Materials and Tools

- tubing cutter for 3/4" copper pipe
- drill and 3/8" drill bit
- vise
- screwdriver
- wire strippers
- copper pipe (or galvanized steel)
- lighting wire
- 3 keyless sockets
- 3 large washers
- copper wiring
- junction box for ceiling
- 2 copper piping caps

Create the Layout

Cut the copper piping to the size you want. If you want to put more lights — about five — make it longer. We are doing a three-light fixture, so we cut it to about two feet. Determine where you want to place the glass shades — even, varied, etc. (varied is easier). Drill the holes in the pipe where the fixtures will come out, then drill a hole in the back near where the wire is going to connect to the ceiling.

Run Wire Through Frame

You will use one wire for all the fixtures. The first one will have one wire coming up, the second and third will have two (because it will be folded). If you use a different wire for each fixture you will need a different type of junction box. Follow manufacturer's instructions for all lighting kits.

Thread the wire through the pipe with the end of the wire hanging out where the last light shade will be attached. Thread the wire through the next hole and come back up through that hole (creating two wires with a bend) and then the same for the next hole. Finish by coming out of the hole in the back — leave enough wire to get to the ceiling junction box or plug.