I need a new desk lamp. Now it’s easy to go to the hardware store and buy the electrical parts to turn much of anything into a lamp and it’s often cheaper to do that than it is to buy one ready made.
Now, picture a classic ceramic jug. The kind that has “XXX” written on the side so that stereotypical hillbillies know that it’s filled with their moonshine. I have one of those at about one third scale. Assuming I can find an appropriately scaled shade for it, I plan on turning this into my new lamp. Is this ugly, funny, silly? Do I need to cut back on the moonshine?
How best do I drill into this jug without fracturing it?
I have done this many times. I use diamond tipped bits like these. To keep the bit in the spot I want to drill, I made templates out of fender washers the same size as the bit. Tape the washer to the spot I’m drilling till the hole gets started. An easier method would be a drill press but I don’t have one. I have put holes in fine ceramics and have never had one break.
I’ve done several salt-glazed jugs and crocks into lamps; diamond tipped bits. Doing the base isn’t too bad if you have someone to help hold it. I like to use a washer as someone said up-thread and a usually put a piece of duct-tape under the washer as well as over. Doing the side is a little easier (you can make a simple foam or cloth cradle and a drill press) but for that I use a rubber washer and the two-layer tape as I would on the base. The main thing is not forcing the speed of the bit or the pressure you put on it. Sort of like smoking meat; low and slow for me.
It’s funny, the first thing people ask me is what I did with all the syrup. Well, that wasn’t really a problem. I can (can? how about do) go through about a bottle (32oz, the big one) a week. Also, as soon as it makes that farting noise trying to get the last bit out I just open the next one. When I have 7 or 8 of them I combine them and it makes about a full bottle. All I had to do was empty the big #10 can into all the mostly empty bottles I have, it works out to about 8 of them. I know most people would take a year or two to go through that much syrup, but it’s just a few weeks for me.
The only thing I had to remember was to open the bottom of the can, not the top.
I’d been thinking about doing it for years and finally got around to it last year. The funny part (to me) was that when I was working out how to mount the socket and run the wires to it I went to Home Depot/Lowes so I could actually look at what I’d be working with and get some inspiration. Turns out they sell kits where you buy pendant style lamp shades and sockets (with cords and canopies) seperatly so that you can pick your own shade. They usually have a selection of 15 or 20 different ones. I just picked used one of those kits and used the can as the shade. Drill a hole through the can, a little modification to the kit and it all went together pretty easily.
It’s all pretty similar, I assume, to the currently popular home made mason jar lights.
Yea, I was hoping the can was printed. You look in my window, one of these days, and you will see a hersheys can lamp. Thx for the inspiration. I am stealing your idea. And I don’t feel guilty. At. All.
Just one warning, though. It’s an ungrounded metal can. The can has the potential to become live without blowing a breaker. Make sure you’re comfortable with a little bit of electrical work.
