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Creating a log lamp is an excellent way to repurpose natural materials like plain old logs and add a unique, rustic element to your home decor. If you're thinking about making one, you're in luck! We've put together a guide on how to make a log lamp step by step. While it might take some practice, the clear instructions make it easy for anyone to learn. We’ll share five creative ideas and tips to avoid common mistakes.
Weekend DIY fun is here! Making a log lantern is an enjoyable and rewarding adventure. Learning how to make a lamp from scratch does require some basic skills of woodworking for beginners but we promise fun. Now let's brighten up those cozy evenings on the porch or backyard hangouts with your fabulous log lanterns.
2- Tools
Start by cutting your log to 12 - 16 inches long, with a diameter of 4.5 - 8 inches to fit your bulb. This diameter accommodates bulbs ranging from 2 - 4 inches.
Next, remove the core of the log. Draw a square on the end face, leaving enough wood around the edges for stability. Mark 10 inches on your chainsaw guide bar for even plunge cuts.
Angle the guide bar at 45° as you cut each side to remove a pyramid-shaped piece, avoiding damage to the outer edges.
Once removing the core, begin hollowing out the log for your lantern. Using the chainsaw bar at a shallow angle, carefully carve wood from the inside. Ensure the wall thickness is even. Keep going until the void is large enough for your light fitting.
Using a chainsaw or hand saw, cut slits along the length of the log to let light shine through from inside. Don't forget to draw it on with chalk first, then carve along your markings.
Make sure the slits aren't too thin or thick for the best effect, and cut a small notch in the back to help insert your light source later.
Time to shed that bark! Carefully peel it off the log while keeping the surface nice and smooth. A hatchet is perfect for tackling smaller logs, but if you want to get fancy, a scraper and drawknife are awesome tools for the task too.
Once the bark is off, give your lantern’s surface a little love with some sandpaper (or sander) to make it super smooth.
Now’s the perfect time to apply your favorite finish to the wood! You can either preserve the natural appearance or apply a light color for a different look. Using beeswax or a good interior varnish will help make your lantern more durable and protect it.
Drill a hole near the bottom of the log that’s large enough for the light cable to fit through. Next, remove the suspension fitting from your light and thread it through the hole. Once that’s done, reattach the batten holder fitting to the cable and secure it to the hollowed-out base of the log.
The final step is simply to plug in a low-watt LED light and enjoy the light. If you want to use it outdoors, consider placing a battery-powered solar light inside the log.
Safety Tips! avoid using heat-generating bulbs like incandescent bulbs.
Your log lantern lamp is ready! But why is it called a "lantern" and not just a "lamp"? These two terms can be a bit confusing since both refer to lighting fixtures. Let’s explore the differences between lamp and lantern to clear up any doubts you might have.
This project is a moderate challenge for crafty folks. Expect to spend a full day or two bringing this beauty to life depending drying times for paint and resin. The end result? You’ll end up with a gorgeous lamp that brightens up any space.
1- Supplies for making the log base:
2- Supplies for making the crystals: (Skip this if you have pre-made crystals)
3- Other necessary tools:
Choose your lamp length based on the number of crystals you have. If you've got just a few crystals, go for a cute little wooden block. For many crystals, find a larger, longer block so that crystals can cover most of the log's top surface.
Then, cut the log with a miter saw. Sand the bottom to create a flat surface for stability. For a quick job, using a belt sander is highly recommended.
Secure the log to the table with clamps and draw the shape of the cavity. Make sure it’ll fit your light and has enough room for bulbs or battery packs.
Use a craft knife and carefully peel away those first few layers of bark.
Carving out logs can be tricky, so don those safety glasses and dust masks for protection.
Start at one edge of the cavity and drill nearly all the way through, leaving about 3/4 of an inch of wood intact. Next, drill another hole right next to the first one, and continue this process until reaching the end.
Tip: Use a large Forstner bit that's about 1 1/2". The closer it is to the size of your cavity, the less chiseling you'll need to do. This will save you time and effort for all the fun stuff.
Place your chisel flat side away on the cavity's edge and tap it with the mallet, working slowly along one side. Once smooth, flip the log and repeat. Use sandpaper for extra smoothing.
