Project Information
I was out in my woodshop looking at all of my scrap and decided I would build a lighthouse for beside the fireplace. It was an adventure. There were many angle calculations, bevel cuts, delicate details and a lot of patience involved. I built a jig to cut the base at about a 3 degree taper over 22 inches. The total height, to the tip of the lightning rod, is 40 inches.
Scratching my head
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I used a wide vase turned upside down for the lamp room. The service room directly underneath is 16 sided (hexadecgon - pic #4)) to make more of a circle around the glass. I used ball chain from a ceiling fan pull on the galley.
Mocking things up using poster board.
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This was all made using what I had laying around. Plywood mostly, walnut for the vertical partitions around the vase, oak, and some balsa wood for the door detail. I did leave the oak unpainted so there was a little natural wood showing. I wish I had some teak! Picture #5 is before the finish was applied.
Getting close!
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Finding light bulb that would look decent and not produce heat was somewhat of a challenge. I found this cylinder shaped LED and it will work for now. It's soft white and produces too many lumens. Honestly, I will probably never have it lit up but wanted to make if functional. I do have a 7.5W nightlight bulb (39 lumens) that will also work for now if I decide to keep it lit. I will keep looking for a bright white, low lumens, cool looking bulb.
We have light!
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If I ever build another one, I think I will make some type of rotating beacon for the light. I also thought about cutting out the windows and adding light inside the tower. I would probably line the windows with parchment paper to mute the light shining though producing a very nice amber glow.
Drew
Scratching my head
I used a wide vase turned upside down for the lamp room. The service room directly underneath is 16 sided (hexadecgon - pic #4)) to make more of a circle around the glass. I used ball chain from a ceiling fan pull on the galley.
Mocking things up using poster board.
This was all made using what I had laying around. Plywood mostly, walnut for the vertical partitions around the vase, oak, and some balsa wood for the door detail. I did leave the oak unpainted so there was a little natural wood showing. I wish I had some teak! Picture #5 is before the finish was applied.
Getting close!
Finding light bulb that would look decent and not produce heat was somewhat of a challenge. I found this cylinder shaped LED and it will work for now. It's soft white and produces too many lumens. Honestly, I will probably never have it lit up but wanted to make if functional. I do have a 7.5W nightlight bulb (39 lumens) that will also work for now if I decide to keep it lit. I will keep looking for a bright white, low lumens, cool looking bulb.
We have light!
If I ever build another one, I think I will make some type of rotating beacon for the light. I also thought about cutting out the windows and adding light inside the tower. I would probably line the windows with parchment paper to mute the light shining though producing a very nice amber glow.
Drew
