Copper Wire Ball Lamp

I had one small incandescent light laying around, so i decided to make a lamp using it. While I was looking for materials to use on the project, I found in a box some messy copper wire. The idea of a copper wire ball popped in my head, so I made it.

CHECK OUT THE SECOND VERSION OF THIS PROJECT ON MY INSTRUCTABLES!

Step 1: Making a Ball

Making a ball out of wire can be very frustranting, I used a ball to shape it at the begginning and finish wrapping around itself. At first it's hard to make the shape I looked for, but at the end of the day and a lot of persistence, the main piece of the lamp was finished and it came out pretty great. An easier way to do it is using an balloon. Just fill it up with some air and wrap the wire around it, when you're done jut pop it.

Step 2:

The next process was to decide how to hook up the light with the ball. After soldering the power cord to the light holder, I thought how to make a great base that would have some weight so the lamp would roll around the desk.

Step 3: Drilling

I drilled two holes on a small piece of wood, enought for both screws hold the lamp.

Step 4: Screwing and Testing

I screwed the lamp holder on the small wooden plate and after that tested to see if everything was working properly.

Step 5: Making a Base

To use as a base to keep the lamp steady and give it a little weight i used an old circular saw blade. Then I needed to find a way to join the lamp and the blade. For that I used one metal plate from a transformer. The piece didn't fit in the saw blade hole so I had to reduce it's size. Using some pliers I cut the metal to make easier to bend it. I also used an hammer to make it flat.

Step 6: Joining the Parts

Now just slide everething in place and screw the lamp inside the ball. The lamp holder stays inside the ball and the wooden piece outside.
Plug it and enjoy!

Comments

[Chitlange Sahas]

Thats a very good idea ! But just a little caution has to be taken if the current leaks to the copper wire , you may get a shock!

[oliveira.igorm]

Hi!
There isn't any risk of the copper wire getting in contact with the current from the power cord. The lamp holder is very well connected to the cord and it isn't going to run away. Also, the power cord is very thick so there are no problems on getting shocked!

[Tarun Upadhyaya]

Looks Cool!! I am really looking forward to see the process of making the ball.

Thanks for sharing :)

[oliveira.igorm]

Hi,
Check out the updated Instructable!

[Tarun Upadhyaya]

Thanks for letting me know. I just checked.

[LeslieGeee]

How to make a string lamp - Google Search

[oliveira.igorm]

Thanks for helping!

[Amethyst Star]

Looks simple the way you do it!

If you could give us some tips for wrapping the wire around, that would be great!

I'm putting this on my to-do list for the summer holidays ;)

Great Instructable!

[oliveira.igorm]

You can use a balloon and wrap the wire around it or use a ball to shape it at the begginning and finish wrapping around itself.

[LeslieGeee]

The person who did this Instructable may have used the same technique as a wound string lamp. You take a balloon blow it up and wrap the wire around until you are satisfied with the outcome. After you are finished wrapping you pop the balloon and pull it from of the structure out of the hole you leave in the bottom where the bulb will go in. You can find detailed instructions by Googling " how to make a string lamp". The wire shown looks to be a larger gauge than what I would use but it is still doable. The gauge used and approximately how much used should have been given along with a list of the other materials. Great idea though :)

[oliveira.igorm]

Thanks for sharing the technique! I thought of using a balloon but as I didn't have one it was more complicated and also frustrating.

[essdee1972]

Looks cool! How did you make the wire ball? I am thinking of making a hanging lamp like this, but wrapping the wire is the crucial step.

[oliveira.igorm]

Hi,
I added a short explanation of how to make the ball. Check it out!