Decorative Lamppost

Decorative Lamppost
Lamppost in Progress
Information
Owner	critter42
Version	1.0
Status	In Progress
Started On	January 2011

Overview

MidSouthCon has an event called Street Corner Readings where authors can read their works to passersby. This year we decided to have an actual streetlight. Prebuilt decorative streetlights ran in the $70 - $100, while building it myself with found material would cost significantly less.

Features

• Design and style
  • Approximately 6' 8" tall from base to top of sconce
  • PVC Pipe post set in concrete
  • Specialty bulb to simulate flickering flame of a Victorian-era gaslamp
  • Arm with hanging sign that has been painted with chalkboard paint to allow authors/artists to write their name/work being performed
  • Custom wired lamp cord to allow easy access to power switch.

Status

In Progress

Project Completed

To Do

Project Completed

Completed

• Acquisition of materials
• Prepping post
  • Drilling arm and lamp cord holes
  • Thinning top of post to allow better seating of sconce in pipe
• Trimmed base
• Prepping Lamp
  • Disassembling and discarding unneeded parts
  • Cleaning shell and glass
• Prepping and assembling arm and sign
• Solder and string lamp cable
• Prime and paint parts
• Assemble and test

Work Log

Prepping Post

• Cut post to length - 6'
• Drilling hole for arm
• Drilling holes in base to allow concrete to seep through and create anchor
• Drilling hole for lamp cord
• Thinned inside of top of post by approx 1/8"

Creating base

• Cut out 2" hole in bottom of plastic planter for post to pass through
• Mixed up ~9lbs concrete in bucket
• Trimmed bucket to fit underneath base cover

Prepping Lamp

• Disassembled lamp
  • Discarded wall mount flange and lower finial
  • removed old socket to clean lamp and glass (update: may replace socket)
  • removed glass inserts for ease of cleaning and painting

Prepping Arm and sign

• Sign is 1.5' square with hooks placed 3" from either end on one side
• Drilled matching holes in arm
• Installed eyebolts and secured with screw and washer

Assembly

• Inserted post in concrete
• Due to the thickness of the base, concrete is going to cure for 1 week before any further work with post/base is done

Potential Future Improvements

• Frost glass - etched or spray-type -> completed during initial assembly - used spray-type frosting
• Make battery-operated
• Switched on/off by touching lamp shell
• More decorative endcaps for arm

Lessons Learned

• Mix concrete in large container and then pour where needed
• Make sure power switch will be easily accessible after assembly

Nearly completed lamppost

Tools Used for Construction

hack saw

drill

tape measure

round rasp