How to Make a Lamp From an Old Bobbin
Old wooden bobbins make ideal lamps because they are hollow in the center. Antique bobbins come in many different shapes, styles and sizes. Many bobbins were individually hand crafted from hardwoods to fit specific spinning and weaving machines in textile mills. The hollow center enables you to insert a cord from a lamp kit through the bobbin. The lamp works including the wiring base, harp and bulb are at one end of the bobbin while the cord and plug extend from the other end. Once you make one antique bobbin lamp, you won't be able to stop.
Things You'll Need
- Lamp wiring kit with a pipe sized to fit through hole in the bobbin
- Screwdriver
Instructions
-
-
1
Insert the lamp cord through the pipe until several inches of cord emerge at the top. Push the pipe through the bobbin. Screw on the neck and nipple. Slide the harp bottom onto the nipple and then screw the socket cap onto the nipple.
-
2
Tie an underwriter's knot in the two wires of the cord. Make a loop in each wire and then thread the end of each through the opposite loop. Pull tight. The underwriter's knot keeps the cord in place and prevents the wires from touching each other and shorting out.
-
-
3
Connect each wire to a terminal screw on the bulb socket. Connect the ground wire with the groove or colored strip to the silver post. Connect the smooth positive or hot wire to the copper or brass post. Wrap the wire around the screw clockwise and then tighten the screw with the screwdriver.
-
4
Put the bulb socket on top of the socket cap and press down until it snaps into place.
-
5
Attach the harp to the mounting bracket on the harp bottom, screw in a light bulb, and then attach a shade to the lamp.
-
1
Tips & Warnings
Glue felt to the base of the bobbin to keep the lamp from scratching table surfaces.
References
- Photo Credit Jupiterimages/Photos.com/Getty Images
