Things You'll Need:
- Tin Can Stock or Tin Plate
- Wire
- Glass (Frosted)
- Drill
- Short Screws (for base of lantern)
- Hammer
- Knurled Nuts
- Utensils to cut Metal
- Coat Hanger Wire
- Old Chandelier Fitting (Ring)
- Standard Electric Fittings
- Tape Measure
- Ruler
- Acid Flux
- Brass Pipe
- Clips
- Soldering Tools -
- Solder Bar
- Soldering Iron
- Rosin
- Shavers/Scraper
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Step 1
First, trim the tin plate into strips that are 1" in length. Bend the 1" strips in half, or into angles that are 1/2" x 1/2".
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Step 2
Solder (2) 6 1/4" x 7" tin frames, fusing them with 6 1/4" tin pieces to form the body.
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Step 3
Use tin plate to form the roof of your lamp. Use four triangles of tin plate - fold these in the middle soldering over the vents. The vents are holes cut 2" from the top of the soldered roof and are in the center of each side.
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Step 4
To add the colonial look to your lantern, solder on guards around the lantern assembly made of coat hanger wire. File each end of the wire bright, hammer flat and use acid flux to solder the guards.
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Step 5
Wash all joints of the guards thoroughly.
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Step 6
For the removable base, use double-folded tin plate. (The base can be removed for changing light bulbs).
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Step 7
Solder short screws on the back of the frame and retain with knurled nuts.
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Step 8
Use a ring fixture from an old chandelier. It will screw onto a 1/8" brass pipe soldered into the roof.
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Step 9
Pass an electrical cord down a corner of the lantern assembly.
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Step 10
Insert panes of frosted glass from the bottom and solder in clips
