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#1 ·
My go on a traditional old Danish lantern.

Wood lantern.
My go on a traditional old Danish lantern

At my visits to the Danish Frilandsmuseum, I fell in love with the old traditional lanterns.
The simple way they were created and the few materials.
Also they can be made all by hand or with power tools - from recycle materials or all new.
Kind of right up my Alley.


This lantern from the museum is kind of my favorite, simple and kind of timeless design, in my eyes a Denmark meets Japan.


Another favorite and same style.
Both use simple wire as hardware.


All of them are pinned together with wood pegs.


Simple lines.


Less elegant version and where the putty is visual on the outside.


I brought ice cream to my friend Flemming and he had found his old lanterns to show me…


He had a few and it was quite inspirational.
Also to study the top, where the heat are supposed to get out and air flow freely.


So after the study of old versions, it was time to draw up my own version.
I were looking for the elegant look the first picture represent, kind of Japanese as I see it, perhaps Japan meets Denmark.
It also needed to work with modern standard candles, so it had to be higher, this helped to make the look slimmer.
I wanted it to be putty free, this since I could see no need for putty if the lantern are pinned together with visible pins and also it was an extra process and expense with no need as I see it.
Finally the no hardware idea was important, perhaps even a recycle touch if possible.
Since I wanted it as simple as possible and liked the look of this I also decided to make as few work processes as I could, so the glass would be held only on two sides and like this leaving the glass edge visible in top and bottom.


Here we are by the workbench, two scrap outdoor decking floor board pieces.
This story symbolically started in darkness even it was summer and end it now in light even it is winter.


Running through the planer / thicknesser to get the desired thickness.


Then making the profiles and the top and base boards.


Using a thin push block / stick.


All profiles and the bases are cut from same thickness of lumber as you can see here.
Not just to be lazy but to make the process and design simple.
Less is more.


The carry handles are made from wire, had a roll of heavy galvanized wire in the shop, so this would do.


Simple bending and twisting, that all you need.


I had soup that night and got an idea with the can.
So the top and bottom came off.


And the metal was made ready for recycle.
But we will get back to this later.


It was time to work on the profiles.
The needed shoulders to be able to pin the lanterns together.
Made them on the table saw but they could have been made easy by hand as the rest of this project.


Shoulders are cut for the tenons.


Tenons are cut free hand on the saw, they don't need to be perfect.


Tenons all cut.


Now making a rabbet for the glass to be held.
Two types, one with one rabbet one with two.
As I said; less is more…


That's it for the profiles.


Ok less is not always more, sometimes more is lovely.
Dinner in the work shop.


Espresso and sketch book.
Yes life is more than wood.


Marking the mortises for the tenons on the top.


Both sides.


Then precut with the wheel.


Finding the center.


And marking it.


Drill out the waste.


With a chisel the mortises are cleaned up.


First cut the sides.


Then dig in.
Auuuuchhh look at the mirror of that chisel.


To clean them up.


First assembly makes me trust in the dimensions.
I can see this is going in a good direction.

This is where I will cut the blog for now, see you in a while.

About the museum:
The museum are a big area, where there are collected houses from all over Denmark, the houses are moved there, brick by brick, to preserve our cultural treasures, and to make it possible for people to come there and experience the atmosphere in and around these houses. Even the landscape around the houses is shaped to represent the area as much as possible.
There are all kinds of houses, also an old blacksmith or an inn. All the houses has original interior from the given period, and the gardens around have seeds from the period to. So this gives you a unique chance, to walk in time and history, around Denmark, and some of the places we used to rule.

You can find info about the museum here: Frilandsmuseet.

My latest museum visits can be seen here:
http://lumberjocks.com/mafe/blog/69242
http://lumberjocks.com/topics/19623

Hope it can be an inspiration, perhaps even a light…

MaFe
 
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#6 ·
Great blog as always Mads, really interesting.

Food and wine look great too!

My very best wishes for Christmas and the new year my friend from the other side of the world.

Best David
 
#10 ·
Looks like a fun project Mads and it's always nice to preserve a slice of the Danish culture. I'm kind of acquainted with lanterns because my grandparents farm where I lived during WWII in Minnesota didn't have electricity. Ours were kerosene and not candles, but kind of cool anyway. I think I know what that tin can is for, but I won't say and ruin your fun.
 
