Walnut Edison Bulb Lamp DIY

In this post (don't miss the video above for more details), I show you how to build an Edison Bulb Lamp. My Edison Bulb Lamp is built from Walnut, but you could use any type of wood. This is a relatively simple build and the result is a super cool, vintage looking lamp. Enjoy!

P.S. If you don't have a table saw, you could build this box without the mitered corners and get a similar effect.

Step 1: Disassemble Crappy IKEA Lamp

I've had this lamp hanging around my garage for a year. I don't like it, and I finally decided I should upcycle it. If you don't have a lamp to tear apart, here are a few items you'll need:

• Toggle Switch: http://amzn.to/2eIN8gu
• LED Edison Bulb: http://amzn.to/2fPigxc
• Bulb Socket: http://amzn.to/2fPigxc
• Lamp Cord: http://amzn.to/2fPigxc

Step 2: Assemble Circuit

This is a super simple electronics project, no soldering necessary. Basically, there are two wires coming from the wall, a hot and neutral. The toggle switch controls the hot wire. Simple!

Step 3: Cut the Pieces of the Box to Size

I made my box from some leftover walnut scraps, so the dimensions don't precisely match what would be available at your home center. If you want to build this with stock lumber, use a 1x6. The size of the box is 7" long by 4" wide by 4" tall.

Step 4: Cut the Miters on the Sides of the Box

The box is made up of 5 pieces of solid walnut with a ¼" plywood bottom. I cut miters on all edges of the top and three of the four edges on each side piece. The bottom edge of the side pieces will have a rabbet cut into them in the next step.

Again, if you do not have a table saw, you could assemble a similar box using butt joints rather than miter joints and get a very similar result.

Step 5: Cut the Rabbet Into the Bottom Edge of the Sides

As stated above, the bottom is made of ¼" plywood. To house the bottom, I cut a matching rabbet on the bottom edge of the sides. To do this, I made two passes on the table saw, taking ⅛" off per pass. If you don't have a table saw, you could do this with a chisel. It doesn't need to be super pretty, it will never be seen.

Step 6: Drill Holes in the Top for the Bulb and Switch

Measure your socket and switch and drill some corresponding holes. My bulb socket needed an 1 ⅝" hole and my switch needed a ½" hole. I used a pair of Forstner bits on the drill press to drill these holes, but you could just as easily use a cordless drill.

Step 7: Assemble the Box

I used glue and blue tape to assemble the box. I also made the mistake of going overboard and using clamps, which ended up throwing a few of the corners out of whack. Don't do this. Blue tape provides plenty of clamping pressure.

Step 8: Clean Up the Box and Prepare for Finishing

I sanded, rounded over the edges with a router, and filled the gaps with wood filler. Thank the gods for wood filler.

Step 9: Finish the Box

I used amber shellac, which was honestly kind of a pain to work with. I probably would have used Danish oil if I did it all over.

Step 10: Make the Bottom

I measured the size of the opening in the bottom and cut a piece of ¼" plywood to size. I found these little oak buttons at my local home center and glued them into place to make some feet.

Step 11: Assemble Your Lamp

Glue in the socket using your choice of adhesive, I'd recommend epoxy. Attach your toggle switch. Cut a small slot to allow the cord to feed through the bottom, I used a coping saw for this. Attach the bottom using a few small screws and you're done!

The amber shellac gave the Walnut a really cool aged look. I wish the bulb didn't have the giant logo on it, but that's not noticeable from a few feet away.

Hope you enjoyed this build! If you did, I have a bunch more on my website: http://craftedworkshop.com

Thanks!

- Johnny

Comments

[strongbad42]

If I wanted to install a usb port to charge a phone, even while the lamp is turned off, what would I need and would the wiring be difficult?

[ZacharyG35]

The only problem I had with making this is if you use 1 inch thick boards, it is really hard to find a toggle switch with a 1 inch long shank

[SirCooksalot]

Like this a lot, I'm gonna do one soon. If someone wanted to do this but is intimidated by the mitered edges, or doesn't have any nice solid woods around, here's an idea- instead of mitering, you can rabbet the 4 edges of the top piece and plop it on. Then after glueing up, kinda round over the edges by sanding. It looks good even with plywood. Thanks for the inspiration, awesome project!

[fredfish]

Great looking end result - but as the brother of someone (usually very sensible) who ended up loosing the use of 2 of his fingers can I pleas ask that you put a suggestion in that people use push rods when using a table saw!

Dosen't take away from the end result which is excellent.

[j21a2t89]

I tend to use my hands rather than pushsticks for greater control but I always use the riving knife. Check out this https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u7sRrC2Jpp4

[craftedworkshop]

I always use a riving knife as well.

[milesfromneihu]

Lovely antique LED light bulb! I didn't realize they existed.

[James NairnM]

Aye, Aye table saw safety, !!!!!

[ZaneEricB]

Simple, Straightforward, and good looking. Well done!

[craftedworkshop]

Thank you!