Thread: More Lamps

Great idea, great looking lamps and a great sense of humor!!!

Just a small concern on the design from my point of view only; I would have
left the Walnut crosses out of the bases.That way the base would tie in better with
the stand. Just my point of view, as I said.

Originally Posted by artme

Great idea, great looking lamps and a great sense of humor!!!

Just a small concern on the design from my point of view only; I would have
left the Walnut crosses out of the bases.That way the base would tie in better with
the stand. Just my point of view, as I said.

Thanks for the comments artme. Always a bit of a cluster of details when deciding exactly how to design things. I was looking to have a contrast of colour and grain (light and figured vs dark and subdued), but was hoping not to make things too busy. Plus, as a totally selfish concern (not to mention foisting my likes onto others who may or may not like or appreciate the arts/crafts/missionesque style), was to indulge my own joy of woodworking and using my collection of tools (must work to justify having spent money on them).

The long pieces for the column were roughed out on the bandsaw, but after that, and for all else, nothing but hand tools (and much satisfaction in the quiet accumulation of shavings, etc.). So that's why I did it this way, but certainly, having nothing but the solid walnut base would not detract (maybe enhance the design).

Thanks again.

I just happen to have some pics of the build progress:

Fully understand your feelings Sheets!!

The disease tends to compel you to do completely irrational rational things.

They do look quite outstanding.

Originally Posted by Christos

They do look quite outstanding.

Thank you.

As to the Pallet Challenge, why would anyone want to mess up the beauty (and utility) of a pallet? Besides, a little late for me, having just found out about it. But thanks for the link.

Just an update, as the shades have begun to cast shadows. Stained glass is not my forte (my wife's done it before, but my first go at it with her assistance - when she wasn't rolling on the floor watching). Anyway, this is the first of four shades. I found the panels very flexy, so I added bits of copper wire at the corners to help stiffen them. Definitely should look better when framed in wood, but that's still to be worked out.

I'm not yet convinced that these shades will need a frame, but to help me decide, here are two pics to illustrate the difference, and I'd like opinions as to others' preferences. The frame is just taped on and not a final design, but the proportions are about what I'm after (not too thick or wide).
Btw, there are two 40W bulbs.

My thoughts to putting a frame would be to highlight the timber lamp. After all this is the first thing that you see when you look at the lamp.

My vote would be not to put a frame. What does it look like when the light is not on?

Good point (how's it look in the daylight).

Unfortunately, the tape really distracts in the daylight. The wood is roughly cut as well. But again, I'm just trying to get an idea of "with or without". I'm going to use walnut, same as the dark wood in the lamp, so that will blend in fine. My idea, if using a frame, is that it become an integral part of the overall (visually), rather than something detached.

Here:

Just me, but I do not like the intrusion of the wood frame.
Makes the shade look too heavy and it breaks up the light.
The wood lines in all the rest of the visible parts of the lamp are
square, perpendicular. . . . . the frame is angular.
2 x 40W is that bright enough for reading?

Me and my old eyes. I broke down (broke is right) and bought
2 x 18W LED lamps. 40 LED, 120 degree light cone, instant on unlike the
silly fluorescent bulbs, always cool to the touch and as bright as a 150W incandescent.
One neutral, one warm white, well worth it for wood carving. $45.00 each.

On the down side, they weigh in at 13oz each.

Thanks for the input. I find there is enough light to read by - but certainly there would be no problem upping the wattage. The bulbs (2) are 40W incandescent. I don't like the CFL type - especially because they are full of toxic stuff and really don't save any electricity. They should never have made it to market. Thankfully, there is the option of the LED type now, but whenever they go on sale in a reasonable wattage, they get snapped up very quickly - so I've yet to invest in any.

The frame as is doesn't look as nice as I envision my finished result. My wife thinks its lovely as is - so maybe woodworkers are too fussy? I would certainly give the parts a more subtle shape which hopefully would make it appear less clunky. I just don't want to put a lot of work into a finished frame that doesn't add enough to warrant the work. But I may have to. At least it would be easily detachable.

Thanks again for your opinion.

Here I am going to give you more work or at least something to think about. What if the top was a rounded frame? Would that make it look thinner?

The problem (and I'm not criticizing what anyone has said or suggested) seems to be that in the daylight, people are concerned with the actual frame (which is not currently in a finished state), vice its being there or not. Since its not in a finished/viewable state and the nighttime impression seems to be ambiguous (which it is), I'll have to come back to you all when I've settled on (my) precise design and let you have a look then. Stay tuned.