How To Make A Steel Pipe Chandelier

time2018/06/28

DIY Room Decor: How To Make A Steel Pipe Chandelier



(Image credit: Something Is Done)

Looking to get the industrial look for less? A perfect complement to a rustic farm table, Camilla of Something Is Done created this cool chandelier made from pipes. See how she did it:

(Image credit: Something Is Done)
Skill Level: Moderate 
Time Required: 2 hours
Project Cost: $70, not including wiring

What You Need

Materials

  • Steel pipe parts and fittings:
    A) Nipple, 1-1/2 x 2" (1)
    B) Floor flange, 1-1/2" (1)
    C) Reducer, 1-1/2 x 1/2" (7)
    D) Tee, 1/2" (9)
    E) Square head plug, 1/2" (4)
    F) Nipple, 1/2 x 7" (4)
    G) Nipple, 1/2 x 6" (2)
    H) Nipple, 1/2 x 3" (2)
    I) Nipple, 1/2 x 1-1/2" (6)
    J) Pipe,1/2 x 24" (1)
  • Ceramic ceiling fan light sockets (6)
  • Mineral spirits + rags
  • Rubber foam weather strips
  • Clear spray lacquer (1 can)
  • Black spray paint (1 can)

      Tools

      • Screwdriver

        Instructions

        1. Use mineral spirits and rags to wipe the protective oil off all the steel pipe parts.

        (Image credit: Something Is Done)

        2. Screw together the light fixture using the diagram above as a reference. "Nipples" refer to short threaded sections of pipe. Parts F, G, F (in that order) form the long arms on each side of the chandelier. Two H pieces form the crossbar perpendicular to the two long arms. (Note: If you can't tell, the two long arms are staggered in Camille's configuration, making the chandelier asymmetrical.)

        3. Spray paint the ceramic light sockets black.

        4. Spray the entire fixture with spray lacquer to protect it from rust.

        5. Wire the lamp. If you want to DIY this step, check out our post on how to make a lamp out of almost anything, or Kara Paslay's chandelier-specific tutorial. If you are at all uncomfortable, consider hiring an electrician!

        6. After the light sockets are wired, wedge them into their places using strips of rubber weather stripping (this will allow you to remove the sockets if needed).

        7. Install the fixture (here's how to remove an old one and install a new one).

        (Image credit: Something Is Done)