Inspired by the Potence Lamp from vitra[1] I set out to build my own version. It looks pretty straight forward. A bend metal rod, rotatable on a wall-mount.

Right from the start I was sure I wanted to use cooper pipes I saw at my local hardware store. They are stiff enough and hollow, so I could fit the wiring inside easily. Bending was not required as there are 90 and 45 degree cooper angles available for cheap to connect the pipes. I had the biggest trouble to connect the pipes as I don't own a welding machine. I tried soldering them together with my wire soldering equipment, but that didn't work out properly. The connection was strong at all. I know that cooper pipes are soldered together in heating installations. However, it turns out they use a proper flame and special soldering powder. I wasn't into investing in such equipment so I just went a head and bought metal glue. It sounded promising, after all I just needed them to stick, no requirements regarding temperatures or water leaked with the pipes.

I might not have read the instructions thoroughly enough, but my first experience with the glue was demotivating. It didn't bond at all. It was still a very loose connecting. I tried clamping the pipes together with pliers. Although that helped a bit, it wasn't stiff enough to hold a 1 meter cooper pipe lamp arm. I put the project unfinished in the closet, to be continued once I have access to a welding machine.

However, I don't know why exactly but after a few weeks I went back to the closet and wanted to finished this thing no matter what. Better done than perfect. So I did. It turned out the glue was working quite well after all. The pieces I glued together weeks ago had a pretty good bond. It looked promising. In the end I was able to finish the project all up with the glue and some scrap materials I collected during my projects.

I think it turned out pretty well, however, it is not yet super useable as it's mount is to low on the wall. I learned a bit about metal and mechanical engineering. And also I'm now aware of the tricky parts of building this lamp. I feel confident to start this project a new and bring it to a better level, to bring it from a nice looking lamp, to a nice looking useful lamp.

[1] https://www.vitra.com/de-de/living/product/details/potence