If you're using battery-powered lights, you can go ahead and skip this step. For LED strips, simply glue them inside the log. For corded lights, do the following:
Your log project is almost complete! Give all the exposed wood a nice coat of wood oil to help protect and preserve it.
Optional: You can apply teak oil to all the exposed wood for a polished finish and an extra layer of protection.
This step might feel a bit tricky and will take some time and effort. Yet, it’s a key part of this big project to bring dream light into your space. You’ve got this!
1. Create the crystal base:
Use a sturdy, light-blocking piece of wood (like bark) and cut it to size with no large gaps to provide a stable surface for the crystals to stand on.
If the cut is too small, you can secure it with one or two small screws to hold it in place. Also, ensure that the light fits properly with the crystal base sitting on top.
2. Prepare crystals for casting:
Cut and shape dowels. Cut pine into three square sizes (1/2 inches, 3/4 inches, 1 1/4 inches). Sand the ends into octagons with facets, then trim excess wood.
Secure wooden crystal pieces on the base, then use blue tack or glue to ensure the crystals remain upright during the casting process.
Coat wooden crystals in gloss paint or varnish, applying about 7 thin layers and allowing them to dry.
3. Make the mold:
To create the mold, mix cornstarch with silicone to form a slightly sticky ball, then press it into a container around the wooden crystals and let it dry overnight.
4. Cast the resin crystals:
After removing the wooden crystals, mix the resin and spray the mold with a release agent. Use a 2:1 mix ratio by volume: 2 parts resin to 1 part hardener.
Pour in the resin slowly to minimize air bubbles, and if any appear, use a heat gun or hair dryer on low to remove them.
After that, let the resin set for 24 hours to ensure proper hardening.
To finalize the resin crystals and address any imperfections, remove cured resin crystals, sand rough edges, and apply another resin coat if needed.
Before adding the crystals, lightly sand them for a matte finish to enhance light diffusion. Use a bandsaw to cut the crystals to size and add slants for a natural appearance.
Next, draw circles on the base to mark where the crystals will go. Clamp the base securely and drill holes at the marked spots. If any wood breaks, simply use hot glue to fix it.
Now for the fun part! Secure the crystals with hot glue, and let your creativity shine as you add moss around them for a lush vibe. Use a screwdriver or tweezers to tuck moss into tight spots. Finally, add more moss around the edges to tie everything together and cover up any little mistakes.
Ta-da! Now it’s time to enjoy your stunning masterpiece!
How to make a log lamp with pine? This DIY log lamp with pine project is of medium difficulty and requires basic woodworking skills. It takes a few hours to complete but will give you rewarding results - a one-of-a-kind rustic wood lamp that’ll brighten up your home.
2- Tools:
Trim the log to roughly 12 inches in length. Use a drawknife to peel the bark from the round log (you can leave some bark on if you like, but be aware it might come off). Then, sand the surface until it's smooth.
Drill a straight hole through the length of the round log, and make sure it’s wide enough for the lamp wires. Also, drill a hole in the base and create a notch for the power wire to keep the lamp level.
Apply your choice of finish, like beeswax or gloss polyurethane, for protection, and let it dry overnight.
Thread the wires through and attach the light fixture to the top. Thread the power cord through the hole in the base and pull it up through the center of the log.
If something inside the lamp breaks, removing the wire can be tricky. Don't worry we have found some way to make your lamp cordless and how to rewire it.
Time to connect your log to the base! Use two screws, being careful not to hit any wires. A little wood glue can add extra strength if you want. Once it’s all together, pop on the light bulb and your chosen lampshade. Give it a final check, and voilà, your pine log lamp is ready to shine! Enjoy it!
Want some fancy? Then, learning how to make a log lamp with epoxy is just for you. Using epoxy is of medium difficulty, making it a great choice for anyone with basic woodworking experience. You can whip it up in just a few hours but don’t forget to keep safety in mind while you craft.
