Scavenger Chic

Pallet Wood Lamp, Version 2

• By Joan
• February 10, 2019
• 6 Comments

If something sits around long enough at my house, eventually it will have to either be thrown out or repurposed. Such was the case with this pallet wood centerpiece from son #2’s wedding back in 2017.

It’s tall and skinny so of course I’m thinking lamp.  I’ve made lamps out of way more  unlikely items…car spring, septic pipe, oyster shells… A pallet wood vase is a no brainer.

Start with the pallet wood box, a thick piece of scrap wood,  a lamp kit and trim (not pictured).

Cut a piece of the thick (2 inch) scrap wood to reinforce the pallet wood that is already in place.  That little piece I’ve cut fits all the way down at the bottom of the vase.  It looks kind of tiny but it fits perfectly.

Use wood glue and finish nails to secure in place.  By the way, I’ve turned the vase over so the bottom is now the top.

Mark the center of the vase top.

Use a 3/8 inch drill bit to drill thru both the pallet piece and the scrap wood reinforcement piece you just added.

Cut another piece of  scrap wood to fill in what is now the lower part of the vase.  This will not only fill in the hole but give the base some weight so it’s not top heavy.

 Don’t attach this piece just yet.

Drill another 3/8″ hole in the center of the bottom piece.

Use a plunge cut with a circular saw to create a hole where the wire can sit so that the lamp will sit level.

Thread the lamp wire up through the bottom of the lamp and thru the hole you created at the top.

Now I’m going to refer you back to an earlier post, How to Wire a Lamp, it saves me from having to go thru all the wiring steps each time I make a lamp.  Once you make one, you’ll be amazed how easy it was, that your lamp actually worked and you’ll want to make a lamp out of everything, even a pallet wood vase. 😀 

Insert the bottom piece and nail in place.

I started to wire but I really wanted the lamp to have a bit more of a finished look.  Back to the scrap pile.

A piece of scrap molding, mitered at the corners hides all the rough edges of the pallet wood.  Use finish nails to attach.

Another piece of scrap quarter round gives a nice finished edge to the base of the lamp.

Finish wiring the lamp  and sit back and admire your handiwork.

Have more pallet wood?  This was my last pallet wood lamp made from the side rails of a pallet.

Inspired yet?  Have a great week, until next time…

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