How to Make an Edison Lamp: 9 Steps with Pictures

Even though Thomas Edison came up with the light bulb over a century ago, its old-school vibe is still as cool as ever. So why not learn how to make an Edison lamp from scratch to give your space a steampunk lamp? 

This guide on how to make an Edison lamp will help you bring that classic, retro glow into your home. Importantly, it's shockingly simple, pun intended!

Make an Edison Lamp

Materials and Tools Needed

Materials	Tools
Edison-style or vintage light bulb Wooden block 4x4x10 Bulb socket Toggle switch Adhesive felt or duct tape Electrical tape Wire nuts Wood finish (optional)	Drill Router table 35mm Forstner bit 1/2" spade bit 3/8" drill bit  3/4" straight router bit Sandpaper Wire cutters Wire strippers Screwdriver

You’ve gathered everything you need to craft a DIY Edison lamp, and now the fun begins! Let’s jump into the detailed steps on how to make a DIY Edison lamp and craft your vintage masterpiece!

Step 1: Prepare the Wood

You’re learning how to make an Edison lamp out of wood, therefore, first prepare a wooden block.

Cut your wooden block to the size of 4x4x10 inches (Width x Height x Length). Trim off the rounded edges of the block, then sand it down until it's nice and smooth.

Wanna add an extra sleek factor? Consider adding a wood finish, like stain or clear polyurethane, to bring out the wood grain and protect the surface.

Now, grab your measuring tape and measure 2 ½ inches from the center of the long side on both the top and bottom faces. Make marks on both the left and right sides; therefore, you end up with a total of 4 marks, ready for action!

Step 2: Drill the First Holes for the Bulb Socket

Use a 35mm Forstner bit to drill the first hole in your wood block.

On the bottom side of the block, use a 35mm Forstner bit to drill one of the marks (the 1st mark). Be careful not to go all the way through; leave about a half-inch of wood at the bottom base of the hole. If you have a drill press, use the depth stop to control how deep you drill. If you’re using a hand drill, check your depth regularly.

Next, flip the block over so the top side is up. Align the drill with the mark opposite the first mark (the 2nd mark) but on this side of the block. This time, drill through the block to meet the first mark. You’ve got the first hole.

Step 3: Drill the Second Hole for the Toggle Switch

For the third mark on the bottom side of the block, continue to use a 35mm Forstner bit and drill the second hole, just like you did in step 2.

Now, for the last mark on the top side, use a 1/2" spade bit and drill through. This smaller hole will connect with the larger 35mm hole you just made).

Awesome job! You've nailed that second hole.

Step 4: Drill a Hold on the Side of the Wood for the Wiring

Use a 3/8" drill bit and drill a hole on the side of the block for the wire to slide through.

Keep drilling until you reach that big 35mm hole (the through hole) you made earlier. This will create a perfect pathway for the wiring to sneak into the base.

If you have no drill, we recommend another project on how to make a lamp from a bottle without drilling. You'll create a one-of-a-kind, eco-friendly lighting fixture for your home

Step 5: Make a Channel between Two Holes in the Bottom Face

The goal here is to make a small channel between the two holes on the bottom of the block. This will allow the wires to run between them. If you have a router table, use a 3/4" straight bit to carve out the channel. No router? No problem! You can use a chisel to carefully whittle out the channel just as well.

Step 6: Sand Holes

Use sandpaper to refine the edges of all the holes you’ve drilled. This prevents rough spots that could snag the wiring. Check each hole with your fingers. If you find any rough areas, sand them until they’re smooth.

Once you’re done, wipe off any dust or debris from the block to ensure better adhesion for any finishes you may apply later.

Step 7: Wire the Lamp

Now that you've finished drilling all the holes, let's get ready to assemble the lamp.

1- Install the toggle switch and lamp socket

Detach the outer ring and the "on/off" plate, next insert the switch into the second hole from underneath. Reattach the "on/off" plate and securely tighten the outer ring back in place. Next, push the lamp socket into the top of the first hole until it fits snugly.

2- Prepare the extension cord

Grab your wire cutters and snip the extension cord just before the part you plug your devices into (the "female end"). Then, push the cut end through the small hole on the side. Next, take wire strippers and remove about 3/4 of an inch of the plastic covering from each wire inside. Finally, use electrical tape to wrap the stripped portion.

Did you notice you've damaged your lamp cord before wiring? Next, follow these steps to effortlessly replace the lamp cord.

3- Connect the wires

Check your extension cord: if it has two wires, one is smooth (hot) and the other is ribbed (neutral). For the lamp socket cords, there are two wires, one is white (neutral) and one is black (hot).

We bet some may get a headache trying to figure out hot and neutral wires. Our quick guide will simplify everything and help you identify the hot wire with ease.

Here’s a quick guide to connect the wires:

• Connect the hot wire (smooth) from the extension cord to one of the leads from the toggle switch.
• Connect the black wire (hot) from the lamp socket to the remaining wire from the toggle switch.
• Connect the neutral wire (ribbed) from the extension cord to the white wire (neutral) from the lamp socket.

Finally, twist wire nuts over the connections to secure them, ensuring all exposed copper is covered.

