Introduction: Stylish Lamp Made of IKEA Parts
Suddenly, a one-time inspiration led to the creation of a stylish lamp...
made out of two VURM bottle racks back-to-back, to exploit their intriguing shape, together with a LERSTA lamp as support.
made out of two VURM bottle racks back-to-back, to exploit their intriguing shape, together with a LERSTA lamp as support.
Step 1: General Concept
The overall assembly incorporates the two bottle racks placed back-to-back with their pre-drilled hole aligned.
The two of them are fixed on the tubular column of the LERSTA lamp. This is achieved by using some pre-drilled plates found at any hardware store, combined with two pipe fittings used to mount pipes on to walls (details in photos).
The upper part of the LERSTA lamp (conical hat) will not be used, except for the small circular reflector which is normally inserted inside the conical cap.
The lamp head will be facing the interior of the space enclosed by the two VURM bottle racks. The reflector will be used to keep the light emitted from the bulb inside the lamp.
A flexible semi-tranlucent plastic sheet (Poly-EThylene) will suffice as a shade inside the VURM bottle racks following their cylindrical curvature.
The two of them are fixed on the tubular column of the LERSTA lamp. This is achieved by using some pre-drilled plates found at any hardware store, combined with two pipe fittings used to mount pipes on to walls (details in photos).
The upper part of the LERSTA lamp (conical hat) will not be used, except for the small circular reflector which is normally inserted inside the conical cap.
The lamp head will be facing the interior of the space enclosed by the two VURM bottle racks. The reflector will be used to keep the light emitted from the bulb inside the lamp.
A flexible semi-tranlucent plastic sheet (Poly-EThylene) will suffice as a shade inside the VURM bottle racks following their cylindrical curvature.
Step 2: Components - Tools
For the whole project the following parts were used:
2x VURM bottle racks
1x LERSTA Reading/Floor lamp
8 pairs of bolts and screws (haven't noted exact size, sorry)
4x corner-shaped pre-drilled plates
2x pipe wall mounts (approx. 1/2" diam.)
16x washers
1x sheet of semi-translucent plastic (<0.5 mm thick)
a small size energy-saver bulb (preferably 9600K)
Tools needed:
Small wrench keys (according to bolt sizes)
Cutter
Drill and bit for Stainless steel
Saw for metals
2x VURM bottle racks
1x LERSTA Reading/Floor lamp
8 pairs of bolts and screws (haven't noted exact size, sorry)
4x corner-shaped pre-drilled plates
2x pipe wall mounts (approx. 1/2" diam.)
16x washers
1x sheet of semi-translucent plastic (<0.5 mm thick)
a small size energy-saver bulb (preferably 9600K)
Tools needed:
Small wrench keys (according to bolt sizes)
Cutter
Drill and bit for Stainless steel
Saw for metals
Step 3: Preparation - Drilling / Cutting
First, take the small reflector and make two cuts (in opposite directions) from the circumference to the centre, trying to end the cut on the circumference of one of the 8 small circular holes. Beware, the reflector is made of aluminium, therefore can be easily bent. Hold it in your hand and proceed slowly cutting with the saw. Make sure you widen the cuts enough to fit the added thickness of both the VURMs plus 1mm approx.
Then, drill a second set of holes on both of the VURMs, approximately in the middle of their height.
To calculate the distance do the following:
Connect the two VURMs by using 2 pairs of bolts/screws to keep them stable.
Assemble the upper part of the LERSTA (bulb holder) using only the reflector you just cut, bending the flexible part in a question-mark-shape (?), as shown in the photo.
Measure the length of the tube inserted in the lamp below the joint of the flexible part of the LERSTA, keeping a safety distance.
Separate the two VURMS and measure the inner circumference. Cut two rectangular shapes from the PET sheet and slightly engrave the sheet parallel to its longest side in a width exactly the same with the back-folding of the VURMs.
Then mark the corresponding positions of holes from the underlying VURMs
Then, drill a second set of holes on both of the VURMs, approximately in the middle of their height.
To calculate the distance do the following:
Connect the two VURMs by using 2 pairs of bolts/screws to keep them stable.
Assemble the upper part of the LERSTA (bulb holder) using only the reflector you just cut, bending the flexible part in a question-mark-shape (?), as shown in the photo.
Measure the length of the tube inserted in the lamp below the joint of the flexible part of the LERSTA, keeping a safety distance.
