Engine head Lamp Project

17andcollectingcases · Feb 11, 2015

I am 17 and I would consider myself a tractor nut. Back when I had my ford tractor I had to replace the head. I'm in an art class and we get to pick our art project so I cleaned up this old ford head and painted it and am making a table lamp out of it I plan to use chrome acorn nuts where the studs would be and put a distributor on the pole holding the socket here is a picture of it in my process.

wjytexas · Feb 11, 2015

very cool

Dalex · Feb 11, 2015

I like that !! Don't forget to put some felt pads on the bottom.....

17andcollectingcases · Feb 11, 2015

Im gonna put rubber feet on each corner to ensure it doesnt damage the surface

RayP(MI) · Feb 11, 2015

Ought to support a light bulb with no problem.

J.Wondergem · Feb 11, 2015

I'd bet my Sister would jump all over that. She into that kind of stuff.

Cory Schmidt · Feb 11, 2015

Looks good, so far. I like the repurposing.

How do you plan on hiding the post?
It don't look right with a heavy base and a spindly stick in the middle.

L.Fure · Feb 11, 2015

Well, you sure could put it in front of an open window. The wind shouldn't blow it off the table. I like it though. Make sure you show us the finished project when you are done.

Dell (WA) · Feb 11, 2015

hey 17........gotta good start onna great project. I like yer sparkie wires (cut to length) Take yer 5-nipple dizzy cap and drill out the center nipple so yer LONG threaded pole. Nuttin' like acorn caps fer some bling. Rubber baby bumpers ain't gonna prevent damage. Glue some felt or corduroy the WHOLE length of the underside of head. Then there's the lite socket at the top of the hollow rod 1-way or 3-way? Incandescent or compact florescent. And then there's the SHADE. I still have the lamp I made as a project in 8th grade wood shop. Turned a 18" aspen log 4"-dia and 6"-square 2x6 base with corduroy ........tnx fer re-memory, 77yo Dell

JMS/.MN · Feb 11, 2015

How about a WD muffler to hold the bulb?

NCWayne · Feb 11, 2015

That looks like it will be a nice piece when you get done with it.

I know a guy that has a side business taking "industrial" things like that and making furniture. He's got a store setup in one of the artsy flea markets in Charlotte, and makes pretty good money for the things he makes.

As a for instance, he took an old bike, never even cleaned it up as the grime adds "patina" to a piece, and sold it for $1500 before he even got it off the truck. I can't remember what he gets out of them, but another thing he makes is lights for pool tables, etc out of old valve covers. He says the old Detroit covers work great because they are so big, and already have the holes in the top for the light fixtures, and wiring to go through.

17andcollectingcases · Feb 11, 2015

I'm putting a distributor on the socket pole and stainless steel tubing

retired farmer · Feb 11, 2015

What a unique idea!

Mike(NEOhio) · Feb 11, 2015

How about an oil filter can for a shade?

HCooke · Feb 11, 2015

I like that. I have a cracked head I was going to scrap. Don't think I will throw it away just yet!

Cory Schmidt · Feb 11, 2015

If your putting the whole dis. on that would look real good.
I read through it fast at first and thought you were just going to put the cap on under the socket.

Chilidawg · Feb 11, 2015

(quoted from post at 00:29:22 02/12/15) That looks like it will be a nice piece when you get done with it.

I know a guy that has a side business taking "industrial" things like that and making furniture. He's got a store setup in one of the artsy flea markets in Charlotte, and makes pretty good money for the things he makes.

As a for instance, he took an old bike, never even cleaned it up as the grime adds "patina" to a piece, and sold it for $1500 before he even got it off the truck. I can't remember what he gets out of them, but another thing he makes is lights for pool tables, etc out of old valve covers. He says the old Detroit covers work great because they are so big, and already have the holes in the top for the light fixtures, and wiring to go through.

ou might just have found a career. Steampunk, anyone?

PJH · Feb 11, 2015

Very nice idea! I'll give it an A++! Show us what it looks like when you're all done (and what you got for a grade).

fixerupper · Feb 11, 2015

You have a creative mind. Show us a picture when you are done.

ObsoElitist · Feb 11, 2015

Nice work! My partner and I scrounge up all kind of crazy stuff while collecting on farms, ranches, and estates, and auctions, and sell the stuff we don't need at various swap meets to pay for our hobby. One guy makes chandeliers for restaurants from hayrake wheels as seen under the one way sign and kerosene lanterns, and sells them for serious money.
One we hit a few times a year across the bay from San Francisco is the Alameda Island Antiques Faire. We love people watching there. I have joked that the "artists" (counted 18 berets in one day) will buy anything you can make a lamp out of. Here is a shot of one of our typical setups, everything from, and including, the Jeepster Commando to the tractor grill is ours.

sms · Feb 12, 2015

Looks good, I have an idea for you, how about an on/off switch in the water neck, maybe a rotary switch??

17andcollectingcases · Feb 12, 2015

Howdy I like your idea but I've got plans to put a short radiator hose on it and plug the end with the ford thermostat.

17andcollectingcases · Feb 12, 2015

When I get it finished and graded I will post a picture and my grade and some final thoughts on the main page Thank you to everyone for the comments and fresh ideas!

johndeere720GA · Feb 12, 2015

I think I would make a wood base then mount the head and distributor to it leaving the distributor in the same location you have it now. The wood would help protect your other furniture from damage from the metal head. It would also give you a way to attach your acorn nuts solidly without using glue or tapping the head for studs. As you could drill out the head holes in the wood and countersink bolts to fasten the whole thing together and get your acorn nuts installed.

ObsoElitist · Feb 12, 2015

The original Ford headlight switch should work for it, but be sure and used a triple wire so that the whole thing is grounded. Perhaps a small clock in the cooling tube?

Engine head Lamp Project

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