Added: Jan 15, 2012
From: SW94929
Duration: 4:43
I included some music for all my musician friends but this is more of a how-to video. I had been looking for some outdoor lights for my house. My requirements were that I wanted subdued outdoor lighting and I needed a fixture that could withstand the corrosive salt air of the coast. After searching without success, I designed and built my own using mostly recycled scraps I had in my garage. They turned out so well I thought I'd share my design. Maybe some of my neighbors with bright, view spoiling lights will run out and build their own.Here is the entire materials list for one wall light:One piece of wood 4.5" x 4.5" x 1.5" I used redwood.Two small pieces of copper flashing. One 4.75"x6" the other a bit smaller. I used scraps from when we got copper rain gutters.One socket with pigtails and lock ring. Sun Lite E136279One night light bulb. 7w or 15wA piece of copper wire about 6" long. I used 12 gauge wire scrap.Two brass wood screws for mounting. Solder to make the shade and some wood sealer to finish the backplate. The advantage of the design is that no fasteners are used other than the two brass mounting screws. Fasteners are a problem here on the coast. So there are no screws to freeze up when you have to change a bulb. If the socket gets corroded and worn out it is easy and inexpensive to replace with no tools. Just unscrew the lock ring and replace. This fixture might last a very long time. Total cost is well under $5.00. I used power tools but this can all be done with hand tools.I think the video will be easy to follow. Questions? Just ask. The soundtrack is Well Perked playing Waltz of the Wind. Recorded 2009. I tried to come up with something that had something to do with the light. There's a tune called Shoot Out The Lights that came to mind but I've never learned it. Waltz of the Wind is so pretty. It puts you out there at night under the stars. And you'll be hoping that the lights nearby are like these!! Betty and I are on guitars and Michael is playing uke.
Channel: Howto
Tags: recycling reusing design efficient unobtrusive lighting diy do it yourself long lasting art decco energy change
Rating: 4.5' max='5' min='1' numRaters='8' rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#overall ( ratings) Views: 166 Comments: 22
Sunambra Says:
Jan 15, 2012 - Great music enjoyed your video especially the bending by hand. I used to work on Guillotines and presses but I'd rather poke my eye with a sharp needle than do it myself. They are selling them in the shops here they have so many. :-))
Sunambra Says:
Jan 15, 2012 - Still enjoyed it old time feeling about it, nothing like watching someone else working.
SW94929 Says:
Jan 15, 2012 - Oh fine, just sit back and make me do all the work :-)
Sunambra Says:
Jan 15, 2012 - Really relaxing watching this.
SW94929 Says:
Jan 15, 2012 - Thanks Martin! I've always loved this tune.
Zsolto66 Says:
Jan 15, 2012 - Stan, this was a double pleasure, was so nice to watch. At the beginning I was worried about your fingers but you are a master of the circular saw too :) Well Perked are a joy to listen to and the last pics of the light fixture's warm glow was the icing on the cake.I hope this is just the beginning of a DIY series. Are you making guitars too?
DrOrphious79 Says:
Jan 15, 2012 - Prety darn cool.Good job there :)
Gingerjake2 Says:
Jan 15, 2012 - Oh that is soooo cute! I love the little light. We're literally out in the (black) woods at night & need something to see to walk, but I hate the motion sensing lights Greg has put up. I love to sit out on the deck in the dark & look up but even the lowest wattage is too bright & scares the wildlife, not to mention the star show. I'm emailing him this video right NOW!!! =)Thanks Stan & thank you for the accompaniment...
SW94929 Says:
Jan 15, 2012 - Thank you Zsolt and thanks on behalf of Well Perked as well! No guitars but I did make a few guitar stands and some uke stands for Mike.
SW94929 Says:
Jan 15, 2012 - Thank you doctor!!
SW94929 Says:
Jan 15, 2012 - Thanks!! Rover's walks often happen in the dark this time of year and these now light the way all the way around the house! It was a fun project and I thought I was all done when I decided I needed one more near the entryway so out came the video camera. They turn on by a windup switch like a bathroom fan so we don't forget to turn them off.
Michinil Says:
Jan 16, 2012 - Beautiful music to go with this vid. Perfect! Nice light!
JaydonTWhistler Says:
Jan 17, 2012 - awesome
SW94929 Says:
Jan 17, 2012 - I'm so glad you stopped by Michelle!! Thank you.
SW94929 Says:
Jan 17, 2012 - Thanks Jay!
54x14 Says:
Jan 19, 2012 - Hé hé...non seulement vous êtes un excellent musicien mais aussi un bricoleur de génie, cette petite lumière illumine cette douce chanson, bravo !*****
SW94929 Says:
Jan 19, 2012 - Vous remercier Fred! Vous êtes un genre ami.
PatrickGMoran Says:
Jan 25, 2012 - A handyman are we....looks like you have some nice tools Stan....
SW94929 Says:
Jan 27, 2012 - Can't find the right song? Write one. Can't find the right light? Burn one.
sma1968 Says:
Feb 11, 2012 - beautiful!!! I love it.
SW94929 Says:
Feb 13, 2012 - many thanks!!
SW94929 Says:
Jan 15, 2012 - Thanks Carol. Yes I have enormous respect for power tools and I am very careful. I've known many a woodworker with a short finger or two and I plan to keep mine full length because they're already too damn short for guitar LOL. The video makes it look scarier than it really was but those things are dangerous for sure.