Build an attractive wood light fixture for a game room.
Game rooms should be bright. They should use at least two 48-inch ceiling fixtures to provide plenty of overhead space. You can build a shallow, twin light fixture that has a plexiglass panel to diffuse the light. The fixture screws right to the ceiling over the lights. Once the frame is in place, you simply place the plexiglass into the frame and gravity holds it in place. When you need to change a bulb, the plexiglass lifts right out.
Instructions
1. Tilt the blade on a miter saw to 45 degrees. Using the miter gauge, miter the ends of all four pieces of the pine, making sure not to miter off more than 1/16 inch.
2. Spread a layer of glue on all of the fresh-cut ends. Place all four pieces on their edges on a flat surface in a rectangle shape. Bring all of the glued corners together into a rectangular frame. Wrap the frame with a nylon strap clamp and tighten until glue oozes out from all the corners. Shoot four pin nails evenly spaced through each corner. Wait one hour for the glue to dry. Remove the clamps.
3. Spread a layer of glue on one side of each of the 1/4-inch pieces. Place the short pieces centered at the top on the inside edge of the frame, flush with the top of the frame on the short ends of the frame. Place the long pieces centered on the long sides on the inside of the frame. This is the lip that holds the plexiglass in place. The glue will hold the pieces in place while you shoot pin nails through them to secure them to the frame.
4. Turn the frame upside down. Spread a layer of glue on the short pieces of 3/4-inch pine. Place them on the short ends of the frame on the top edge of the frame, flush with the top and centered. They should be directly opposite the 1/. Spread glue on the remaining pieces and place them directly opposite the 1/4-inch pieces. These are the screw cleats used to screw the frame to the ceiling. Shoot pin nails through them to secure them to the frame.
5. Screw two fluorescent light fixtures to the ceiling, 18-inches apart. Consult the manufacturer's instructions before mounting them.
6. Pre-drill through the screw cleats using a 3/16-inch drill bit. Drill holes 6-inches apart, centered on the . Place the frame on the ceiling, centered over both light fixtures. Screw the frame to the ceiling using the pre-drilled screw holes and 2-inch screws.
7. Hold the plexiglass with one hand on each side. Bend it slightly. Insert it into the frame. Let go, and it will straighten out and come to rest on the 1/4-inch strips. To change a bulb, simply push up on the plexiglass and it will drop out of the frame.
Tags: , frame ceiling, , screw cleats,