#17 ·
Hi there,
David, yes that is important, to light up what we enjoy and spred that light.
lew, a wonderful image yes, all over the planet.
Druid, smiles interesting!
Jerry, beautiful result I think.
icemanhank, best thoughts back.
Dutchy, ;-)
Topa, ;-)
Jim Rowe, a lot more at times.
stefang, did you guess right?
madts, see you soon, then you can see them.
racerglen, all there now.
kaerlighedsbamsen, yes that museum are a river of inspiration, we could take a tour together.
yuridichesky, it's always a pleasure to work in the shop.
helluvawreck, a look into my mind…
Roger, it was a wonderful break.
Thank you all.
Best thoughts,
Mads
 
#18 ·
I have seen the light...

Wood lantern.
i have seen the light

Part two.

At my visits to the Danish Frilandsmuseum, I fell in love with the old traditional lanterns.
The simple way they were created and the few materials.
Also they can be made all by hand or with power tools - from recycle materials or all new.
Kind of right up my Alley.


This was where we left last part.
Mortises cut.


Now time for making some candle holders.
A metal tube are cut here, actually the inside of a pull-down curtain.


Ok we better get back to that tin can idea…
The tin can side are cut to size.


It's held in a vice.


Bend.


Bend around a piece of wood with the diameter of a candle and the size marked.


Do you get it?


Cut to size and the extra for bending.


Now bending the other way.


In this way they can interlock.


Just like this.


Then I gave it some beating to make it look nice and close the joint.


Bottom are cut up.


The ends are bend down with a hammer.


Like this we have a closed bottom.


The candle holder can be put in a hole.


The candle held.
Kind of like this idea


Back to the other type.
Any tube will do as long as the diameter fits a candle.


Again I mark the bottom.


Saw it.


Like this.


Again a series of cuts app. 5 mm wide.


This time I have to fit the holder a wee and this gives me the chance to use my new old Japanese spoke shave, my ohhh this is a wonderful tool.


Again hammer them down.


Bottom closed up.


A pair. ;-)


I knw I am jumping a wee bit here…
But this was what started the can idea.
A brilliant can opener that can open the cans with a sharp edge.


Separated.
Ready for recycle.
Ok we will get back to this again… Smiles.


So back to the lantern, here finding the center of the base and top.


Like this.


Punch it.


Drilling the hole for the candle holder in the base.


As simple as this.


That's it.


Ok finally we get to those tin cans, I mean to why they came to my mind in this project.
Again using the drill press here.


When using a hole saw, it is a good idea to drill a pair of holes in each side, like this the wood that are cut out can fall out as the saw works it way through the wood and you can avoid burn.


One hole goes all the way through.
The other just a wee down.


The biggest ring are cut to fit the can lid.


We have a fit.


While there I mark up for the handle holes.


Just like this.


Drill.


This was what was on the table before, just another project, restoring a old wood RC boat.


Ok back to the lantern.
Now time to mark the lid hole.


Just like this, this will help the wood from splitting when using the router.


Then I can use a router to get the job done.


Yeps that works.


Drilling for some little nails to hold the lid.


So it can be mounted like this.


Kind of like it.
Simple and recycle.


To mount the handle The wire hard ware are put through the holes.


Opened on the back.


Twisted around.


Holes drilled.


The wire put in the holes.


Hammered flat.


So handle are in place now.


And the router back in place.
Don't remember why I took that photo.


The lantern on the left are pre assembled and I will show how it was done.
Here first profile are set on the right one.


Now all of them, note the profiles by the door are with no rabbet for glass.


Top put on.


Marking the top of the tenons.


Drilling just a wee over the line.
I use a Japanese tapered drill here.


And plane some tapered pins.
Flat on the one side.


So they can be hammed in place like this.


Like this the lid and bottom are held in place and can be opened again if a glass breaks.


Sarting to look like the drawing, I am happy by now.
On the side a pair of meditation stools I am making as gifts for two close friends.


The lid needs to be open for air and heat, so a pattern are marked.


Holes drilled.


Put in the lanterns.
Even it is open now, I can feel they do a good job.


I think it looks quite elegant.


So we will stop here for now.
I have seen the light…

Hope it can be an inspiration, perhaps even a light…

MaFe
 
#28 ·
Fascinated by the shadows it throws...

Wood lantern.
fascinated by the shadows it throws…

Part three.

At my visits to the Danish Frilandsmuseum, I fell in love with the old traditional lanterns.
The simple way they were created and the few materials.
Also they can be made all by hand or with power tools - from recycle materials or all new.
Kind of right up my Alley.


