DIY WOODEN LANTERN
Everything started with seeing the picture of pattern in pic.3 .Long since I wanted to make a lantern.But the lantern supposed to be my design.After deciding to start designing and making lantern, whole process started.
Things I used:
3mm mdf sheets
1cm x 1cm x 50CM Oak sticks
5 min. epoxy http://a.co/2PUHP17
Clamps http://a.co/hMuzsP2
Miter box http://a.co/graQtKK
Steel ruler http://a.co/7eAwMqb
Masking tape http://a.co/eDp9oqT
DESIGN PROCESS
After deciding to make the lantern and using the pattern i found on internet I started to think how I can apply the pattern on my design.Before starting to redraw the pattern on AutoCAD I decided to design the lantern.I have designed whole lantern on sketchup and while designing it I decided to use pattern on side panels which will light pass through.
At first view design might look like a bit complicated but after understanding the logic of design everything looks much simpler.The main design idea was to laminate thin 3mm mdf parts to each other to make it much sturdy and solid looking parts.
I have started with the base ,whole looking of base is inspired by greek temples looking which you can see in pic.4 ,so base shaped like in pic.5 with several layers of 3mm mdf.While designing the base I have created a cavity to behave as a pool to hold the melted candle in any case,than created holes for side panels and pillars which you can see in pic.5 as well .
Also we need to talk about the pillars as well.Pillars will will be the main construction component for our lantern,because of that I choodsed 1cm X 1cm square OAk sticks.It will hold the cover and reference layers for pillars and side panels.
Designing the cover and reference layers.As I said reference layers will glued to pillers and will behave as reference for pillars and side panels.Aligning everything is the key because everything is a reference for others ,EX: cover will sit on pillars so it will stay sturdy and won’t move anywhere.
Designing the cover,I can say that it is the most easy part of the design because it is shaped out of the same base part and another base part which doesn’t have the holes because it will be at the top of the lantern and it should look clean as possible.After creating 2 base part they will get together by their wide faces.Which could seen on pic.6. .
After designing all parts on sketchup I have exported them as dwg. format and imported to Autocad to add patterns on side panels.
Finally let’s get on to the side panels which includes patterns.As I said earlier at writing,I have used a picture I found on internet as reference.I have inserted reference pattern image in AutoCAD than redraw the the pattern(PIC.8.) and changed some shapes to make laser cutting process much easier,then applied on side panels(PIC.9.).
Then I have imported other parts and checked all measurements and checked everything for laser cutting(PIC.10.).
LASER CUTTING AND GETTING READY FOR ASSEMBLY
After designing lantern ant importing in AutoCAD and making final touches to all parts I have sent the file to laser cutting center.I’ve chosen laser cut to get much cleaner look.You can watch the cutting part at beginning of YouTube video.
I can say that I was really happy about the final look of parts when I lay down them(pic.11.).
ASSEMBLY
As I said before.Whole assembly starts with the base part.At pıc.10. at right side four patterned panels are side panels, so you don’t need to do anything with them.For base part we will use the middle column and last (biggest) square of the left column ( the squares which is at left hand side of the drawing),with these parts we will apply 5min. epoxy between each layer.While gluing them together you must start with the smallest square and one size bigger square than the smallest because otherwise you could not be able to squeeze them with small clamps.At the bottom of base part there will be two square which is same size,don’t worry it is on purpose to raise the whole lantern a bit.After it ı have measured the right length for Oak pillar sticks and cut them and placed to their holes on base part. So base part is done as you can see in pic.12. .
After finishing base part and putting pillar sticks to their places i have glued reference layers on Oak pillar sticks with 5min. epoxy where cover will end.The reference layers are the top squares of left and right columns.Before applying epoxy on it I have taped the pillars with masking tape to prevent any spill of epoxy if I don’t done that it could look really bad.You can see how I placed reference layers and glued them with epoxy by masking pillars in pic.23. , pic.24. and pic.25. .
After finishing these steps I have glued the layers of cover part like base part which you can see the final look of it in pic.26.
The last step was the easiest one.It was to just slide side pannels.And final look appears pıc.27.If you put any candle in it it will look like pic.28. .
If you liked my project please add to your favorite and share it on your social media networks.
Right now I’m a collage student and I’m selling the original files of my project on fiverr page.If you liked the project and want to make for yourself please buy the original files via fiverr to support me.But if you are a student like me as well or if you cannot allocate budget for it please get in contact with me via my e-mail I will try to provide the files for you.
I need to add this as well,if you buy the files via fiverr I can even apply any pattern or shape to side panels for free which is extra service normally.
Have a nice day :D