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1.
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Please read all the instructions BEFORE you go out and buy anything.
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2.
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 Start by disassembling your Bucky Adult Skull (3 pc.) making sure to remove all hardware (ie. screws, nuts, and springs). A jewelers screwdriver and needle-nose pliers will come in handy for this.
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3.
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Once your Bucky skull is disassembled, use a Dremel tool (or similar rotary tool) with the medium grit sanding wheel to remove any "flash." (Flash is the extra bits of plastic usually found on edges or along seems left over from the manufacturing process.) Put your Dremel tool on slow to medium speed. Move slowly across the excess plastic and remove a little at a time until it's gone. What you don't want to do is dig into the skull.
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4.
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Safety Note - Make sure to wear your protective eyewear and breathing mask. You DO NOT want the particles or dust created when sanding your Bucky skull to get into your eyes or lungs.
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5.
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 Make sure while you are removing the flash you do not remove the alignment pegs. These are necessary for properly seating the top of the skull onto the base. |
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6.
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 After that is completed, it's time to work on the lamp. You don't need anything expensive. I picked this one up at Michael's craft store for $7 on clearance. It came complete with a thumb switch on the power cord. You can find lamps like this just about anywhere (Dollar Store, Big Lots, etc.). And, you might even find one at a flea market or garage sale. I kept mine small mostly for style and balance reasons, but feel free to let your imagination run wild.
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7.
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Style Choice - I threw out the lamp shade because my intent was to put a candle on top. But, the end product will look just as good as a lamp with a shade. It's completely up to you. If that is your choice, you will have to modify and/or skip some of the following steps in order to accomplish that goal.
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8.
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Then, I removed the stem and cut the wires going to the light socket.
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9.
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Since the socket on this lamp was riveted to the metal support bracket, I took it outside and gently tapped on it until only the rivet remained. I then took a pair of tin snips and cut the rivet off.
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10.
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Remove the power cord from the body of the lamp and put it aside. It's only going to get in the way and you can easily re-insert it later.
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 The last thing to take apart is the electric candle lamp. I found this one at the Dollar Store. I had a light sensor built into the stem of the candle which could sense when the room got dark and automatically turn the light on.
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12.
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Remove the metal base and cut the power cord about 6 inches from the bottom of the plastic "candle" tube. The, using your Dremel tool with cutting disc cut the plastic candle tube 3.5 to 4 inches from the top. Move slowly and make sure you don't cut too deep. You don't want to cut the electrical wires going to the light sock at the top.
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13.
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Safety Note - Make sure to wear your protective eyewear when using your Dremel's cutting disc. It spins at very high velocity and can break very easily. A small shard from the disc can easily take out an eye.
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14.
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 After all that disassembling, it's finally time to start putting things together. Take your lamp and insert the metal support bracket into the hole at the base of your Bucky skull. The size of this lamp was a near perfect fit. The, using heavy string or packaging tape, secure them together temporarily. I did it while the two were upside down since the flat, cut edge of the skull made a stable surface from which to work, but do it however it makes the process easier for you. Once that is done, flip the two right side up and bend the metal support bracket down until it is in firm contact with the inside bottom of the skull.
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 To make this joining permanent, apply hot glue to the joint between the skull and the lamp on both the inside and the outside. On the outside, use some discretion because you don't want people to see a giant glob of hot glue sitting at the base of the skull. And, to insure you don't get any hot glue inside the whole for the power cord, insert a drinking straw before applying any hot glue on the inside of the skull. Also, be sure to apply a liberal amount onto the metal support bracket to give it a bit more of a secure fit. If you can connect the hot glue applied on the under side of the skull with that applied inside through the hole in the skull, you will create a very strong bond. Give the hot glue a few mins. to cool and set, then remove the string or tape.
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16.
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Go around the skull looking for the holes created for the hardware. Fill each of them in with a small dab of hot glue.
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17.
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 Now, thread the power cord through the lamp and the base of the skull. Then, tie a knot into the power cord once you've got about 6 inches fed through.
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18.
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 Check Point — Replace the top of the skull onto the base. Your project should look something like this, now. |
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