I recently rearranged my digital piano setup to include a computer monitor instead of a paper music stand. (I detest trying to turn pages while I’m playing.) This move left a very nice black 24″ LED piano light unemployed. With a bit of design work in SketchUp and a few leftover pieces of white ash, I came up with a base to suit the piano light. I also used some leftover pieces of copper tubing, painted to look like brass, to enhance the design a bit. Now I have a cool (both meanings) energy-efficient and comfortable new lamp on my desk.
- Basic lamp base shape with scraps of white ash.
- Simple and heavy two-layer base.
- First dry fit of all the components.
- Loose assembly, front view
- Loose assembly, back view
- After adding a few chamfer details, the “goalpost” was ready for glue up.
- A rubber band and four 5/16 spacers helped position the beveled cap pieces.
- Base assembly stained and ready for polyurethane.
- MinWax Dark Walnut looks rich on the white ash.
- Three coats of MinWax satin spar urethane yielded a nice sheen.
- A quick fixture to clean up the copper tubes with 400 grit emery paper.
- The copper really shines, and the tiny scratches will help the primer and paint to adhere.
- Rattle can brass over a primer first coat.
- The finished lamp, sitting on the riser at the back of my desk.