Well I decided to weld up a chain floor lamp as I have been interested in doing so for some time now. I purchased a 10 foot length of 3/8 " chain from McMaster-Carr and purchased a Mica lamp shade, switch, and bulb base from Antique Lamp & Supply on their internet site. I of course had to clean the chain of oil before starting the build to make welding a lot easier. I chose to tig weld this project as I find I get better burn in control by using this method as opposed to using my mig gun. Just personal preference for me as I am sure a lot of folks would prefer their mig gun much more.
Mine is a freestanding lamp with a hexagonal steel base built out of 3/4" square tubing to create the hex shape and skinned with a 1/8" steel top which is welded around the sides of the base and the ground down to create a solid outer piece, hollow underneath for switch and wiring to be in. I started welding at the top of the light by creating a return loop using the arc of a 5 gallon plastic bucket which I transferred the arc to a piece of plywood to put onto my welding table. The chain was then arched around the plywood block and held in place with clamps while I tack welded the loop. I then could use a piece 2" aluminum angle as a straight edge to keep the vertical run of chain straight to the top loop and proceeded to tack that section in multiple stages as I could only weld so far before running out of table length (Tab and Slot 3 X 2 Fablock).
When the chain had been completely welded I marked a centerline on the base and then held the chain vertically plumb in all direction with the help of a piece of aluminum strut that ran horizontal to the chain or 90 degrees across so as to clamp the chain in a perfect vertical position. I then welded the bottom link on the vertical run onto the base and looped the remains chain on top of the base, kind of coiled in multiple loops of sorts and welded those down as well in a few spots, not every link.
Chain base received a couple of coats of Rust-Oleum Metallic color "Oil Rubbed Bronze". This turned out to be a real cool color as well. I then drilled through the 3/4" square tubing on the base and popped in two plastic snap bushing to run a grounded lamp cord through, very important to ground the chassis for safety. I then drilled two holes on the top of the base, one for a On/Off switch and one to run lamp wire up to the bulb base. I drilled and tapped a 10-32 hole to receive a ground pig tail on inside of the base, wired up the light and we were all good to go! Ready for next light project now.
BradK
What welding projects are you working on? Are you proud of something you built?
How about posting some pics so other welders can get some ideas?
How about posting some pics so other welders can get some ideas?
- tungstendipper
-
Weldmonger
-
Posts:
-
Joined:Sun Nov 19, 2017 10:09 am
Good job!
Lincoln MP 210, Lincoln Square Wave 200,
Everlast 210 EXT
Thermal Dynamics 25 Plasma cutter
" Anything that carries your livelihood wants to be welded so that Thor can’t break it."
CJ737
Everlast 210 EXT
Thermal Dynamics 25 Plasma cutter
" Anything that carries your livelihood wants to be welded so that Thor can’t break it."
CJ737
Metal Manipulator
- Metal Manipulator
-
Workhorse
-
Posts:
-
Joined:Sun Mar 04, 2018 11:47 am
-
Location:Middle of Wisconsin
That looks great, I've done a couple different chain yard art pieces. Two snakes and a zombie remover axe, the snakes were done free hand but the axe handle was done using angle iron as you did. First I tried to stretch the chain tight between two posts using a cum a long but the chain had a twist to it. I am building a light out of an old Chevy valve cover to use on a Miller work station table. I am building a frame to go around the sides an back to hang a curtain. My plan was to attach the light to the frame with some square tube the same as the curtain frame but now am thinking of using chain instead. It will all be detachable so It will still be portable. Great job on your piece and keep up the good work. Your light shade looks like fire, very nice touch.
Burley Industries
- Burley Industries
-
Active Member
-
Posts:
-
Joined:Fri Dec 15, 2017 4:43 pm
-
Location:Boise, Idaho
Return to “Welding Projects - Welding project Ideas - Welding project plans”
Jump to
- Introductions & How to Use the Forum
- ↳ Welcome!
- ↳ Member Introductions
- ↳ How to Use the Forum
- ↳ Moderator Applications
- Welding Discussion
- ↳ Metal Cutting
- ↳ Tig Welding - Tig Welding Aluminum - Tig Welding Techniques - Aluminum Tig Welding
- ↳ Mig and Flux Core - gas metal arc welding & flux cored arc welding
- ↳ Stick Welding/Arc Welding - Shielded Metal Arc Welding
- ↳ Welding Forum General Shop Talk
- ↳ Welding Certification - Stick/Arc Welding, Tig Welding, Mig Welding Certification tests - Welding Tests of all kinds
- ↳ Welding Projects - Welding project Ideas - Welding project plans
- ↳ Product Reviews
- ↳ Fuel Gas Heating
- Welding Tips & Tricks
- ↳ Video Discussion
- ↳ Wish List
- Announcements & Feedback
- ↳ Forum News
- ↳ Suggestions, Feedback and Support
- Welding Marketplace
- ↳ Welding Jobs - Industrial Welding Jobs - Pipe Welding Jobs - Tig Welding Jobs
- ↳ Classifieds - Buy, Sell, Trade Used Welding Equipment
- Welding Resources
- ↳ Tradeshows, Seminars and Events
- ↳ The Welding Library
- ↳ Education Opportunities