Remember - this lamp should be done under adult supervision. The alcohol and oil used in the lamp are highly flammable, and care must be taken when heating them to set the lava in motion. If you are a child, you should not try to make a lamp yourself - show this manual adults and ask them for help.
- Factory lava lamps use a proprietary blend of liquid waxes. It is impossible to achieve a similar effect in a homemade lamp, but with a successful design, your “lava” will flow almost as beautifully from bottom to top and back.
Take a glass container. Any clean glass container that can be sealed and shaken a little will do. Glass withstands high temperature much better than plastic, so it is more suitable for a lava lamp.
Pour a small cup of mineral or baby oil into the container. This will serve as material for the rising and falling "lava" bubbles. The amount of oil does not matter, since it can always be added to the lamp.
- It's better to start with regular oil, but if you want to get colored “lava”, you can use oil paints. Keep in mind that over time, the coloring may separate from the oil and accumulate at the top or bottom of the container.
Add a mixture of 70 percent rubbing alcohol, 90 percent isopropyl alcohol, and water. Both types of alcohol can be purchased at the pharmacy. If the proper proportions are observed, the density of the mixture will be close to the density mineral oil. To do this:
Place the jar on a secure, thin stand. Before moving the jar, close the lid tightly. Place the jar on a stable, heat-resistant surface, such as flower pot, turned upside down. There should be enough space below the surface to fit a small lamp.
Install a heat source. Once you have almost equalized the density of the oil and alcohol mixture, all you need to do is add a heat source under the lava lamp. When heated, substances expand, with oil expanding slightly more than the surrounding alcohol. As a result, the oil floats up, cools there, contracting, and sinks to the bottom again. So let's get started:
- Select your incandescent lamp carefully. For a jar of no more than 350 milliliters, use a 15-watt bulb for sewing machine. To heat a larger jar, use a 30- or 40-watt light bulb; Do not use more powerful light bulbs as the glass jar may overheat and melt.
- Screw your chosen light bulb into a small spotlight so that it shines upward.
- For better control the light intensity of the light bulb and the heat it generates, connect a rheostat to it.
Wait until lava lamp will warm up. Some lamps require a couple of hours to warm up, but a homemade lamp usually requires less time. Every 15 minutes, touch the jar with your palm wrapped in cloth. The walls of the jar should become warm, but not scalding hot. If the jar gets too hot, immediately turn off the light bulb and replace it with a less powerful one.
- Try gently rotating the heating jar while wrapping your hands in a cloth or wearing oven mitts.
- When leaving, do not leave the light bulb on; After several hours of operation, turn off the light bulb and allow it to cool.
In this project I will show you how to make a lava lamp with your own hands from a wine bottle.
Step 1: Materials
- Plywood 2.5 * 20 * 30 cm. All wooden elements will be cut from this piece of plywood. When making calculations, keep in mind that the parameters of your wood will differ from mine.
- Nails and nail gun. You can use any method of fastening the pieces, but be prepared to work with boards that are slightly misaligned. I originally used wood glue, but found that it was not strong enough to seal such gaps.
- 75 watt soft light bulb
- Lamp socket with a diameter of no more than 10 cm
- Scotch
- Two-core wire (you will have to cut it)
- Regular 750ml wine bottle
- bottle cap
- Something to caulk the gaps - I found a few places in the lava lamp where light was coming through - you will need to caulk a couple of gaps.
- Baby\mineral oil
- 70% isopropyl alcohol
- Antifreeze
- Oily art paints or pastel
- Food coloring (optional)
- Spray paint (optional)
- Furniture finishing varnish (optional)
Step 2: Create the Plate for the Lamp Base
It is important to remember that although the project creates a base in the form truncated pyramid, you can create a base of any shape. The main thing is that the lamp socket fits inside, and the bottle can stand on top. The base, which I made at home, requires some skill in working with wood.
Start by cutting out a 15cm square base. Then cut the wire that will carry the electricity. Separate the wires and secure them firmly in the socket. Since we're working with a light bulb, we don't need to know which wire is connected to which terminal. If necessary, additionally insulate the wires with electrical tape.
Step 3: Creating the Sides of the Base
Creating the sides of the base is the most difficult part of the project. The attached pictures show the number of cuts that make it possible to make the base in the form of a truncated pyramid. Below I will describe each cut, but the pictures will be more clear. You will need both a regular saw and a miter saw.
