Introduction: Concrete Base Rope Table Lamp
Back from a slight instructables break with another addition to the lamp collection*.. pretty simple and cheap design which actually builds on another one which I made not too long ago. The warm light works well coming through the rope and casts a nice shadow too.
* If you're interested in seeing more then feel free to check out or follow @jamesmcco1 on Instagram.
Supplies
PARTS
- 7w Edison bulb
- 6mm screw pole (depending on how high you want it, but 2m should be more than enough)
- 1kg concrete (depending on the size of your base)
- A piece of wood to cut the base from
- A socket for the bulb (make sure it matches the bulb)
- Plug and switch
- Rope (again it depends on the height, but 5m-10m should be enough)
And thats it!
TOOLS
- Pliers
- Drill
- Saw
- Files
- Bucket
- Box (to set the concrete base)
- Glue
- Scissors
- Some newspapers to stop any mess
Step 1: Frame for the Base
1) Cut 4 equal poles of 35cm in length. [image 1]
2) Cut a shape of wood that will fit inside your box and support all 4 corners of the structure. The reason I didn't just cut a rectangle was so that more concrete can reach the bottom and therefore make it less likely to crack. I ended up with the weird looking shape seen in the second picture...There are probably more efficient ways to cut it. [image 2]
3) Drill 4 holes and put the poles into the holes. [image 3]
4) Another reason for the weird shape choice was to allow for a pipe to be used to take the electric cable from the bottom to the top of the block. This is not necessary, but is helpful - you could just drill this hole when the concrete sets. [image 4]
Step 2: Set Base
1) Set the base into the box and position it in the centre.
2) When you have it there, mix your concrete and pour it into the box. I left the box to sit for 2 days which was enough for it to harden enough for me. Depending on the concrete mix you buy this may be different.
Step 3: Electronics
1) Drill holes for the socket to be screwed into and fasten the socket. [image 1]
2) Put the cable from the switch up through the base to the top of the block. [image 2]
3) Connect the wires to the socket (Brown to Live/ Bottom bulb terminal, Blue to Neutral/ Side bulb terminal)
4) Put in a bulb and test if it all works. [image 3]
Step 4: Rope
1) Tie one piece of the rope to the bottom of one of the poles. [image 1]
2) Wrap the rope around the other poles. [image 2]
3) Continue this all the way up. [image 3]
4) When at the top, cut the rope and put a small piece of glue on the end to secure it to one of the poles. Try to make sure the top is even. [image 4]
Step 5: Finish
And that's pretty much it! A fairly simple design that didn't take too long (ignoring the 2 day set time...) to make.
* I'll update the pics to better quality when I get my camera back.. The shadow is cool but hard to photo correctly, but for now you should get some idea of how it looks finished *
I have some more interesting designs on my instagram if you want to check them out too - jamesmcco1 If you like anything then please follow or get in touch cause I'd love to hear from you!

Participated in the
Stone Concrete and Cement Contest
2 Comments
Question 3 years ago
Nice design.
Did you add glue to the rope as you wrapped or is it held in place by tension? I was wondering if you think you could use a clear glass cylinder instead of the rods and glue to that. Thanks
Answer 3 years ago
No glue used going up, just slight tension round the pole on each turn.
I don't think you could use glass..
1) The tracks in the poles help give grip to the rope, glass would be slippy and the rope might fall - maybe gluing it at each turn would help.. but it would make maintenance very hard in case something breaks!
2) Towards the top of the poles there is a slight bend since there are many turns, each with a little tension. The metal pole bends ok, but I feel that glass would snap. Maybe some clear plastic, but it may bend too much, whereas the metal is stronger.
Hope that helps!