Most of the parts for this unique creation can be found at hardware stores, lamp shops or specialty retailers. If only brass parts are available, the finished surface can be sprayed with Hammer-All light silver paint. Figure A Figure B Figure C Figure D Figure E

Lamp designer Michael Messenheimer designs a lamp from plumbing parts.

Materials:

4"-8" air-duct reducer
3" collar (6" diameter at outside edge)
High-temperature white spray paint
Perforated metal (cut to 4" circle to fit air duct at lamp's top)
One 3' to 3/4" galvanized pipe reducer
Three 3/4" electric couplers
1/8" hardware nipple
1/8" locking nut
3/4" to 1/8" galvanized plumbing bushing
Three 3/4' to 1/2" electrical bushings 3" length of 1/2" pipe
Pull-chain nickel-plated socket electrolier
5"-high glass shade (with 4-1/2" diameter top and 2" diameter bottom)
Glass shade holder (to fit glass shade)
9' length of 18/2 clear (silver) zip cord or lamp cord
2-pronged plug
3" round piece of cardboard
3" round piece of felt or cork
2-part epoxy paste
Spray adhesive
Thread lock
Pipe wrench
1/4" drill for metal
Small flathead screwdriver
Electrician's wire stripper
40-watt light bulb

Begin by creating the shade, which will need to dry overnight.

Shade:

1. Coat wide rim of the 3" collar with epoxy.

2. Glue collar to inside of 8" side of air-duct reducer. Allow to dry overnight.

3. Paint the underside of the lampshade with white paint and allow to dry.

4. Finally, push perforated metal circle into the top (4' end) of the lampshade.

Base and Column:

1. Create base by drilling 1/4" hole at bottom of pipe reducer (hole will serve as lamp-cord outlet).

2. Tighten first electric bushing to base.

3. Tighten one coupling onto first electric bushing.

4. Tighten second and third electric bushings onto one end of 3" pipe (figure A).

5. Screw combined pieces into the coupling connected to the base (figure B). Then take the second coupling and screw it over the top.

6. Tighten third coupling onto the remaining bushing and tighten the 3/4" bushing into the remaining coupling.

7. Tighten 3/4" plumbing bushing into the remaining coupling, then tighten the 1/8" nipple on top of bushing (figure C). Tighten lock nut.

8. Pull wire through column from the base. Tie an overhand knot about 10" from the top.

9. Screw in socket cap and tighten (figure D), then attach glass holder to socket shell (figure E).

10. After tying knot to secure, wire socket, place glass into holder and use screws to secure.

11. Add bulb and cover with shade. Finally, wire plug into end of the electric wire.

RESOURCES :

The Complete Illustrated Guide to Everything Sold in Hardware Stores
by Steve Ettlinger
(revised edition 1998, Macmillan)
To order this book from Amazon.com, click here.

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GUESTS :
Michael Messenheimer
Email: the_artist@alchemylamps.com
Website: alchemylamps.com
Lamp designer/artist