Where to source galvanised iron ?

Muahahaha

I'm gonna start a wee DIY project to make a lamp out of galvanised iron pipe fittings in a couple of weeks time. I'm hoping to achieve an end result like this
http://www.kozo-lamp.com/products/mimi.html

I've had a look at plumbing supply shops online, some have the some of the pipe fittings I need but none have all of them, the four way mid section is proving tricky to find anywhere, I don't know the technical name on it so can't search for it. Also I'm wondering what the bottom of the legs are, some kind of reducer ? Also what is proving really hard is to find galvanised iron piping, everywhere I look seems to only sell copper or plastic.

Robbie.G

Muahahaha wrote: »

I'm gonna start a wee DIY project to make a lamp out of galvanised iron pipe fittings in a couple of weeks time. I'm hoping to achieve an end result like this
http://www.kozo-lamp.com/products/mimi.html

I've had a look at plumbing supply shops online, some have the some of the pipe fittings I need but none have all of them, the four way mid section is proving tricky to find anywhere, I don't know the technical name on it so can't search for it. Also I'm wondering what the bottom of the legs are, some kind of reducer ? Also what is proving really hard is to find galvanised iron piping, everywhere I look seems to only sell copper or plastic.

Most half decent plumbing suppliers will have them.If they don't have everything your looking for they will Order them in.
Best bet is to call into a shop that way
You will be able to see the fittings.

sky6

a Good Plumbing or an Engineering supply company should have what your looking for.

jimf

post what area you live in

shane0007

Your biggest problem will be threading the pipes. The equipment for that ain't cheap but you can hire them, both manual & mechanical types.

Either that or make a cut list, go to a plumber & get him to cut & thread for you. It may cost you your first master piece though!

jimf

Muahahaha wrote: »

I'm gonna start a wee DIY project to make a lamp out of galvanised iron pipe fittings in a couple of weeks time. I'm hoping to achieve an end result like this
http://www.kozo-lamp.com/products/mimi.html

I've had a look at plumbing supply shops online, some have the some of the pipe fittings I need but none have all of them, the four way mid section is proving tricky to find anywhere, I don't know the technical name on it so can't search for it. Also I'm wondering what the bottom of the legs are, some kind of reducer ? Also what is proving really hard is to find galvanised iron piping, everywhere I look seems to only sell copper or plastic.

the name of the mid piece is a equal cross
I know of 2 companies that will probably have all you need and will thread the pipe for you as well one In limerick and one in cork

Muahahaha

jimf wrote: »

post what area you live in

North Dublin, but can go anywhere in the city

shane0007 wrote: »

Your biggest problem will be threading the pipes. The equipment for that ain't cheap but you can hire them, both manual & mechanical types.

Either that or make a cut list, go to a plumber & get him to cut & thread for you. It may cost you your first master piece though!

Crap, I hadn't thought about the threads ! I might see if I can find some kind of male-female extension rather that using pipe, it's only for a small section when the shoulders of the lamp are so hopefully I'll get away with doing it that way because threading iron pipes is well out of my league

Muahahaha

jimf wrote: »

the name of the mid piece is a equal cross
I know of 2 companies that will probably have all you need and will thread the pipe for you as well one In limerick and one in cork

That's pretty interesting, if I could get everything in one place so all the parts look uniform that work really well. Threading too would be a big bonus because it's a bit beyond my own abilities. If you could let me know the companies here that'd be great, if it's against the charter then please do PM them to me

shane0007

You could try a PM to JohnnieK, but I wouldn't like to out him on the spot. He's in North Dublin & would have the equipment. I'm sure he would love a lovely new lamp too!

jimf

looking closely at that link you posted you will probably not need to get any pipe threaded id say barrel nipples will do you instead

Cedrus

Muahahaha wrote: »

I've had a look at plumbing supply shops online, some have the some of the pipe fittings I need but none have all of them, the four way mid section is proving tricky to find anywhere, I don't know the technical name on it so can't search for it. Also I'm wondering what the bottom of the legs are, some kind of reducer ? Also what is proving really hard is to find galvanised iron piping, everywhere I look seems to only sell copper or plastic.