This was where we left last part, the lanterns bodies are ready.
Now we need doors and glass.


Back to the table saw, sawing the joints for the doors.


Not a bad jig.


Now time for the tenons.


Quick and clean.


A wee clean up.


That's it.
Yes they can be done by hand in minutes, but I still had pain in the neck and shoulders so I kept up the power tool approach.


Hmmmmmmmmmmmmm
How did this happen.
Took a look at the table saw and found out I did not tighten the jig probably to the fence…
Well easy to shim it, so no need to cry.


We got a door!


A made them a wee to small to allow a little airflow.


Not bad. ;-)


Glass rabbet are cut.
Again only on the sides.


That's it, I needed two cuts to get the width I wanted for the glass.


Now ready for glass.


The frame are glued on the one side only.
Here with hide glue, finally my pot gets to life again.
Ohhh that hide glue are a joy to use.


At the other side I drill again with the tapered drill bit.


The pins are also dipped in hide glue.


And the tapped in place with a small hammer.


Like this now we have two doors, glued and pinned in one side, open in the other, just held by the pins.


Left side glued and pinned.
Right side just pinned so it can be opened for the glass.


There are a charm to that glue pot, it kind of fits in here in my shop.


Smiles.


Back to the wire.


Now making higes for the doors.
As simple as this.


The door lock mechanism are almost the same simple, made a quick sketch for a working version.
Never did study the old once, but this is no rocket…


Drilling a hole for the door lock.


Wire goes through.


On the backside it's made flat and with a simple twist.


On the outside a wee handle are formed.


Now I can make a rabbet for the lock in the frame and it's complete.


Next step was to hammer the tin top in place.
And no Mike I agree they were not made from tins back in the days, tins were not for the normal person until after the first WW. It was just to make a modern cheap, recycled and easy version here.


Now drilling for the hinges in the door frame.


Like this.


The wire goes through.


And are just bed to each side on the back, since it will not be a heavy door.


Like this, notice that the hinges are placed on the glued side of the frame, this to make it strong there.


Then drilling in the frame.


Ok I had to see it with light now.
Still elegant I feel, so I can move on with a smile.


Ok also had to see it in the darkness.


The door hinges are made quite simple.


Just hammered in.


Here Filiz passed the work shop and took a picture of me working by the workbench, kind of fun to see one self like this. Thank you.


Ohhh yes and it is Christmas.
Merry Christmads to you all.


Another test light, here fascinated by the shadows it throws.

Next part is where the lantern gets glass and finally can get into use.

Hope it can be an inspiration, perhaps even a light…

MaFe
 
#41 ·
Let there be light and there was light...

Wood lantern.
Let there be light and there was light…


In Denmark we celebrate Christmas on 24 and so we had the lantern bringing for us light as we ate our Christmas meal at the work shop.

Part four.

At my visits to the Danish Frilandsmuseum, I fell in love with the old traditional lanterns.
The simple way they were created and the few materials.
Also they can be made all by hand or with power tools - from recycle materials or all new.
Kind of right up my Alley.


Last time we left with a fascination for the light, now it's time to protect the flame from the element
So a sheet of glass. a straight edge and a glass cutter are now on the table.


My friend Flemming borrowed me his HQ glass cutter.
I have a few of the traditional cheap versions.
With this one it was like cutting butter and so the sheets were cut up into size.


Used my side rabbet planes to fit the rabbets to the glass.


Glass are set between the profiles.


Glass in all three sides.
Then the lid goes on before we move on to the door.


The door frame can now be opened.


Glass pushed in place.


Frame closed up with pins but no glue, so they can be easily opened if the glass should break.


The pins are trimmed all over the lantern.


Less is enough. ;-)


And yes we got a lantern.


I love the crisp visible glass edges, they have their own way of reflecting the light.


MaFe meets old times and Japanese inspiration.


Nice warm light in the darkness.


Something odd on this picture?


Hmmm thought I saw something in the dark, but it was probably just my imagination!
All I see is the light.


With this I wish you all a Merry ChristMads.

Hope it can be an inspiration, perhaps even a light…

MaFe
 
#42 ·
MaFe you are an inspiration to many, more that you can imagine I believe.
I loved this project and intend to make several as it is an easy project to batch the parts.
Merry Christmas to you. Hope you get to spend time with your daughter.
Jim
 
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