Tabletop Windmill Lamp

The tabletop windmill lamp blends simple electronics with handmade brass structures and a touch of creativity. A compact N20 geared motor spins brass blades at a steady pace, while a warm Edison-style filament LED provides a cozy ambient glow. The entire assembly is mounted on a small wooden or cardboard base and powered by lithium-ion cells, making it portable and self-contained.

Although the build uses common hobby components, the result feels unique and artistic. The combination of motion, warm light, and brass materials creates a small decorative piece that’s satisfying to watch and relaxing to keep on a desk or shelf. It’s a fun DIY project that invites experimentation in both aesthetics and mechanics.

Brass wire (1 mm thickness)

Brass tube (Outer Dia = 4 mm, Inner Dia = 3.5 mm)

N20 geared DC motor (6-12V)

DC motor driver module (6-15V)

Lithium-ion cell (2x 18650)

Edison filament LED (3V)

Heat-shrink tubing

Base (wood or cardboard)

Optional: Resistors, charging module (TP4056 or similar)

Sketch the windmill form using scale and compass, including:

1. blade geometry
2. Standing Structure
3. Plan routing for wires so they remain discreet

Brass wire typically arrives coiled and must be straightened for structural parts and blades.

1. Attach one end of the wire to a fixed point (e.g., vise, clamp, or sturdy hook).
2. Grip the other end using pliers or mount it in a drill chuck.
3. Twist the free end while keeping tension — twisting causes the wire to self-straighten.
4. Check straightness visually; re-tension and twist again if needed.
5. Cut and keep pieces slightly longer than final dimension for easier handling.

Cut and bend brass wire into blades & frame according the drawing and dimensions.

Then, carefully solder the joints to give it a tower like structure.

Take the brass pipe piece and solder the blades in symmetry.

Now, drill holes in the wooden or cardboard base and insert the brass frame to mount it firmly. Then place the N20 geared motor on top of the frame and secure it with plenty of solder on both sides so it stays solid and aligned.

Apply heat-shrink tubing over the motor shaft to electrically isolate it from the brass blade tube. In this setup, the blade tube acts as the positive terminal for the filament LEDs, while the shaft serves as the negative terminal. Proper insulation is essential to prevent electrical shorting between the two. Since the motor housing is tied to the negative (M–) output of the motor driver, the same potential appears on the shaft.

An “anchor” style brass wire is then hooked (will act as commutator) to the top of the blade tube to serve as the positive connection point to the motor driver’s M+ output.

Take a straight wire, solder it on the other terminal of motor (M+) and fix till the bottom of the wood base.

A small resistor (e.g., 100 Ω) can be added in series at the anchor connection to limit current to the filament LEDs and prevent potential damage.

Solder the positive terminal of the filament LED to the sharp end of the brass blade tube. The negative terminal will be connected directly to the motor shaft using a short piece of wire.

Filament LEDs are available in fixed lengths (e.g., 30 mm). If the desired size is not available, purchase a longer filament, cut it to length, and lightly scrape both ends to expose the contact wires before soldering the small wire segment.

To facilitate the negative connection, solder a small brass wire onto the motor shaft. Lightly roughen the tip of the shaft with sandpaper beforehand; this improves surface adhesion and makes soldering easier.

Mount the motor driver onto the base using the supplied bolt and knob. Connect two lithium-ion cells in series to obtain approximately 8 V. The positive terminal of the battery pack is connected to the driver’s VIN+, and the negative terminal to VIN–.

Next, connect the motor’s positive lead to M+ on the driver, and connect the motor’s chassis/negative terminal to M– using the bent brass wire as a conductor. This completes the basic wiring for operation.

The motor driver knob will used to control the motor speed and the LEDs intensity.

Optionally, a charging module may be added to enable onboard charging of the battery pack.

To complete the piece, add small miniatures or decorative elements to the base to enhance the scene and visual storytelling. Once assembled, power on the lamp and enjoy the finished artwork. The gentle, rhythmic sound of the geared motor provides a satisfying, calming effect, while the warm glow of the filament LED further elevates the ambiance. Together, they create a subtle kinetic sculpture that combines light, motion, and material craftsmanship.