Thing 2 that I made… A LANTERN!

I found a kerosene lantern at the Salvation Army Store for $6.99 and set my heart on making it into an electric lamp. Here’s how!

MATERIALS:

- old kerosene lantern (mine is particularly nautical, I love it)

- light socket (with pull chain)

- white electric cord

- super glue

- torch shape light-bulb

- POWER DRILL (I bought one especially for the occasion: $10.50 at Wal-Mart for a AA-battery powered one with a drill bit and Phillips-head bit… I’ll never be able to use a regular screwdriver again without feeling antiquated)

- devoted and obliging assistant (thanks Al!)

INSTRUCTIONS:

Remove wick and crown-shaped wick-holder from lamp. Drill 1/4″ hole in bottom of kerosene well. Feed electric cord through bottom of well. Feed cord through bottom piece of socket (sorry I don’t know technical terms… it’s pretty logical if you just take a good look at the socket). Attach the wires to the corresponding screws (read the directions on the back of the socket package to know which goes where. Ours was ribbed cord to silver, smooth to gold, but they might vary). Place socket casing over top of socket, fitting it into the bottom piece. Place completed socket into the top of the kerosene well, pulling the cord through the bottom til it’s tight. My lantern had holes in the bottom through which I dropped the pull chain for outside access (you might have to drill a hole in yours, but I bet they all have holes for proper heat release). Secure socket to well with super glue. Open the top of lantern and screw in the light-bulb. Close lantern, plug it in, hang it up, and VOILA! Nautical illumination for all.

Questions? Feel free. I may have forgotten something.