Indeed, with the help of a bicycle frame and several tools at hand, I built a lamp that I have been using for several months.
What you need:
- old bicycle frame;
- several meters of wire;
- bulbs and shades for them;
- two bushings and a small chain ring (optional);
- a hacksaw;
- gun for hot bonding;
- drill;
- file (or transparent package);
- wire cutters;
- belt grinding machine;
- screwdriver;
- sandpaper.
Step 1: Preparing the Frame
First remove all protruding parts from the frame, including the pedal mounts, using a hammer. Then put the bicycle frame in a vice and begin work with a hacksaw, processing the lower tube and the support for the seat. All the "extra" can be added to a file for later. If chains or some wires were screwed to the frame, then it's time to get rid of them too.
Step 2: Get Rid of Paint
This step may take some time. In this project, I used sandpaper to clean the frame from paint, but it would be more correct to use a paint cleaner. To speed up the process of cleaning the frame from paint, I processed the frame on a belt grinder, and only then I used sandpaper in especially difficult places. As a result, the frame should be shiny and smooth. You can varnish the frame, as sometimes sandpaper can leave scratches on the frame.
Step 3: Pull the wire through the frame
Now you need to drill a hole in the frame where the chains used to be attached. The hole should be small in size so that the wire fits there. This is perhaps the most difficult part in creating a lamp. It was very difficult for me to extend the wire through the frame. But a little dexterity and the use of thread with a loop at the end of the wire helped me cope with this task.
Step 4: Connecting the bulbs
The wire now needs to be connected to the lamp shades. The wires need to be cleaned from the upper shell, you can use a special tool or just use scissors. Remember that the length of the wire must be chosen with a margin so that at both ends there is a decent piece for stripping and connecting the bulbs.
To the wire passing through the frame, you need to connect another wire that will run along the entire length of the frame from one end to the other. Just twist the two wires together (these are blue and brown cables). Then connect the ground wires (green and yellow) to this circuit. As soon as you assemble this circuit, connect the ceiling, repeat this step on the other end of the frame.
Step 5: Final Strokes
When I finished wiring for the bulbs, I realized that something was missing. Having rummaged in my bins, I found two bushings and a chain ring. I cut two bushings so that only the "ears" were visible. I glued one sleeve to the bottom bracket, and the other to the other side of the tip. I glued the chain ring to the base at the top of the seat mount.
Step 6: Enjoy!
I hope you can make an excellent stylish lamp from the bicycle frame, following my instructions.
