Post #478494 by 1961surf on Thu, Aug 20, 2009 10:37 PM

Ok Folks I am back with my progress on converting the glass float balls.
First of all after a half dozen different glass shops and several broken
balls later -no pun intended .I found a local glass place to cut the
2 1/2 " holes for me.The only downside is they are charging me way too
much money, so I have got to come up with plan B.Moving right along I
wanted to use all UL wiring as well as a porcelain socket so it would not
get dry and brittle and crack down the road from the heat,sun,salt air,
elements etc.

I live by the ocean so I wanted the electrical part of the lamp to
be able to with stand the elements outside.I utilized a local lighting
place that I have used in the past to create the first kinda prototype
if you will.We extended the socket with a brass lamp part that helps
bring the bulb down to the center of the glass sphere , thus creating
even over all light thru out the glass ball .The top cover cap has two
clips that spring out after cap is installed, keeping the cap snug
against the top inside glass ceiling .

I went two steps further and got shrink plastic wrap that you heat and
forms tightly over spring clips so they wont chip or crack glass when
you change or replace light bulb.To diffuse the light so you don't see
the light bulb , I found a glass frost in a spray can by Rustoleum at
Home Depot .You have to make sure the inside glass is clean with no
residue or powder from the drilling of the glass with water.

I sprayed one good solid coat on the inside of glass and then let it dry
for an hour, then came back and sprayed a second coat evenly thru out.
I will come back and post better pics, I did not take the time yet to
crop and size these pics.I wanted to get an idea of what it looks like.
BTW Tikiship I have not for got about you, still planning on sending you
a couple of floats.

More pics to follow