(February 2017, Update with comments tips)
How to make a spectacular log lamp? You may have wood logs available around you, or maybe a wood part too big to put in a fireplace… Make this amazing wood floor lamp as indoor or outdoor lighting!
This great tutorial will help you in all stages, however, some information, details may be missing, in this case, leave a comment or use your imagination to solve the problem ;) The guide is easier than it sounds, you just need some woodworking knowledge.
You can buy a similar log lamp, with modern design but also more expensive here: Sculptural California Cedar Wood Lamp or use best browser page to find others tutorials on DIY websites.
Everything you need to make a custom log lamp:
- Plexiglass piece tube (30 cm long and 4 cm diameter)
- Wood glue
- Varnish
- LED light strip (yellow)
- LED light adapter
- Wood saw
- Hammer
- Drill
- Sandpaper
- Scotch tape
This is the list of equipment needed to make the log lamp in the picture, for a wooden log about 40cm. If your piece of wood is larger or smaller, adjust the size of the tube.
1. Locate the materials you need for this craft.
2. Cut the wood log into slices (2 cm minimum) with a wood saw.
Tips :
- Use a cradle to hold the log so it can’t roll and get thrown (Ruth) or use a chainsaw (Matija).
3. Find the center of each log slice and make a hole with a drill, use the same diameter as the plexiglass tube.
4. Sand down the surface of each wood slice with sandpaper.
5. Put wood glue on the inside of each hole and let it dry for a day.
6. Put some wood sticks to get the desired space between wood slices.
7. Varnish each wood slice and let them dry, repeat the operation 2 to 3 times.
8. Cut the plexiglass tube (40 cm) and install the LED light strip inside, you can fix it with scotch tape.
9. Install wood slices one by one on the plexiglass tube and fix with wood glue.
Tips :
- To have a more structural lamp, cut a piece of plexiglass tube (with an inside diameter the same as the outside diameter of the main tube) to the length of the space between each wood block then cut a slit so you can place it around the main plexiglass tube. (VCW, Ken)
10. Cut a groove in the bottom block of wood deep enough to put the power cord through and then fill it with glue to hold it in place
Ready! We have finished making this spectacular lamp with logs. If you need more inspiration, look at this category: Wood Lamps.
And if you are not a crafter and simply want to buy a similar one, look at this cute wood log lamp:
Last update on 2022-05-30 / Images from Amazon API
How do you keep the log slices from splitting?
I’ve been told that if you cut each round on a 30 degree bias, that may prevent splitting and cracking. On the other hand , sometimes I just let it crack, and incorporate it in to the design.
COOL STUFF
Hi,
I plan to build such a lamp these days, but I have questions to those how may have tried this before:
What would you need step five for: Just for a smooth surface touching the plexi glas?
Also, do you sand the plexi glas in order to have a “difuse” lighting?
Many thanks!!!
Amazing Idea!
To those who complain about the lack of assembly instructions, people send us their work to share with others, they can sometimes seem incomplete, but they do it for free to give ideas to others. A big part of the work (concept, basic instructions …) is provided to you to do your project and share your experience in the comments.
Great idea and nice product
However LOUSY instructions! What is it even doing here?
yes afraid the how to build instructions are lacking here for what is a wonderful idea – need to be more accurate especially with electricity and lights etc involved. As there was mentioned by others, can’t see how the wood slices stay in position, top and bottom can work that out- what’s holding the equal gaps between wood slices apart? And the bottom slice, presume there is a channel cut for the cable to go into underneath?
It tells you to glue the wood slices to the tube and it tells you to cut a channel in the tube and the bottom slice for the cord.
Photo #5 looks risque lol.. going to make these for my patio!!
How does the wood slices stay on the tube? And is the”tube” just a piece of wood, it looks like it. Also, where does the light go in reference to the bottom slice. Thanks for any info in advance.
Lan e,
Basically use a forester bit to drill a large enough hole for the clear tubing you have. the block of wood was used only to hold the pieces in place as he/she used the varnish and sealer on the pieces. After they dried he glued them to the tube and place what I assume to be an led strip in the tube. I think a small string of lights would work.
What holds the wood slices in place.?
Gravity!