Dimmable Tube Lamp

Overview

A collaboration between my partner and me. The inspiration for this project revolves around the pink vase my partner found at a thrift store. She one day had the idea to put a candle inside it and loved the way the flutes refracted the light to make patterns on the wall.

Challenges & Solutions

The main challenge with this project was the manufacturing of the base and top. We wanted some solid black walnut pieces to accent the light from the vase. A CNC router could have been used, but I didn't have access to one at the time. This meant that it was going to have to be template routed. Using a 3D printer, I printed the templates for the outer and inner pocket profiles for this base. Using a template bit, I used a palm router to carve out the features.

Like peanut butter and jelly, the combination of walnut and brass is a perfect match for the control knob. The brass knob is attached to a potentiometer and off-the-shelf circuit to dim the bulb, which is mounted in the inverted vase.

Results & Outcomes

We absolutely love this light, and use it every day! It was really nice to work with such premium materials as glass, brass and walnut, when so many products today are with cheaper alternatives.