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Step 13Get it on!
Prepare the base:
Right, almost there. Install your lower four short struts (with the wires in) and the four long struts that have the spacers attached. The struts with one spacer should go on the inside of the uprights, and the struts with two spacers go in between the uprights.
Build the scissors:
Cut a length of cardboard 150mm long. You'll use this to make sure your construction is even.
Get 14 skewers and put cork segments on the end. Lay out one layer of 20mm wide struts, taking care to make sure the struts are the right way up. Remember that the second set of long struts are reversed - they have their short ends pointing down rather than up like all the rest. If you are curious about this annoying foible (really, just the result of me trying too hard to impress you), I wrote a bit about it in step 8. Put two of the remaining 25mm wide struts on the bottom (pic). Put two segments of cork onto each skewer and then add the second layer of struts. Remember that the two sides are mirrored, not duplicated.
Use the 150mm piece of cardboard that you cut earlier to get the spacing right. It should fit between the two outer-most struts. Jiggle the corks up until they are snug either side of the struts and put another on each top.
Bring it together:
Turn the scissor section onto it's side, so the struts are on their ends, and bring it to meet up with the base section. Put in the last two skewers and corks, and raise the lamp, like Godzilla rising up from the depths!
Now, there are two possible outcomes when you do this first set up. Both have their positive aspects, so it's not possible to get it wrong.
If you are lucky you have a nice loose lamp that will fall back down as soon as you let go of it, but it isn't so loose that it bends from side to side.
If you are slightly less lucky, and much more like me, you'll have a good sturdy lamp that stays where it's put, and stays straight because everything's buttoned up tight.
If you can't move it at all, then you have stumbled into the unspoken-of third possible outcome. Carefully twist your corks and extend and retract the structure until it moves for you.
A stiff lamp is good, but relies on fortune rather than engineering to work and to continue to work. The counterbalance needs filling anyway.
Pull up the scissor with one hand and add some weight to the gondola until you feel it balance. You will find at this stage that you can pose it to any height and it will stay.
Structurally, we're done! Make yourself a cup of tea and give yourself a pat on the back. Though not at the same time or you may chip your front teeth and break your favourite cup.
Right, almost there. Install your lower four short struts (with the wires in) and the four long struts that have the spacers attached. The struts with one spacer should go on the inside of the uprights, and the struts with two spacers go in between the uprights.
Build the scissors:
Cut a length of cardboard 150mm long. You'll use this to make sure your construction is even.
Get 14 skewers and put cork segments on the end. Lay out one layer of 20mm wide struts, taking care to make sure the struts are the right way up. Remember that the second set of long struts are reversed - they have their short ends pointing down rather than up like all the rest. If you are curious about this annoying foible (really, just the result of me trying too hard to impress you), I wrote a bit about it in step 8. Put two of the remaining 25mm wide struts on the bottom (pic). Put two segments of cork onto each skewer and then add the second layer of struts. Remember that the two sides are mirrored, not duplicated.
Use the 150mm piece of cardboard that you cut earlier to get the spacing right. It should fit between the two outer-most struts. Jiggle the corks up until they are snug either side of the struts and put another on each top.
Bring it together:
Turn the scissor section onto it's side, so the struts are on their ends, and bring it to meet up with the base section. Put in the last two skewers and corks, and raise the lamp, like Godzilla rising up from the depths!
Now, there are two possible outcomes when you do this first set up. Both have their positive aspects, so it's not possible to get it wrong.
If you are lucky you have a nice loose lamp that will fall back down as soon as you let go of it, but it isn't so loose that it bends from side to side.
If you are slightly less lucky, and much more like me, you'll have a good sturdy lamp that stays where it's put, and stays straight because everything's buttoned up tight.
If you can't move it at all, then you have stumbled into the unspoken-of third possible outcome. Carefully twist your corks and extend and retract the structure until it moves for you.
A stiff lamp is good, but relies on fortune rather than engineering to work and to continue to work. The counterbalance needs filling anyway.
Pull up the scissor with one hand and add some weight to the gondola until you feel it balance. You will find at this stage that you can pose it to any height and it will stay.
Structurally, we're done! Make yourself a cup of tea and give yourself a pat on the back. Though not at the same time or you may chip your front teeth and break your favourite cup.
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