Make Sam DeRose’s Pixar-inspired Luxo-style desk lamp from laser-cut acrylic, LED strips and a spring-supported linkage. The Make: project provides Illustrator, DXF and SolidWorks files; its publisher estimates 38 hours and rates the build moderate. It is a 2015 DIY project, not an official Pixar product.
What the project involves
The lamp’s body is assembled from flat acrylic pieces in two thicknesses: 1/4 inch and 1/8 inch. A laser cutter produces the parts, while screw-and-washer pivots and springs let the arm move and hold a pose. Internal channels and a hole through the swivel joint guide wiring to the shade.
Make: lists the project as published August 18, 2015, with an October 14, 2015 update. Its 38-hour estimate and moderate difficulty rating are the publisher’s labels, not independently measured build results. Read the Make: project instructions and files before cutting; the steps and illustrations are necessary to complete the assembly.
Materials and tools
Materials
- One 1-foot-by-2-foot sheet of 1/4-inch acrylic and one 1-foot-by-2-foot sheet of 1/8-inch acrylic.
- 2-inch and 1-inch 10-24 machine screws, #10 metal washers, #10 rubber washers, and locknuts or wing nuts for the pivots.
- Springs; spring selection may require trying an assortment to find a combination that supports the arm.
- Two short sections of white LED strip, a toggle switch, fine wire, a DC power supply or wall adapter, solder and heat-shrink tubing.
Tools
- Laser cutter for the acrylic parts.
- Acrylic cement for bonded joints.
- Soldering iron for the electrical connections.
Download and prepare the cut files
- Download the project’s Illustrator files, DXFs and original SolidWorks model from the Make: project page.
- Check the file names to confirm the intended acrylic thickness before cutting. The design uses 1/4-inch and 1/8-inch sheets, and the author says the files account for laser kerf.
- Cut the flat parts from the specified sheet sizes. If using a cutting service or makerspace, provide the correct thickness files and confirm the material and cut settings with the operator; the design’s kerf allowance does not remove the need to use the matching material thickness.
Assemble the base and spring-supported arm
Build the swivel base and arm linkage from the cut acrylic components, using the specified screws, washers and nuts at the pivots. Metal and rubber washers form the pivot stack; springs counterbalance the arm. Test the movement as you assemble rather than cementing a joint that still needs adjustment.
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- EXTRA LONG 12 FOOT CORD & QUALITY HARDWARE SET Included - A 12ft Electric Cord with polarized plug fit both Table Lamp and Floor Lamp Making / Repair. Wire ends are fitted with U-shaped connector,which make connection work simple .Qualified hardwares have good color matching and looks upgraded.
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Dry-fit the swivel before gluing. If the joint does not rotate freely, the author notes that rotating the whole base is a workable fallback. Spring tension is also not a fixed, guaranteed result: Sam DeRose recommends an assortment and experimenting with different combinations until one works.
Fit the lighting and wire the lamp
Build the ribbed shade around the LED mounting plate, then attach the two LED-strip sections and the toggle switch as shown in the project instructions. Route the wires through the struts and through the hole in the swivel joint, using the internal channels to keep the wiring within the structure.
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Solder the DC power lead and insulate wire joins with heat-shrink tubing. Match the supply to the LED strips and wiring you select; the project materials list specifies a DC power supply or wall adapter but does not establish a particular voltage, brightness or electrical specification. Follow the labels and documentation for your chosen components, and verify connections before powering the lamp.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What this build is—and is not
This is a fabrication project inspired by Luxo Jr., not a licensed Pixar lamp or a ready-made product. LEGO’s official US listing for Disney Pixar Luxo Jr. set #21357 identifies a separate collectible set for ages 18+, with 613 pieces and a 2025 year. The LEGO set is unrelated to the materials required for this acrylic lamp.
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