Customizable Plywood and Acrylic Hinged Lamp

Intro: Customizable Plywood and Acrylic Hinged Lamp

This is a re-make of Sculptural - Customizable - Plywood Lamp. It has been redesigned such that it can be made from 1/4 inch laser cut material. The pieces will be layered to form the components of the 3/4 inch pieces used in the original project. This also allows for the use of other 1/4 inch material such as acrylic to create a multitude of other pattern designs.

STEP 1: Cut Out Hinged Pieces

Using the laser cutter, cut out all the hinged pieces. There will be six pieces for each hinged section consisting of layered 1/4 material. The original project used five hinged pieces. The bulb height was not specified in the original project and the bulb I found was taller than it so I ended up needing six hinges. After cutting out the hinged piece layers, glue them and clamp them together while the glue dries. When the glue has dried, sand off the edge scorch marks from the laser cutting. If your laser cuts the acrylic pieces cleanly you only need to use the acrylic solvent glue to put them together.

STEP 2: Cut Out and Glue the Top and Bottom Sections

There will be two sections for the top and bottom of the lamp. These consist of two 1/4 inch thick layers with holes for the brass rod and one solid 1/4 inch layer. The solid layer keeps the brass rod from extending all the way through these sections. Glue these together and sand off the scorched edges.

STEP 3: Cut Out the Next Section of the Lamp Base

This is the second section from the bottom of the lamp base. As with the other sections, glue, clamp, and sand off the edge scorch marks.

STEP 4: Candelabra Bulb Section

Glue the top base section together and glue it to the other two base sections. Glue the next two layers of the candelabra bulb section together and glue these to the base. Screw the candelabra socket onto the base. Attach the power cord wire to the bulb socket. Glue the final layer of the bulb section onto the other two, covering the power wires.

STEP 5: Assemble Hinges and Place on Brass Rod

Depending on how many hinged pieces you need, cut the brass rod to fit the length necessary for your lamp. Insert the hinges onto the brass rod in any order you choose. The clear acrylic hinge can be anywhere you like. Since this design is made of layered 1/4 inch material, you can have more clear hinges, substitute translucent or colored acrylic, or other types of wood. There are a multitude of combinations you can use.

Comments

[jeanniel1]

I love this design! Modular, flexible, and can be made with a variety of materials, not just plywood. Easy to modify, too, and change designs.

[charlessenf-gm]

Intriguing design - brilliant.

However, the wiring would have been better run through the first/bottom base section and then up through a (1/2") hole in the center of each section above it and below the section the porcelain lamp holder is fastened to.

(This will make the lamp safer and less likely to be pulled over should something tug on the electrical cord.)

That section (the porcelain lamp holder is fastened to) should have a larger hole (2" +/-) for wiring and heat dissipation.

Similarly, the next section (you have tightly covering the porcelain lamp holder is fastened to) should not cover the "600-Watt 250-Volt White Outlet Box Lampholder" at all. The fixture is designed, tested and certified safe for mounting in an exposed/open to the air location (and mounted on an electrical outlet box). It is not intended for restricted enclosure within a box of combustible material - like thin plys of wood glued together with god only knows what.

Nice project, but you just may be playing with fire ;)

[rollingerr]

Wow, like the interior from Blade Runner Apartement!