Bicycle Wheel Lamp DIY

I was in a bicycle shop in Arkansas one day and saw an amazing light fixture many bicycle rims of different sizes surrounding it. I believe it had multiple blue light bulbs and wire fencing surrounding it. This gave me the inspiration for making a simple bicycle wheel lamp.

This is first one I made. I made it for my father-in-law. He loves orange and biking.

Supplies: 

• A lamp - If you don’t want to splice wires make sure the wiring is not soldered to the socket. Many lamps are soldered. Also, lamps with a pull chains have one less step and can be easier to turn on.  
• 2 kids or bmx bicycle wheels - 20" - 24" is perfect. I recommend a rear wheel for the lower. The bore seems to be larger.  
• Very small all-thread with the same size nuts (12 nuts needed) 
• Roll of chicken wire fencing 
• Small zip ties 
• Edison bulb 
• Spray paint - for wheels and lamp (optional)

Instructions:

1. Remove hubs/axles and clean the wheels. 
2. Drill 3 holes at equal distances through the edge of each bicycle rim. Drill all the way through. This can be a little difficult. 
3. Take apart lamp and remove the socket from the lamp base. Unscrew the wires and separate. If your lamp has a twist knob and not a pull chain remove enough spokes of the rear wheel to fit your hand through. This will allow access to the switch.  
4. Place the rear wheel on the lamp base then reattach the socket. Lamps are different and you made need to do some creative engineering to make it fit. On my second lamp I used a bike tube and a hose clamp to keep the lower wheel in place.  
5. Insert the bulb and measure clearance from bottom of the rim to about 2 inches above the top of the bulb. This will be your cut length for the all-thread.  
6. Cut 3 pieces of all-thread. 
7. Insert each piece into the holes in the rim. Place a nut blow the edge of the rim and over the top. It helps if you already have the top nut threaded on, otherwise you have to thread it all the way down. Do this on each side.  
8. Thread 3 more nuts onto each piece of all thread. These will support the top bike wheel. Once it is level place the last 3 nuts over the top edge to hold it in place.  
9. The last step is the chicken wire. Measure the distance between both rims and cut the wire with some good snips. Be careful because those cut wires will draw blood.  
10. Once your section is cut zip-tie the fencing to the all-thread at the top and bottom. Try to make sure it is in line from top to bottom. Do this to each all thread. When you get to the last one pull the chicken wire tight and cut the excess off.

More pics: