Swirly PVC Pendant Light

by shazni

13K44762

Intro: Swirly PVC Pendant Light

Since I did my PVC Pipe bangles, ideas on other ways of using this wonderfully flexible pipe kept crowding my mind.

The Pipe is so versatile! While experimenting I also found an easier way of doing these swirls, so read on :-)

STEP 1: Materials

Large thin PVC pipe about 1 foot. It's the type they use for gutters. (I found some cut pieces at my mom in law's so I took them and gave it a good wash. )

scissors

hot glue gun and glue stick or PVC CEMENT as recommended in comments below

spray paint

light hardware.

STEP 2: Cut!

Cut your PVC with strong scissors. Cut first slightly at an angle and then keep a 3-4mm or so width and cut around. Sort of like cutting a long strips in a t-shirt. Now follow next step and cut accordingly.

STEP 3: Bending PVC in to Swirls Easily

I started off doing it the usual way of boiling the PVC.

Took pictures ( while I was boiling in this unbearable heat) of the swirl making process. Then while playing around with it when I was cooling off in the sofa, I discovered that I don't need to boil at all! So I scrapped off all the pictures. ( Thank God I did only little swirls!!). Of course if you are using the hard plastic you have to boil and then using pliers like I do in the video swirl and dip in cool water to hold the shape.

The first image is a GIF animation. It seems to work only if you click on it. I guess it's too big.

Here is the YouTube link

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TV0WvmwD-7w

Cut the required amount of strip from the plastic strip. Then holding one end with the pliers slowly twist around holding the plastic firmly so it does not slip. Let the swirl loose and adjust the shape. Make various shapes as shown.

STEP 4: Glue It Up!

Take a ball and apply oil to it, this is optional as some might find it cumbersome for if the pvc gets oil, the glue will not stick.

Glue swirls with hot glue. I did not cover the entire ball as I wanted an open ball to be able to change the bulb. I wanted it in a random open shape of a circle. It kind of looked like a wig :-)

Slowly remove ball and remove excess glue. Now spray paint it the color you want :-)

STEP 5: Light It Up!

Light it up and see how gorgeous it looks! :-)

Thanks for reading through :-) if you liked it please take a moment to vote for the 3 contests I have entered it in. I would really appreciate it!

62 Comments

MS71 8 years ago

Now that is creative elegance. Its so beautiful!:) Well done my dear.

shazni 8 years ago

Thanks dear!

Corinbw 9 years ago

I want to make this so bad now. What diameter of pipe did you use.

shazni 8 years ago

Sorry , seem to have missed this comment. I used 4" diameter pipe. It's the thin ones they use for the gutter

shawnee251 9 years ago

WOW! I just saw almost an identical design made from pewter on a lighting site ..... they wanted $90!!! I'd rather spend $9ish and try your way. It's gorgeous! You have such a creative mind to see this from a piece of PVC! Im blown away!

shazni 9 years ago

Thanks! try using the pvc adhesive sugested as on another project I tried it and it held up great!

shazni 9 years ago

Thanks! Lovely hearing from you :)

Tarun Upadhyaya 9 years ago

Amazing... double winner :). congratulations !!!

shazni 9 years ago

Thanks! I'm super excited :)

hardlydavidson 9 years ago

hey, this is a great looking lamp. you can cut PVC with scissors? then I really must give this a shot. that animated image doesn't load :( can you convert that to a YouTube video? it's quite easy. I could help you with it if you need. congrats on the win.

shazni 9 years ago

Thanks! yes, the thin rain gutter PVC can be cut :-).

I clicked on the animation and after a few seconds it worked. I guess it's too big. I don't know how to convert it to put into YouTube. I still have the video recorded in my phone. So if you can help me with the 'HOW To' I would gladly upload it for you :-)

shazni 9 years ago

Thanks Tarun! You know, this contest of yours didn't have quantity cause it was just after a lamp contest, but it sure has quality in abundance! I don't think I have ever seen a lightning contest with so many unique creations in the finalist. It would be a very close contest! I wonder if there has ever been a tie! Wonder what happens then! :-D

Tarun Upadhyaya 9 years ago

Oh..you are so right Shazni :). Selecting Finalist was super tough for me and winners even tougher :(

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