Using a saw, cut the wood at a 15-degree angle on both sides of the board. Make two cuts in the part of the wood that will be connected to the base.
Using corner circular saw, set the bevel angle to 33 degrees and the bevel angle to 15 degrees. Make appropriate cuts.
Make 4 equal sides (they should be about 18 cm at the base and about 11 cm at the top) that will be connected to the 15 cm bottom. In one of the sides you need to make a hole for the wire.
Step 4: Create a Wine Bottle Pedestal
This part of the very post is a square with a side length of approximately 10 cm and an angle of 15 degrees. Cut a hole using the appropriate drill bit and create a recess to hold the base of the bottle.
Step 5: Assembly
Connect the four trapezoidal pieces together. I used wood glue for this and then secured everything with nails. Adjust the base with the cartridge to the size of our truncated pyramid. Make sure the wire is not pinched between wooden joints. I pre-drilled holes in the square base and threaded the screws through them. This way, if necessary, I can unscrew the bottom and replace the light bulb.
Lastly, glue top part(the one that will hold the bottle).
Step 6: Chemicals
To truly create good lamp with lava, you need to understand how it works. The "lava" in a lamp usually consists of oil, and clear liquid- usually an alcohol solution. These two substances do not mix. The magic begins when the light bulb begins to heat the oil. Since oil and alcohol have very similar densities, the heat from the light bulb is enough to create a difference in which substance is denser. When oil becomes less dense than alcohol, it rises to the top, then cools, becomes denser, and sinks to the bottom.
The precision with which you create the mixture is very important. Many hours were spent trying to find the correct ratios of various chemicals, including antifreeze, turpentine, vegetable oil, baby oil, isopropyl alcohol, water, paint, pastels and food coloring, and I still haven't found perfect solution. However, I have created several work lamps, so I will try to summarize some of the most effective mixtures, which I created.
The procedure is standard: mix all oils and oil paints together, mix all aqueous and water-soluble liquids separately. Adding chemicals in the wrong order or too quickly can lead to "hazing" and other undesirable effects.
Measure:
- 15 ml antifreeze
- 830 ml 70% isopropyl alcohol
- 20 ml soy wax
- 30 ml baby\mineral oil
- Mix soy wax and oil. Add if desired oil paint. This mixture will be called "lava".
- Place the lava (along with its container) in a pot of boiling water. Stir continuously until you get a smooth liquid. Carefully remove the lava from the pan and let cool.
- In another container, mix antifreeze and alcohol.
- Pour the alcohol mixture into a wine bottle. It is very important to do this before you pour the wax mixture into it - if the wax is poured first, it will cover the sides of the bottle and the lamp will not create the correct effect.
- Pour the lava into the wine bottle as slowly as you can. This will reduce the "hazy" effect.
- Insert the cork into the bottle and place the bottle on the base of the lamp. Allow the liquid to become ready for about an hour.
If the liquid in the lamp becomes "foggy", place the lamp on a heat source until the liquid returns to normal. Then put the bottle in the refrigerator for a couple of hours and return it to the heat source.
You can make a lava lamp with your own hands using substances characterized by different densities. There are several instructions that allow you to create a structure with a liquid that simulates lava, and it is important to make sure that the device is safe during operation. This product has an attractive appearance, which is why it is popular. However, the lava lamp is characterized by conditional restrictions on use. It is advisable to install it where the interior is made in the appropriate style.
Features of lava lamps
This is a decorative lamp designed to be installed on a table. It is characterized by large dimensions, elliptical shape, sometimes the body is made in the form of a cylinder. Has a small stand. The top cap of the case is opaque. Decorative effect is created thanks to translucent glass, inside of which there are substances characterized by different structures and densities.
Such lamps operate on the principle of interaction of liquids under conditions of periodic and gradual temperature increases. Inside the glass flask contains glycerin and translucent paraffin. Both substances are susceptible to temperature changes. For example, paraffin rises when heated. When the temperature drops, he drowns. Considering that the flask contains a heterogeneous substance, when conditions change environment chaotic movement of paraffin droplets occurs.
