From Tree to Lamp

Step 1: Tree to Lamp

I first cut down a black walnut tree and cut it into sections. Then I took the section I wanted and cut it into the slabwood's

Step 2:

Once I cut them into slabs then I cut them down into the size that I wanted to work with.

Step 3:

To get the shape that you want I found this chainsaw attachment for my grinder. This is a very dangerous to also you will need to wear a face shield and leather gloves. I have made many lamps this way and to get the shape you want it's just how you feel you just have to be sure you don't go deep enough to hit the hole that you drilled for the wiring.

Step 4:

This is just one of the shapes that I've done

Step 5:

Now that you have the shape that you want then I use a random orbit sander starting with about an 80 grit and working my way up to a 220 grit.

Step 6:

This particular lamp is made from Black Walnut so I choose not to use any kind of stain because they're such natural beauty that I don't want to change anything. So I just used five coats of semi gloss polyurethane. In between each coat I Sanded with a 320 sandpaper very lightly just to make sure there's no runs, or drips.

Step 7:

Then I used a 14 two lamp wire and a three way switch ran it through the whole and put a eighth inch nipple in the end and I glued it in so I had something to put my switch on to.

Step 8:

On the base I used half inch rubber bumpers to lift the lamp off the table so I had you can turn it either way you wanted and not worry about the cord.

Step 9:

And now you can enjoy the beauty of your homemade lamp