Recently, I ran across a rustic kitchen idea for hanging pots and pans that used steel pipe. Then, I started thinking what else could be made for the home/office off similar concepts! Turns out, you can spend a fortune buying pipe lamps online....or you can build them for much less!!!

The materials used in this Instructable can be readily found at your local hardware store, however buying online is much more cost effective!

Step 1: Materials

For this project, I used 1/2" pipe fittings, however 3/8" works great as well (You just need more adapters)!

Tools:

Pipe wrench (optional) -Hand tightening gets the job done

Flat blade screwdriver

As is built this I used:

Fittings

(4) 90 degree elbows

(4) 1/2" to 3/4" adapter (for the "feet")

(4) tee's

(1) 45 degree elbow

Pipe (the second number is unthreaded potion length)

(2) 1/2" x 0" pipe (also called 1/2" close)

(4) 1/2" x 1/2" pipe

(1) 1/2" x 1" pipe

(5) 1/2" x 1 1/2" pipe

(1) 1/2" x 2" pipe

The lamp portion can be found in store and online at Lowe's

https://www.lowes.com/pd/Portfolio-250-Watt-Gold-L...

You can also find it much cheaper online by searching "bottle lamp kit"!

The light bulb is the most important piece of the puzzle to keep the modern vintage look! Luckily new technology has given us 2-4 watt LED Edison bulbs, so our project can decrease your electric bill too! A couple recommended bulb styles are attached. Search around for prices on bulbs, because I usually pay ~$7 per bulb individually.

https://www.lowes.com/pd/Kichler-60W-Equivalent-Di...

https://www.lowes.com/pd/Kichler-40W-Equivalent-Di...

https://www.lowes.com/pd/Kichler-60W-Equivalent-Di...

As I said earlier, always buy online if your nerves can manage! Pipe lamps can get expensive, but buying online can save you almost half (because pipe fittings on eBay are not rated to 700psi like the ones in store).

Step 2: Making the Legs

You will begin by making (4) identical legs (picture 1). These are composed of the 1/2"-3/4" adapters; 1/2" x 1/2" pipe; 90 degree elbows; and 1/2" x 1 1/2" pipe.

Next, you will connect two sets of legs with tee's. Tighten all of the fittings by hand.

Up to this point, you will have two identical sets pictured above!

Step 3: Assembling the Body

Begin by adding one 1/2" x 2" pipe to the open tee on one set of legs.

Then, add the two 1/2" x 0" close fittings to another tee, and attach to the open tee on the other set of legs inline, as pictured above.

The two leg sets will then be attached with the central tee inline, completing the lamp body.

Step 4: The Lamp's Neck

Assemble the remaining fittings inline as shown above in the order:

90 degree elbow; 1/2" x 1 1/2" pipe; 45 degree elbow; 1/2" x 1" pipe; tee

This completes the pipe portion of our lamp, but to make your life easier, DO NOT connect the neck and body just yet!!!

Step 5: Wiring Your Creation

The tee at the neck's base allows for the lamp wire to exit without drilling a hole (makes your life easier). The wall plug wire included in your bottle lamp kit is not very workable and easily gets caught when threading... So, you will want to use a more flexible wire to thread it through the neck. Banding an elastic around my thunderbolt USB cable and the plug wire did the trick! [have care when threading to not damage your cable//patience comes in handy ;)]

A full breakdown of the components, in order, is shown in picture 4. Your kit will come with several white adapters. Add the on closest to the pipe's inner diameter to your assembly. Tighten these pieces until snug, while exercising care to not strip the threads!

Now, fix the wire ends to the fixture portion.The remaining covers should snap or screw into place (depending on your lamp kit variety)

If the completed fixture does not fit snugly into the neck, add a length of electrical tape around the white adapter (last picture). A slight amount of force should be required to complete assembly!

Step 6: Adding a Spark!!!

Add an elastic around the wire and neck to prevent tangling. Screw the neck to the body by the open end of the tee.

Remove the elastic and add your choice of light bulb.

Power your work and push the switch!!

Step 7: Improvization

If you found yourself at Step 6, not completely satisfied with this design, CHANGE IT UP!! That's the beauty of this project; it is infinitely customizable! You might want to shoot for a pipe man or a multi-fixture lamp, in which case, I would love to see your creations in the comments! Thanks for checking out my Instructable!!