Power Carved Pendant Light

[@moehoward01]

The trick with brass screws is to use steel screws first, to cut threads in the wood, then replace them with brass screws.

[@MichaelAlm]

Smart!!!

[@randycosgrove3608]

Yeah, learned that the hard way some time ago. I was just going to make that comment when I saw yours.

[@paulheitkemper1559]

A came to the comments to say the same thing. I learned that lesson the hard way.

[@cookfred281051]

Also use some wax to make them screw in easier.

[@doubledarefan]

Before starting the brass screw, turn it backwards up to a full turn until you can feel it engage the threads. Same works with any screw in any already-threaded hole. Clips cross-threading in the bud. Nick Ferry did a vid on the subject.

[@chrisdavis1722]

This is stunning, a true art piece. It’s mod, natural, and something you’re just not going to find easily if ever. I love the brass screws for this project. They’re a design element. Great job! 👍

[@CearaRed]

yes, but the red power cord sticks out like a sore thumb...especially in light of the fact there are color choices that would have complimented the oak and brass so much better.

[@MichaelAlm]

Thanks Chris!!

[@pablo4youtube]

Michael - please please please consider wearing a particulate mask and protective glasses when routing metal next time. Especially if you're going to stick your face really close to the router table. As someone in the healthcare field, you really really don't want to know what happens when you get metal shavings in your respiratory tract or your eye sclera. I'm not your mother. Not telling you what to do. But want you to stay safe and have a long life full of happy woodworking. Be careful, brother!

[@paulheitkemper1559]

Yes! And they cannot use a magnet to pull brass from your eye like they could with ferrous metal.

[@MichaelAlm]

Hey Pablo, I totally agree, and that was definitely a lapse on my part with the respirator. I'm pretty sure I was wearing safety glasses though. I've had steel in my eyes before and its awful. No matter what, yes people should wear both, and I will double check next time. Thanks!

[@triciac.5078]

@@MichaelAlm sorry but no. When you were drilling the hole for the wire, the scariest part of the whole project you called it, you were not wearing safety glasses for most of the video shown. I actually had to cover your face with my thumb as it was freaking me out. (I also ran through the woods as a kid and scratched my cornea - came millimeters from blinding myself, so eye injuries are a super ick thing for me!)

[@TrevorDennis100]

@@triciac.5078 Seeing as we are exchanging war-wound stories, I had broken glass in my eye after being hit in the face with a squash racket. OK, this was a long time ago, but I suspect that plastic lenses might have been an option. All I know is that I ended up getting my wife to take me back to the hospital at 3am because I was convinced they'd left glass in my eye. They hadn't of course. It was just the scar I could feel, but by heck it was an unpleasant experience. I worked 40 years as a toolmaker, and those slivers that come from the side of an end mill or router cutter are like needles, and can be a nightmare to deal with. I retired at the end of 2004, but I still use machine tools three days a week at my Menz Shed, and I use gloves when handling swarf.

[@BogdanWeiss]

@@MichaelAlm Ahhhh ... the safety police.....we are so lucky they haven’t mandated 3 pairs of underpants as a minimum safety standard 🤪

[@ZackWilliamson1]

I love that feeling of turning on a properly wired light the first time. You know you did it right before flipping the switch, but that instant validation is so satisfying

[@MichaelAlm]

For real! it's like magic every time

[@MarcinAdamowicz]

Maaaaaan, its beautiful!!

[@turgworks4138]

The mole grip and adjustable spanner move on that snapped screw is such a good move! Never seen that before 👏👏👏

[@MichaelAlm]

Thanks! It doesn't work every time, but I was glad it did this go round. 😅

[@turgworks4138]

@@MichaelAlm I bet you were 😂

[@chrisflavelle1200]

@@MichaelAlm As you probably already know, Vise grips are made to work perpendicular to the threads, so they bite in. If you put enough pressure on them in parallel with the screw, it will work, but not the best way to do things. Keep a few nylon washers handy as spacers to protect your project if it happens again. Great looking fixture!

[@randyvannatta6523]

Love the improv, and multiple materials and skills used. Great job Michael!

