How To Make A Solar Lantern

Tammy

4 years ago

Today I’m collaborating with some talented bloggers for the DIY Challenge. Terrie, our host, from Decorate And More With Tip issued the challenge to make something from a solar light. So I thought I’d share how to make a solar lantern.

If you are coming here from Gail’s – Purple Hues and Me, welcome! I’m so glad that you are here!

Supplies:

Plywood

Jigsaw

Wood Reed

Scissors

Staple gun and staples

Spray Paint or Stain

Wood Glue

Solar light

Eye Screws

Drill

Drill bits

Sting or small chain

Step 1:

Cut 4 circles from 1/4″ plywood with a jigsaw.

I cut mine outer ring 6″ in diameter and the inner circle 5″.

Step 2:

Cut 16 pieces of the wood reed 15″ long with scissors.

Step 3:

Mark 3/4″ from the end of each wood reed.

Turn the reed over and mark the opposite end 3/4″.

Step 4:

Place the 3/4″ mark on the outside edge of a circle and attach 4 reeds at 1/4 intervals on the circle with a staple gun.

Step 5:

Fill in the spaces on either sides of the first 4 reeds with 2 reeds, they will overlap slightly.

Continue until all spaces on the circle are filled in.

Step 6:

Using spray paint – or stain – paint the lantern, base, top circles and all sides.

Let dry.

Step 7:

Use wood glue to attach a wood circle on top of the lantern base.

Secure with 1/2″ brad nails or staples.

Step 8:

Use an 8″ piece of 2 x 4 as support to attach reeds to the top cut out circle with staple gun.

Finish stapling reeds to the circle the same way as in step 5.

Step 9:

Use wood glue and staples or brad nails to attach the last circle to the top of the lantern.

Step 10:

Remove the stake from the bottom of your solar lantern.

Doing this on my solar light left a hole that I covered using black electrical tape.

When I was done, you couldn’t even see that I had put tape over it.

However, most solar lights have the stake on the bottom so this will not be an issue.

OR, you could glue on pretty pieces of glass, rocks etc.

Step 11:

Attach eye screws to the top of the lantern.

Using a pencil, lightly mark your top lantern circle into thirds.

Pre-drill your marks. ( Make sure that your drill bit is slightly smaller than the eye screw. DO NOT drill all the way through both circles.)

Screw the eye screws into the pre-drilled holes.

Attach a string or chain to your eye screws.

Step 12:

Drop your Solar light into the top of your lantern.

Step 13:

Hang your lantern and enjoy!

I love how my lantern turned out.

Even though this project took a lot of steps and a few days to complete, I had a great time making it.

Plus, I love a project that is something that not only looks pretty, but one that you will use daily!

But the big question is: how does it look at night?

Like this.

I LOVE it!

I also loved sharing with you how to make a solar lantern and hope that you will join me in checking out all of the other solar light projects that my fellow bloggers created.

Now please head on over to Jodi’s – The House House and see what kind of solar light project she has for us.