Our Mickey Lamp - a note of thanks!

[mickeyfan0805]

Just a note to say thank you to those who have posted info an ideas for Mickey Lamp Posts (a particular thanks to CDNCruiser and his extremely valuable website on the process). I spent the last 1.5 months working on ours with the kids (an early Xmas gift for Mom), and gave it to her this past weekend. It came out beautifully, and she was thrilled. The colors don't show well in the pic, but you'll get the idea.

I did a few extra things to fit our needs and desires, but probably the most significant thing, that others might want to replicate, was to take an extra step on CDN's concept of using bulbs in the ears. I used his process (slightly different electrics, but same general process) to place a light socket in each ear. In addition, however, I used the portions of the head that had been cut out by the hole-saw as a base-plate for those ear lights. The result is that they serve as a barrier between the ear and the head, providing the ability to put different colors in each socket with minimal color bleed. You can see the distinct colors in the pic (although they are distorted, the ears are actually a nice green). We'll be doing red, white and blue for the Fourth, green and yellow for Packer games, etc...

So, anyway, thanks so much for the input. It was a great project with the kids and a great gift for the wife!

Our little creation...

 

[bigblock396]

That's a great looking lamp post. Interesting modifications. Haven't quite gotten the energy to make one yet but you have inspired me.

 

[mchllevns]

Awesome!!

 

[Krs1300]

Just a note to say thank you to those who have posted info an ideas for Mickey Lamp Posts (a particular thanks to CDNCruiser and his extremely valuable website on the process). I spent the last 1.5 months working on ours with the kids (an early Xmas gift for Mom), and gave it to her this past weekend. It came out beautifully, and she was thrilled. The colors don't show well in the pic, but you'll get the idea.

I did a few extra things to fit our needs and desires, but probably the most significant thing, that others might want to replicate, was to take an extra step on CDN's concept of using bulbs in the ears. I used his process (slightly different electrics, but same general process) to place a light socket in each ear. In addition, however, I used the portions of the head that had been cut out by the hole-saw as a base-plate for those ear lights. The result is that they serve as a barrier between the ear and the head, providing the ability to put different colors in each socket with minimal color bleed. You can see the distinct colors in the pick (although they are distorted, the ears are actually a nice green). We'll be doing red, white and blue for the Fourth, green and yellow for Packer games, etc...

So, anyway, thanks so much for the input. It was a great project with the kids and a great gift for the wife!

Our little creation...

we saw so many of these this weekend! I kept wondering where they came from! You made this??

 

[mickeyfan0805]

we saw so many of these this weekend! I kept wondering where they came from! You made this??

Yes, they are made from supplies you can get at any home improvement store.

There is a great basic outline at the following link: http://www.carol-anne.ca/Mickey%20Lamp.htm

Following that process, you can adjust for your ideas, needs and usage. We did the light chambers described above, wired ours in a way that it can be easily transported in three pieces (head, base and post), added the flag holder, painted the planter like Mickey, etc...

The base process is extremely helpful and allows you to get creative from there.

 

[wiigirl]

Awesome lamp!

 

[CDNCruiser]

Great job . . . I like the enhancements!

 

[tiggerdad]

Looks great! Gonna start working on mine this summer.

 

[bama_ed]

mickeyfan has inspired me too. I've printed off the instructions and may attempt this during the spring before my March trip. I'm no handyman but I might be able to pull it off.

Bama Ed

 

[2goofycampers]

 

[Fueledbycoffee]

Don't camp but I'm married to an electrician... Think I need one of those!

 

[Born 2 Fish]

Very cool,,me likey.
Will mine be under the Christmas tree ?

 

[rab1022]

Looks great!

I like the planter idea as it saves space, which is one this that held me back a bit. How does your lamp post secure to the planter?

 

[North of Mouse]

Really creative! I like it!

 

[mickeyfan0805]

Looks great!

I like the planter idea as it saves space, which is one this that held me back a bit. How does your lamp post secure to the planter?

It is difficult to explain without pics, but I'll do my best.

I created a receiver out of PVC pipe. I did a solvent weld to connect a regular coupler to a mending sleeve - this created a 4" receiver sleeve into which the post could be placed. I used epoxy to secure the sleeve to the bottom of the pot and surrounded it with garden rocks for weight. I then sanded down the main pipe for easier installation and removal. It now simply slides into the sleeve, plugs in, and done.

A couple of key elements:

-I cut a notch out of the bottom of of the receiver so that water could drain through and out the hole in the bottom of the pot.

-I wired through the side of the pot (and the receiver) and placed a plug in the receiver, allowing an extension cord to be placed in the pipe for easy wiring to the head

 

[jessica52877]

Love yours!

DH made mine in a day and a half but it was great and we too got so many compliments! Right now it is outside our front door all plugged in! I can't wait to have a bit of time before our next trip to add a side post thingy to hang something from and I also would like to find an old milk can or something similar for the base. We used an umbrella stand since we already had one! It was so easy to transport since ours too is in 3 pieces.