Build a Lamp

Got an odd piece that you want to display, but aren't sure what to do with it? How about making a lamp? You can make lamps out of almost anything, and they make great conversation pieces! 

Steps

 * 1) Prepare the piece so it will stand up where you want it and run the wire to power the bulb. This might involve mounting the item on some kind of stand or base and then drilling a hole through the lamp to run the wire.  If you do not want to drill a hole for a wire or cannot drill it, you can still make the lamp and have the wire run on the outside of it from the socket to the plug.
 * 2) *Wiring kits that include the lamp socket, lamp cord and plug are available from most hardware stores, or you can buy each part separately (may be necessary if you need a long cord). For most lamps, you will want to buy a #18 size cord.
 * 3) *If wiring the plug and the lamp socket yourself, notice that the attachment points (usually two screws) are different colors. The white or shiny screw is the neutral and should go to the widest prong on the plug. The other screw is usually a darker color.
 * 4) Mount the lamp socket base to your lamp. Usually it will mount to your lamp by way of a small threaded pipe.  You must secure this small pipe to your lamp in some way; usually by drilling a hole and gluing or screwing the pipe into the lamp.  They also sell long threaded pipes for lamps that can be run completely through the lamp and attached on both ends with a tightening bolt.
 * 5) "Fish" the wire through the lamp. Sometimes a coat hanger that has been cut and straightened will help in "fishing" the wire through.  It is important that all components of the lamp be mounted (except the top of the lamp socket shell) before you run the wire. If you are not going to fish the wire through the lamp, they do sell sockets that allow the lamp cord to come through the bottom part of the socket shell.
 * 6) Attach the plug to the wire, making sure the "ridged" wire goes to the wider prong on the plug. Some plugs are made so you just stick the wire into a hole and close a lever. Some plugs require you to physically attach the wires to screws.
 * 7) *To attach wires to screw terminals, you must first take off a little insulation to expose the actual conducting wire. This is called "stripping" the wire.  The hardware sells inexpensive wire strippers or you can do it with a knife.  Just be sure you do not cut any of the wires inside the insulation.
 * 8) *Notice that the wire in lamp cord consists of many fine wires for the two main conductors. After you strip the insulation off of the wires, twist these fine wires tight for each conductor.  You should end up with two tightly wrapped conductors.  The two conductors should be separated enough to allow them to be connected to the screw terminals.
 * 9) *Notice that the two screw terminals tighten by turning them clockwise. The twisted tight conductors are wrapped around the screw for at least 180 degrees and the wrap goes in the direction of clockwise so that when the screws are tightened, it pulls the wire toward the screw, not away from it.
 * 10) *Reassemble both the plug and the socket as necessary, making sure there is no excess wire sticking out that can short to the other conductor. If any of the wires from one conductor touch the other conductor, you will have a "short."  You do not want that.  It can shock you or cause a fire.
 * 11) Attach a shade to your lamp. Shades attach several ways; but the most common is via a mounting bracket that goes below the lamp socket and a heavy wire harness (harp) that attaches to the mounting bracket and has a mount for a lampshade.  [[Image:114436827_ae80336822.jpg|200px]]

Tips

 * The lamp cord consists of two conductors. Each conductor is made up of a group of copper wires and the insulation around them.  One of the conductors will have a ridge or series of ridges on the insulation.  This is to help you keep the polarity correct (in other words, to keep the white or shiny screw at the plug connected to the white or shiny screw on the socket).
 * Standard lamps are drilled down the centre to take the wire. At home this can be best achieved by using 3 wooden rods, such as broom handles glued together in a triangle. This automatically leaves a space down the centre. Alternatively, you could use a metal tube, but take care with metal and electricity.

Warnings

 * Keep in mind that wiring electrical circuits carries some risk. If the wiring is not correct, you can be shocked or electrocuted or the device can cause a fire.  If you are unsure of what you are doing, you may want to prepare the object you want to make a lamp out of for wiring (the mount, the passageways for the wire, the lamp socket and shade mounting) and let someone more skilled in electrical wiring actually wire up the lamp.
 * Also make sure to have the lamp unplugged, and to double and triple check your wiring.
 * It is also important to ensure that decorative items or wires are not too close to the lightbulb. Always leave spacing from the lightbulb and other materials which can cause burning and damaging.

Related Tips and Steps

 * How to Make an Oil Lamp
 * How to Select a Lamp
 * How to Repair a Table Lamp With a Bent Harp
 * How to Convert a Computer ATX Power Supply to a Lab Power Supply
 * How to Create a Calder Mobile
 * How to Make a Stained Glass Panel