How to Make a Tripod Lamp: A Step-By-Step Guide

I have been wanting a tripod lamp for several years. I first saw one 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 in our area for 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. And I couldn’t wait to turn it into a fabulous tripod lamp!

Here’s how we did it:

Step 1: Making a Plan

The hardest part of this whole project was figuring out how to mount an arm onto the top of the tripod.

Initially, we wanted to use a wooden fuel measuring stick. However, we couldn’t figure how to mount it on the tripod.

My husband had a 1940s Craftsman table saw stand. Originally, he planned to make a table out of it, but 4 or 5 years later, it was still sitting (untouched) in the garage. Being the sweet husband that he is, he let me have the metal arm that held the work light.

So, the plan is to attach one end of the metal arm to the top of the tripod and attach the light shade to the other end.

Sounds easy, but no project is ever as easy as it sounds.

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. (We just didn’t want to make the 30-minute drive to the hardware store or spend more money. So, he made do with what we had on hand.)

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

When we bought the tripod, the bottom of one of the wooden legs was being held together by tape. (What do you expect from a $15 flea market find?)

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 the tripod was in working order again, it was time to start making it pretty.

I sanded the legs until they were smooth. Starting with a 120-grit sanding net and working up to a 320-grit.

The industrial metal light shade needed only a light scuff sanding with 120-grit.

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 and painted the metal feet of the tripod.

I painted the light shade, metal arm, and top plate all the same color. (I repainted metal pieces gold after moving into our new house in Hawaii.)

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.

Baocuz Lamp kit with 12 Feet Cord for DIY lamp and Table Lamp，2 Way Lamp Socket Repair Or Rewire The Vintage Lighting Fixtures,Antique Brass Lamp Kits for Do It YourselfCreative Hobbies ML94KIT Premium Lamp Kit with All Parts for DIY Lamp Design or Repair (Antique Brass)

 

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 the lamp 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!

Update:

After setting up the lamp in our new house, we decided to give it a few updates.

First we added a little shelf in the middle of the lamp. The unsecured tripod legs were sliding around on the floor and it was almost impossible to get it to stay upright.

The triangular shelf in the middle of the tripod gives it a lot more stability.

I also repainted the metal pieces of the tripod lamp gold. I had originally chosen a ‘hammered brown’ paint that was supposed to look bronze. However, it just wasn’t the look I wanted.

So, it gave the metal pieces a quick scuff sanding and spray painted them gold.

The tripod lamp is perfect in my little reading nook by our DIY bookshelves!