Remember the tripods I found? My husband did some research and found out that they were used by the British Military in WW1!
Cool!
Cool!
I knew as soon as I saw them what I wanted to do with them. Make lamps. I like tripod lamps, especially if they have some old wood and brass on them.
$219.91
Closer, but still. That's a lot of money. And if you buy two? No.
So. The first step. Take off that little metal bar and wash the filthy straps.
The straps don't come of. Not easily, anyway.
So, you know. Improvise. Wash, rinse repeat. Let dry.
I wasted a ton of time trying to epoxy a part on the top. Then my husband told me about tap and die drivers. They make threaded holes! What?! How could I have lived this long and not known about these?
Make the right size hole and that part will just screw right in the top.
(Yeah, I know. It's called a nipple.
I'm guessing a man named it.)
Then it's just a matter of following the directions on the back of the lamp kit. Which you can get at Walmart for less than $8. Mine were bright brass, so I used some rub-n-buff on them. I mixed Autumn gold, silver and black together and got an aged metal look.
I didn't want the cord hanging straight down in the middle from the top, so I used these tacks
And just tacked the cord to one of the legs in three spots.
And here we go!
A tripod lamp!
Which will go
here. It's just the right height for a reading lamp.
My husband keeps asking where the other one will go. I realized today that he might be asking (repeatedly) because he'd like one in his office.
A tripod lamp would look good in there.
As soon as I finish the other one, he can pick which one he wants.
This was an easy project, once I got the right tools. With all the supplies, plus the cost of the tripod and the lampshade, I spent $30 on each lamp.
Not too shabby!
Thanks for reading!
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36 comments:
this is an awesome diy/makeover! So clever, and a great alternative to the bajillion dollar restoration hardware option.
These are amazing. And I think they are more beautiful than store-bought because they are aged and authentic. LOVE.
that looks so awesome, suzanne! you have really got some good things coming our way lately! :) i am loving it now that october is over and you are in full swing!
You Amaze me! This is soo neat. You should share it here: http://knockoffdecor.com/
you are awesome... seriously! love... again!
Wonderful! Love, love, love these! And love how your husband hints the same way mine does - LOL!
Well great minds think alike! I can't believe we posted on the same thing at the same time! My pal, Jennie, has an old tripod in her garage and I told her to get busy and make a lamp out of it. I will tell her to get the lamp kit at Walmart though since it was a couple bucks cheaper than mine. Beautiful lamp! Awesome price!
These are terrific! I love the way the lamp looks next to the chair. I am even more jealous of your great find now!
Genius!
They look terrific!! How nifty about the tap and die drivers. Thanks for letting us know.
It looks terrific! I'm so jealous! I've been looking for one ever since I spied one in the RH catalog. Great job! Thanks for sharing.
Suzanne- I gotta say- You are one of the cleverest people I know...well, kinda KNOW...you know...KNOW via blogging...it's not like you are my next door neighbor or anything...although THAT would be GREAT with me! Clever, clever, clever. I'm thinking you should change your name to Shazzam~ xo Diana
fabulous and authentic! great job!
how much do I love your lamps? Suzanne you are so awesome! I can understand why your husband keeps asking about the 2nd lamp. And how do I not know about this magical stuff called rub & buff? Makes the metal finish absolutely perfect for your two lamps. They are gorgeous! I've been slyly glancing at the overpriced ones too and wondering if I'll ever stumble across a tripod...!
LOVE IT! I think this is my favorite project of your so far... and you got two? Life is soooo unfair (yes, I'm whining). Really, it turned out beautifully...
~Chris
PS I don't like the PB version either... what were they thinking mixing the tripod with the "movie" light?
Totally Dig'n your lamp!!
You are AMAZING! I am loving your tripod lamp, and think it is far more beautiful than the more expensive versions, too! I love that you found a way to make it yourself! :) Thank you for this tutorial~ I am bookmarking it right now for when/if I should ever stumble upon a vintage tripod! :)
I hope your week is going well so far, and that you have a wonderful Thanksgiving! :)
Blessings,
Jenni
Awesome! Thanks for the tutorial. I love the tip about mixing the rub and buff for an aged look! I'll have to try that.
Wooohoo! Did the hubs have the tool? or did you have to buy it?
Love your new lamp Suzanne!
Happy Thanksgiving!
gail
you are amazing!! i wouldn't even know where to start on that one! well done, i love it and especially love the price :)
Wow!! This is so amazing - I'm at a loss of words!!
Beautiful!!!
Very cool project Suzanne! I, too, looked at tripod lamps for my tv room and could not bring myself to pay those outrageous prices! Good to know if I come across a tripod I can make my own lamp. Thanks for showing all the steps! My DH would probably like one for his office too! TFS!
WOW! YOu did a fabulous job making the coolest lamp ever! I only wish I would find something like your tripods... wish I may wish I might... you can be sure I will be on the hunt! t.xoxoxo
Oh LOVE this Suzanne!
My wish list just got longer!
I love what you did with those tripods. I actually have the $299 lamp...I love them...but would much rather have done what you did. What a great job and what a lucky find. I have a lot of tools but I've never heard of that tool tap and die. hmm. sounds good...I may have to Google that one.
omg, I made mine last weekend too! Haven't blogged it yet because I wanted to tweak the color on the metal. I went with aluminum color and then decided on ORB. I love your lamp, the fact that it's so old is awesome (mine is not).
Great tip about the threading tool I never knew that existed either!
I think your husband earned the other lamp since he filled you in on a new tool. ;)
LOVE it!! I can't believe you find such great things at the sales you hit. And you make the process look so easy!
Oh my Suzanne, that was genius! Can I come play at your house with you? I could have so much fun following you around and watching you make "awesome" stuff!
I was in a store in Vancouver over the weekend where they were $1100!!! Crazy price, but beautiful! Yours in great!!
Oops, that was "is great"!! lol
Wow, that is just amazing! So glad to have been introduced to your blog, I've been missing a lot of inspiration!
This looks fantastic Suzanne!
Excellent! I love a good thrifty repurposing job. Some of the prices in the major stores are outrageous. I even like yours better! Thanks for sharing. Found you on My Repurposed Life.
Absolutely awesome!! I love that they were used in WWI!! They look so good as a lamp! Love it!!
suzanne those are A.MAZ.ING! i love the fact that they are so old and perfectly vintage.
i guess i've been out of the blog reading loop with this busy time of year(stayin' focused) and i had to find your project on knock off decor! love, love, love it!
judi
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