The 4 way bit is called a "cross" or "cross piece"

You won't get galvanised iron pipe, galvanised steel might be possible but mostly all you'll find is electrical conduit which isn't intended to fit plumbing fittings (but you might be lucky). Probably be best to get carbon/mild steel and paint it with galvafroid. However, if you only make one lamp, you'll end up with a few metres of leftover pipe hanging around. Shane0007 has a good suggestion with getting a plumber to do these bits, less waste, less gear and less frustration.

The feet are threaded reducers, I'm guessing 1 1/2" to 1/2", with plugs in them.

Get all the fittings from the same place if you can, it's amazing the variety that are out there and they are not always as compatible as they .appear (eg 1/2" is sometimes the same as 15mm but not always, 1/2" in one range might mate with 3/4" in another), especially if buying online/internationally.

I think the most challenging part is turning a tap into a switch without electrocuting anyone, I can't imagine how you'd use any standard parts. Could always wuss out and put a torpedo switch on the flex cable instead.

Muahahaha

Cedrus wrote: »

The 4 way bit is called a "cross" or "cross piece"

You won't get galvanised iron pipe, galvanised steel might be possible but mostly all you'll find is electrical conduit which isn't intended to fit plumbing fittings (but you might be lucky). Probably be best to get carbon/mild steel and paint it with galvafroid. However, if you only make one lamp, you'll end up with a few metres of leftover pipe hanging around. Shane0007 has a good suggestion with getting a plumber to do these bits, less waste, less gear and less frustration.

The feet are threaded reducers, I'm guessing 1 1/2" to 1/2", with plugs in them.

Get all the fittings from the same place if you can, it's amazing the variety that are out there and they are not always as compatible as they .appear (eg 1/2" is sometimes the same as 15mm but not always, 1/2" in one range might mate with 3/4" in another), especially if buying online/internationally.

I think the most challenging part is turning a tap into a switch without electrocuting anyone, I can't imagine how you'd use any standard parts. Could always wuss out and put a torpedo switch on the flex cable instead.

Thanks for all the info Cedrus, you're right, I am going to wuss out on creating a switch from the tap. It's a neat feature but I know well ill end up electrocuting myself, or even worse, herself:D

shane0007

I would have thought the tap underneath is just decor & the switch is built into the bayonet under the shade.

Also use galvanised pipe for external gas. It is galvanised through, so it won't rust afterthought threading.

Muahahaha

shane0007 wrote: »

I would have thought the tap underneath is just decor & the switch is built into the bayonet under the shade.

Also use galvanised pipe for external gas. It is galvanised through, so it won't rust afterthought threading.

I thought it was just decorative myself until I watched the video on another pipe lamp model by the same company. The video is on the right, down the page a bit.
http://www.kozo-lamp.com/products/kozo-man.html
It's a pretty neat feature, I've no ideas how they achieved it but it looks tricky to pull off regardless.

Cedrus

shane0007 wrote: »

I would have thought the tap underneath is just decor & the switch is built into the bayonet under the shade.

Also use galvanised pipe for external gas. It is galvanised through, so it won't rust afterthought threading.

Oops, I forgot about gas pipe, I'm an indoor kid of guy.

The link says that the tap is the switch, bot there's nothing to stop OP from including a redundant tap for aesthetics. It looks an awkward place for it though.

Mimi features an innovative tap that acts as the light switch, making it authentic and fun to use!

shane0007

Cedrus wrote: »

Oops, I forgot about gas pipe, I'm an indoor kid of guy.

Don't worry, I'm just too used to swatting the flies off me before I log in here!

jimf

wheres scudo when you need his expertise

scudo2

jimf wrote: »

wheres scudo when you need his expertise

At €389 I'll throw in free postage + a spare bulb !