Introduction: PVC Night Light W/ Wood & Fairy Lights

By http://youtube.com/darbinorvar
About: Hi I'm Linn and on my Youtube Channel I have lots of great videos about building, construction and fun projects. You can also check out my site @ http://darbinorvar.com

This light features a cool round shape made out of pvc pipe that sits in a block of wood. Inside of it there is a fairy light strip that shines through the holes drilled in the pipe. It's a rather unusual and cool lighting fixture which would be great to use as a night light or accent light.

Step 1: Prepare the Pipe

First of all, cut a piece of 3/4 inch pvc pipe to the roundabout size you're going for, either using a hacksaw or a bandsaw. Remove the writing on the pipe with Acetone.

Step 2: Bend the Pipe

Heat up some sand in a pot. Tape one end of the pipe with duct tape, pour in the hot sand in the pipe, tape the other end shut, and let it slowly heat up. As it gets warm, slowly bend it to a round shape. Cut the ends of the pipe, if needed.

Step 3: Drill Holes

Using 1/8 inch bit, drill holes all around the pipe. Make sure to secure the pipe in a vise to hold it in place as you're drilling holes all around.

Step 4: The Base

Using a drill press, drill 3/4 holes in a block of wood at an angle which the pipe ends can fit into. I created a simple jig to hold it in place.

Step 5: Prepare the Base

Chisel out the hole for the pipe to fit into to make it a little bigger and perfectly fitted for the pipe.

Step 6: Cut the Wood

Mark out the wood and cut to a size that seems proportional to the pipe, I used the table saw cross cut sled, however you can use any method of cutting the wood to size.

Step 7: Prepare the Block

Drill a hole inside the block which can fit wires through. Also, plane the edges of the block to bevel the sides.

Step 8: The Light

For the lighting, cut the battery pack of a fairy light strip. Secure a 10 ohm resistor to a female micro usb connector (black wire), along with wire and secure to the base of the wooden block (chisel out some space to fit it at the bottom, and create a small pathway from the hole). Bring the wire up through the hole. Thread the fairy light strip through the PVC pipe and connect the wire coming up from the block to the strip. Connect a 5 volt power unit to the micro usb and make sure it works.

Step 9: Epoxy

Secure the pipe to the wooden block with epoxy glue.

Step 10: Finish

Finish the wood - I used dewaxed shellac and beeswax polish. To cover the bottom I secured a piece of scrap leather with hot glue.

Step 11: Conclusion - Watch the Video

For a much better perspective of the different steps, and to see the final project in use, make sure to check out the video!