In addition, the contents of the glass flask are heated unevenly, which also leads to a chaotic rise of the denser substance. This operating principle allows you to create the appearance of lava movement. At the bottom of the structure there is a source of heat and light (incandescent lamp). When connected to mains voltage, the heat transfer process begins. IN in this case the light bulb heats the liquid, promoting the movement of paraffin upward. However, in the process it cools and settles to the bottom again.
As a result, the paraffin stops rising, and along with this, large number bubbles. If there is a need for long-term operation, you can periodically turn off the lamp for 1 hour.
Advantages and functions of a lava lamp
The size of the device is large (40 cm). The design provides a moderately bright light source, which allows it to be used as lighting fixture. The illumination area of a lava lamp is 2-3 m, and paraffin moves inside the flask, which means that the product will emit a weak light. The characteristics of the device are sufficient to use it as a night light.
The lava lamp performs another function - decorates the interior. It contains substances that are characterized bright color, which, along with the ability to move paraffin inside the flask, can improve the design of the room. Buy a lamp of this type to decorate a room, entertain guests, or as a gift. Product advantages:
- no need for special care;
- attractive and original appearance;
- versatility;
- ease of operation;
- relatively low energy consumption, since the design includes an incandescent lamp low power(25-40 W).
Making your own lava lamp
If you make a lava lamp with your own hands, you will need a glass container, which will then be filled with an oil solution. In order for the device to serve for a long time, you will need a flask made of high-strength glass. This will not only avoid accidental damage, but will also protect the owner of this product from electric shock, since a light source is installed inside the structure, and the lamp itself is connected to the mains voltage.
IN living conditions use other liquids that will allow you to achieve desired effect: vegetable oil, alcohol and distilled water. It is best to use castor oil. Other materials:
- incandescent light bulb with a power of 25-40 W;
- the base is made of wood, metal or ceramics, it is important that it can withstand exposure to elevated temperatures;
- power cable with plug;
- rubber insert;
- metal spring;
- dyes used to color oil and water.
The paraffin or wax used in the production of a lava lamp has an improved structure, which ensures ductility and smooth movement of the substance. It is difficult to achieve exactly the same effect in everyday life. It is permissible to use as a basis ceramic pot. You can use any other device. To supply power to the light bulb, a hole is made in the side, and a socket for a lamp with an E14 socket is fixed at the top of the stand. Then connect the power cable connected to the plug.
A rubber ring is attached to the stand, which will act as a seal. At the next stage, insert into its upper part glass vessel. A spring is placed at the bottom, having previously compressed it. This element will contribute to better heat distribution inside the structure. During the manufacturing process, the lava will acquire the desired structure and color. Sequence of actions:
- A mixture is prepared (oil in water and alcohol), you can take the components in any quantity, but it is important that the concentration of the oil is higher. The ratio of substances is determined by the density of the aqueous solution.
- If desired, change the shade of alcohol to water based, adding ink of the desired shade. The dye is taken in any quantity. If the color of the solution is too light, you can add more ink.
- To change the shade of oil, use oil paints.
The finished mixture is poured into a glass container. If the oil floats without heating, add a little more alcohol. The flask should not be filled to the top; leave a small gap, which will allow the liquid to expand when heated. The result is a magic lamp. To reduce the intensity of heat loss, close the container on top with a lid and screw it tightly.
Making a temporary lava lamp
You can achieve the desired effect without connecting to a power source, but in this case the oil solution will rise into the air. glass container for a short period. Materials for work:
- glass container;
- oil and water;
- food coloring;
- Fizz tablets: Alka-Seltzer, water-soluble vitamin C.
Oil is poured into the bottle so that it fills ¾ of the volume. The amount of water is ¼ of the volume of the bottle. Food coloring is also added here. desired color. For a volume of 0.5 liters, 10 drops are enough. The same amount will require 1 tablet with a fizzing effect. It must first be divided into several sections. The bottle is closed and shaken several times. This will begin the process of raising the vegetable oil, which occurs due to the formation of air bubbles in its drops.
To enhance the effect, direct a flashlight beam to the bottom of the bottle or place the container on the light source. When the formation of air bubbles begins to subside, you can open the lid and add another tablet. If you follow these instructions, you will not have to use alcohol; in addition, this option does not require connection to a power source, and therefore does not pose a danger. If desired, use different shades food coloring, you can make several lava lamps. The result is exciting entertainment for children.
