How to Make a Floor Lamp Out of an Antique Kerosene Heater

If you've ever spotted a tall, footed antique kerosene heater at a flea market, you know how irresistible they are, by looks alone. A non-working antique heater might easily become nothing more than a dust collector though, which is why you might resist such a cool find. If you turn it into a working floor lamp, however, you'll have an item that's useful and interesting to look at, without damaging the piece.

Screwdriver
Microfiber cloth
2-by-4 piece of wood
Measuring tape
Hand saw
Pre-wired canning jar lamp lid
Light bulb
Hot glue
Electrical tape

Instructions

- 1
  Remove the kerosene heater's lid. If there is a wick assembly inside, remove it. This may require a screwdriver.
- 2
  Clean the heater with a damp microfiber cloth, inside and out.
- 3
  Measure the diameter of the cylindrical heater cabinet. Subtract 2 inches. Use this measurement to cut three pieces of 2-by-4 lumber with a hand saw.
- 4
  Place one piece of wood inside the heater. Set a pre-wired mason jar lamp lid with a light bulb on top of it. If the bulb sits lower than you want it to, stack a second piece of wood on top. Add the third piece of wood, if necessary. Remove the wood from the heater.
- 5
  Place the wood pieces in a stack so that they intersect to make an X, with the first and third piece parallel to each other, if applicable. Hot glue the wood together at the spots where they intersect.
- 6
  Hot glue the bottom edge of the mason jar lamp lid to the top piece of wood. Tape the cord to the inside of the cabinet near the top with electrical tape, allowing the end to drape over the back.
- 7
  Plug in the lamp. Place the lid on top of the heater to allow the light to illuminate the vents from inside.

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