[@MotoWhip101]

Wrench on the vice grips is next level wizardry I will use from now on!!!

[@alexfil2064]

What a great project!! One detail in the end caught my eye though... The visible white plastic part at the ends of the light tube. I believe it doesn’t match the quality of the piece. Here’s an idea. Try covering them by inserting them in a piece of brass tube ; )

[@MichaelAlm]

Thanks! If I were to build a version 2 I would probably do something like that

[@167curly]

Love the beauty of the oak gran and brass, Michael.

[@bcraftgo]

I saw the video well. The wood and metal are connected smoothly without any foreign feelings. The part of trimming the log to the surface was really cool.

[@giuliaraggio]

This is the most beautliful lamp I've ever seen in my entire life. It's wonderful. It's a shame you don't sell it. I would have bought it. I'm italian, not american so I don't know what is appropriate in this situation but here in Italy we give compliments on a job beautifully done. So...Compliments. It is magnificent.

[@maverickstclare3756]

I always learn something watching these

[@lennartvolkaerts1873]

I just want to mention that tyler bell has some good videos on working with steel and aluminium by using woodworking tools, might wanna check those out. I really loved the light, satisfying to watch it go together

[@tonibarber8119]

hey Winston I agree beautiful light fixture

[@rickgordon8377]

Good eye. Like what you did with contrasting metal and wood. Makes me want to make one finally.

[@MichaelAlm]

Thanks Rick!

[@gtheduke]

@16:15 when you used the crescent wrench on the vise-grips...MIND BLOWN. Also, I just dig your videos. This is a really cool build. Thanks!

[@donnecheli2721]

The oak and brass matches nicely with your green desk as usual.. great design details Michael and Winston!!

[@MichaelAlm]

Thanks!! 🐶

[@sharondoherty5143]

You blow us away with your designs. Been there with brass screws snapping but never saw using a crescent wrench to help with the clamping wrench.

[@noobFab]

Love these multi-disciplinary projects!! And the brass with that oak is juuuust gorgeous! Thank you for continuing to create such inspiring content. Also, shout out to Winston!

[@MichaelAlm]

Thanks James!! Winston says hey 🐶

[@IppiopaidFEEDBACK]

I really like the brass work.

[@lindacsmith13]

OMG -- hello Winston - that is absolutely beautiful. If you don't burn your house down you should consider making them as kits. Wait, never mind, that would take forever, you'd have to charge so much. I'd buy one. It's a work of art with a pop of orange. Really nice.

[@MichaelAlm]

Thanks Linda! Yeah, a kit's a good idea, but you're right it'd be pretty pricey. Maybe I'll come up with a simplified version at some point 🤔

[@lucvanhove9639]

Very nice results, getting the curves smooth look very difficult 👏👏👏👏

[@MichaelAlm]

Thanks!! Yeah that's probably the hardest part of the build. Very glad it turned out symmetrical in the end 😅

[@SpencleyDesignCo]

Excellent work on this one, Michael!

[@davebauerart]

Cool original design, brass and wood is always a good combination.

[@macmaccourt]

Excellent, Michael Alm, and Winston! Stunning work and craftsmanship! 12 out of 5 stars 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 !!!

[@jewdd1989]

Absolutely gorgeous!!! Stunning, perfect, beautiful and the techniques you use educate us viewers beyond what I feel I get from most other woodworkers online. I love the colors you always go with, the reds, greens, yellows and blues and of course the hardwoods, etc. I’d love to see you build a piece of furniture that you veneer into either shapes, art, or preferably like Blake Weber did with his wife’s famous outdoor scenery but with you’re own twist, inspiration and ideas!!! What first drew me to your channel was your stunning outdoor bench/garden... I’m guessing wherever you live would offer phenomenal inspiration for a veneered scenic pic 👏🏼 I’d just love to see what you come up with

[@MichaelAlm]

Thanks!!! I love that piece by Blake, and it'd be super fun to try that out in my shop. Thanks for the idea!!

[@MultiFish]

Love that. Now all I can think about is brass!!!!

