How to Make a Lamp Out of a Vintage Oil Can

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How to take a vintage oil can and make a unique desk lamp using an Edison bulb. It’s an easy, inexpensive DIY project, takes no time at all and is a great way to add character to your space.

 

How to make a lamp out of a vintage oil can - Life on Kaydeross Creek

 

I love adding a bit of personality to my spaces with vintage and other unique pieces.  I’m always on the hunt for new things and one day at a thrift store last fall, we spotted three small old oil cans. I thought at the very least they would look cute stacked on some old books. We picked them up for $7 each.

Fast forward to a month later, and we are checking out a new little shop in our area and spotted these adorable little lamps made from what look like replica oil cans. Super cute but they were $55 each. Omigosh,  we can make those! – How many times have I said that?? So we did. 🙂 Here’s how to make a lamp out of a vintage oil can.

What you need:

The parts to make table lamps  or lamp kits are fairly inexpensive and can be found at most home improvement stores or Amazon.

Steps to create a vintage lamp using an Edison bulb:

  1. Clean the oil can really well.  On the outside, wipe it down first to remove loose dirt and then wash with soap and water and a cotton rag.  Use and old toothbrush to scrub any stubborn areas. To clean the inside, swish around soap and water to break up any loose pieces. You can also use a de-greaser  and a cotton rag. Be sure to rinse thoroughly to remove any remaining de-greaser as well.
  2. Once it is clean and dry, screw the top of the can off.

 

How to make a lamp from a vintage Oil can - remove the top - Life on Kaydeross Creek #diydesklamp #diyvintagelamp #diyoilcanlamp #vintagedecor #cheapDIYlamp

 

3. Remove the nozzle by gently tapping it from the top with a hammer. It should fall right down through the hole.

 

How to make a lamp from a vintage oil can - removing the spout - Life on Kaydeross Creek #diyoilcanlamp #howtomakealampoutofanoilcan #edisonbulblamp #vintagedecor #farmhousedecor

 

 

How to make a lamp out of a vintage oil can - removing the spout - Life on Kaydeross Creek #diydesklamp #diyoilcanlamp #diyvintagelamp #diylampwithedisonbulb #vintagedecor

 

4. Drill a hole in the side of the can near the bottom.

 

How to make a lamp out of a vintage oil can - drilling the hole for the cord - Life on Kaydeross Creek #diylamp #diyoilcanlamp #vintagedecor #howtomakealampoutofanoilcan #diyedisonbulblamp

 

5. File the hole down so the cord does not rub against it and tear.

 

 How to make a lamp out of a vintage oil can - filing the hole down so it doesn't cut the wire - Life on Kaydeross Creek #DIYedisonbulblamp #diylamp #diyoilcanlamp #vintagedecor

 

 

6. Thread the one of the longer nipples through the top of the can (this is where the cord will go through). Also thread the hex nut on the bottom part.

 

How to make a lamp out of an old oil can - parts to connect the light to the oil can - Life on Kaydeross Creek #diyoilcanlamp #diylamp #vintageoilcanlamp #vintagedecor

 

How to make a lamp out of a vintage oil can - threading the nipple through the top - Life on Kaydeross Creek #DIYoilcanlamp #diyedisonbulblamp #diyvintagedecor #howtomakealampfromanoldoilcan

 

7. Attach the 3-way sock to the top of the oil can by screwing it directly on to the nipple.

 

How to make a lamp out of a vintage oil can lamp from Life on Kaydeross Creek

 

How to make a lamp out of a vintage oil can - putting the nipple through the top to feed the cord throught - Life on Kaydeross Creek

 

8. Open up the package with the cord.

 

How to make a lamp out of a vintage oil can - adding the cord - Life on Kaydeross Creek

 

9. Feed the cord through the hole in the back, up through the oil can and through the nipple.

 

How to make a lamp out of a vintage oil can - attaching the cord - Life on Kaydeross Creek

 

10. Attach the two prongs of the cord to the top of the 3 way socket by tightening the screws.

 

How to make a lamp out of a vintage oil can - tightening the wire - Life on Kaydeross Creek #diyvintageoilcanlamp #diydesklamp #diylamp #vintagedecor #diyvintagedecor #oldoilcanlamp

 

11. Once the wire is securely fastened, push it back down into the oil can and reconnect the top of the socket to the bottom part of it.

