Wood Manikin Figure Lamp with iPad - A DIY tutorial

The internet is a wondrous place.

The other day I was browsing Twitter for interesting lamp designs (don't we all do this?) and ran across the Colgao lamp from enPieza! studio in Madrid, Spain. While their lamp is a bit more morbid than my standard home decor concepts, I found their use of a chromed light bulb in an anthropomorphic manner to be intriguing and knew I had to do something like that myself. Thus this guy was born after some experimenting and trying different ideas out.

I felt this guy needs to be doing something to emphasize the humanity aspect of the lamp for the full anthropomorphic effect.  Originally it was going to be on the phone with a cup of coffee in the other hand, but at 1/6 scale those items are a bit too small.  I went with the iPad prop, and it looks great.    This is a 12" tall (1/6 scale) manikin, the same size as Barbie, old school GI Joe, etc.  There are a lot of props available in that scale, and one of these days I'm going to get a scale guitar and see how that looks.

The manikin is fully posable, and the light bulb socket is candelabra (E12) sized and will handle up to a 30W bulb.     While the chrome bulb looks awesome, I've tried a few others and they all have their advantages.   Be aware that the exposed bulbs like this do get hot and can burn if you touch them after they have been on for a bit.  

If you decide not to make your own but still want one, do not despair!  I have them for sale in my Etsy Shop.  

Please come take a look! 

Step 1: Tools and Materials

While you don't need a huge selection of tools you do need some.

Materials:

• 12" tall wood manikin - I've tried female and male versions and both work. 
• Candle lamp with on/off switch - make sure to get the on/off switch version
• 25W G16.5 chrome light bulb with candelabra (E12) base
• a #6 flat washer - available in most hardware stores
• black 2mm foam sheet with adhesive backing - picked up a sheet at my local hobby store
• 1/4" aluminum thin wall tubing - 0.014 wall thickness
• black picture frame matte - or any thin solid piece of cardboard/chipboard.  My first prototype used box scraps.
• 1/8" thick round elastic cord - I got mine by the yard at the local fabric store.
• Acid-free craft tack - for attaching your props (like an iPad) to the manikin
• OPTIONAL - LED Energy Smart Bulb - as bright on 10% of the energy and doesn't burn when you touch it. 

Tools:

• Precision screwdriver and plier set - if you don't already have this
• Mini hacksaw - or some sort of small saw
• Forceps
• Forstner bit set  - spade bits might work but I think it might mark up the wood too much
• Bench Drill Press - drilling with a hand drill might be possible but difficult. I never tried. 
• 8" wood handscrew clamp - a 10" would be fine
• soldering iron - a basic iron or station would work fine
• Rotary tool with flexible shaft - I find the flex shaft to make it easier to handle
• Dremel 115 Bit - 5/16" cutter
• Metallic Silver Sharpie - if you are making the iPad prop
• Normal stuff like box cutters, scotch tape, ruler, etc.  
• Needle File Set - if you don't have one already
• Hot Glue Gun with glue 

Comments

[[Hivemind]]

I think the ipad is kind of weird, but i really like the concept!

[blkhawk]

Your creation reminds me of Gyro Gearloose's little robot Little Helper

[byproduct0]

Cool idea. Consider making an iron-man version with an LED light either in the chest or out of his hand. :)

[TimTheScarecrow]

This is really cool, ive been experimenting with lamps lately, and seperately the little wooden guys... you combined both of my time consumers.

[flyingpuppy]

Yes, I much prefer your take over the Colgao lamp! Nicely done!

[Mimikry]

WOW! Great one!

[AngryRedhead]

Like it! The choice of bulb is a nice touch as well!