How to make an Edison Light Box

If you’re looking for a unique, retro lamp then this is the DIY for you. This cool and funky Edison light bulb feature for your home also uses very little electricity, as it uses a 4 Watt LED bulb.

Materials you will need:

1 x 1000mm x 69mm x 22mm PAR timber (pine)
Lamp socket
4W LED filament bulb
8 x 4.5mm x 45mm cut screws
2 x brass screws to fit the lamp socket
Cable tie
2m two-core flex
Electric plug
Electric lamp switch
Wood glue
Wood filler
Wood stain
Wood sealant

Tools you will need:

Cordless drill with 6mm and 10mm wood bits
speed pilot drill bit
mitre saw (or mitre box and hand saw)
screwdrivers
scraper
tape measure
corner clamp
sander

Step 1

Measure the wood and use the mitre saw to cut four 220mm lengths, with 45° ends pointing inwards.

Step 2

Once the four pieces are cut, select a plank as your base. On this plank measure to find the middle of the 220mm x 22mm edge. Mark it and drill a 6mm hole about 35mm deep.

Step 3

Find the middle of the 69mm wide face, mark it and drill a 10mm hole until you reach the hole drilled in the previous step.

Step 4

Place the lamp socket in the middle of the plank, above the 10mm hole. Mark where the screw holes in the lamp socket are and drill shallow pilot holes.

Step 5

Once the base is complete attach the sides. To do this, place some wood glue on the 45° edges and clamp them together with the corner clamps.

Step 6

Use a speed pilot drill bit (which drills a pilot hole and a countersink simultaneously) and two cut screws to reinforce the joint. Repeat this process for all corners.