Build a Steampunk Lamp - Easy DIY Video Tutorial

4:00 PM

I recently made this steampunk lamp for our bedroom. I have another more intricate lamp which follows a similar build process but it's more difficult to get the wires through due to it having more turns. The one shown in the video is very easy to make since it's small and there are not a lot of 90 degree turns.

Below are more details on the build steps:

Step 1
The black pipe leaves a residue on your skin so I recommend you use gloves when building it. In this step I just tighten all the pieces by hand to make sure I have the final design I want. You may need to undo some of the connections in subsequent steps. For example, I took off the base to facilitate pushing the wire though (the entire part I'm seen holding in this step of the video).

Step 2
The elbows that hold the Edison light bulbs need to be in the correct orientation, however, it may be difficult to turn them using your hands. This is where the 1/2" x 12" pipes come in handy. They should fit in the pipes for the lamp and allow you to use them for leverage until the pieces look right.

Step 3
You only need about 30" of wire for the two lights. However, do no cut it until you have completed all the steps for the first light. The sockets should already be stripped, all you have to do is trip the wire about the same length then push and turn the wire nuts.

Step 4
This step is easy, just make sure the electrical tape is nice and tight around each wire nut.

Step 5
Feeding the wire through the lamp is the most time consuming part of this DIY project. As I mentioned in step 1, it helps if you unscrew the base. Just be patient

Step 6
For this step, you will need to cut the excess wire from the first bulb then repeat steps 3-5. Just make sure you leave enough slack for the wire for the first bulb to come out through the base. Re-attach the base if necessary.

Step 7
I apologize in advanced for this step. I definitely did not go into as much detail as required for a novice DIYer. In short, you want to make sure that the "hot" part of the power outlet is connected to the hot part of the sockets. You also want to make sure that this is the case for the neutral part of the power outlet and socket. Below are some resources that better explain what to do in this step.
Wiring a Plug

Continuity Test Using a Multimeter

Step 8
Once you've identified which wires are neutral go ahead and tie all three wires together using a wire nut. You should be connecting the two wires that go to the socket to the power supply chord. Make sure to wrap the wire nut and wires with electrical tape.

Step 9
This step is the same as step 8 but you do it with all of the hot wires.

Step 10
Last, wrap all wires with electrical tape then tuck them back into the the pipe.

One thing I forgot to mention in the video is that the lamp looks best with Edison light bulbs but feel free to use whatever light bulbs you have around!
Edison Style Light Bulbs

For some of the materials you may be able to use some stuff you already have around the house!

Materials

(2) Black Weatherproof Socket

(3) 90˚ Elbow, 3/4”

(3) 3/4” x Close Nipple

(1) Square Head Plug, 3/4” Male

(2) Tee, 3/4”

(1) 3/4” x 4” Nipple

(1) 3/4” 2” Nipple

(1) Floor Flange, 3/4”

(1) Electrical tape

Power cord wire 30”

(6) Wire nuts