Glass Tube Table Lamp for Under $20

Lamps can be costly, this instructable is simple and cheap, just the kind of project for people like us! The projects takes well under an hour and parts are cheap. Grab a "CENTRERA LYKTA" from your local IKEA ($12.99) and get ready for some ikeahacking! Good luck and please leave a comment!

Step 1: Gather Your Materials

You will need your "CENTRERA LYKTA" from Ikea $12.99, Your rotary tool (dremel), Cut off wheels, Scroll saw bit, and sand paper drums. You will also need a light bulb socket and some epoxy. Grab a respirator, safety glasses, and a leather glove for that safety thing. It probably isn't a good idea to breath aluminum flakes and sandpaper stuff!

Disclaimer: Any reproduction of the steps contained in this instructable are done at the risk of the individual and the author is hereby freed of any liability associated with the contents of this document.

Step 2: Cut Off the Nub!

The CENTRERA LYKTA is intended for candles, we have to cut off the cup which the candle is supposed to sit in. I used 1/32" Cut off disc, just slice through little by little don't force the cut, just let the tool do the work. These are fragile and you will have to waste time changing the discs if you try to force it to cut faster.

Step 3: Cut the Hole for the Light Bulb Socket

Now take your scroll bit and cut a hole that is roughly the size of the light bulb socket. This doesn't have to be perfect, you will be rounding it out in the next step.

Step 4: Clean Your Hole!

No not like that sicko! Your cuts probably aren't exactly perfect, so you will need to use your sandpaper drum to round out. Again it doesn't have to be perfect, just not to small and not to big, you will epoxy your socket in the hole after everything is cleaned up.

Step 5: Stick Your Socket in the Hole

Now all you have to do is put your socket in the hole and epoxy the sucker together, grab your lamp wire and light bulb and finish it up! Simple and sweet.

Comments

[godbacon]

what was the original purpose of the CENTRERA LYKTA? what was it intended to be used as ?

[drewkerrigan]

I need to go to ikea and start making one of these, I love that. Good work bro.

[Mikee]

Thanks for the comment man! I am glad that you will be able to use the idea! Have fun!

[Mr.Devious]

This does look pretty cool when it's all done. I noticed you double uploaded a few pics, but oh well, we all mess up. I think if you were to waterseal this and put a metal cap or something on top, it would look neat on a deck or in the garden.

[Mikee]

Thanks for the constructive criticism! I didn't even notice the double posts. I think I got them all. It would work well in a garden. If I have a future use for such an Item I will definitely add my methods to make an outdoor version.

[Mr.Devious]

Good to hear, looking forward to your future instructables :-)

[tewmten]

If one would hook up a dimmer to it, I think that'd be awesome. Also, make a bunch of them and stick colored light bulbs in them, that'd make some nice ambient lights around the living room/the house/the whatever :D

[Mikee]

I plan on using Compact Fluorescent bulbs in them otherwise I would put a dimmer on them. CF's don't really dim though. Thanks for the comment!

[cry_wolf]

Whoa this is AWSOME. Looks professional, i'd add a glass cover over the top, just for flare, or change it into a color changing LED mood light. I'm just feeding you ideads, so brign on the instructables! =D

[Mikee]

Thanks for the comment, I appreciate the feedback!

[Mikee]

Man nobody comments, I would really like to hear what people think. This is my first instructable so I need feedback Guys!

[krusty]

This would be ausome for an RGB LED mood light, too!!

[Mikee]

Yeah that was the initial direction I was headed with this project but I decided that since LED's are mostly directional and I wanted these as table lamps that an old fashioned bulb would be best for my application. LED's would be easier to install though, less cutting, Just a step bit through the NUB would do the trick. The other problem I struggled with on the LED option was that the DC converters tend to be bulky where this will just utilize a lamp cord. I do like the Idea though, send me a pic If you do it and I'll post it on here as well.