[@MichaelAlm]

✨Same ✨

[@imm311]

What a beautiful design and excellent execution of your idea! God bless you and yours!

[@BluuurghAg9]

*Shouts at Winston* Great build!

[@ocpbmuse]

This is gorgeous! I have two or three light designs floating around in my head and now just might Lee’s to pull the trigger on one! Also, I’m sure it’s been mentioned but I always use a steel screw first to establish the threads before using a brass screw. ...of course this was learned the hard way too! Thanks for the video!

[@FearsomeWarrior]

Evokes a strong influence of the game Homeworld. Ships have that look to them.. at least from my memory from about two decades ago. Crazy cool looking. It looks like it weighs a bit but doesn’t matter if it’s heavy. Over five.. under ten pounds. Fun.

[@MichaelAlm]

I've never played Homeworld, but I was thinking about sci fi movie/tv sets when I designed it. I love all the background pieces in old Star Trek episodes and the Blade Runner movies. Thanks! It's probably around 15lbs 🤷🏼‍♂️

[@HowIDoThingsDIY]

Super unique and cool light. I like your use of metals and wood.

[@duanehurley2105]

Love this build. By the way, not sure if you planned for this but, the ad breaks created the perfect cliffhanger feels.

[@guisimoneti]

I’m impressed! Amazing job.

[@thewoodshop]

Very cool, I kept thinking about the movie Dune throughout the video. Great demo on process and love the final piece.

[@furthernorthfab]

Mike, it’s so good! The brass and the oak... incredible

[@MichaelAlm]

Thanks Kris!!

[@terristroh3965]

Hey Winston! You’re looking good under that fabulous light!

[@davecurda2350]

Great job Michael.

[@hermenejildomunoz4962]

WOW ABSOLUTELY BEAUTIFUL LOVE THE COLOR YOUR EXPERTISE REALLY SHINES IN THIS AND EVERY PIECE

[@MichaelAlm]

Thank you!!

[@dereishus01]

Aww man I really like that trick using the vice grips and wrench

[@MichaelAlm]

60% of the time it works every-time!

[@Lolo_Schmidt]

This is gorgeous! All your pieces are beautiful. Winston is adorable! As a new(ish) woodworker your pieces are so inspiring!

[@SuperHeritic]

Beautiful piece. The pilot drill for the hole saw wants to be the same size as the mandrel in the hole saw. It can be a very good idea to pilot drill, particularity when free handing to prevent banging the saw teeth into your work when the mandrel breaks through the back side. I would like to have seen you attach the ground wire to the body of the brass.

[@VanDerPol]

That table salt trick! I will use that in my next build...

[@bengtssontypee]

Thanks for doing complicated projects! Really inspiring!

[@jerdow]

I like the project, the video was great, but the thumbs up is for Winston 😉

[@MichaelAlm]

Hahaha! Thank you 🐶👍

[@wolfman75]

Whass Up Winston!!! That turned out awesome!!! Thank You!!!👍😎

[@MichaelAlm]

Thanks so much!!! 🐶

[@Christian6.1803]

You should watch a couple surfboard shaper vids. They set up the shape shack with fluorescent light just above waist high. It will show all the high and low spots when you're carving.

[@smoothieking157]

Already subbed to you based off the collab with Jason from Bourbon Moth, and I've just been binge watching your vids at 1am. From the crescent wrench with vise grips trick for a broken screw, to the tombstone in the clamp though the band saw trick, I've learned way more than any of those clickbaity "top X shop hacks" videos on youtube. You've definitely earned my sub

[@MichaelAlm]

That's awesome!! Glad you picked up some tips! Thank you 🙌

[@MJ-nb1qn]

Yea Baby! 👍🏼 American Green Lights have a nice LED “ridged strip with lens” than may work well with this beautiful design

[@Zogg1281]

I wasn't overly sure about this at the beginning but the finished light looks AMAZING! Winston is also really cute 👍👍👍

[@FLiar3]

Thanks Michael, this is great and turned out beautiful! I love seeing you combine working in brass and wood. I’ve been following your channel for a while now and wanted to mention that I’ve had success using my Shaper Origin to cut and engrave brass. I can just imagine what your creativity could make.

