I’m not sure why 3D designers love lighting so much, but they really seem to enjoy creating all manner of lamps and lampshades. The first time that I posted a list of lighting I found dozens of amazing designs, and it is a well that I’ve gone back to multiple times based solely on the availability of so many great options. It seems that whatever your taste, whatever your needs, there is bound to be a 3D printable light that was seemingly made just for you.
Here are Ten 3D Printable Unique Desk and Tabletop Lamps:
DESK LAMP BASED ON MATHEMATICAL EQUATIONS
Found on: Thingiverse
Cost: Free
This lamp was generated using the mathematical equations of Heinrich Scherk, who I have never heard of. Not surprising seeing that I’m not a mathematician, but regardless the dude’s math made a really cool desk lamp that is bound to start a conversation. Like most of the designs on this weeks list, the filament materials that can be used for this design are limitless and based entirely on personal tastes and the rest of the room where the lamp will be going. Personally, I think it would look amazing printed in a woodfill filament and stained.
NEOPIXEL LED LAMP
Found on: Thingiverse
Cost: Free
This clever table lamp design uses a standard neopixel ring to cast a bright LED glow, and it can be set to shift between colors based on the type of neopixel ring you purchase. Many neopixel rings can be purchased with a small micro-computer that can run the color shifting, or some can be plugged into a USB port and controlled that way. The print itself is super easy: just print out the various parts with no support and assemble. The model includes blackout parts that will restrict where the light shines, so it can be as bright or muted as needed.
The neopixel ring inside of the lamp.
RETRO ROCKETSHIP LAMP
Tinkerlight Rocket Lamp by BillBall
Found on: YouMagine
Cost: Free
This cool retro rocket table lamp is perfect as a nightlight in a child’s room or as a nice decorative lamp for just about any room. The 3D printable model was created to work with the Tinkerlight System, and it is a pretty easy project to put together. Filament selection is a pretty big choice, as the light cast from the lamp will be the color of the filament that is selected, however the shell is thin enough that either opaque or translucent filaments should work fine.
One of the cooler features of this little lamp are the cut-outs on top of it that will cast a charming “face” up on the ceiling. And it occurred to me that it would also be possible to print some filler pieces for the holes that will cast a different color shadow.
The shadow from the lamp has a secret face hidden in it.
CYCLOTOWER LAMP
Cyclotower Lamp by Ivan Kolicheski
Found on: MyMiniFactory
Cost: Free
I have no idea what a “Cyclotower” is or how it relates to this lamp, but my ignorance doesn’t change the fact that it looks really cool. The graphic shapes combine to create a simple, yet instantly interesting light that has a slight art deco feel to it. The lamp prints out in individual shapes that were made to snap together, but could easily be glued for extra stability. The designer printed his version in a metallic filament, but this design would work with just about any material. This is another design that would look amazing printed in woodfill and then stained. Can you tell that I have a new spool of wood filament that I’m itching to use?
ART NOUVEAU LOTUS DESK LAMP
art nouveau lotus lamp by toolmoon
Found on: Thingiverse
Cost: Free
The designer of this beautiful classic style desk lamp has created a bunch of different designs that all use their own lighting system, the tBulb. The inexpensive LED lighting system is, as you can imagine, extremely flexible and works with lamps as diverse as a Turtle, a Guitar, am old school Bank Lamp and even an Apple. But this fantastic lamp design can be styled to look like a real lamp or 3D printed in some bright colors to mix it up a bit.
Here is a video showing how to assemble the tBulb system:
BLOOD-SPLATTER LAMP
Found on: Thingiverse
Cost: Free
This is probably a little more Fangora than most people are comfortable putting in their living rooms, but any fan of horror movies is going to love this great bucket of blood lamp. The best part is that it’s such a simple design, just a lamp shade and the blood splatter base.
GOTHIC DESK LAMP
Spiked Desk Lamp by Richard McDaniel
Found on: MyMiniFactory
Cost: Free
This gothic-style table lamp is a great alternative to more expensive options that are available for purchase in stores, plus you get to select the style and color of the lamp on your own. You could print it and then give it a metallic paint job, or print it in a wide variety of color filaments. It would also look cool printed in metallic filament and then polished up a bit.
DIAMOND-SHAPED LIGHT
Shine on You Crazy Diamond by Mister_G
Found on: Pinshape
Cost: Free
This simple diamond-shaped lamp is really versatile and would be at home in almost any room, either as mood lighting or as a useful light source. Not only can it be 3D printed in any color filament that you have, although translucent is probably the best option, but it can be fit with a smart LED that will let you alter the color of light to suit your moods.
MUSHROOM PATCH LIGHT
Found on: Thingiverse
Cost: Free
Bring this tranquil patch of mushrooms into your room and add to the relaxing mood with its low, diffused glow. The mushrooms can be made in any color, or purely translucent, and the lamp is a great source of mood lighting. The designer has also included assembly instructions and a list of the components that are needed to complete the lamp. This is a great starter project for those new to working with lighting kits and 3D printers, and it is also just adorable.
MINI LAMP POST
Desktop Lamppost by Andrew Forster
Found on: MyMiniFactory
Cost: Free
My favorite design of the week is this fantastic mini lamp post. It can be sized up or down depending on your available space, and it can be used almost anywhere. It can be used as a light or just as a model for a diorama or architectural model. All of the parts were designed to need little to no support, and will easily slot together. While it could be 3D printed in any color, personally I would give it a nice paint job and age it to look like a real street light.
And that’s all that I have for this week, I hope you found a cool new 3D printing project to occupy your time. As always, I’d love to get a look at any 3D printing project that you’re working on. You can either email me or just send me a tweet @SJGrunewald!