How To Build Table Lamps

Building a nice looking lighting fixture isn't all that difficult and it isn't even really very expensive. You can go to most any hardware store and purchase a lamp kit and then a lamp shade and make just about any container of a decent size into a fully functional and very impressive-looking table lamp in a relatively short amount of time.

There are a few tools that you'll need in order to carry off this little project, though none of them are by any means very complicated or even expensive should you have to go out and buy them in order to begin this project. Generally, you'll only need a pair of pliers and a screwdriver and that's about it. You might need a drill if you intend on making certain lamps are a bit more complicated.

The materials needed to make table lamps are also extremely uncomplicated, with the most complicated part of the project being the acquisition of a lamp kit from the hardware store. The first thing you'll need is some sort of bottle or jar or basket in order to make the lamp base. You'll also need sand or some sort of weight that will go into the base in order to keep it from rocking about.

If you do not have a lamp kit or cannot find one you can make do with an electrical cord with a socket, a plug and a hollow rod that has been threaded. Additionally, purchase or find a brass sheath. At the hardware or lighting store pick up a lamp harp which is the curved object at the top of the lamp upon which the lamp shade sits. With the shade and the light bulb and some silicone adhesive, you'll be good to go.

Make sure that the lamp base you've selected is firmly weighted with sand or some other sort of weight first of all. After that, it's just a matter of beginning the assembly process. Take your lamp kit or your electrical cord and socket, plugs and hollow rod and begin creating your lamp. Make sure you mount the lamp socket base to your lamp correctly.

If you have a lamp kit, follow the directions carefully and assemble your sockets, rods chords and switches with care. After making sure that everything has been assembled correctly make sure that it is mounted into the lamp base firmly so that no pieces move about. You will attach the lamp harp at the top and then a fix the lamp shade. Make sure you not the bottom of the cord at the base so that it cannot be pulled upwards.

Most people familiar with building or assembling table lamps say that it should take no longer than 30 minutes for someone to carry off one of these projects. For sure, for those who have a bit of a bohemian streak in them, building a lamp that reflects their personality or has some other sort of meaning to them can be a fun activity.