[@MichaelAlm]

Thank you!! Yeah I actually looked into using Origin to cut the reflectors, but the folks at Shaper said it was a bit too thick. The tool could do it, but I would have to do a ton of passes. Not worth the energy. Brass engraving is a great idea though!! I'll have to give that a go!

[@FLiar3]

@@MichaelAlm This was my experience: community.shapertools.com/t/what-did-you-do-with-your-origin-this-week/1766/706 I think it was 4 passes on 1/8” thick brass. I don’t think it was the soft machinable brass though but I was happy.

[@Smex9680]

Shout out to Winston. Cool lamp.

[@stkhoops]

This is amazing. I’d kill for this. So cool

[@naterapp7881]

Sup Winston. Beautiful project (as usual) Michael!

[@MichaelAlm]

Woohoo! First Winston shout out!! Thanks Nate 😁

[@reforzar]

Absolutely stunning!

[@MichaelAlm]

Thanks Brian!!

[@jarekr5784]

Now I want to make a lamp, seems easier than previously thought.

[@stin-dog172]

To stop your drill bits from grabbing the brass you need to modify your drill bit to have zero rake. I learnt that watching 'clickspring' here on KZbin. Now when ever i drill brass its smooth and the hole is the right diameter

[@MichaelAlm]

Thank you thank you thank you!!!! I knew there had to be a better way!

[@stin-dog172]

My pleasure. Stunning work.

[@underablackflag]

That fixture is utterly gorgeous. Also top notch on the video. I learned a bunch and got some great inspiration.

[@MichaelAlm]

Thanks Dominic!! 🙌

[@davework4400]

Also, Also, use beeswax on screws to keep from snaping them off! especially on really dense woods like oak, i use it even for steel screws. changed my life!

[@gcranch9913]

I honestly didn’t think I was going to get into this video but since I like all of your others I thought I’d give it a go. Pretty cool and well done as always.

[@chrisfitzgerald4624]

Waz up Winston, make sure to keep him in line. Oh yeah, that light looks bad ass bud.

[@genedeahl7453]

Didn't know where you were going but you got there. Nice work!

[@donnie7578]

Awesomeness! Great Job!

[@MichaelAlm]

Thanks Donnie!

[@dawlin20]

I ❤️ Winston and the lamp is pretty good too, I guess 😋

[@MichaelAlm]

Winston always steals the show 🐶

[@TedAlexander24]

It’s awesome to see something that you imagined over and over come to life. Sensational build!

[@MichaelAlm]

Thanks! I was looking through old sketchbooks, and I think I drew the first design of it 3 years ago 😳

[@rfguy8499]

New to your channel, but long time woodworker. This looked like a fun build. I really like the contrast of the brass with white oak.

[@MichaelAlm]

Thanks!! And welcome to the channel! It was a really fun build. Just the right mix of the things I love doing and some new challenges

[@Azurko]

That is a very awesome light! Also, those brass shavings would be very cool being used in a resin bowl. Might have to route some brass to get myself some :)

[@Craftlngo]

Have you seen the Adam Savage one Day Build of his Saw Station for his hand held Bandsaw? This could be something for you. I really dig the design of your Light! Edit: A little Tip I caught up. You can braze Steel Parts (and Screws) with a torch and a Brass Wire brush. So you won't have to use the delicate brass screws and still get the look of it.

[@ericmorriscompany9648]

You don’t need any oil for milling drilling or tapping brass. Most yellow brass contains lead and it self lubricates. Also the lead causes the swarf to come off as fine chips rather than a long stringy mess. We only use oil in our CNC where we are taking much heavier cuts. There the oil acts as coolant.

[@CondredgeDole]

8:45 - the first reveal of the perfectly satisfying carving. Very nice!!

[@MarcoAntonio-st6oy]

Great project!! Congratulations!!!!

[@MichaelAlm]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@ellieboa]

absolutely love this!! and hi winston, who's a good boy!

