finished shade.jpg
Finished full.jpg
A few months ago, I found this really cool steampunk themed lamp in the heavily discounted clearance section of my local Bed, Bath & Beyond. For US$10, I couldn't resist!  One great feature about this retro style illuminating device is the dual lamp feature: a standard bulb socket on top, and a separate fixture underneath for a miniature bulb.

The design of this lamp was reminiscent of something that could have been on Jules Verne's Nautilus, but without a shade, this lamp certainly looked incomplete.

A few days later, I found a discarded floor lamp on the street, with a frosted plastic semi-globe that was the right design to fit my new steampunk lamp. But as-is, it certainly lacked the requisite flare!

So here's how I turned a plain plastic half-globe lamp shade into a stylish and attractive steampunk accompaniment.

Tools:
• Pliers
• Metal snips
• Screw driver
• Rotary tool
• Power drill

Materials:
• Lamp shade/ plastic half-globe
• Brackets
• Brass machine screws and nuts


 
Remove these adsRemove these ads by Signing Up

Step 1: Select lamp and shade

lamp before.jpg
shade before.jpg
As mentioned in the intro, I bought this lamp, so I can take any credit for the design. (I think it may have been manufactured by Hampton Bay, but not sure). And the shade I found in the trash.

But the simple technique I used for this Instructable can be used on pretty much any type of lamp shade, and for any lamp, which is why I decided to share this project with the Instructables community.
wolfgang64 says: Dec 29, 2012. 5:14 PM
Cold you please tall me where you got that really cool bulb in frame one?
wolfgang64 in reply to wolfgang64Dec 31, 2012. 3:10 PM
Thank you very much. your project is very cool. I am working on something very different but the bulbs are the icing on the cake.
Winged Fist (author) in reply to wolfgang64Dec 31, 2012. 12:08 PM
Got the bulb at Home Depot, but I'm sure you can find online too if you search for "Edison style bulb."
longwinters says: Dec 17, 2012. 9:39 AM
Mr. Fist.
Very nice project, glad you posted it, I hit the junk stores from time to time, and though it seems like it would be easy to come up with a pleasing lamp project when it comes to actually putting something togeather it's far more difficult than first imagined.

This is a wonderful project I would love to have in my home.
I have at least two lamps just sitting in the crawl space just waiting for this level of inspiration.
Bill
Winged Fist (author) in reply to longwintersDec 18, 2012. 8:20 AM
Thanks Bill! I hope this humble little lampshade project gives you some of the inspiration you need to get those lamps out of the crawl space and onto Instructables!;-)
electfire says: Dec 13, 2012. 1:13 AM
Aye, while I know it's been a fair bit of time since I've commented on anything,
I thought I'd let you know that your project made the Steampunk Facebook group!
(https://www.facebook.com/SteampunkSteampunk)
They even linked back to here for you!
(Though I got it as a notification via Instructables earlier)
Anyways, here is the link to the direct posting!
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151291910252300&set=a.119666292299.96584.19157172299&type=1&theater

~Best of Wishes and Clockwork Dreams,
Brefelan Silverpaw/ (DJ) Electfire
Winged Fist (author) in reply to electfireDec 13, 2012. 2:04 PM
Thanks Electfire! As one of the last human beings on earth without a Facebook account, I wouldn't have notice this if you hadn't mentioned! Explains the uptick in traffic for this humble Instructable;-)
Best,
Winged Fist
oldmicah says: Dec 12, 2012. 4:40 AM
Looks great. Apologies if I missed it, but what is giving the red glow at the bottom? Something you did or built into the lamp?
Winged Fist (author) in reply to oldmicahDec 12, 2012. 5:28 AM
My bad... I should have made this clearer - This dual-lamp has a normal socket on top, and a small socket underneath. I added a small Christmas-style bulb in the lower socket to achieve that ominous "red glow."
oldmicah in reply to Winged FistDec 12, 2012. 6:26 AM
No worries! I like the mod and the glow adds a lot. ...And I Like the othe props on the table as well!
Winged Fist (author) in reply to oldmicahDec 12, 2012. 2:02 PM
Thanks oldmicah - Some of those other props include; my Steampunk solar USB charger, my Steampunk 3rd hand, my Steampunk incandescent USB lamp, and my Steampunk USB mini-lantern. Notice a theme here?;-)
oldmicah in reply to Winged FistDec 12, 2012. 2:44 PM
yes... 3 of them are USB oriented :)

thanks again for posting: it's good stuff!
Junophor says: Dec 12, 2012. 4:38 AM
Wow Winged Fist!!!

A very steamy creation, I love it


Yours Aeon Junophor
Winged Fist (author) in reply to JunophorDec 12, 2012. 5:31 AM
Thanks Junophor! And thanks for not using your Steampunk time traveling machine to beat me to this lamp on the clearance sale shelf!;-)
Pro

Get More Out of Instructables

Already have an Account?

close

PDF Downloads
As a Pro member, you will gain access to download any Instructable in the PDF format. You also have the ability to customize your PDF download.

Upgrade to Pro today!