Making your own lamp kits doesn't take long
Lighting kits are easy to purchase already assembled, but if you are planning to do more than one lamp project and want to assemble them yourself, buy each piece separately at your local hardware store and make your own lamp kits. Do-it-yourself lamp kits also make great projects for teaching Scouts or shop students the basics of electrical wiring. They also enable you to incorporate the idea of recycling by choosing a lamp base that is used or from the local charity shop. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
1. Go to your local hardware store and find the lighting section. Look for the lighting supplies that are loose and in bins. The loose parts will be cheaper than if you buy them in packaging. Larger hardware stores such as Lowe's and Home Depot will always have lighting supplies such as this in bins.
2. Pick out a standard socket. You can choose from one with a turn switch, a push button or a pull chain. The push button kind is the most common.
3. Pick out the electric harp. This is the U-shaped frame that goes up either side of the light bulb and on which the lampshade rests. Pick out three brass nuts, one steel washer, one rubber washer, one 8-foot cord, plus one 1 1/2 nipple.
4. Choose a screw-on finial that will fit on the top of your electrical harp. There are wide variety to choose from, but if you'd like the least expensive, choose the inexpensive 1-inch brass finial that looks sort of like a top hat.
5. Sort and place your lamp kit into the one gallon storage bag until you are ready to assemble your lamp. Not only will this keep all of your pieces together, but keep moisture and humidity out of the light socket.
Tags: lamp kits, choose from, finial that, hardware store, lighting supplies, local hardware, local hardware store