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I have been wanting a tripod lamp for several years. I first saw one for sale online years ago, but it was wayyy too expensive.
There are cheaper versions, but none quite like the first one that caught my eye. Most tripod lamps have the light and lamp shade straight over the top of the tripod. The one I wanted had an arm that extended out from the tripod base.
I could just imagine it hanging over the top of my leather chair to create a cozy reading nook. So, I searched every flea market and thrift shop I went to in search of a wooden tripod.
Eventually, I found a vintage surveyor’s tripod in the fields of Warrenton during one of our trips to the Round Top Antique Show. I couldn’t wait to turn it into a fabulous tripod lamp!
Here’s how we did it:
Supplies
- wooden tripod
- industrial light shade
- metal arm
- drill
- carbide drill bits (cobalt drill bits would be better)
- bolts and nuts
- lamp kit
- orbital sander and sanding nets
- wood stain (I used Minwax Wood Finish in Early American.)
- spray paint (I used Rustoleum’s Hammered Brown.)
Step 1: Making a Plan
The hardest part of this whole project was figuring out how to mount an arm onto the tripod that would hold the light away from the base.
Initially, we wanted to use a wooden fuel measuring stick. However, we couldn’t figure out a cheap or easy way to mount it on the tripod.
My husband had a 1940s Craftsman table saw stand. He had planned to make a table out of it, but 4 or 5 years later, it was still sitting in the garage untouched. Being the sweet husband that he is, he let me have the metal arm that held the work light.
During this plan making step, we also took the tripod apart.
LEPOWER Wood Floor Lamp Tripod, Modern Design Mid Century Standing Lamps for Living Room,Bedroom and Office, Flaxen Lamp Shade with E26 Lamp BaseDEWENWILS Small Table Lamps, Wooden Tripod Nightstand Lamp with White Linen Fabric Shade, 2 Pack Bedside Table Lamp for Living Room, Bedroom, Side Table, Nursery, 14.2 in, Switch UL Listed
Step 2: Mount the Arm on the Tripod
After we had a plan of action and (kind of) knew what we were doing, we had to figure out how to mount the metal arm from the table saw onto the tripod.
Our tripod has a 1/4″ thick metal plate at the top that the tripod legs are attached to. Drilling through this hardened steel was not an easy task.
With a lot of determination, Heff was able to drill 2 holes in the plate with his regular carbide drill bits. This task would have been much quicker and easier with cobalt drill bits that are made for metal-working, but we didn’t want to make the 30-minute (one-way) drive to the hardware store or spend more money. So, he made do with what we had on hand.
**Pro Tip** Pour tool oil onto the steel while you’re drilling to prevent the metal from getting too hot and damaging your drill bit.
After the holes were drilled, we mounted the metal arm from the table saw to the plate with 2 bolts and nuts.
DEWALT ATOMIC 20V MAX* Hammer Drill, Cordless, Compact, 1/2-Inch, Tool Only (DCD709B)COMOWARE Cobalt Drill Bit Set- 15Pcs M35 High Speed Steel Twist Jobber Length for Hardened Metal, Stainless Steel, Cast Iron and Wood Plastic with Indexed Storage Case, 1/16
Step 3: Repair Broken Tripod Foot
We bought this antique surveyor’s tripod at a flea market for $15. The bottom of the one of the legs was wrapped in tape.
When we removed the tape, we discovered that the wood had split and the leg was broken.
Thankfully, it was an easy repair. We simply glued and clamped the pieces back together and added some brad nails to make sure it was secure.
Elmer’s E7310 Carpenter’s Wood Glue Max Interior and Exterior, 16 Ounces, 16 Fl OzRYOBI 18V ONE+ AirStrike 18GA Brad Nailer Kit (Bulk Packaged) P321K
Step 4: Sand Tripod Legs & Light Shade
Once we knew that the lamp idea would actually work, it was time to start making it pretty.
I sanded the legs of the tripod until they were smooth. Starting with a 120-grit sanding net and working up to a 320-grit.
The industrial metal light shade was also a flea market find and I scuff-sanded it as well.
DEWALT Orbital Sander, 5-Inch (DWE6421)30PCS 5 Inch Mesh Hook & Loop Sanding Discs 80 100 120 150 320 600 Assort Grit Dust Free Abrasive Net Sander Disc Anti-Blocking Long-Lasting Mesh Sanding Pads, Sandpaper for Wood Furniture Floor
Step 5: Paint the Metal Pieces
Next, I taped off a few inches of the wooden legs above the feet of the tripod and painted the feet.
I painted the light shade, metal arm, and top plate all the same color. We used Rustoleum’s Hammered Brown spray paint. (It’s the same paint we used on our vintage metal glider.)
Rust-Oleum 245218 Universal All Surface Spray Paint, 12-Ounce, Hammered Brown by Rust-OleumMaster Airbrush Instant Aerosol Trigger Handle (2 Pack) – Attach to Convert Spray Cans into Spray Guns – Universal Fit, Use on Spray Paint, Adhesives – Reusable, Clip-On & Off, Full Comfort Hand Grip
Step 6: Stain Tripod Lamp Legs
After the paint was dry, I stained the legs of the tripod using a rag and wood stain. I used Minwax Wood Finish in the color Early American.
Then we put the tripod back together and attached the arm and light shade.
Minwax Wood Finish 71008000, Early American Stain, GallonDura-Gold – Pure Gold Superior Tack Cloths – Tack Rags (Box of 12) – Woodworking and Painters Professional Grade – Removes Dust, Sanding Particles, Cleans Surfaces – Wax and Silicone Free, Anti-Static
Step 7: Wire the Light Shade
Since all the pieces were cleaned up and looking pretty, it was time to wire the light shade to turn this contraption into a tripod lamp!
This was much easier than I anticipated, as the lamp kit came with step-by-step instructions on how to put everything together.
Make sure you follow the instructions in your lamp kit very carefully. Incorrectly wired lighting can easily start a fire!
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And it’s done!
I’m so happy with how this tripod lamp turned out! I know these instructions seem simple, but it took us quite a while to figure out how to get everything put together.
So, for us to put it together and it actually work felt like such an achievement!
I got to enjoy my ‘new’ tripod lamp for a whole 2 days before the movers came a packed it up for our PCS to Hawaii. But I know that it will be beautiful in our new home!
