Geodesic Hanging Lamp

In this Instructable, I will give a brief walkthrough of the steps I took to build a geodesic hanging lamp. This works great for lofted dorm beds, and I'm sure that it could be used in countless other scenarios.

Step 1: Finding a Workshop

I highly recommend doing some research to find a local MakerSpace to use for this project, as you will need large woodshop tools. I am a college student Majoring in creative technologies, so finding this setting to work in was fairly easy.

Step 2: Materials

For this project, you will need to pick up the following materials:

-plexiglass

-sanding bits for a Dremel (the EZ-lock bits that look like an abrasive sponge)

-at least 60 small "transparent" or white zip ties

-Thin cutting discs for dremel

-prefabricated lamp cable, plug, and socket of your preference

Tools:

-Dremel

-table saw

-reciprocating belt sander

-Dril press

For safety, I recommend picking up the following:

-dust masks

-protective glasses

-noise cancelers

Step 3: Templates

To make a proper equilateral triangle for the faces of your geodesic sphere, I recommend using on Microsoft word. Print out the triangle. Cut around the border of the triangle, and then tape it to a flat, even surface. (like a workbench). Now, place your plexiglass on top and trace around the triangle. I recommend spacing them inside of a grid, as this will be easier to rough out on a table saw.

Step 4: Safety First!

Step 5: Roughing Out the Plexiglass

Use a table saw to cut out your traced grid. This will render 20 squares with triangles drawn inside of them.

Step 6: Finishing Your Shapes

Since most saws will melt your plexiglass, a Dremel can be helpful. Cut the corners off of your squares on the lines that you previously drew.

Step 7: Final Steps

To get a clean edge on your triangles, run them on the sander. Now, take a Dremel sanding bit to the plexiglass triangles to diffuse the light and get the "frosty" effect.

Match the width of your drill bit with the width of your zip ties. Use the drill press to make two holes along each edge. (6 holes per triangle) Use these to stitch your geodesic sphere up.

To make it a light:

Towards the end of the stitching process, you will need to insert your LED bulb. Drill a hole in the center of your triangle to match your bulb socket. Attach the final triangle. Gently pull the base of the bulb through the fixture hole, and then screw it into the bulb socket. Attach the socket to the final triangle.