DIY Network

Fluorescent Bulb Pedestal Lamp Recycle burned-out tubes into an ultra-mod lamp. From "B. Original" episode DBOR-608

Shed some light with burned-out bulbs.

Nothing's as useless as a burned-out light bulb, right? Wrong! When Michele Beschen's in the workshop, even burned-out fluorescent bulbs can become something useful?and beautiful.

Give some drama to your décor when you make Michele Beschen's sophisticated pedestal light from burned-out fluorescent bulbs and foam floor mats. It's a beautiful way to B. Original while you recycle.

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Fluorescent Bulb Pedestal Lamp

Materials:

12 burned-out fluorescent bulbs (all the same size)
(10) 24" by 24" interlocking floor mats
contact cement
plywood, 13-3/4" by 13-3/4" square
sharp craft knife
painter's tape
drill with a 1-1/2" hole saw bit
band saw or hand saw
upholstery-weight fabric
straight pins and beads
strand of low-wattage Christmas lights
utility hook, 2-1/2" long

	Figure A
	Figure B
	Figure C
	PDF Click here for the lamp template.
	Figure D

• Remove all of the trim pieces from the floor mats.

• Use contact cement to glue five of the mats together, stacked on top of each other with the textured side facing up (figure A). Spread the cement on both surfaces to be adhered, then let the pieces set according to the package instructions. When the cement is tacky, press the mats together. Let the stack of glued mats dry thoroughly.

  Safety Alert: This project uses a large amount of contact cement, which generates strong fumes. Make sure to work in a well-ventilated area.

• Glue the other five mats together with contact cement in the same manner and let the cement dry thoroughly.

• Place the 13-3/4" square piece of plywood on top of one stack of mats. Trace around the plywood with a craft knife to score the top mat.

• Cut out the traced square. Michele Beschen recommends using a band saw for this to get a clean cut; a hand saw also will work (figure B).

  Safety Alert: Make sure to wear eye protection and use caution whenever using a band saw or any other power tool.

• Trace and cut an identical square from the other set of five mats. These two squares will be the base and the top of the pedestal lamp.

• Find the center of each foam square. To do this, line up a straight edge from one corner to the opposite corner and mark the diagonal line. Repeat the process for the other two corners. The two lines will cross in the center.

• Download and print out two copies of the lamp template (figure C). Tape a template to each foam square, making sure the center of the template is directly over the center of the square.

• Wearing safety glasses, use a drill with a 1-1/2" hole saw bit to drill through four of the five layers of each foam square (figure D).
  

  Figure E

  Figure F

  
  

  	Figure G
  	Figure H
  	Figure I

• On the square that will be the base of the lamp, drill one additional hole all the way through the center to accommodate the plug for the lights (figure E). On the bottom of the base, cut a channel from the center hole to the edge of the base (figure F). This will accommodate the power cord and let the lamp sit flat on the floor.

• To make the blocks of foam a little bit prettier, wrap them with upholstery-weight fabric, folding the fabric as though wrapping a package. Use straight pins and beads to hold the fabric in place. The fabric placed on the base should go over the holes; the holes in the top square should not be covered by fabric because they're on the underside of the square.

• Use a craft knife to cut a small X over the holes in the base fabric (figure G). Push the fluorescent bulbs down into the base.

• Before adding the last bulb into the base, place a string of regular Christmas lights inside the circle of bubs. Make sure to run the cord through the center hole in the base.

• Add the last bulb to the base (figure H). Tape around the outside of the circle of bulbs with painter's tape to hold them in place while adding the top square to the lamp.

• Twist the 2-1/2" utility hook into the center of the underside of the top square.

• Pull the end of the Christmas lights up through the top of the fluorescent tubes and slip the cord over the utility hook (figure I).

• Line up the fluorescent bulbs to fit into the holes in the top piece. Push the top piece down until it is snug.

Safety Alert: Fluorescent bulbs are fragile and can break into many tiny shards of glass. Enjoy your swanky new lamp where it won't be knocked over by pets or kids – or even careless grownups.

Next: Gourd Lamp.