How to Make Baby Lamps

Instructions

• 1

  Drill a hole that goes through the center of your base, so that you will be able to run your lamp rod through the center.

• 2

  Measure the length of your base, and cut the lamp rod to that length using the hacksaw.

• 3

  Slide the newly cut lamp rod through the hole in the base. Hold it in place at the bottom with a washer and nut. If possible, countersink the nut and washer. To countersink the nut and washer, you need a hole deep enough in a solid or thick base to allow the washer and nut to be flush with or even deeper inside the object so that it can rest flat. If you cannot countersink the object, get legs for the base so that it can rest on a flat surface.

• 4

  Leaving the plug end of the lamp cord at the bottom, thread the other end of the cord through the lamp rod, starting at the bottom of your lamp base until it comes through the top.

• 5

  Begin assembling the top of the lamp by screwing the locknut onto the lamp rod then pull the lamp cord through by at least 3 inches. Screw the neck onto the rod with the largest end down. Slide the harp bottom onto the lamp rod, and then thread the socket cap onto the rod and tighten it.

• 6

  Separate the two sides of the cord about 2 inches down its length. Use a wire stripper to remove the top half inch of the insulation from each side of the cord.

• 7

  Tie an underwriter's knot at the end of the cord. This will keep it from being pulled back through the rod. To make the knot, hold the cord so that the split sides form a Y with the portion of the cord that is still connected. Make a loop in each end of the cord. One should be looped in front of the joined cord and the other should be looped at the back of the joined cord. Take the end of each wire and slip it through the loop created by the other wire. Tighten it into a knot. Pull at the plug-end of the cord, which will make the knot fit against the socket cap.

• 8

  Find the hot and neutral wire by following the manufacturer's instructions, though the neutral wire often has ribbing on it. Connect the neutral wire to the silver screws on the socket. Connect the hot wire to the gold screw. Tighten the terminal screws with the screwdriver and make sure that all of the wires are connected under the screw head.

• 9

  Place the socket shell with the paper insulated liner still over the lamp socket. Pull the cord back into the lamp, and then snap the socket shell on the cap. The socket shell should click as it snaps into place.

• 10

  To insert the harp into the the harp bottom, raise the sleeves on the harp and gently squeeze it to be able to snap it into place. Lower the sleeves over the harp bottom to secure the harp.

• 11

  Unscrew the finial on the top of the lamp and place your shade over the screw. Screw the finial back into place to hold the shade in place.