Separate the two VURMS and measure the inner circumference. Cut two rectangular shapes from the PET sheet and slightly engrave the sheet parallel to its longest side in a width exactly the same with the back-folding of the VURMs.
Then mark the corresponding positions of holes from the underlying VURMs
Step 4: Assembly
Begin assembling the lamp as follows:
Combine the 4 pre-drilled plates in pairs with the two pipe mounts, inserting the plates between the two halves of the pipe mounts, connected with screws/bolts. In the end, you should have two pairs of opposing � shapes with a pipe mount in the middle (also shown in detail in the finished lamp) which will keep the central tube in position (Let's call them combined holders).
Insert the two rectangular shapes of the PET sheet inside each VURM.
Place the two VURM back-to-back and connect them by inserting two pairs of bolts-screws at the topmost holes. Do not tighten the bolts completely.
Take the combined holders and place them inside one of the VURMs. Don't place them between them as this will create a substantial gap alllowing light to pass through. Use one set of bolt/screw per side to fix each holder inside the VURM. Be patient, as the available room will be quite small for your hands to work.
In the end, take the Lersta (without the base) and insert it through the holders, after fitting the bulb.
Adjust its position, with the bending spiral and the reflector's slot on the VURMs' walls. Finally, tighten all the screws.
You will find the whole assembly is quite sturdy, but with increased weight!
As a final step, connect the base of the LERSTA, and voila....
As long as you don't use the full height of the LERSTA everything's fine.
However, if you decide to use the remaiining part of the tube, be sure thatthe lamp doesn't get in the way of pets, children or clumsy adults...
Combine the 4 pre-drilled plates in pairs with the two pipe mounts, inserting the plates between the two halves of the pipe mounts, connected with screws/bolts. In the end, you should have two pairs of opposing � shapes with a pipe mount in the middle (also shown in detail in the finished lamp) which will keep the central tube in position (Let's call them combined holders).
Insert the two rectangular shapes of the PET sheet inside each VURM.
Place the two VURM back-to-back and connect them by inserting two pairs of bolts-screws at the topmost holes. Do not tighten the bolts completely.
Take the combined holders and place them inside one of the VURMs. Don't place them between them as this will create a substantial gap alllowing light to pass through. Use one set of bolt/screw per side to fix each holder inside the VURM. Be patient, as the available room will be quite small for your hands to work.
In the end, take the Lersta (without the base) and insert it through the holders, after fitting the bulb.
Adjust its position, with the bending spiral and the reflector's slot on the VURMs' walls. Finally, tighten all the screws.
You will find the whole assembly is quite sturdy, but with increased weight!
As a final step, connect the base of the LERSTA, and voila....
As long as you don't use the full height of the LERSTA everything's fine.
However, if you decide to use the remaiining part of the tube, be sure thatthe lamp doesn't get in the way of pets, children or clumsy adults...
Step 5: Notes
1) The VURMs are made of stainless steel and are thus quite resistant to scratches.
The Lersta however, is made of aluminium, so take care not to scratch it with tools or sharp objects.
2) The pipe mounts may not be of the appropriate diameter in order to fit tightly on the tube. In my case I put small pieces of self-adhesive foamy tape. In this way everything had become quite sturdy and also prevented any damage (scratches) to the aluminium tube.
3) Although the room inside the lamp is quite limited, you will be able to change a bulb without dismanlting the lamp, by inserting your arm from underneath.
The Lersta however, is made of aluminium, so take care not to scratch it with tools or sharp objects.
2) The pipe mounts may not be of the appropriate diameter in order to fit tightly on the tube. In my case I put small pieces of self-adhesive foamy tape. In this way everything had become quite sturdy and also prevented any damage (scratches) to the aluminium tube.
3) Although the room inside the lamp is quite limited, you will be able to change a bulb without dismanlting the lamp, by inserting your arm from underneath.
Step 6: Final Word
Considering the overall cost of the project (prices found at IKEA site) which was around 50 euros and the final look, I think the word success can be the final title of the attempt.
What you end up with is a prototype lamp of industrial style design that certainly doesn't say:
I am home-made from IKEA parts...
Looking forward to reading your comments.
Panos Christodoulou aka "panchristo"
What you end up with is a prototype lamp of industrial style design that certainly doesn't say:
I am home-made from IKEA parts...
Looking forward to reading your comments.
Panos Christodoulou aka "panchristo"