Note: For a three-wire cord, the third wire is the ground wire, which is usually green or bare copper. If your cord has a ground wire, connect it to the metal body of the socket.

Oops! Did you get tangled up with lamp wires? Be calm! Carefully reading this guide on how to rewire a lamp will help. And you'll be back on track soon.

Step 8: Cover the Bottom with Adhesive Felt

Give your lamp a polished finish by sticking a piece of adhesive felt on the bottom. Pick any color that tickles your fancy. If you don’t have felt on hand, duct tape also works well to keep the wires secure and prevent any slipping.

Before applying the felt or tape, make sure the bottom of the lamp is clean and dry for better adhesion. Also, cut the adhesive felt or tape to size to ensure a perfect fit without overlapping.

Step 9: Screw in the Bulb

Now it’s time to complete your lamp! Simply screw in the vintage light bulb you love. You’re choosing between E14 and E27 bulbs. While both have that classic Edison screw base, they do have their differences. Take a close look at the E14 vs E27 comparison before you screw in that wood block.

Once against, double-check that all connections are secure and there are no exposed wires before you light it up. Safety first!

That’s easy, right? But if you're just starting in woodworking, you might feel a little lost when making a wooden lamp. No problem! We've prepared a video on how to make an Edison lamp for a straightforward guide just for you.

Read more: How to make a floor lamp?

Make Edison Light Bulb

Now that you know how to make an Edison lamp; however, maybe you’re up for a bit of a challenge. Then, try learning how to make an Edison light bulb, just like Edison himself. It's totally optional, but trust us, it’s worth it.

Follow these steps to create a custom, one-of-a-kind bulb that gives your lamp a personal touch, just like the inventor you are.

What You'll Need

• 6 or 8 “D” batteries
• Mason jar
• Pencil lead (0.5mm HB recommended)
• 2 alligator clips with wires attached
• Electrical tape
• A shot glass or toilet paper roll

Step 1: Make one Huge Battery

First, gather your materials to build a big battery. Use electrical tape to connect 6 or 8 "D" batteries by taping the negative end of one to the positive end of the next. Keep going until you have a single, long chain of batteries.

Step 2: Make a Small Stand and Attach Alligator Clips

Flip a shot glass upside down to create a small stand. Tape two alligator clips on opposite sides of the glass, making sure they’re stable and facing each other.

Tip: Use a glass smaller than the Mason jar so the jar can cover the setup without touching the clips or shot glass. Additionally, you can also use a toilet paper roll instead of the shot glass.

Step 3:  Attach the Pencil Lead to the Alligator Clips

Pencil lead is graphite, which conducts electricity. When powered, it heats up and glows, becoming the filament in your homemade bulb.

Take a piece of pencil lead (0.5mm HB works best) and carefully place each end into the alligator clips, positioning it horizontally. Make sure it's secure, but be gentle because pencil lead is fragile and can break easily.

Step 4: Cover with Mason Jar

Place the Mason jar over the shot glass, alligator clips, and pencil lead to cover them completely. The jar acts like a mini protective, like a vacuum, just like in a real bulb.

Step 5: Connect Wires and Light Up

Touch the ends of the wires to your battery and watch your homemade bulb glow to life!

Safety Tip: Handle the wires carefully to avoid short circuits. Besides, if doing this experiment with kids, always have an adult supervising since the pencil lead will get hot and could start a fire.

Bonus Experiment: Trying Thicker Pencil Lead

If you're curious to experiment a bit more, try using thicker pencil lead for a little extra fun.

Just like before, secure each end of the thicker lead into the alligator clips, ensuring it's stable and ready to go.

However, don’t expect a brilliant glow! Instead of lighting up, the thicker pencil lead will just smoke. Alright, while it won’t create a bright glow, it's still a fun way to see how different materials behave under an electrical current.

So, keep in mind that the 0.5mm lead is the best choice.

Now it’s time for a video:

Hunting for more exciting lamp-making ideas? You won't be able to resist the lure of crafting an epoxy resin lamp. But if you prefer to buy something ready-made, check out this amazing catalog of artisan resin lamps that are sure to impress.

Safety Tips

It's crucial to prioritize safety. Electrical work can be fun and rewarding, but a few simple precautions will help keep things safe and smooth. Here are some safety tips to keep in mind:

• Before doing any electrical project, always unplug your lamp
• Use tools that have insulated handles for safety
• Ensure the light bulbs you use to match your lamp's wattage
• Keep in mind that water and electricity are dangerous together, so make sure your work area is dry and wear rubber-soled shoes when making repairs
• Wrap wires around terminal screws in a clockwise direction to keep them secure as you tighten them
• Handle the wires carefully to prevent short circuits, which can be dangerous
• If you're feeling unsure about any electrical work, it’s always a good idea to call a professional electrician. Safety comes first!

Conclusion

Feel like jumping into an inventing adventure? Crafting an Edison lamp is a rewarding DIY project that effortlessly combines a vintage vibe with modern craftsmanship.

With our guide on how to make an Edison lamp, you can turn ordinary materials into a fabulous light fixture. So, gather your tools, unleash your creativity, and brighten up your space.