Copper Lantern
A couple years ago I started looking for crafty things to do with the scrap wire from projects around my house. This is one of the cooler things I came up with. A decorative copper lantern for flower gardens or whatever. Takes a couple hours and basic tools to fabricate.
Materials
14 or 12 gauge scrap wire from electrical projects around the house
some copper sheet (don't know gauge, just had some sheets laying around the basement so I used it)
various pliers/strippers/wire cutters
torch
solder
some copper sheet (don't know gauge, just had some sheets laying around the basement so I used it)
various pliers/strippers/wire cutters
torch
solder
Base
Use the computer to layout a base for the lantern (I used MS Word with the grid set to 0.10).
The base shown here was 2.5" x 2.5" by 0.3" when it was finished.
I used a vise to bend my first one, now I have a small metal brake I used for this particular one.
I didn't show pictures of how I folded it up, but it can be tricky sequencing the bends right.
One detail to mention is the 4 small tabs at each corner are meant to be bent so as the adjacent side folds over the tab. A little trimming of the tabs is required for the best fit - See the 2nd picture.
The base shown here was 2.5" x 2.5" by 0.3" when it was finished.
I used a vise to bend my first one, now I have a small metal brake I used for this particular one.
I didn't show pictures of how I folded it up, but it can be tricky sequencing the bends right.
One detail to mention is the 4 small tabs at each corner are meant to be bent so as the adjacent side folds over the tab. A little trimming of the tabs is required for the best fit - See the 2nd picture.
Top
Use the computer to layout a base for the lantern (I used MS Word with the grid set to 0.10).
The top shown here is 2.75" x 4.9" (finished size) with 0.2" tabs.
I used a vise to bend my first one, now I have a small metal brake I used for this particular one and any cylindrical object I could find to give it the curve.
The top shown here is 2.75" x 4.9" (finished size) with 0.2" tabs.
I used a vise to bend my first one, now I have a small metal brake I used for this particular one and any cylindrical object I could find to give it the curve.
Cut Wire
Strip and cut the copper wire into:
(4) 8 inch pieces
(2) 10 inch pieces
The (2) ten inch pieces are shown after they were bent
(4) 8 inch pieces
(2) 10 inch pieces
The (2) ten inch pieces are shown after they were bent
Bending Wire
Bend the wires as shown, match the width of the supports to fit inside the copper base. Round nose pliers are the best for the curved pieces, but I misplaced mine so needle nose work too.
You can see the center of the spiral areas have small flat sections from being grabbed by the needle nose pliers. Round nose pliers eliminate this and make a more pleasing curve.
You can see the center of the spiral areas have small flat sections from being grabbed by the needle nose pliers. Round nose pliers eliminate this and make a more pleasing curve.
Solder Everything Together
Using a small torch solder everything together. I found it easiest to start with the base, and solder the supports to it before soldering the top to the supports, and finally adding the curvy pieces.
Some small clamps sure come in handy when putting it together.
It isn't pictured here, but I added a couple more pieces of wire to be able to hang the lantern.
All it needs now is a little RGB LED that changes color with temperature, but that's an instructable for another day.
Side Note: There is a whole science to getting a nice patina on copper, and a lot more colors achievable than the pale blue-green that generally comes to mind. Search around and check it out.
Some small clamps sure come in handy when putting it together.
It isn't pictured here, but I added a couple more pieces of wire to be able to hang the lantern.
All it needs now is a little RGB LED that changes color with temperature, but that's an instructable for another day.
Side Note: There is a whole science to getting a nice patina on copper, and a lot more colors achievable than the pale blue-green that generally comes to mind. Search around and check it out.