How to Make Pipe Lamps

Whether you love steampunk style or just want something to do with the leftover pipes from your home plumbing project, a pipe lamp fits the bill. Not only do these lamps take very little skill to assemble, they can take on a number of different shapes. You can make them from copper, iron or PVC pipe and set them on desks and side tables. Make it into a family activity by gathering the kids in the garage and seeing what shapes you can create.

Instructions

1

Choose a 3-inch four-way connector that looks like a plus sign. Pick out two 3-inch three-way connectors, four elbow joints and a 6-inch piece of straight pipe. These pieces fit together to create a basic lamp.

2

Screw the center opening in one three-way connector to the left arm of your four-way connector. Screw the other three-way connector into the right arm of your four-way connector.

3

Hold the piece up. The three-way connectors should be parallel to the floor. The bottom arm of your four-way connector should point toward the floor at a 45 degree angle. Adjust if necessary.

4

Screw an elbow joint into each of the open arms on your three-way connectors. Make sure the open end of each elbow joint points toward the floor. These are the legs of your lamp.

5

Screw the 6-inch straight pipe into the top arm of your four-way connector. This is the top arm of your lamp that will hold the light. The frame for your lamp is complete.

6

Slip the plug end of your light socket extension cord into the top of your 6-inch pipe. Thread it down through the bottom arm of your four-way connector, tugging gently until the socket is seated in the top of the 6-inch pipe.

7

Screw a light bulb into the socket. You may use any kind of light bulb you like under 75 watts. Brighter than that and the light may be too harsh.