Build lamp from old CDs - a guide

You can build a stylish lamp from old CDs and use the disused disks sensibly. This special practical tip shows you what else you need for handicrafts and how you can combine all of these into a beautiful lamp.

Build a lamp from old CDs - the materials

• Materials: First of all, of course you need old CDs. The size of the lamp depends on how many CDs you want to use. You can later lay the CDs directly on top of each other or - as in the drawing below - stack them with washers and some air.
• Scaffolding: A threaded rod can be used as a scaffold for your lamp. These are available in the hardware store from a length of one meter. You need three times the length of your future lamp.
• Note: Buy the matching nuts directly, for example decorative cap nuts. You need at least 7 pieces. Also pack some washers that fit the threaded rod. If you do not want to place the CDs directly on top of each other, you have to calculate three washers for each space between two CDs.
• Illuminants: It is best to use a 12 volt lamp for the lighting, as this does not require any training as an electrician. In this example, a few sections of an LED strip are used. They are usually available directly with the appropriate ballast. You can also use a cold light tube that is otherwise installed in the PC. Then pay attention to the length of the tube and the correct power supply.
• Tool: To saw the threaded rod you need a hacksaw. A sharp wood drill with the diameter of the threaded rod is sufficient for the CD's. You also need a cordless drill or a drill. Find out more in our tutorial on the right sawing.
• Prepare a folding rule and some sandpaper. Some small cable ties are also very helpful.
• If you do not want to put the lamp directly on the threaded rods, you can also build a wooden base. Use a jigsaw to cut a circle the size of the CDs out of a wood of your choice.

Assembling the lamp from CDs - part 1

1. Now measure the three holes for the threaded rods on a template CD. The holes go through all CDs and should form an isosceles triangle. Each side of the triangle must be about 8 cm long so that the holes still fit on the CD. Tip: Make the triangle with a compass.
2. Mark the points and, on a suitable surface, drill a hole at each mark through the CD. You can now use this template to drill through the other CDs with the wood drill. Drill slowly and carefully, because the plastic melts in the heat, sticks the drill and can even burn in extreme cases. If possible, you can drill wet - that cools. Drilling on the weekend - is that actually allowed?
3. Measure the height of your CDs. If you place washers between the CDs, you also take them into account. Now add another two centimeters to this result and saw your threaded rod to this size. You need four (!) Pieces, three for the holes and one for the middle.
4. If necessary, clean the holes on the CDs with some sandpaper to grind off rough edges. Now you can put the lamp together. Put the cap nuts on the bottom of the threaded rods. Then insert the threaded rods into a first CD with the shiny side facing up.
5. Now always insert CDs or alternately CDs and washers on them until the threaded rods are filled.
6. If there is still a lot of space above, you can fill it with washers. Whether up or down is up to you. Simply put the cap nuts on top, turn the lamp and remove the cap nuts again. Now add more washers until the cap nuts firmly press the construction together. But be careful that it is not too tight, otherwise the plastic will crack!

Assembling the lamp from CDs - part 2

Now it's time to place the LED strips in the middle of the lamp.

1. Take the threaded rod that is left and screw a nut with a washer on top of the thread. The mother is now a placeholder.
2. Now wrap the LED strip tightly and spirally around the threaded rod. Start on the side without a mother and work your way up. This side is at the bottom later, so the end of the LED strip with the cable must be there. Because the LED tape does not stick to the thread, fix it from time to time with the small cable ties. You can cut off excess LED tape between the segments.
3. Unscrew the nut and washer and carefully insert the wrapped rod from below through the center hole of the CDs. Once at the top, place the washer on top and secure the whole thing with the nut. The threaded rod now hangs on the top of the nut, the cable should look out below.
4. Now all you have to do is connect the LED strip to the LED converter. Align the plus / minus symbols on the cable with those on the converter and screw the cable from the LED strip into the terminal.
5. Plug in your lamp and test that everything is wired correctly. If you have done everything according to plan, the LED strip now shines through the CDs.

Play video

It is correspondingly easier with a cold light tube. You can simply fix them in the middle and connect them properly. If, by the way, you accidentally scratched a CD that you still need: Another article will give you tips on how to repair scratched CDs and DVDs.