Turning a block and tackle into an upcycled pulley light.
I want to be famous in a way a pulley is famous, or a buttonhole, not because it did anything spectacular, but because it never forogt what it could do. – Naomi Shihab Nye
I’m probably sure you all know how we feel about thrift stores by now.
One of our very favorite places to go is the Habitat for Humanity ReStore. In fact, it’s often a favorite date night evening
A while back we landed upon this gorgeous block and tackle/pulley for 5 buckaroos. It’s a moment that you quickly pay for it before anyone changes their mind.
The Mister’s wheels were a turning. What will we do with this thing of beauty?? At first, it just sat on the floor until we could figure out what project would best feature it.
When we did the One Room Makeover – Game Room and the light bulb went on…well actually that was the problem. It was just a light bulb in the staircase leading up to the game room. Hmmmmmmmm!
A pulley light was exactly what we “needed” for our industrial, rustic, salvaged, thrifted home.
PULLEY LIGHT SUPPLIES
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- 2 Pulleys (one with a hook) – BLOCK AND TACKLE is what it is altogether
- Rope (we purchased 20 ft)
- Cage
- Lamp Cord
- Ceiling Plate (canopy kit)
- Raintight Compression Connector
- Connector, Squeeze
- Edison Bulb
- Light Socket
- Metal File
- Large Ring
- Screwdriver
- Wire Cutters
- Utility Knife
|DID YOU SEE THIS LIGHT WE MADE FROM A THRIFT STORE LANTERN FOR OUR PANTRY|
WHAT WE DID TO CREATE THIS LIGHT
**PLEASE note, this is for inspirational purposes only. Consult a trained professional before attempting any projects you do not have expertise in.
- We ran the rope through the block and tackle the length we wanted it to hang.
- A short piece of leftover rope was tied around the upper pulley.
- Using the metal file the center hole of the cover plate was enlarged to fit the compression connector.
- The compression connector was attached to the cover plate in the newly enlarged hole.
- The rope and wire were fed through the compression connector then the squeeze connector was attached to hold both the wire and rope in place.
- The wire was fed along the rope to the light socket at the hook.
- The cage was attached to the light socket.
- We attached a large ring to the cage where the wire was attached to the light socket.
- It was then attached to the ceiling (again, all electrical work should be done by a professional).
- We choose to run the rope through an eye bolt on the wall for our specific look.
This is a fun light for our staircase and a great way to upcycle since we had a lot of the materials already.
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Thanks for stopping by today. Our goal is to help make the most with whatever you have by sharing budget-friendly, time-saving, and reusing/DIY ideas for all parts of your home and life. If you enjoyed this upcycled pulley light, we would appreciate a share on any social media: Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest. Plus, don’t forget to follow us as we share even more ideas on each account.
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And now for more thrifty goodness from some blogging friends!
Ok this is awesome!! I can’t believe you scored that pulley for $5!!
Amanda @ The Kolb Corner recently posted…Upcycled Valentine’s Day Art
Amanda, Yeah, sometimes you just never know what you can find and at what price. That’s part of the fun huh? And I LOVED yours!!!
Now I will be on the lookout for a pulley when I go thrifting! You got such a deal on yours! I have seen several pulley projects and I really like this idea of using it for a light in a hard to reach location.
Shirley Wood recently posted…How To Make A Two Tier Tray Using Thrifted Picture Frames
Shirley, Yeah, the Restore can be a great place to find a bargain!
Loving the industrial look, the cage and the pulley go really well together.
Thank you Claire. I am loving all the projects for sure.
Love it! That has a very expensive look to it!
Ann, Thanks so much!!!
This is so cool!! I love this idea! Great project!
Thanks Michelle.
You made me laugh at little when you said that your perfect date night is at Habitat for Humanity…I love that place too! Your pulley light system turned out awesome and I’m always amazed at the clever ways you use your items.
No joke. We are on a tiny budget so thrifting is a big night out for us.
Wow. This is terrific. I absolutely love it.
Thanks Sue!!!
Wow! I love it. You two certainly are clever. Can’t believe you got that pulley for $5 bucks. I never see anything like that at our restore.
Hugs,
Jann
Jann, It is definitely hit or miss at any store like that for sure.
I love love love this light. Now I need to keep an eye out for a pulley.
Dru, I hope you find one. You just never quite know what you’ll find when thrifting.
What an amazing light. So unique, it’s perfect! I think I need a pulley now, lol.
Kim
Thanks Kim. I hope you find a pulley!! 🙂 Thanks for stopping by!
