 12” section of pipe. Screw pipe to bottom section. Repeat this process until you get through the flange.

Step 9: Paint

The lamp was painted flat black and Rub 'n Buff added to give it a steampunk look.

Step 10: Lid/Socket Installation

Be careful at this point or you will be reassembling the fixture – trust me :). See exploded view for installation order.
Feed cord through the rod nut, threaded socket rod, mason jar lid, and socket nut. Push all the parts out of the way so you can attach the wires to the socket.
Screw socket rod into socket.
Tighten rod nut to secure lid to the socket
Attach the flange to the lid using the ¼-20 bolts/nuts. Note that two of the holes are open. This allows for a little ventilation inside the jar.

Step 11:

Add adhesive or a grommet to the cord entrance point (tee fitting). Add inline switch to cord

Step 12:

Add bulb. Note that I’m using a low wattage fluorescent bulb to limit the heat buildup inside the jar. Screw on mason jar.

Step 13: Update

I used a compact florescent bulb to keep the heat dissipation down. However, I'm not a big fan of how it looks in this application. There was a comment on Reddit about this project with a nice suggestion to use an Edison Style LED bulb. The above picture shows an example and here is the link to the product.