Introduction: Concrete Tiki-Torch Lamp

About: Innovative Projects, Diy's, Life Hacks

In this Instructable I made a concrete Tiki-Torch style lamp with an LED flame effect bulb.

Supplies

  • Bottle of your choice
  • Bottle Cutter or some way to cut bottles

In this Instructable I made a bottle cutter.

You can also buy one or use a diamond cutting wheel to cut the bottle

Step 1: Cut the Bottle

I used a homemade bottle cutter to score the bottle.

We need to heat and cool the bottle a few times so it splits in half.

I like to use candle and ice method.

Rotate the bottle above the candle a few times and then cool it with ice.

Repeat the procedure until bottle splits in half.

If the bottle does not split on its own, you can gently pull it and see if that does the trick.

Forcing the split can result in imperfections, but in this case it does not matter since we'll be sanding it anyway.

Step 2: Sand It

I used silicon carbide grit to sand the bottle.

Pour some silicon carbide on a piece of glass and add some water.

Step 3: Drilling the Bamboo

You'll need a bamboo stick.

We need to drill/hollow the stick so we could pull through the cable.

If you don't have a very long drill bit, you can use a threaded rod to do it.

Sharpen one end of the rod and make a few cuts in it.

Now you can drill out the core.

Step 4: Split One End of the Bamboo Into 8 Pieces

Step 5: Light Bulb Socket

I attached a PVC pipe with an end cup to the light bulbs socket.

Then I slid on the bottle

Step 6: Pulling the Cable

I used a cable puller to pull through the cable.

For a smoother pull, I like to attach the cable to the wire puller with a heat-shrink tubing

Step 7: Wiring the Cable to the Socket

After wiring the socket, I temporary attached the bottle to the bamboo stick.

Step 8: Making the Base/Leg

I used a large plastic bowl for the mold.

I drilled 2 holes, one for the stick and the other for the cable.

I cut off the end of the plastic screw anchor and put it into the hole.

Then I glued it with hot glue.

Step 9: Making the Base/Leg

I cut the center hole bigger and pulled through the cable.

Then I glued the stick to the bowl with generous amount of hot glue

Step 10: Making the Base/Leg

I cut a slot for the cable, added 2 screws for a better grip and closed the hole with a cork.

Step 11: Making the Base/Leg

I used the table, trestle legs, boxes and other stuff to raise the lamp so I could pour the concrete.

I also made sure the bamboo stick is hanging straight. I secured it with a PVC pipe and a zip tie.

Step 12: Pouring the Concrete

I mixed some concrete and poured it into the bowl.

After leveling it, I let it set for 2 days

Step 13: Removing the Bowl

I used 96% alcohol to remove the hot glue from the bowl.

I used a soldering iron to cut the bowl

Step 14: Finishing the Base

After sanding the corners, I glued some furniture pads on the bottom

Step 15: Securing the Bottle

I wrapped the bamboo with a string to hold the bottle. Then I covered it with some white glue.

Step 16: Wiring the Plug and a Switch

Step 17: Final Touches

I used an LED flame effect bulb. I also added a 3D printed sleeve

Step 18: Done!

Here you can also see another lamp I made, but without a sleeve.