 

How to make a lamp out of a vintage oil can - screw the original top on to the oil can- Life on Kaydeross Creek #diyoilcanlamp #vintagelamp #edisonbulblamp

 

12. Now screw the top of the oil can back onto the oil can.

 

How to make a lamp out of a vintage oil can - after everything is attached, screw the top back on - Life on Kaydeross Creek

 

See how nicely that fits together? 🙂

 

How to make a lamp out of a vintage oil can - final steps - Life on Kaydeross Creek #diyoilcanlamp #edisonbulblamp #vintageoilcanlamp #vintagedecor

 

 

13. The final step in this DIY oil can lamp is to screw in the Edison bulb.

 

 

How to make a lamp out of a vintage oil can - Life on Kaydeross Creek #diylamp #diyedisonbulblamp #diyvintagelamp #vintagelamp #diyvintagedecor

 

 

You really can make a lamp out of anything. This small Edison bulb lamp is great lamp for tight spaces or for a night light and adds adds rustic character to your space. It also makes a perfect small table lamp.

 

How to make a lamp out of an old oil can - diy oil can lamp - vintage oil can lamp and vignette - Life on Kaydeross Creek

 

 

How to make a lamp out of a vintage oil can - diy oil can lamp - vintage oil can lamp and accessories - Life on Kaydeross Creek

 

 

DIY oil can lamp - vintage accessories vignette - Life on Kaydeross Creek

 

 

The beauty is these oil cans are pretty inexpensive and usually have a one of a kind patina. I love the rustic, vintage character this easy DIY project adds so I made a few.

 

DIY oil can lamp - final product - Life on Kaydeross Creek

 

 

DIY oil can lamp - vintage oil can lamp - Life on Kaydeross Creek

 

 

DIY oil can lamp - vintage oil can lamp vignette - Life on Kaydeross Creek

Farmhouse Buffet makeover

 

How to make a lamp out of a vintage oil can - Life on Kaydeross creek DIY night light, diy desk lamp

 

I hope you like this little project. You can check out more thrift store makeovers here.

Happy DIY’ing!

Col

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7 Comments

  1. HAPPY NEW YEAR!
    Just wanted to say that I truly enjoy receiving your emails. You and I have very similar taste and I always look forward to the inspiration I gain from seeing your projects.
    Thank you for sharing your talents with me/us .

    1. THANK YOU SO MUCH, DONNA!!! That really means a lot to me and I’m so glad you enjoy our projects!! Have a wonderful weekend!

  2. I really like this, thanks for sharing. I have a big tractor funnel and don’t know how I want to decorate it. Do you have any ideas?

    1. Hi Jo! Thanks so much for taking the time to comment! If the funnel is straight, you could make a hanging light fixture buy running the wire through the middle and using an Edison bulb. Go to Pinterest and search tractor funnel and it will pop up some pictures of how others have done it. I also saw a planter made out of one and a jack-o-lantern. Let me know if you try one of these. I’d love to see it!

  3. That’s a very cool lamp! I don’t know if I’d have the nerve to change it…was that hard for you? That’s just been a good part of my younger life as I was always around stuff like that and I would love to do something like this lamp, which is so awesome but I don’t know if I could do a DIY on it.
    By the way, I love not only your blog but your decorating style. It has enticed me for quite some time now.

    1. Thank you so much, Shirley!! That really means a lot to me!!

      I see what you mean about the oil cans. There is something nostalgic about pieces like that. They were in pretty rough shape, though, and they weren’t going to be used for anything else so I guess we felt like we were giving them purpose. 🙂

      Have a wonderful weekend!