diy lighting diagram
September 13, 2023 11:25 AM Subscribe
Looking for a diagram for how to build a simple brass spotlight from parts- something like this.
What's showing is pretty straightforward, but I'd like a visual for how the socket fits into the cover/shade, and what things should look like under the ceiling canopy so I can buy the correct parts.
What's showing is pretty straightforward, but I'd like a visual for how the socket fits into the cover/shade, and what things should look like under the ceiling canopy so I can buy the correct parts.
Response by poster: Ready made parts. It doesn't have to be exactly like that example, just that type of all-metal ceiling spot.
posted by oneirodynia at 12:23 PM on September 13, 2023
posted by oneirodynia at 12:23 PM on September 13, 2023
Your link took me to a wall sconce by the way, not a ceiling light.
posted by pipeski at 1:22 PM on September 13, 2023
posted by pipeski at 1:22 PM on September 13, 2023
Response by poster: Oh, sorry- in the description it says it can be ceiling mounted. But it shouldn't make a difference for what I'm looking for.
posted by oneirodynia at 2:04 PM on September 13, 2023
posted by oneirodynia at 2:04 PM on September 13, 2023
Looking at assembly manuals for similar sconces might give you some of the info you're looking for. Here is one example and here is another. Obviously every lamp is different, and most of them use custom-designed parts, but you can get a general sense of the shapes of pieces typically used and how they fit together.
(I found these examples by googling variations of "task wall sconce assembly instructions pdf")
Something like this kit might also be useful — it includes not only the lightbulb socket and electrical cord, but also some adapters for fitting the socket into a bottle, which you may be able to adapt for your purposes.
I'm not sure whether it's possible to assemble a sconce like the one you linked to using only off-the-shelf parts, but it sounds like a fun challenge! You might also consider buying old/broken lamps at flea markets or similar and taking them apart for pieces.
posted by mekily at 2:47 PM on September 13, 2023 [1 favorite]
(I found these examples by googling variations of "task wall sconce assembly instructions pdf")
Something like this kit might also be useful — it includes not only the lightbulb socket and electrical cord, but also some adapters for fitting the socket into a bottle, which you may be able to adapt for your purposes.
I'm not sure whether it's possible to assemble a sconce like the one you linked to using only off-the-shelf parts, but it sounds like a fun challenge! You might also consider buying old/broken lamps at flea markets or similar and taking them apart for pieces.
posted by mekily at 2:47 PM on September 13, 2023 [1 favorite]
If you’re using a typical medium-base socket that takes 120v bulbs, then the canopy will be almost empty — just a stamped metal shell with a big hole to attach the fixture’s stem, two smaller holes for the screws that will attach it to the ceiling box, two wires entering the stem en route to the socket, and a ground wire connected to the canopy itself. That’s it.
It might help if you said more about what you're trying to accomplish by DIYing this in such a fashion. Generic off-the-shelf lamp parts won’t be enough to assemble a complete fixture, so you’ll either have to steal parts from an existing fixture, or MacGyver some other sorts of components to do what you want. This question is so open-ended that it’s really not clear what you need.
posted by jon1270 at 4:51 PM on September 13, 2023
It might help if you said more about what you're trying to accomplish by DIYing this in such a fashion. Generic off-the-shelf lamp parts won’t be enough to assemble a complete fixture, so you’ll either have to steal parts from an existing fixture, or MacGyver some other sorts of components to do what you want. This question is so open-ended that it’s really not clear what you need.
posted by jon1270 at 4:51 PM on September 13, 2023
Easiest thing might be to find a similar sconce at an architectural thrift store, then disassemble it for components and replace the metal. If you intend to use it with an incandescent or halogen bulb, be sure to select parts capable of the full heat rating.
posted by nickggully at 8:10 PM on September 13, 2023
posted by nickggully at 8:10 PM on September 13, 2023
Response by poster: I'm not hung up on that specific lamp- I just want a diagram that shows how everything goes together. If a diagram shows me parts that I can't buy off-the-shelf , then so be it, but that seems extremely unlikely.
From what I can see I need: a canopy, something to attach the stem to it, the stem (threaded brass pipe here) a swivel ( similar friction swivel is here but maybe I want a keyed one), some sort of socket cover, a socket, wire. What am I missing? Presumably the right couplings, nipples, bushings, washers, nuts of various types. If I had a basic diagram I could see exactly what they are and make the substitutions I need depending on the pieces I choose.
posted by oneirodynia at 8:43 PM on September 13, 2023 [1 favorite]
From what I can see I need: a canopy, something to attach the stem to it, the stem (threaded brass pipe here) a swivel ( similar friction swivel is here but maybe I want a keyed one), some sort of socket cover, a socket, wire. What am I missing? Presumably the right couplings, nipples, bushings, washers, nuts of various types. If I had a basic diagram I could see exactly what they are and make the substitutions I need depending on the pieces I choose.
posted by oneirodynia at 8:43 PM on September 13, 2023 [1 favorite]
This thread is closed to new comments.
Do you have any metalworking tools such as a milling machine or lathe, or are you looking for ready-made parts that you can just fit together?
posted by pipeski at 11:36 AM on September 13, 2023