Creation home comfort and comfort is inextricably linked with the interior items surrounding our living space. One of these products is an original piece of furniture – a lava lamp. Such devices create a beautiful ambience, add zest, decorating the everyday life of our life. This is a decorative lamp based on the movement of liquid. Everyone is interested in observing how glycerin and paraffin move under the influence of constantly changing temperature conditions under rays of light of different colors. Lamps create special atmosphere bedroom, children's room, living room.
History of origin
The lava lamp was invented by English engineer Edward Craven Walker in the 1960s. Its production was established in Poole, UK. At the Brussels Fair in 1965, the glow of the device was seen by famous entrepreneurs Adolf Wertheimer and Hy Spektor. They bought the rights to sell the product in America, which they called Lava Lite. Wertheimer subsequently retired from this business.
Edward Craven Walker's first lava lamp samplesSpector, on the contrary, began to actively develop production and sales of lamps at his own factory in Chicago. There are new colors, manufacturing technologies, many design options. The 70-80s of the last century were marked by the fact that ownership of these devices became all the rage. Fans of lamps really liked the warm, original glow. They were called Lava Lamp. These devices are very popular among residents of America and Europe.
After the 90s, the production of original lamps was transferred to China. Soon after, Walker, who owned the rights to his invention throughout the UK and Western Europe, sold them to Cressida Granger. Her company Mathmos has been successfully producing these products in Poole (UK) to this day. The production of lamps has returned to where it began. This device has been recognized as the most spectacular decoration home interior.
Operating principle
Let's consider the design of the device. A sealed container is filled with two dissimilar substances - paraffin, which has a semi-liquid state, and glycerin. At natural conditions and normal room temperature, paraffin sinks in glycerin. An incandescent lamp located on the lower flange of the base of the device heats the layers of the substance to the desired temperature.
When the lamp is turned on, the paraffin softens due to heat. It becomes lighter, as a result of which it slowly moves up the cylinder of the device body. Change process temperature regime carried out unevenly. As the temperature fluctuates, the paraffin floats up chaotically. Moving towards the surface of the liquid, it moves away from light and heat.
![](https://i2.wp.com/lampaexpert.ru/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/blobid1534154326189.jpg)
Having reached the surface, the paraffin hardens, stops moving, and then slowly sinks. Being near the bottom, from light bulb device it heats up again. The whole process is repeated again. Air bubbles throughout the thickness of the multi-colored illuminated liquid are formed at different speeds, mix, and take on bizarre shapes and sizes.
The lava lamp has gained immense popularity among aesthetes all over the world. It is now sold in every gift shop on the planet. Instead of paraffin, natural wax is often used.
![](https://i0.wp.com/lampaexpert.ru/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/blobid1534153974462.jpg)
This product is an indispensable attribute of every children's bedroom. The illuminated layers move slowly, smoothly and beautifully along the transparent cylinder of the flask, reminiscent of multi-colored volcanic lava. Contemplating the spectacle of the lava working, a person plunges into a state of relaxation. At the same time, his body cells relax as much as possible, and the body gets the opportunity good rest, charging with positive energy for the future.
The light bulb that illuminates the moving masses of paraffin along with glycerin can be of varying power. The main requirement is to calculate its characteristics so as to prevent the ignition of nearby objects. When lava functions, everything comes to life interior space rooms. All surrounding objects become fabulous, shimmering with various exotic colors.
![](https://i2.wp.com/lampaexpert.ru/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/blobid1534154534741.jpg)
How to make it yourself
To understand how to make a lava lamp with your own hands at home, you need to return to its structure. The device invented by Walker was a glass jar filled with liquid oil mixed with paraffin. An ordinary light bulb mounted under the tank heated the mixture. According to physical laws, paraffin rushed upward. Having reached the top, it cooled down and sank.
Expert opinion
Alexey Bartosh
Specialist in repair and maintenance of electrical equipment and industrial electronics.
Ask a question to an expertModern development of science and technology makes it possible to produce such lamps with my own hands from commercially available materials. There are two ways for home craftsmen to develop such devices. The first way is electric lamp lava. The second option is to make it from juice, pop, or vegetable oil. Let's look at both manufacturing methods in detail.
Electric lava lamp
Necessary preparations:
- vertical cylinder made of transparent plastic;
- filling mixture to create visual effects.