I’m a Habitat fan also. For starters the pulley is an amazing score. The light is perfect.
Debrashoppeno5 recently posted…Make A Mid-Century Clock From A Wooden Bowl
Oh the ReStore is such a fun place. You never quite know what you’ll end up finding.
This is so so smart. I have some lights, and I’ve seen the pulleys in flea markets and yard sales. Now I just need to pick a few up next time 🙂
Lora, All The Mister. He is so good about knowing how to get my random thoughts into something useful. 🙂 Thanks for stopping by!
That is one cool light fixture! I can’t believe the pulley was only $5!
Thanks so much for the DIY inspiration!
{BIG hugs}
~ Ashley
Ashley ~ 3 Little Greenwoods recently posted…DIY Valentine Decor ~ Watercolor Heart Artwork
Ashley, Thanks my friend. 🙂
So genius to turn that beautiful old pully into light, and that industrial light cage is perfect. I’m so excited too because I just learned we a Restore in our area and I have to put it on my calender to get over there. There’s one in Oakland as well which might have more vintage type items. I might just have to make a day of vising all the ones in our area 😀
Toni, Oh you just have to. We also go when traveling #yepwearecrazy 🙂
This is awesome! I would love to do something like this over our kitchen island or definitely out in our workshop. It looks so cool! $5 was a steel!
Colleen, That’s what we thought to. It was a hurry to the cash register moment for sure.
I love this!!!!!!! It’s SO my style. It looks great 🙂 Can’t wait to see what you come up with next time.
Chelsea @ The Johnsons Plus Dog recently posted…Vintage Bread Box Chalk Paint Makeover
Chelsea, The Mister is pretty brilliant in my opinion 🙂 Thanks for stopping by!
I love Habitat ReStore too! That pulley is amazing, I can’t believe it was $5!
Kim, Isn’t it the best? We love seeing what is new each time we go.
That is a fantastic upcycle! I love it when old things that are just sitting around are turned into something that is both useful AND functional!
Leslie recently posted…The Happy Now Blog Link Up #45
Leslie, Us too! We love old stuff! Thanks for stopping by!
I love old pulleys, pinned yours for sure!! I used one to hang a basket from for the outdoors!!! I need to find more pulleys at the antique stores. Glad to have found your blog. Here is my pulley link: http://littlebrags.blogspot.com/2016/05/project-challenge-old-gears-or-pulleys.html
Christine Vandormolen recently posted…Decorating With Wooden Spools
Christine, That is so awesome. Don’t you just love them? Thanks for stopping by and pinning. I don’t know if you know but there is a upcycle sharin group on FB where you can see other ideas and 2-3 times a week where people can post their projects. Thought you might like that.
Crazy clever, and I love the look of it!
Megan recently posted…The Princess Bride Inspired Book Page Art #MovieMonday
Megan, Thanks so much!!!
What a bargain find!! I’m hoping to stumble across one in my travels! Love how you repurposed into some new and super practical!
Sam @ Raggedy Bits recently posted…10 Minute DIY Farmhouse Paper Rose Doily Garland
It’s a fun piece for sure. I love old stuff 🙂
I truly need this light in my life! And I have the pulley to do it too. Thanks for the push!
I’ve featured you in this weekend’s DIY Salvaged Junk Projects. Thanks for linking up! 🙂
Donna, Thank you so much. So sorry I am just seeing this. For some reason your comment went to my spam folder and I didn’t see it. I’m so very thankful. Happy Easter!!!!
I love this! I have a few of these pulleys that I had no idea to do with – now I do! 🙂
I’d like to invite you to share this at the brand-new Farmhouse Friday link party which kicks off this Friday at 6:00 am PST! I am giving away a $50 Amazon gift certificate to celebrate, and I will also share your linkup on DIY Farmhouse Style Facebook group where I admin, which at this writing has over 130k members! 🙂
Hope to see you on Friday!
Michelle
The Painted Hinge
http://www.thepaintedhinge.com
Michelle, Thank you so much. I am so sorry I am just now getting this..I was at SNAP conference. I will have to go and link up!!!
No worries! 🙂 I hope you had fun at the Snap conference! I’m going to the BlogHer conference in June and I am so excited!!! 🙂
Michelle Franscella recently posted…Happiness Is Homemade Link Party #168
Michelle, Oh I hope you have a great time. I have never been to BlogHer before. I think this next year I will try a new conference so I will be on the look out for a good one to good too.