Lantern Lamp (AKA Lamptern)

So you like camping, but you don't like being outside because of the bugs, temperature, sounds, smells, etc. So I suppose you don't like camping, but you like the idea of it. If I just described you, then this instructable should be right up your alley!

This was a relatively simple project that took no more than an hour or two to complete. In short, it is an old camping lantern with an adjustable light for those who enjoy camping in the great indoors.

• Old lantern (any old flea market should have these)
• Salt lamp socket and cord with dimmer (usually comes with bulbs too)
• Can opener
• Grinder
• Hot glue gun

So you have this beautiful old lamp you bought at a flea market and now you'd like to give it some new life without setting your house on fire. First step is taking it apart! This was relatively easy considering this were made to be taken apart.

1. First I took out the glass bulb which was easy, you just have to pull up on the top, and tilt the base until you can just pop it out.
2. Next was the top piece. This is not something that needs to come out but I wanted to clean out the spider webs in mine. You just have to bend the thin metal pieces straight and it should slide right out.
3. Next was the glass bulb cage. This came out by twisting it back out through the holes that held it in place on the sides. It should come out without bending the metal, but no shame if you bend it a little.
4. Lastly was the wick holder. This just needed to be twisted to one side and it popped right out.

Anytime there's a problem getting something out, WD40 can be your best friend.

This might look a little weird using a can opener on something that is not a can, but this is the safest way to do this step if the metal is thin enough. I was able to easily open the bottom piece with my dull can opener and it gave it a nice, clean hole without any sparks!

This is when you can really see if there was left over gasoline in the lantern (I'm just kidding, please clean the insides, because there will be sparks in this step.

I used a small grinder to carefully remove the wick holder from the base. If you're afraid that you made the sides too sharp, don't be afraid to get in there with a file. The hole should be about the size of the socket you will be installing.

All you have to do now is just feed that socket through the bottom into the hole you made and bam! this lantern has been lit once again! Once the salt lamp setup with set in, I hot glued the base back onto the bottom just to keep it tidy in case someone decides to pick it up or if you decide to hang it.

I like salt lamp setups because they hold small lights, there is already a base, and the plug is already wired with a dimmer switch (in most cases).

Lastly, we can put it all back together in the reverse order of these steps, and then take a step back and bask in your own magnificence. Congratulations to you, you have created light, and given a new life to an old lantern. Behold...the lamptern!