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Intermediate Woodturning Project
Table Lamp - page 4

drillling and turning the lamp shaft

Parts for a lamp

Parts for a lamp are quite simple. Here is a 10" harp to hold the shade, #18 lam cord and plug, a decorative washer and a bulb socket with switch attached to a length of 3/8" threaded brass tubing.

drill a 1/4" hole at center, 2 1/2" deep

While there are likely fancier ways to do do this, I stand the shaft square in the drill press vise ensuring that it is as vertical in all directions as I can get it. Then I drill a 1/4" hole at center, 2 1/2" deep.

 guide for a 1/4" brad point bit in a hand drill

The square is moved to the bench vise and the hole serves as a guide for a 1/4" brad point bit in a hand drill.

this can work quite well

A shot of the bottom of the square indicates that this can work quite well.

mounted between centers

This is simply mounted between centers, ensuring that the hole for the cord is centered in the lamp shaft.

turn the shaft to a pleasing shape

Remembering that it will go on the base, turn the shaft to a pleasing shape. I like to leave a sort of cup at the top in the manner of a candle stick as this style of lamp mimics the form. Remember that this will be upright and do not make the piece of wood symetrical from the center. Turn a tenon at the bottom to match the mortice in the base. Sand.