Popular Post lonestarwood Posted July 30, 2013 Popular Post Report Share Posted July 30, 2013 Just finished these last week. They were inspired by Greene & Greene. Made from Padauk, the veneer is Anigre laminated onto plexiglass, and I used African BlackWood for the plugs because ebony was too pricey at the time. These were a bear to produce, but I love the effect that came from the project. Never knew what they were going to look like until the first time I plugged them in. They stand at 18 1/2" tall & 6 7/8 wide. I probably could have gotten away with just gluing up the frames, but I wanted them to be sturdy so I put a screw behind every plug. The plugs were a bear as well until I learned a new trick. Thanks to William Ng I found out how to make them in about 25 seconds each, and since there are 32 of them total, time was not on my side. The top is held on with oak dowels so if a light bulb needs to be replaced, it is easily accessible. One of the local cigar shops in town who had me design and build their private member cigar lounge and humidor has shown an interest in them, so I am keeping my fingers crossed. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Llama Posted July 30, 2013 Report Share Posted July 30, 2013 These turned out nice. I agree that glue alone would have been sufficient, and it would have allowed for the pegs to be symmetrical. For me, the pegs are too close for them to be offset. I am a nut for symmetry. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Boatworks Today Posted July 30, 2013 Report Share Posted July 30, 2013 I think they look great! I've wanted to make some versions of these for a while but just haven't had the time.. Hopefully this Winter! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChetlovesMer Posted July 30, 2013 Report Share Posted July 30, 2013 Those look really great. Good luck with the cigar shop. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jHop Posted July 30, 2013 Report Share Posted July 30, 2013 They do look great. I agree that the symmetry of the design has plenty of power when the plugs line up. Have you found the screws to be sufficient, or are they too much? What about matching tenons inside, so you can just use the dowels as a pin to hold them in place? (not trying to detract from a fantastic design, just kicking ideas around.) Is that a incandescent bulb, CFC, or LED? And would those make a difference? Really like this. I mean, really really like it. Nicely done. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Byrdie Posted July 30, 2013 Report Share Posted July 30, 2013 Very nicely done. Personally, I didn't have a problem with the offset in the plugs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
duckkisser Posted July 30, 2013 Report Share Posted July 30, 2013 very cool i love the way padauk almost glows because its so bright i just hate how oily it is. next you will have to try turning your own lamps like these http://art-website-creative.com/2012/03/03/fantastic-wood-turned-lampshades-soren-berger/ 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mkirby Posted July 30, 2013 Report Share Posted July 30, 2013 Im not a fan of greene and greene (please dont shoot me) but man i really want a pair of these. And i like the counterpoint of the plugs it adds a little something to the piece. Really nicely done. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lonestarwood Posted July 30, 2013 Author Report Share Posted July 30, 2013 Thanks for all the compliments. I like the screws for the stability, but I think if I did it again, I would take the time to make a jig to use 1/4" dowels that way as someone else pointed out, the "ebony" plugs could be at the same level and uniform around the lamp. As for the oily characteristics of Padauk, let me say this: if that is a main issue that keeps you from using the wood, I highly suggest grabbing a bottle or 10 of that Liberon Finishing oil from Rockler. It is pricey (around $47.00 for the large bottle, and 27.00 for the medium bottle), but the finish you get from it is amazing! I usually use this in place of any stain because I am paying out the ying yang for exotic woods, the last thing I wanna do is change the color. I use 0000 steel wool between coats and usually put 3-5 coats of this stuff on. You can stop there and call it done because the oil will dry and harden after about a day or two. I take it to the next level and then add that High Performance gloss or the satin to add the extra protection and acquire the sheen I am looking for. This makes it pretty much a done deal. Going back to Liberon for a moment, it brings out characteristics in the wood you didn't know existed. I rubbed some on a piece of regular red oak and was blown away. Walnut, same deal, amazing color. As for the bulb, the pics have a regular incandescent right now, but I made them to have a CFL. I just have to find one that mimics that effect. Like I said before, the color blast that came from these lamps blew my mind when I plugged them in for the first time, so in order to sell them as "Sunset Lamps", I have to retain that same lighting effect. So if I can find a CFL that does that, I will go with it. I was afraid that having an regular bulb would add too much heat and affect the adhesive I used for the veneer on the plexiglass, but someone pointed out that it seems I accidentally made enough space from the top for heat to escape. This was my first attempt at lamp making. I would love to do something like what duckkisser suggested with turning lamp shades, but alas, I do not own a lathe, and no room for it in my closet or my back porch for that matter at the moment. Those were impressive though! Hope I touched on or answered everyone's questions on the piece. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wdwerker Posted July 31, 2013 Report Share Posted July 31, 2013 Very nice lamps! Did you use clear or white plexiglas ? I have some leveftover anigre veneer and plenty of plexiglas scraps. What kind of glue did you use? I have some LED lamps from Costco that are dimmable and warm white in color. They even look like lightbulbs! The problem with CFL bulbs is the dimmable ones only drop about 40% then they cut out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lonestarwood Posted July 31, 2013 Author Report Share Posted July 31, 2013 Thank you. I used clear plexi. I think it was 1/8" thick...maybe a littel less. I forgot. The glue I had to do some reseaerch on because I wanted to make sure the stuff wasn't ever going to come off. I sanded the plexi with 100 grit to rough up the surface and then used 3M Hi-Strength 90 spray adhesive. This stuff grips like nothing I have ever used. Got it at HD. If you can get a hold of some CFL's that have a true warm light like a 60-75 watt incandescent, then I think it will work. I haven't had time to shop around and see myself. If you have any other questions please let me know. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rick_J Posted July 31, 2013 Report Share Posted July 31, 2013 The lamps look great. Thanks for the tips on finishing with Liberon oil and especially for the reference to William Ng's method of making plugs. I just watched his video and couldn't believe how quickly and easily he got that perfect dome on his plugs. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G S Haydon Posted July 31, 2013 Report Share Posted July 31, 2013 Great work L, they seem very well proportioned. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sudetes Posted August 5, 2013 Report Share Posted August 5, 2013 i love them, the style is quite asian, isnt it? good luck for the cigar shop 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bandook Posted September 5, 2013 Report Share Posted September 5, 2013 Beautiful beautiful beautiful! I would love to have a pair of these! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
woodieboy Posted September 6, 2013 Report Share Posted September 6, 2013 Spectacular! The wood looks incredible! Every detail is just perfect. Nicely played. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ozwald Posted October 6, 2013 Report Share Posted October 6, 2013 Beautiful work. I, for what it's worth, really like the feel of the offset plugs. You're absolutely right about padauk too - I really enjoy working with it... besides having orange hands anyways. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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