PVC Articulating Lights Mount
Intro: PVC Articulating Lights Mount
I love Making Instructables, This is a Instuctable about tools for making my instrucables. I use these Lights for taking pictures that I put into my instructables. But I needed a way to position them above the work surface without them being in the way. In trying to stick with the "trash to treasure" theme most of the materials I am going touse for this project are out of the scrap bin. I hope this project Inspires you to make something awesome.
STEP 1: Parts, and Tools
Parts
- 1" Conduit Straps -- Amazon
- Folding photo box with 4 lights (I bought this years ago and this is where I got the lights that I am using for this project.) -- Amazon
- 1" PVC Conduit (I had this in the scrap pile)
- Pine 2x4 (just some scraps from the scrap pile)
- Computer Power Cords (I just chopped the ends off to salvage that sweet sweet wire inside)
- M3 x 20mm Bolts -- Amazon
- M5 x 25mm Bolts -- Amazon
- M6 x 20mm Bolts -- Amazon
- M3 Nuts -- Amazon
- M5 Nylon Nuts -- Amazon
- M6 Nylon Nuts -- Amazon
- M3 Washers -- Amazon
- M5 Washers -- Amazon
- M6 Washers -- Amazon
- 1/4in Birch Plywood -- Amazon
- 1/8in Birch Plywood -- Amazon
Tools
Use whatever tools you want to, but I will not pass up an opportunity to show off my DEWALT Tools, lol. These are the tools I used For this Project
STEP 2: The Making the Base, Legs, or Whatever You Want to Call It.... Step
I took the scrap 2x4 and cut 2 lengths at 24in each, then used a hole drill that was the same size as the exterior of the pvc conduit, and cut around it as seen in the photos.
STEP 3: The Leg Bone Connects to the ... PVC Conduit?
Next I drilled it out and used a bolt to clamp the the conduit. The conduit was still able to turn in the clamp, so I added wood glue (a generous helping of course). and let that dry. I added some 1x4 scraps to the bottom (or top) of the legs so that I would have something to screw to the ceiling.
STEP 4: Making and Mounting the Bracket and Arms
I wanted to be able to have some sort of bracket that would connect to the main PVC Conduit and pivot. I decided to quick design a bracket and laser it out of 1/4 birch Plywood. I included the original Corel draw file so that you can edit it. I also included the DXF files if you would like to laser it yourself.
STEP 5: Installing Wiring Into the Conduit
I drilled a hole in the four spots that I wanted the lights. Then I chopped up some computer power cables and wired all of the lights together. Then I proceeded to chop up and splice enough power cables to run all the way down a wall and plug into the work bench.
STEP 6: Mount It on the Ceiling
In Order to mount it to the ceiling (I have a drop ceiling) I used another couple scrap peices of 1x4 and put that on top of the drop ceiling panel.Then I screwed through the panel into the other scrap 1x4.
STEP 7: Finished
All Done, I am really happy with the way that this turned out. I did go ahead after I was done and make another arm that has a Phone mount on it. I like that I can move the lights up and down and aim them where I want them to go. This worked great. I have a lot more light above my workstation now.
Thanks for taking a look. Have a great day.
2 Comments
ponyexpressmom7 7 years ago
Yonatan24 7 years ago
WOW! Looks great! This looks like a great lighting source for a big workshop. Back when I designed my articulating lamp, I thought of making it so it hangs from the ceiling of my room, but then decided not to do that because I wanted it to be portable, and because I thought it would be easier to tilt/swivel. It gets in the way a bit, but it's worth it! :)