How to Make an LED Log Lamp

​text by Vicki     Sign up to get Mother Daughter Projects updates in your email!

After a storm here in Tallahassee in September 2016, we picked up a bunch of cut up logs from the neighbor across from my house. The logs have been drying all this time in Steph’s garage and are now ready for projects. We’ve already used two in a previous project.

The most interesting of the salvaged stumps was the one with a hole partially through it. We knew it would make some kind of cool project and thought a lamp would be interesting to try. 

​Materials:

• Tree stump 
• Chisel and rubber mallet (Amazon)
• Sander and sandpaper 60 through 220 grit
• Reciprocating Saw (Home Depot)
• Aluminum Tape (Home Depot)
• Rust-Oleum Metallic gold spray paint (Amazon)
• Clear spray paint
• 2-part epoxy (Amazon)
• Contact paper or press 'n seal wrap
• PVC pipe
• Pool noodle to fit PVC
• Cord Set (Amazon)
• LED Color Light Bulb (Amazon)

We used a chisel and rubber mallet to remove the bark from the stump.

We needed to even out the bottom so that the stump would sit flat. The ideal tool for this is a chainsaw which we do not have. We used aluminum tape around the log as a cutting guide and use a reciprocating saw to make the cut.

If you like sanding, this is the project to tackle because there is lots and lots of sanding involved. Start with a low grit and work up to 220.

At the suggestion of grandson/nephew, Andrew, we spray painted inside and out in gold metallic spray paint.

We decided to use a thin layer of epoxy to seal the top to create a table top. We used contact paper to hold in the epoxy.

The log was turned over, epoxy mixed, and poured into the hole.

A second layer was added after the first cured to create a nice strong top.

Peel off the covering to reveal the epoxy.

The lamp insert was made from PVC pipe, a pool noodle, and cord set. All the pieces were fitted together and the socket was wedged securely into the pool noodle hole to hold it in place.

Felt pieces were added to the bottom to prevent scratching of the floor and a small piece of wood was added to keep the PVC from falling out.

Opps! We made a mess with our first epoxy attempt and had to use a Dremel to remove it!

In our first design, we wanted a layer of epoxy at the top along with ping pong balls to add light diffusion. It was a great big sticky mess that never dried!

We found a color changing LED light that was perfect.

The bulb has a remote control to produce a variety of colors and actions.

This has been a fairly long-drawn out project! Not because it’s difficult, but because the logs have to dry out before using. Steph debarked the log this past winter and here it is summer and we are just finishing. Also, we hit a bit of a roadblock when Steph got a little over ambitious with the epoxy and poured a second layer before the other was finished curing. It resulted in a sticky mess that never cured. We ended up having to use a Dremel to carve it out, then repair the top and poured a second round of epoxy. 

In the second round of pouring epoxy, we covered the top of the stump with peel 'n stick wrap which worked very well. We still had some seepage but it was repairable. The press 'n seal gave the epoxy texture that we really like. 

It was just by accident that we got the look that we did and we love it. The light that shines through is diffused giving the table a cave like look. This is one project we’d be happy to repeat—now we just have to find another hollow log!

Please note: We are not sponsored by any of the companies/products that we used. These products were picked and bought by us.

FYI: We are not professionals, and we don’t claim to be. This is what we found worked for our project. Yours may need a little different approach. Safety first!

FYI: Affiliate links are being used on this page. Purchasing via these links help support MDP!

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