Mission Style Bedroom Lamp

Directions

• Introduction

  Please be sure to read through complete instructions before you begin any work on this project. It is also a good idea to dry fit the components before adding glue and doing final assembly. The plan can also be used to build table lamps by simply lengthening the five spindles. While this plan will describe how to build one lamp, it is very easy to build two by simply doubling the parts.

• Cutting out the parts

  Cut out the eleven parts. This design uses 3/4" thick board. I have had good luck using Oak, Cherry and Poplar. For my lamps I have just been using lumber pieces left over from other projects, but as you can see from the following diagram you can get a lamp (final base height 14 inches) from a standard 1x6x4 foot board. (the actual dimensions of the board are 3/4" by 5 1/2" by 48")
  

• Round over the top and bottom piece

  After you have cut your initial pieces the 5 inch square and the two 4 ½ inch squares need to be rounded over. I use a 3/8 inch rounding over bit in my Kreg router table.
  

• Build the top piece

  In the center of the 4 1/2" top piece drill a 25/64" hole to hold the threaded lamp pipe. Then drill a 1" countersunk hole on the bottom side of the top piece for the nut and washer that will hold the threaded lamp pipe in place.
  

• Build the pedestal ends

  The two ends of the Pedestal are identical. The corners can be cut with a band saw, a jig saw or a table saw. What is important is that they need to be cut exactly to size. It is easiest to tape the two pedestal ends together with masking tape and cut them at the same time. The center square is a bit more work. Mark the exact center of the board and draw a ¾ inch square around it. Then use a drill press and a Forstner bit to bore a ¾ inch hole through each square drawn on the boards. Use a wood chisel to gouge out the corners of the square.
  

• Build the bottom pieces

  Using a drill press with a forstner bit bore 2 1/2" holes through the center of 4 1/2" and 5 1/2" bottom boards. Also drill a 5/16 hole in the edge of the 5 1/2" board for the electrical cord.
  

• Drilling the central spindle

  The final task in preparing the wood is drilling a 5/16" hole from one end to the other of the central spindle for the electrical cord. I made up a jig for my drill press that held the spindle vertically. I used a 5/16" wood bit to drill a pilot hole in center of each end of the spindle. The pilot holes were about 3 inches deep. Then I used a hand drill and a long bit (5/16 by 18 inches) I bought at Home Depot (used by electricians to drill for pulling wires). The first time I did it took 4 tries to get the two central spindles made for my two lamps. I found out if I held my speed square along the spindle, as I drilled, I could keep the bit better oriented. By the 4th try it went fairly well.
  

• Starting the assembly

  Sand (100 and 150 grit) all of the pieces and then start the assembly. I used Titebond I wood glue and my finish nail gun with 1 ¼ inch brad nails. (You could probably get away with just the glue if you want to clamp things together and wait for the glue to dry. I like to use a nail gun because it really speeds up the process and eliminates much of the clamping.) The first thing to assemble is the pedestal. Use clamps to hold it together, make sure it is square, then glue and nail.
  

• Assemble the bottom

  Using glue and brad nails attach the two pieces that make up the bottom. Please be sure to properly set the spacing of the smaller square.
  

• Final assembly

  Put 1 1/2" piece of lamp piping in the center hole of the 4 1/2" top piece and hold the pipe in place with a washer and nut on top and then use another washer and nut in the bottom countersunk hole. Then glue and nail the top to the pedestal. Attach the bottom assembly to the pedestal with glue and nails. (please watch the spacing of the top and bottom) Use wood filler on all of the nail holes and any other imperfections. Let dry and then sand with 150 grit sandpaper.
  

• Finishing

  Use 220 sandpaper to do a once over on all surfaces in preparation for the finish. Clean well to remove all dust. (I use compressed air and clean dry rags). I have used Minwax Stain on oak and cherry lamps and finished with Minwax Tung Oil. I used Minwax Polyshades espresso for the lamps I made with poplar. They are in our guest bedroom and are the cover images shown here. After finishing is complete the lamp kit can be installed and wired. If you are uncomfortable doing this please seek professional help. Now all you need to do is cover the bottom with felt and pick out a lampshade.