Tidying our woodshed up I chanced upon a bunch of my grand-father’s old car engine scrap. The engine, which was a Mercedes-Benz 220/W111 dated 1966, was missing the cylinder head and many other parts. Therefore I decided to open it up and use its remaining parts for various minor constructions. The crankshaft was the first part that caught my eye. I instantly thought that it could be transformed into a nice lamp for my new house.

Step 1: Dissolve the Engine

It took me a couple of hours to dissolve the engine and remove the crankshaft. Despite the fact that the engine’s motor oil were drained almost 35 years ago the internal parts were remarkably well preserved. Nevertheless many parts were covered with coagulated oil over the years.

Step 2: Clean the Parts

I spent lot of time to clean the parts up with liquid gas and soap to have any oil stain removed. I used a steel wire brush and steel wool with which I persistently rubbed the rusty parts. I dried the crankshaft with compressed air and a cotton cloth to secure that it won’t turn rusty again. The flywheel has been exposed to the rain and outdoor conditions so I tried to refresh it as well.

Step 3: Assembly

Using some bolts I assembled the crankshaft and the flywheel and I resulted with a stable construction to be the base of my lamp. In the meantime I removed a small wedge which was hooked on the crankshaft, opposite the flywheel.

Step 4: Bill of Materials

I order to complete my construction I purchased the materials below:

1 Vintage lamp E27/60W, cost 6€

1 Steel lamb socket E27, cost 1,5€

1,5m black cord 2X1,5mm2, cost 2€, (It's better to use cord 3X1,5mm2 for safety to connect the ground. I just replace it)

1 black 2 pole plug, cost 0,80€,
(It's better to use 3 pole plug for safety to connect the ground. I just replace it)

1 black line switch, cost 1€

The extra materials cost me a total of 11,30€.

Step 5: Electrical Connections

Through the whole along the crankshaft’s axis I attached a cord. I assembled the lamp socket to the line switch and the pole plug. The light bulb was finally attached. The whole attempt resulted into an awesome vintage lamp that matched perfect in our new home.

Hope you enjoyed it as I did!

Disclaimer/Warning

You are advised to not try this at home alone or without a professional’s supervision. If you do not master electrical and mechanical engineering you are strongly advised to be careful because there is a high danger of getting yourselves electrocuted.