About

Cost
$ $ $ $ $
Difficulty
• • • • •
Time
1h40

Cool MRI Lamp!!
I created this lamp for a crafty challenge on another site, but it was something that I've been puzzling out for a while.

I was inspired by <a href="http://www.hgtv.com/hgtv/cr_home_accessories/article/0,1789,HGTV_3255_2334731,00.html ">this</a> and <a href="http://www.craftster.org/forum/index.php?topic=68694.0">this</a> (can't see those pics though....)

The total time listed for this project does not include the overnight drying time of the glue and paint.

<i>Edit May 7, 2008: It's an <b>honor</b> to be the featured project!! Thank you!!</i>

Posted by Kat Benninger from Buffalo, New York, United States • Published See Kat Benninger's 8 projects »
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  • Step 1

    I'm not sure how true this is, but it is possible that xrays emit fumes that can be hazardous to your health. It might have something to do with the composition of the film paper. mri, ct, xrays are all printed on same paper and may contain trace amounts of silver which can be dangerous to touch as well, but that could just be in large amounts.

    If you are wary of such things, then don't make this lamp!!

  • Step 2

    Start by removing the glass and cardboard backing from the frames. Measure the long side of the frame and cut the dowels to that size.

  • How to make a lamp / lampshade. No Bones About It  Lamp - Step 3
    Step 3

    Glue one dowel to one frame with wood glue. Do the same for the other 3 frames and pieces of dowel.

  • How to make a lamp / lampshade. No Bones About It  Lamp - Step 4
    Step 4

    Clamp for 30 minutes, and then let dry overnight.

  • How to make a lamp / lampshade. No Bones About It  Lamp - Step 5
    Step 5

    While the frames are drying, use on of the glass pieces from a frame as a guide to cut your image down to size.

    I used my mom's MRI images. Also make sure a plain white sheet of paper is the same size as the glass.

  • How to make a lamp / lampshade. No Bones About It  Lamp - Step 6
    Step 6

    Now that your frame pieces are dry, start gluing them together to form a box. Clamp for 30 minutes, then let dry overnight. I painted the dowels and the outside of the frame box black.

    Let the paint dry overnight.

  • How to make a lamp / lampshade. No Bones About It  Lamp - Step 7
    Step 7

    You now have a box. Here comes the harder part. How to hang it on the lamp harp. Take an eye hook and screw it into the frame, I put mine about 3 or 4 inches from the top. I picked the same spot in each corner, so that there is one eye hook in each frame.

  • How to make a lamp / lampshade. No Bones About It  Lamp - Step 8
    Step 8

    Take a piece of wire and lay it across your box diagonally. Make sure to have about 2 or 3 inches extra on each end. I used a heavy gauge annealed binding wire that my dad gave me. I think you could probably use bailing wire.

  • How to make a lamp / lampshade. No Bones About It  Lamp - Step 9
    Step 9

    Fold the wire in half to find the middle. Make a loop to fit around the screw on top of the lamp harp.

  • How to make a lamp / lampshade. No Bones About It  Lamp - Step 10
    Step 10

    Bend the extra 2 or 3 inches of the wire down, so that you can put it in the eye hooks. You want to hang the wire diagonally across the box.

  • How to make a lamp / lampshade. No Bones About It  Lamp - Step 11
    Step 11

    You want to try and get the loop in the center, so that your shade will hang evenly. You might have to fiddle with it a bit.

  • How to make a lamp / lampshade. No Bones About It  Lamp - Step 12
    Step 12

    When I put the images back into the frame, I also used the glass. So here is how the items go into the frame: MRI image, paper, glass. Put the shade on the lamp harp, add the finial and you have a lamp!

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Comments

Chantal M.
Chantal M. · Gilbert, Arizona, US · 16 projects
wow, that is pretty cool. great job!
Reply
Kat Benninger
Kat Benninger · Buffalo, New York, US · 8 projects
Holly, my mom doesn't mind at all. She thought it was a bit odd when I asked for them, but once she saw it she loved it.

Amanda, thanks! I had a lot of fun making it Happy

I'd like to thank every one for their comments, and for favoriting my lamp Happy Many thanks to Cat and COAK
Reply
Kasey Kasket
Kasey Kasket · Ormond Beach, Florida, US · 25 projects
Now I know what to do with all of my old x rays!
Reply
mew
mew · Division No. 18, Unorganized, Saskatchewan, CA · 2 projects
my soccer coach's brother had one of those!
I only know this because I ASSUME it was their brothers room. haha.
Reply
mew
mew · Division No. 18, Unorganized, Saskatchewan, CA · 2 projects
my soccer coach's brother had one of those!
I only know this because I ASSUME it was their brothers room. haha.
Reply
Perelin18
Perelin18 · Konstanz, Baden-Württemberg, DE · 12 projects
Great! Why not simply use overhead transparencies (copies or google-pictures)?
Reply
Jet H.
Jet H. · Haarlem, North Holland, NL · 108 projects
great. i have plenty of x-ray pictures from my old cats. so they have in the future a bright place!
Reply
Coreeoreeo
Coreeoreeo · San Antonio, Texas, US · 1 project
this is mind numbingly awesome. i've had so many mri's in the last two years i could make like four of these bad boys.
this is creative as hell. good job
Reply
Kat Benninger
Kat Benninger · Buffalo, New York, US · 8 projects
Sue, I'd love to see your lamp! FYI, you might want to use a sturdier container for the base. The weight of the frames and glass turned out to be too much for the oatmeal canister I used. Maybe a plastic coffee container, or an older metal coffee can.
Reply
Sue D.
Sue D. · Newcastle upon Tyne, England, GB
Ooh, i have some lovely gory x-rays of my broken heelbone. The operation shows a clamp with 2 big screws being inserted into my ankle. Your lamp has inspired me into a project!
Reply
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