Minecraft-Inspired Heated Lantern

Hello everyone! I'm Ayushmaan, a student pursuing Electrical and Electronics Engineering. I love working on creative DIY projects, and for the Stay Warm Contest, I’ve made a Minecraft-inspired heat-emitting lamp. This project uses a 120W old-style filament bulb, which not only provides light but also emits heat, making it both functional and decorative. The structure is built using wood, with sunboard-covered sides featuring yellow printed paper to replicate the pixelated glow of the in-game lamp. It’s a simple, beginner-friendly project that requires only basic tools and materials. Let’s dive into how it’s made!

Materials:

1. Wooden board (for the main structure, 1-inch thick)
2. Sunboard (for side panels)
3. Yellow printed paper (for the glowing pixelated effect)
4. 120W filament bulb (heat and light source)
5. Bulb holder and wiring
6. Screws (for assembly)
7. Varnish (for a polished finish)
8. Grey paint (to match the Minecraft aesthetic)
9. Superglue (for additional strength)

Tools:

1. Saw (to cut the wooden parts)
2. Drill (for making holes for screws and wire)
3. Screwdriver
4. Glue or adhesive (for fixing sunboard panels)
5. Paintbrush
6. Sanding paper (for smooth finishing)

To create the lamp’s structure, we need the following wooden pieces (1-inch thick):

1. Two 13x13 cm pieces (for the top and bottom parts of the lamp)
2. Two 9x9 cm pieces (for the front and back sides)
3. Four pillar pieces of 12 cm length (to hold the frame together)
4. One grab handle piece of 9cm length and 6 cm height, with a groove cut inside it (to resemble the handle of a traditional lamp)

Using an electric saw, carefully cut these wooden parts, making sure the dimensions are precise to ensure a proper fit during assembly.

Once all the pieces are cut, use sandpaper to smooth the edges and surfaces. This step is important to:

1. Remove any rough or splintered areas.
2. Ensure a polished finish before painting.
3. Improve the adhesion of paint and varnish later.

1. Attach the bulb holder to the center of the baseboard (bottom 13x13 cm piece).
2. Drill a hole in the baseboard to allow the electrical wire to pass through neatly. This prevents visible wires from disrupting the aesthetic of the lamp.

Now, assemble the frame by attaching the pillars to the baseboard:

1. First, stick the pieces together using superglue to hold them in place.
2. Once aligned properly, drill holes and secure them with 1.5-inch wood screws.
3. Attach the top 13x13 cm piece to the pillars, completing the basic wooden frame.
4. Finally, attach the 9x9 cm pieces to the top of 13x13 top.
5. The handle piece is placed on top, aligning with the lamp's aesthetic.

After the entire frame is assembled, sand it again to:

1. Smooth out joints where pieces were attached.
2. Remove excess glue or rough areas caused by drilling.
3. Prepare the surface for painting.

1. Apply grey paint to the wooden frame to match the original Minecraft lamp’s metallic look.
2. I've not painted the brown part as I liked the natural color of this wood I'm using.
3. Once the paint is dry, apply a coat of varnish to protect the surface and give it a polished, finished look.

1. Cut sunboard panels to fit the four open sides of the lamp.
2. Print a Minecraft lamp pixel pattern on yellow paper and carefully paste it onto the sunboard panels.
3. These panels will give the lamp its classic pixelated glowing appearance.

1. Use glue or adhesive to fix the sunboard panels onto the wooden frame securely.
2. Ensure that the printed design aligns properly to maintain the Minecraft aesthetic.
3. I’ve attached the parts by pasting them with superglue, as I didn’t have anything else at the time. However, you should attach it in such a way that you can open it whenever you want. In my case, the back panel is the only one that can be opened for maintenance.

This Minecraft-inspired lamp is not just a cool decorative piece but also a functional heat-emitting source. It’s perfect for cold days, gaming setups, or just as an aesthetic room light. The use of a 120W filament bulb makes it practical, as it provides both warmth and ambient lighting.

With simple materials and tools, this project is an easy and fun way to bring the Minecraft world into reality while staying warm. Below is a final picture of the completed lamp, showcasing how it looks when turned on.

Stay warm and keep crafting!