How to build a Can Lamp

Tools needed- hammer, needle nose pliers and a screwdriver

Other supplies:

An empty 12oz aluminum soda can

Socket Top Socket Body

Socket Base

Nickel Plated washer

Threaded pipe

8’ Line Cord

Chrome Base

Snap Bushing

Lock Washer

Lock Nut

Sponge Base

60 watt bulb

The supplies I used came from Personal Service Mfg. Corp

You can order a kit from this company or assemble your own.

Directions to put the lamp together.

1. Punch a hole in the bottom of the can about ½ inch in diameter using the hammer, screwdriver and you may need the needle nose pliers.

2. Cut the hole in the top of the can to about a 1” diameter

3. Loosen the set screw in the socket base

4. Screw the threaded pipe on the socket base until the end of the pipe is visible just below the cardboard insulator in the top of the socket base. Then tighten the screw back on the socket base.

5. Assemble the washer on the pipe, up to the socket base, and then take that and put the pipe with the washer on top of the can.

6. Then flip your can upside down and add the chrome base.

7. You will then take your lock washer and put that up against the chrome base and then screw on the lock nut.

8. Next add the black snap bushing to the whole in the side of the chrome base.

9. Then you will thread the cord through the bushing. You will need about 9” through the bushing and then you will make a knot inside the chrome base. This will secure the cord on the inside of your lamp.

10. Once you have your knot you will then thread the cord through the pipe.

11. You will need to look at the end of the wire and locate the high voltage conductor side and the neutral side of the cord. The neutral side will have ridges on the outside of the cord. On the cord I am using the tips of the wire coming out of the cord has been coated with black and silver tips. My neutral conductor has a black tip and the high voltage has a silver tip, making it easy for me to determine which side goes where.

12. You will then get your socket body and look on both sides. One side has a brass screw attached and the other side has a silver screw.

13. You will need your screwdriver and possibly your pliers for the next step. You will take the wire from the neutral (the side with ridges on the cord) wire and bend that around the silver screw on the socket body. And then take the high voltage side wire (smooth side cord) and screw that to the brass screw on the other side of your socket body.

14. Once you have those screws tight and the wires are secure on the socket body you may need to pull the bottom of the cord through the bottom of the pipe until the socket body touches the socket base and then the socket body can be snapped in place to the socket base. You will need to snap the socket body in place to the socket base.

15. The next step will be to add the socket top to the socket body. This will snap in place once you line up the grooves.

16. At this stage I like to test my lamp and make sure it is correct. So you will need your light bulb and be close to an outlet for your power source.

17. If your lamp is working then you can unplug your lamp and add the sponge base to the bottom of the chrome base, and you are done. If it did not work check the conductors and make sure you have them correct and that the screw is nice and tight. If you do not have a secure connection to the screw, wire and the socet body. Your lamp will not work because your wires will be loose. You want to have a tight connection.