Tin Can Lamp! Yay!

Intro: Tin Can Lamp! Yay!

A compact, neat lamp.
Sorry about the the crappy cam.

STEP 1: Teh Lamp

I felt a void in my life I needed something more, this amazing, cheap lamp was just the thing.


I'd also like to thank the maker of the can stove for the idea of the base.

STEP 2: Materals

You will need...
- scissors
- electric tape
- two soda cans (or beer)
- old lamp wiring ( make sure that it has a wheel switch)
-bulb socket
- screw driver
- marker
-light bulb *****(MAKE SURE IT IS A COMPACT FLORESCENT! THEY DON'T HEAT UP TOO MUCH)***
-glue gun
-drill(not shown) or a knife
Extras...
- coat hanger
-paper (any color)
- pliers

STEP 3: Can Cups

Take your two cans and cut them into equal sized cups. Remember to mark them first(the length depends on the length of your bulb socket)

STEP 4: Holes

First, mark and drill a hole in the side bottom of the 1st can cup that will let the wires fit through. Next, trace the bulbs socket's head on the 2nd can cup and drill it( you may need to cut the 2nd can cup with scissors to fit . Don't worry about it getting sharp we will fix this later.).

STEP 5: Canning

Take a full can of pop and smack the can cup with the little hole against a hard surface. Then pull it out after a few good hits. It is easy to take it off by drinking and crushing the full can after smacking. This makes the can cup larger and easier for the other can cup to fit in it.

STEP 6: Wiring

Feed the wires through the small hole in the 1st can cup and attach the wires to the bulb socket. To be safe, use the electrical tape to cover all of the socket except where the bulb fits. Then place the socket in the large hole of the 2nd can cup making sure the bulb can fit into the socket .

STEP 7: Fitting

Slide the can cup with the socket hole into the other can. This can be done by making a dent in the in the can cup's rim(the socket cup).

Thanks again can stove man!

STEP 8: Guleing

Place the bulb in the socket and test the wiring th see that it works. Then unplug it and glue around the socket's rim (don't glue the bulb to the socket !!!). This will cover the sharp edges of the large socket hole. Next glue the hole that has the wires fed through it to hold them in place. While to socket glue is drying, hold the light bulb straight until the glue is dry.

STEP 9: (Extra) Lamp Shade

Cut a 7 1/2 (or more/less as needed) piece of coat hanger.
Take your paper( I used green) and cut it a desired length and width ( i used 11" by 5" piece) , roll it into a tube and
glue it.
Next, place a piece of tape along the coat hanger wire piece and tape it to the inside of the paper tube. Then glue the bottom part of the coat hanger wire to the side of the can.

The compact florescent bulb shouldn't get hot enough to light the paper of melt the glue, but don't let the paper touch the bulb anyway.

Comments

[thebluemartyr]

does the softie want a medal? I don't care.

[RiddleOfSphinx]

Nice, and you gave me an idea for a similar project, thanks :D ! And nice ible :D

[RiddleOfSphinx]

Oooh, you gave me an idea :D Thanks, and nice ible :D

[Karel Jansens]

Interesting... An AC electric lamp in a full metal housing, and yet not a glimpse of a grounding wire. Don't get me wrong, I'm by no means a health and safety nut, but there's a distinction between "living dangerously" and "living on death row".

[thebluemartyr]

ya man, i was thinking the same thing, watch the next instructable be "how to dress an electrical burn wound" haha, that looks pretty dumb though i must say.

[A_squared]

This lamp is completely safe if made properly and has tested wiring it WILL NOT BURN OR ELECTROCUTE YOU. Also the compact fluorescent bulb won't give off any heat capable of burnig some one. If you are a retard and make this improperly, it will burn or electrocute you!!!!!!!!!!!!! I have made this very safe, as I write this I am holding the lamp in my hand and I"M FINE.

[thebluemartyr]

why the hell are you holding the lamp while typing? and why would anyone want that ugly thing anywhere in their house?

[firestarter1000]

remember the be nice policy? obviously you don't or you would not have posted such an asinine comment! I thought it was a neat idea, lets see you come up with something better, also i am an electrical engineering student and while it technically should be grounded it does not need to be as long as it is properly insulated which it appears a_squared has done and so should be no problem.

[Redgerr]

naw he has a right, ppl are buggin him all the time about how dangerous it could be :O

[A_squared]

Unfortunately, I am no electrician. I have sealed off all electrical components with electrical tape so electrical components are insulated and not touching the can base . Also I have a store bought metal lamp using AC current and it doesn't have a ground wire. I've spent good hour testing out the safety of this before making it so it should harm anyone unless you are a complete idiot( not referring to you) making this.

[Karel Jansens]

Like I said: I'm no H&S worshipper and a firm opponent of the nanny-society, but just one example: You drilled a hole in the side of the bottom can to feed the wires through. Do you have any idea how sharp those edges are, or how little protection electrical tape provides against those edges? IIRC, most hobby shops have threaded plastic washers you can screw through the hole to lead the wires through.

[A_squared]

I sealed sharp edges with hot glue, no the cheap stuff ether. That too is a good idea though, I just made this on the spot.

[camp6ell]

do you feel the other void in your life... you know, the one for a decent digital camera :-)

[A_squared]

lol yeah

[crapflinger]

as a question...why not just use the full can? why cut two of them to make a little short guy? wouldn't it be better to display a can of a drink that you like (your favorite beer or soda) instead of just half a can? and yes...horrible pictures hehee....but you work with what ya got right? i also agree with you...as long as none of the electrical contacts are exposed and touching the can (none of them should be if it's a store bought lamp housing) then you won't get electrocuted at all

[A_squared]

You could use a full can easily, just cut one can cup at the very top. I made mine small so it could be compact.

[crankyjew]

woah, that is pretty cool.

[buterSBob29]

dude this looks awsome!!