Pencil Desk Lamp

Inspired by a hanging lamp I spotted in Buenos Aires, I 3d printed this desk lamp. The pencils are not fixed (by glue) so you can use the pencils or create a new (colour) pattern. It's an easy print and build. It takes max 30 minutes to assemble.

Most important is to find the right size of pencils. I have used Staedtler 175 pencils. (See supplies for details).

Total print duration with a 0.6mm nozzle is about 3.5 hours.

WARNING: You will be working with high voltage AC. This is potentially very dangerous. Make sure you only work on the lamp when it's unplugged. If you have any doubts: let a professional do the wiring.

• 42 hexagonal Pencils. I have used Staedtler 175 but others will work. See picture for the size.
• 105gram of filament. 35 meter.
• 15mm (9/16 inch) M10 hollow threaded rod.
• M10 nut
• e27 lightbulb. I used a Philips hue (smart) filament lightbulb
• 110v/230v power cord with plug and switch and a lightbulb socket.
• glue. Any type which works on your filament.

Tools

• Screwdriver.
• Pliers.
• File. (possibly).

There are 7 objects to print. I used prusament pearl white PLA but anything will do. I use a 0.6mm nozzle with a layer height of 0.4mm and a first layer of 0.2. If you don't have a 0.6mm nozzle I suggest printing with a 0.2mm layer height. Below print durations are with the above settings on a Prusa MK4.

• Stand: 36gram. 12meter. 1h5m.
• Lower ring: 33gram. 11meter. 1h7m.
• Upper Ring: 20gram. 44m. 7 meter. Make sure the 4 notches are on the top while printing.
• 4x Pillars: 16gram. 5meter. 26m.

• Insert the 4 pillars in the stand. Make sure they go in all the way. You can check this by flipping the stand over and see if all 4 pillars hit the floor. (See picture). If the pillars are hard to insert, you can use a file to round the edges of the pillars.
• Insert the M10 hollow rod in the bulb socket.
• Insert the bulb socket in the lower ring. It matters which side. If the ring is orientated correctly. A pencil tip would point to the right. Make sure to socket sits on top.
• Fix the socket with the nut using pliers.
• Insert the wire from the bottom.
• If you are using a wire and socket like the one in my pictures, tie a knot in the wire the make sure you can't pull the wire out of the connectors.
• Connect the wires to the connectors.
• Add the socket cover. Make sure everything fits like it should. Make sure the knot in the wire is not in the way.
• Temporary insert the bulb and see if the light works if you plug it in and switch it on.
• Push the lower ring onto the stand.
• Glue the top ring onto the stand. I only put some glue in the flat part on the notches. (See picture).
• Flip the stand and put something heavy on top. (A book? See picture). Wait a couple of minutes.
• Insert the bulb.
• Insert 42 pencils.

Done!