2- Tools:
Start by cutting the log to about 12 - 16 inches long and use a hatchet to remove the core. Then, take a chisel and rubber mallet to peel off the bark. To flatten the bottom, use a chainsaw to even it out. If you don’t have one, a handsaw or bow saw works too, and then use a hand plane or rasp to smooth the bottom.
Next, sand the surface until it's smooth. If you’re feeling fancy, give it a shiny gold metallic spray paint touch inside and out, totally optional but oh-so-glam!
Seal the top with a thin layer of epoxy and use contact paper to hold it in is a clever idea.
Flip the log over, mix the epoxy, and then pour it into the hole. After the first layer has cured, apply a second layer for added strength. When it’s done, peel off the covering to show off the smooth epoxy finish.
The LED lamp insert was made from PVC pipe, a pool noodle, and a cord set. Just fit all the pieces together, and pop the socket snugly into the pool noodle hole to keep it in place.
To protect your floors from scratches, stick on some felt pads at the bottom, and add a small piece of wood to make sure the PVC stays put.
Fun tips: Use a color-changing LED light is perfect for this project! The remote lets you switch colors and create cool effects.
Another project on how to make a log lamp is making a segmented log lamp. To create one, you’ll need to be a bit clever. Getting accurate measurements and cuts is also very important for everything to fit well, especially when hollowing and segmenting the log.
1- Materials:
2- Tools:
Like the four above ideas, we’ll also find a log and remove the bark, then sand it until smooth. Then, use a drill (pillar, electric, or hand drill) to hollow it out. You need to adjust the depth and diameter of the hole based on the size of the log and the length of the acrylic tube.
Once the log is hollowed out, cut it into about 9 segments using a chop saw, hand saw, or band saw, leaving a 0.16 - 0.2 inches gap between each. Be sure to support the log with clamps while cutting.
Once your segments are cut, prepare the acrylic tube by sanding it to achieve a translucent finish, which helps conceal the RGB LED strip. Super-glue one end of the tube into the top of the log, inserting approximately 0.8 inches for stability.
You want to use fairy light instead of LED but wonder which shines brighter. Before deciding, our comparison of LED and fairy lights can help you find the best suit to add the light source for a segmented log lamp.
Then, attach each segment to the tube, adding superglue where the tube meets the wood. Don’t forget to clean up any excess glue quickly with a damp cloth.
For the base, position it on the tube and add a ring of glue around the connection, using a chisel if needed to shape it.
Create a recess in the base for the electronics, ensuring the remote control receiver sticks out about 10 mm. Drill out this section and refine it with a chisel and file.
Before attaching the LED strips, coat the entire piece with wood oil, using a paintbrush to get between the segments. Fold the LED strip and stick it together, then wrap a small piece of tissue paper around it to diffuse the light before inserting it into the tube. Finally, super-glue the controller in place.
And there you have it, a stylish segment log lamp that’s ready to shine!
Looking for another project with resin? We bet you won’t want to miss this guide on crafting resin lamps. It’s another chance to create a stunning masterpiece!
Before starting how to make a log lamp, avoiding these mistakes will make your crafting smoother and help you create a lamp that looks great and works well. Here are the main mistakes to avoid:
If you find making a log lamp too challenging because you lack the necessary tools but still want to create DIY lamp projects, you can try making a magnet light – it’s simpler and the tools are much easier to find.
Have you mastered how to make a log lamp? Our woodcraft lamp instructions will not only help you create a stunning lamp but also promise a fun crafting time.
Indeed, nothing beats the aroma of fresh wood, the silky feel of sanded surfaces, and the thrill of using a custom wood lamp you created with your own hands for years to come.
Hardwoods like birch, walnut, oak, cedarwood or coniferous wood are ideal because they're sturdy and durable. Softwoods like pine can be used, but they may wear down more quickly.
When wiring a lamp, it’s important to follow wiring diagrams and ensure all connections are secure, with no exposed wires. If you're not sure, it's best to ask a professional for help or use pre-wired kits to make things safer and easier.
Vanish and natural oils like tung oil, linseed oil, and Danish oil are great for enhancing the wood's beauty while preserving its texture. Clear finishes like clear stain or polyurethane can also protect the wood without altering its appearance.
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