Introduction: Snare Drum Swag Lamp

This instructable will show you how to convert a snare drum into a swag-style lamp. Any drum should work but keep a check on the weight to ensure that you have a chain/hooks sturdy enough for your project. This does involve some prettt basic electrical skill for wiring the cord to the socket and wiring up a switch. I did not include steps on this as I am not a qualified electrical instructor, so only do what you feel comfortable doing and follow all included steps and precautions.

This is my first Instructable, so I apologize for the lack of "how-to" pictures. After starting the project I got so in to it that I forgot to take any additional pictures until completion.
Parts Needed:
1 complete drum (shell/lugs/rims/heads
1 15' lamp cord (electric cord)
1 bulb socket (I used a porcelain one)
8' of lightweight black chain (used to hold the drum, this chain was rated for 35lbs)
1 heavy duty switch (thr cord I used was the heavy clear flat wire and needed a larger switch than the standard roller switch)
Ceiling hooks (again tested for 35lbs)

Step 1: Drum Prep:

I used an old Premier drum that was lying around collecting dust and wasn't playable. The original finish was faded and ugly so I sprayed the outside of the drum with Rustoleum Premium gloss black and then lightly dusted it with bronze metallic to give it a sparkle. Next I sprayed the pitted chrome lugs and rims with pewter spray paint and let everything dry. I then assembled the rest of the parts: porcelain bulb socket, 15' electric cord, heavy duty switch, drum heads and 8' of black light weight chain.

Step 2: Installing the Light Equipment

In this step I mounted the light socket nipple (1/8 size threaded) into the air vent hole already in the drum. I then ran the cord from the outside of the drum through the nipple into the inside.

**Note the next section involves wiring a socket to the wire! I am not including pictures as I am not providing electrical instruction. Wiring electric cords is dangerous and I simply followed the instructions on the bulb socket *AND MADE SURE THE CORD WAS NOT PLUGGED IN WHILE WORKING ON IT!
After wiring up the cord to the socket, I screwed the socket onto the nipple and tightened the set screw. Now our drum is wired up and ready for a bulb. I used a compact florescent as they don't get as hot as incandescent.

Step 3: Closing Up the Drum

After the socket is mounted and bulb installed you can mount your heads on the drum. I used a Remo TattooSkyn on the downward facing side (the coating diffuses the light and the pattern just looks cool). On the side facing up I used an aftermarket "mesh" head (similar to the ones used on electronic or practice kits). The mesh head offers some light diffusion but mostly allows any heat from the bulb to vent without any additional holes in the drum (the mesh head is similar to a screen door, air moves striaght through it and the bulb can vent up with nothing sealing it in the drum).

Now it's time to mount the chain and put your celing screws in. I used ceiling hooks with drywall anchors that were rated for 35lbs (the drum/chain/bulb weighs about 9lbs). I screwed the hooks in and mounted them directly above my kit. The chain I had cut was general light duty chain. I used vicegrips to separare the chain and make 4 equal lenghs of 12" then mounted the ends of each of these links to the main chain. This gave me my main single chain with a 4-way split at the end. I then screwed four of the tension screws (the screws that tighten the rim) through the chain to attach the chain to my drum. This allows me to attach the chain without additional holes in the drum.

Now you have a drum attached to the chain with a cord sticking out ready for hanging.

Step 4: Hanging the Drum

After chiosing the right location for your hooks, all that's left is to hang the chain from the hooks and run your cord away towards the wall and down. The pictures from the last step show the hooks and cords. *Again, I won't give any steps on installing the switch or testing the wiring but please follow all directions and test the light out before hanging*.

Now you're done and have a truly unique drum lamp, so sit back and enjoy yours as much as I have enjoyed mine!

Thanks for your time and patience (as this is my first 'able) and good luck!

Step 5: ENJOY!

Thanks