Introduction Make Your Own Desktop LED Lamp
LEDs have been around for a while, but they’re still relatively new to the lighting world. They are becoming more and more common in home and commercial applications as their cost continues to drop and their performance improves. The most obvious use of LEDs is for general illumination. However, there are many other uses that are less obvious. In this article we will look at some of these lesser-known uses for LEDs, or if you want to buy a lamp at a cheap price, check out our top trending selling lamp in lamp collections.
Step Gather Parts
You should already have all the parts you need to make your own desktop lamp. If not, then go ahead and order them from Amazon or eBay. You can also find them on our store page. We recommend using an old computer monitor with a VGA input (or better yet DVI) because it has a built-in power supply.
Step Making the Battery Pack
The first step is to assemble the battery pack. This is pretty simple. Just cut two pieces of wire about 3/4″ long each and twist one end together. Then tape the wires onto the battery terminals. Next, solder the wires into place. Finally, wrap electrical tape over the exposed ends of the wires so that no one touches them accidentally.
Step Preparing the Scale
Next, you need to prepare the scale. First, remove any labels from the scale. Second, if the scale doesn’t have a clear window, you may want to cover the face of the scale with black electrical tape. Third, attach a piece of paper to the scale so that you can write down measurements. Fourth, turn off the scale by pressing the reset button. Now, you can start measuring!
Step Measuring the Lampshade
Now that the scale is ready, you can measure the shade. Start by marking the center point of the shade where you plan to mount the light bulb. Next, mark three points along the top edge of the shade. These marks represent the corners of the rectangle. Measure between the center point and the bottom left corner, then between the center point and bottom right corner, then between the top left corner and the center point. Take note of the distance between those three points. That measurement represents the width of the shade. Repeat this process for the height.
Step Mounting the Shade
Now that you know how big the shade is, you can mount it on the scale. First, slide the scale under the shade. Mark the position of the bottom edge of the shade on the scale. Then, slide the shade up until it just barely covers the scale. Use a pencil to draw lines across the scale indicating where the edges of the shade meet the scale. Cut out the shape with scissors. Next, drill holes through the shade at the four corners marked earlier. Attach the shade to the scale with small screws.
Step Installing the Light Bulb
Once everything is mounted, you can install the light bulb. First, unscrew the base of the light bulb. Then, carefully pull the shade away from the scale. Slide the light bulb into the hole in the shade. Screw the base back on. Once the base is screwed in place, screw the shade back on.
Step Testing the Lampshade
Finally, test the lampshade. Turn the scale on and press the reset button. The scale will display the length of the shade. Press the “+” button to add inches to the total. When the scale displays the correct number of inches, you’re done!
This DIY project uses only common household items such as a flashlight, a plastic bottle, and some string. It’s easy enough for kids to do themselves, but adults might enjoy helping their children complete this project.