Dieselpunk Vegetable Steamer Desk Lamp

 Here is a quick and easy project you can do in 30 minutes with some objects you more than likely have in your home. Just about every home has an extra desk lamp stored away or you can find one cheaply priced at a second hand store. A new veggie steamer can be purchased for a couple bucks at the grocery or dollar store.

 I first saw a lamp like this on a recycling web site recyclart.org and thought it would be a cool project. It only took about 30 minutes...no electrical wiring was needed, at least not in this case...just be sure to unplug the lamp. This particular desk lamp was from Ikea...not sure of the model name, it was bought some years ago. The vegetable steamer came from the Dollar Store.

Materials used -

• One small desk lamp
• One small light bulb (Largebulb will not look proper IMO)
• One stainless vegetable steamer
• Tin snips/ Metal cutters and pliers
• Screwdriver
• JB Weld (Metal to Metal Adhesive or similar epoxy)

Step 1:

 The light shade had one small screw holding it in, that was taken out and then the lamp shape simply twisted off. The lamp shade was then repurposed as a votive holder! Lil' added bonus. :)

Step 2:

 Next I took some tin-snips and cut a hole in the back of the strainer so it would fit over the light socket. I cut it in a manner so it would form a lip which would then fit snug against the lamps metal housing. Basicaly I just "winged it" on this part. Pretty simple so far....

 Once I got the hole made and it wedged up snug in the metal housing I took it back out and applied JB Weld generously inside the lip and set it back in to dry. Once completely set and secure it was finished, bulb put in and set back on the table. DONE!

Eventually I will put a nicer bulb in there, but this was all that was around the house at the time. A normal size bulb looked horribly large!

Have fun building your version and post up some pics! :)

Step 3:

Here are some additional pictures of different shadows cast on the walls...I like it! I did manage to find a lower watt bulb and put that in.

Thanks for looking. Feel free to comment. :)

Comments

[mr.mountaineer]

kinda looks like an old camera flash.

[jlyvers743]

Very cool lamp idea!!! Thank you for posting.

[darrenhall]

Oh that is sooo cool. Big respect.

DZ

[ahdlm]

Sweet lamp! looks like a Larry Niven "Sunflower" from "Ringworld".

[jawasan]

Seems my mother-in-law is trying to tell me something...she bought me 3 of these veggie strainers from thrift stores over the last couple weeks! Might have to make her one for Christmas! :)

[tbh-1138]

Heh, that's almost exactly what I thought of when I first saw one of those. Though my idea involved putting it on a space probe to use it as a radio transmitter.

[jawasan]

Thanks for the props so far everyone....appreciate the support. Hope to see some veggie steamer creations from ya'.

[Sunkicked]

Love this project! I especially like that you also get a nice candle lamp from it as well. Great job! Also, am I the only one that thinks the shadow pattern on the wall is super cool?

[jawasan]

That's really the part that does it for me too...the shadows...must be the hippy in me. lol

[Covert Koala]

You know, every now and then I come across an Instructable that is so elegant and obvious, it makes me go "duh!" why didn't I ever think of that! My wife has been hitting me up for a steam punk lamp for years, I think this will do the trick. Votes and favorites for you!

[jawasan]

I was thinking Covert that if you can find, or order a copper steamer...well that would definitely go with the steampunk style...and really look cool as it patinas! :) Please put it up if ya' do it!!

[jawasan]

Yep, for sure LED would be great...but I went with what I had. But later it will get a better light source. ;)

[agis68]

so lovely....

[reeldancer]

I love this! I especially love the shadows it casts. It's inexpensive , and requires no special tools, yet looks high end. No reason not to try it!

[MrDarthMaul2U]

Very cool and I might make one of my own. I would suggest an Edison style bulb like the ones on the link below. They are not cheap but very cool looking and I saw a few low wattage (25-30W).

http://www.restorationhardware.com/catalog/category/products.jsp?categoryId=cat550006

[jawasan]

I have seen those and bought a small one a few years back...but you're right, an Edison style bulb would look proper! :)

[klincecum]

It's http://www.recycleart.org
May want to correct your link at the top.
-K

[jawasan]

Thanks for pointing it out "klincecum". :)
I am just use to hitting a fav button for it. The fix is in!!

[FearMeNotDrunkard]

When I was a kid, if the steamer was out on the counter, I'd take a minute or two to play with the thing. I'll still fold one up and out a few times;) ...

Love your lamp idea and will probably make one to use for sprouting some seeds. Smart idea for the light shade too ...

I wasn't registered on the site before I saw your idea, but when I saw your creation it motivated me to sign up and tell you how much I like it ...

Take care & thanks for the idea

PS - Like your plant basket and the defenbachia too ... :)

[jawasan]

I hear ya'! I still mess with the veggie steamer when it is out for use! Such a cleaver little design.

And this is what it's all about to me...inspiring others and spreading the word about this cool site! I'm glad it inspired you to join up and I do appreciate the kind words! Hope to see a few projects from ya' soon! :)
Thanks again FearMeNotDrunkard.