Secure the incandescent light bulb under the plastic cylinder. Pour a mixture of glycerin and semi-liquid paraffin into a vertical cylinder. The rays of the light source illuminate the drops of the mixture inside the cylinder, which slowly move and dance, creating a bizarre play of figures. In the included lava, the temperature difference between the upper and lower layers of the mixture is several degrees.
![](https://i2.wp.com/lampaexpert.ru/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/blobid1534154713415.jpg)
Thanks to this difference, the oil balls slowly float, waltz, and roll inside the liquid substance. They rise from the heat of the lighting element, and then, when cooled, they fall. This repeats endlessly. A wide range of such lamps is presented in online stores. There are designs of the most different forms, colors, configurations: rocket, tree, house, ball, pyramid, trapezoid.
Made from juice, pop and vegetable oil
Ingredients:
- liquid oil – sunflower, olive, corn;
- food coloring or fruit/vegetable juice;
- transparent jar;
- any effervescent tablet.
The jar is filled with juice to two-thirds of its volume. The remaining volume is filled with liquid oil. When the liquids settle, a clear boundary between them will appear. Now you need to throw an effervescent tablet into the jar. The effect is incredible! The liquid becomes alive. It seethes, pulsates, bubbles appear different colors, shape, size. Watching this process is a real pleasure.
![](https://i2.wp.com/lampaexpert.ru/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/blobid1534154857405.jpg)
People who play Minecraft a lot sooner or later think about how easier it is to get this or that resource. Such questions arise especially when you get tired of exploring the world around you. Lava is universal material, thanks to which you can create many items. It is also an excellent fuel for the furnace, so the question of how to make an endless source of lava will always be relevant and interesting to players.
Bucket
This is the first item you will need before making an infinite lava source. In Minecraft, you can only carry liquids in a container, which is a bucket.
To make it, you will need the following:
- Assemble a furnace for firing materials.
- Dig up iron ore. To do this you will need at least a stone pickaxe.
- Burn the ore in a furnace - this is how you get it. You can also get the ingot from golems and zombies. Or disassemble the iron block.
- Now open the crafting panel.
- Place three ingots in the middle slot of the bottom line and in the outer slots of the middle one. The bucket is ready.
In total you will need four containers. Now let's look at what else is required of you before making an endless source of lava.
Liquid
Before starting construction, go to the dungeon. Your task is to find lava. You can meet it at almost any level and even on the surface. If you have a portal to the nether world, then go there. There you can find it without problems.
Scoop four buckets from the lava lake. Main feature this process is that even if you pour lava into a bucket from a "river" and then place it on the surface, you will get a "source".
Cobblestone
The last thing you need before making an infinite lava source is a certain number of blocks that won't be able to burn. Cobblestones are ideal for this. There is a lot of it on the surface, so there will be no problems with production. In total, the structure will require 93 blocks. In a pinch, you can find a cobblestone in Netherworld, when you go down for the lava.
Construction
Finally, you can proceed to the main stage. So how do you make an endless source of lava? Our building will occupy a site measuring five by five blocks and six blocks in height. In addition, you will need some kind of ladder or stand. Or "creativity" mode and flight.
- Dig a hole in the ground that is 5x5 and two blocks deep.
- Lay out the bottom layer with cobblestones (25 pieces).
- Now we need to shape the “pool”. Strengthen its walls along the edges with cobblestones (2nd layer). This will take another 16 blocks.
- Now we need to build the columns. They are not required, but it will make it easier to navigate. Create pillars on the cornerstones that are two blocks high. In total you will spend 8 cobblestones.
- It was the turn of the upper platform. Make it the same as the bottom of the “pool”, but with one exception. There should be a hole in the very center. You will spend another 24 cobblestones on this.
- Finishing touch. Do over upper platform another "pool" by creating walls. In addition, place another stone at the edges of the pool. This will take the last 16 blocks. Now top layer should be a platform with an empty cross in the middle.
- Pour a bucket of lava into each beam of the cross.
That's all - in front of you is a real fiery endless source of lava? Very simple. Due to the four sources, you will have an inexhaustible waterfall, which, flowing through the central hole, will fill the pool. If you don't drain the springs, the flow will never stop, and you will be able to constantly scoop lava from the pool or turn it into obsidian by simply pouring a bucket of water on it.