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Step 3Making The Lamp Holder
The idea here is to cut out some of the tubing to expose the lamps. I cut out about 1/2 of the tubing using my jig saw leaving rounded corners that look pretty good.
Take your time sanding the rough edges with what ever works.
You'll note that this design does not have a lens or cover over the lamps. I thought it would be too much to try and bend clear acrylic to create one so it's open. The bulbs are pretty cool to the touch though.
Note: when you use a jig saw, the plastic will want to close up after you cut it so you may have to go back and make a second cut on the same line.
Next run some aluminum tape inside the back of the lamp holder to 1) reflect the light back out of the holder and 2) cover the lamp wire for the top bulb.
Next mount the lamp bases inside the tube so that about 1" of "base" sticks out of the opening. Slide the other lamp base in the other end over the groove you cut for the wire.
Now cap the ends with the 3" tube caps and screw it to the tube. Countersink the holes and use flat head screws. You should add the loop at the end of one cap prior to mounting to the lamp holder.
Finish off the holder by connecting the positive and negative wires to the appliance cord as shown.
Take your time sanding the rough edges with what ever works.
You'll note that this design does not have a lens or cover over the lamps. I thought it would be too much to try and bend clear acrylic to create one so it's open. The bulbs are pretty cool to the touch though.
Note: when you use a jig saw, the plastic will want to close up after you cut it so you may have to go back and make a second cut on the same line.
Next run some aluminum tape inside the back of the lamp holder to 1) reflect the light back out of the holder and 2) cover the lamp wire for the top bulb.
Next mount the lamp bases inside the tube so that about 1" of "base" sticks out of the opening. Slide the other lamp base in the other end over the groove you cut for the wire.
Now cap the ends with the 3" tube caps and screw it to the tube. Countersink the holes and use flat head screws. You should add the loop at the end of one cap prior to mounting to the lamp holder.
Finish off the holder by connecting the positive and negative wires to the appliance cord as shown.
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Bending plexiglass is not all that hard if you have a heat gun . http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iUTNcQlHiho as seen here. Just take a piece of tubing and bend it against that and you should have perfect shape.