How to Make a Projector Headlamp

Make a lamp to highlight your projector.

If you're setting up a projector and screen at home, you may be in need of the proper lighting to set the right tone for your presentation. Showing home videos or photos on a screen can be set off with a handmade projector lamp. You can easily turn a basic desk lamp into the perfect projector lamp with some tweaking to make it best fit your needs. Some projectors come with built-in lamps, however, so check your machine before getting started.

Things You'll Need

• Desk lamp
• Measuring tape
• Poster board
• Scissors
• Tape
• Super glue
• Metal clamp
• Extension cord

Instructions

1. Remove the light bulb from a desk lamp. Choose a desk lamp with a long, thin neck that can be bent.

2. Measure the diameter of the circle section where the light bulb is screwed in.

3. Cut a piece of poster board into a rectangle, making it about 2 feet long and 6 inches wide.

4. Twist the poster board into a cone shape until the narrow end has a circular opening that matches the diameter of the light bulb screw section of the lamp.

5. Secure the poster board in the cone shape using some masking tape. Trim away any excess poster board.

6. Slip the cone over the light bulb section of the lamp, securing in place with some super glue. Let it dry.

7. Screw the light bulb back into the lamp.

8. Glue a metal clamp to the bottom base of the lamp. Make sure the clamp is approximately the same size as the bottom of the lamp. Metal clamps can be found at building supply stores.

9. Clamp the lamp onto the handle of your projector, twisting the neck so the bulb hits the projection screen. Use an extension cord to plug into the wall if necessary.