[@MichaelAlm]

Thanks Ellie! 🐶

[@jackknows6509]

Amazing project, great detail in your work. I like the design as well. Save those brass chips, shavings to mix into epoxy for a gold look inlay or crack filler..

[@timothyludolph832]

Lee valley just came out with brass screws (Oct 1) that are a biy stronger. I think they will be a hit because of that inherit risk of breaking off. Great design on the lamp, I think I will try it.

[@giovanninasuluh]

This is absolutely gorgeous and reminds me a bit of Frank Lloyd Wright's work. It's so pretty, I'd have it in my home, never mind a workshop!

[@renbortosky7052]

This is absolutely gorgeous! Power-carving looks very intimidating to me, but you make it look so good at the end. I never think of brass as a particularly attractive metal, but it was a great choice here. (Also Winston is very cute!)

[@MichaelAlm]

Thank you!! 😅🐶

[@paulsara]

Great video and skills. Shop dogs are worth their weight in gold so, Hi to Winston from my shop buddy Charlie here in South Wales.

[@MichaelAlm]

Thanks Paul! Hi Charlie!!

[@JTWoodworks]

Every single part of this is just perfect!! It turned out amazing! 😍

[@MichaelAlm]

Thanks Johnny!!! 😄

[@meowserita]

man the light hanging over the desk looks great! Such a good place for a nice light you made yourself, makes me want to make a light of my own.

[@michaelmiller1109]

Super awesome build!

[@reggieasplund9081]

Winston just chillin in his fab office there. Getting ideas as we have a similar desk/office space. Any chance Winston want's to chill in Minnesota for a bit? Ha! Keep rockin' man, your videos are inspiring and quite instructional.

[@MichaelAlm]

Hahaha, yeah he's got it made! I'm sure Winston would be happy to lend you his expertise! Thanks 😁

[@Woodshop.vitkov]

This is a very cool lamp! You have a great talent!

[@MichaelAlm]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@CM-1988]

Very nice and high quality content you got here! Also love the W123 wagon. You are a man of class!

[@andrhamm]

Wow!! Love this design, it turned out great!

[@MichaelAlm]

Thanks Andrew!!

[@CondredgeDole]

Oh exciting! Loved you IG previews of this project, can’t wait to watch. Need to wait until I’m in front of a bigger screen though 👌

[@MichaelAlm]

Thanks man! It's in full on 4K so yeah, the big screen is worth it! Let me know what you think...

[@CondredgeDole]

@@MichaelAlm wow, yeah, definitely worth waiting for the big screen - loved this one! What a beautiful end result and satisfying to watch that brass getting milled & polished and everything. Those fittings are perfect for this. Well done.

[@chucknelson4556]

WOW, beautiful.

[@chriskeeble]

Stunning piece - nice work!

[@lechiffre5078]

Gorgeous!

[@sarapastrana9910]

Beautiful job! And fun to watch!

[@MCsCreations]

Amazing, Michael. FANTASTIC work! 😃 It really looks beautiful there! If you excuse my joke, it literally shines! 😃 Anyway, stay safe there with your family! 🖖😊

[@MichaelAlm]

Thank you!! ✨

[@shaunbarrickman6339]

Nicely done!

[@rocket_appliances]

Anyone else think this thing is screaming for a pull chain? What up Winston!

[@HGANGHONY]

A master piece.

[@francisdon537]

Amazing. Another level.

[@elliotstokes6134]

Awesome project!!!

[@chadroeder2586]

Wow. Love this and all of the videos, so inspiring! Shout out to Winston

[@MichaelAlm]

Thanks Chad! 🐶

[@dimcclung]

Gorgeous! This would be amazing in your patterned plywood as well! (Not that you need more ideas lol)

[@MichaelAlm]

Everything looks better in patterned ply 😜

[@CascadeCreate]

incredible! very well done, sir. love it. it's so cool to see the sketch turn to reality.

[@MichaelAlm]

Thanks so much!!

[@st170ish]

G'day Winston, your human does a great job.

[@MichaelAlm]

Thanks 🐶 😁