Glass float lamp? DIY or otherwise - Home Tiki Bars

S spiked Tiki Centralite Joined: Dec 10, 2008 Posts: 100	S spiked Posted posted on Fri, May 20, 2022 8:12 AM in reply to bamboo stu When I first started making these, it was because I couldn't afford paying top dollar for them at that time, so it was a fun adventure and I learned a lot in process by experimenting. When buying floats to drill, look for thicker glass. Use Diamond bit, holesaw type, and use lots of water and slow and steady and don't push the drill in. Don't use drill press, lol, don't ask me how I know 😂. Honestly, I only had issues with thin cheaply made new ones that are easily available on Etsy and amazon and eBay. I know it's hard to find now, but there are still sellers that sell thicker versions. Looks like the ones you find might be thicker version. If you are looking just to throw some around in dark bar where no one is going to inspect them or scrutinize over fine details of float production, I second finding nice plastic or glass clear shades, using transparent spray paint and also frosted glass on the inside and outside too; real ones were "frosted" on outside because of sand, however because sandblasting them on inside really jeopardizes the structure of it and makes it more prone to cracking (I leaned the hard way while I was making few in my glass blowing class), so frosting spray works pretty well, you just have to have patience and let it fully dry between applications. If money is no object, keep searching, I see them pop up for $170-$250 shipped on both eBay and Etsy already drilled and wired. Find some local artisans that could make them for you, and can be made with hole on top right off the bat, so no drilling required and in the whatever color you prefer, or clear and you can spray paint. They should be able to sandblast, but again, see my comment about that above. I am currently in communication with a local artist who is getting me quotes on collaboration project, where they make the float and I make the net and wire it. If I'm going to sell some in the future, I'd rather put my name on quality handmade floats from local artists while supporting them at the same time. So that's my take! Good luck on your adventure and keep us posted on your progress! 🗿😊

When I first started making these, it was because I couldn't afford paying top dollar for them at that time, so it was a fun adventure and I learned a lot in process by experimenting.

When buying floats to drill, look for thicker glass. Use Diamond bit, holesaw type, and use lots of water and slow and steady and don't push the drill in. Don't use drill press, lol, don't ask me how I know 😂. Honestly, I only had issues with thin cheaply made new ones that are easily available on Etsy and amazon and eBay. I know it's hard to find now, but there are still sellers that sell thicker versions. Looks like the ones you find might be thicker version.
If you are looking just to throw some around in dark bar where no one is going to inspect them or scrutinize over fine details of float production, I second finding nice plastic or glass clear shades, using transparent spray paint and also frosted glass on the inside and outside too; real ones were "frosted" on outside because of sand, however because sandblasting them on inside really jeopardizes the structure of it and makes it more prone to cracking (I leaned the hard way while I was making few in my glass blowing class), so frosting spray works pretty well, you just have to have patience and let it fully dry between applications.
If money is no object, keep searching, I see them pop up for $170-$250 shipped on both eBay and Etsy already drilled and wired.
Find some local artisans that could make them for you, and can be made with hole on top right off the bat, so no drilling required and in the whatever color you prefer, or clear and you can spray paint. They should be able to sandblast, but again, see my comment about that above.

I am currently in communication with a local artist who is getting me quotes on collaboration project, where they make the float and I make the net and wire it. If I'm going to sell some in the future, I'd rather put my name on quality handmade floats from local artists while supporting them at the same time.

So that's my take! Good luck on your adventure and keep us posted on your progress! 🗿😊 7A93B0A1-87CC-434C-8F87-9338D3F3C245

Post #803621 by spiked on Fri, May 20, 2022 8:12 AM