Sunday, November 9, 2014

Let there be light - Steampunk lamp

Our weekend has been a bit of a mixed bag with commitments to various art projects and events and work on the block -  so I decided to do an assemblage piece that I could pick up and put down over the weekend. I chose to convert a blowtorch that was in very poor condition and an old desk lamp I bought at a garage sale into a Steampunk mood lamp.

©2014 Barry Smith -  Hot light from the Steampunk lamp
As you can see from the photo below when I say the blowtorch was in port shape I was not exaggerating.

©2014 Barry Smith -  Some of the blowtorch parts ready for resurrecting
But with a lot of grinding and polishing I resurrected it to something akin to its former beauty.

©2014 Barry Smith -  Polished Steampunk lamp
©2014 Barry Smith - Polished Steampunk lamp
©2014 Barry Smith - Polished Steampunk lamp
I cut the centre pipes out of the blowtorch iron flame section; and riveted a section from the recycled lamp into the brass back section of the flame area and riveted the globe holder from the desk lamp to that plate. I have been able to fit a short 15watt globe into the hollow flame section. Once rewired the Steampunk lamp was tested outside - it worked.

©2014 Barry Smith -  Steampunk lamp
©2014 Barry Smith - Steampunk lamp
©2014 Barry Smith - Steampunk lamp
I need to run the lamp for a couple of hours to ensure that the metal flame area does not overheat. But I was pleased with the outcome. It also needs to be tested and photographed in the dark to see what light it throws.

4 comments:

  1. your sense of play is grand! i can see these (as long as the safety bit is ok) going nuts "out there", everyone will have to have one! great fun.

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  2. Your creativity is on fire, Barry! This is great.

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  3. Hi V & C - thanks for checking this little number out - it is one of my best Steampunk pieces - very quirky and works. I'm going to put a couple of night photos on FB. Go well. B

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  4. this is really terrific - you have such a imaginative mind - picking and choosing from different places. seeing things others cannot. it would be fun to see you grinding away at the wheel with one of these pieces wearing steampunk goggles!
    beneath that silliness is a deep admiration for your committed and fine craftsmanship

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Comments are welcomed - it is good to connect with fellow travellers.