PVC Night Light W/ Wood & Fairy Lights

by darbinorvar

10K9713

Intro: PVC Night Light W/ Wood & Fairy Lights

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!

10 Comments

JohnSmith-Workshop 6 years ago

Lovely project and it's so great to have it in the little kids bedroom. And I really enjoyed watching it and how you are determined to make such good shape out of pvc. :D

jbauer4 6 years ago

I really enjoy watching your projects. This one is really neat how the light comes through the holes. I also like how you use and bend PVC pipe. Years ago, I was an electrician and occasionally had to make custom bends on PVC pipe for special installations to pull wire through. I made a hot box from a space heater and then would lay the warmed pipe on a board that I had sketched out the bend for. Then I would just pack dirt around the pipe to hold it in place and let it cool enough to hold its shape. Of course, when I made my bends they were not as severe as yours. I like the warmed sand inside, very clever. I have a YouTube channel too if you want to check me out. You will find me by looking at my instructables. Have a great day and keep making cool stuff, I look forward to your next project and love your videos.

OlivD 6 years ago

Hi, I would like to do such a lamp for my daughter. Could you please gave me an advice on how I can "Heat up some sand in a pot" ?

logwolf 6 years ago

You're a very creative young lady. I have watched...and saved most of your instructables for my future builds. They would make great unique gifts. Thanks for sharing. God Bless.

dlarson3 6 years ago

I'm glad I watched the video! I have a remote controlled led light strip , multi colored, flashing or chasing effect which would look really cool. I now see the difficulty in making that work as well as the fairy (??) lights. Will try and find them. Nice work 5th time was the charm. Will see if I can manage in 3 tries lol.

jessyratfink 6 years ago

This is gorgeous!! Would make a great nightlight, too :D

Penolopy Bulnick 6 years ago

Very nice! I like lamps that look good just standing there and when they are being used (lite up)!

Timbermancrafts 6 years ago

Wow, that turned out really neat! Great way of using cheap materials to create a premium looking lamp! :)