August 2022
This is a relatively quick and simple project. Though I had the materials in the garage to put it all together. About 30 minutes the first day. About 10 minutes the following day.
I camp often and like to have lights around the campsite. I bought a couple of the common “spike” landscape lights. But found while out camping I often can’t use the spike due to concrete, blacktop, or just plain hard ground.
When I came home I decided to make something weighted, that supported the light, and no longer required the spike. The upper light fixture can easily be pulled off the tube for storage and transport.
Note: I save the little pull out insulating battery tab that the lights come with. After use and packing up. I put the isolating tab back in the end of the battery so the light doesn’t come on in a dark storage box.
I used (2) plastic paint measuring containers sold in the paint section of Home Depot. Then some standard mixed concrete.
The paint containers became my mold, and supported the square tubing (came with the light), while the concrete set up.
I cut a square hole in the bottom of the containers to slip the square tube through.
Blue tape covers the wide (top) opening of the containers. Placed the container upside down on a flat level surface.
Mixed up the concrete. Poured it through the square hole to about half way full in the container. Slid the square tubing in through the hole, and into the wet concrete. Wiggled the tube until it bottomed out. Tapped around the container sides to release air bubbles. Made sure the square tubes were vertical. Put some weights on the top of the containers, as well as the tubes. Let the Concrete set up.
Came back the next day and carefully cut the plastic container down the side and peeled it off. Be very careful in this stage when the concrete is still “green”. You can cut into the green concrete, or make it fall apart.
Set out the concrete to “cure”. Misting with water several times a day. for the next 2 or 3 days. Once it is dry and white looking you can paint it or glue a rubber or plastic layer on the bottom.
Use around your campsite, on your picnic table, or any place temporary accent lighting might be desirable.
