Prototype Lava Lamp - USA Glitterball

[Kris]

I did this before but I ruined the lamp because of filtering.  So after saying I would never tinker again, I did.  I have a run on clear/blue lamps and decided to modify one.  Well, the results are nice.  It's a clear/blue globe with silver flakes in the wax.  Currently the lamp is still in testing.  The lamp is quite amazing.. you get a blob of wax flowing up and then from the side or top of it explodes a plume of silver flake.  Like tiny sunbursts.

Here is a quick video..

[krissyfromswindon]

hi nice lookin prototype, can i ask what sort of glitter did you use, ive tried doing this before but couldnt get the glitter to stick in the lava

[Kris]

Silver flake.

[Kris]

It actually has lots of glitter in it. The flow varies and with it, the density of the glitter too. It's ever changing. One minute there will be a little glitter, the next - it will be an explosion of glitter. The cool part, it sticks to the outside. Some goes in the wax but it does explode out. Rather neat to see.

[Jethro]

Nice! I like how the lava does not cover or paint the glitter. It seems like the glitter wants to be on the surface of the lava rather than for a clump at the center...any ideas on why this happens?

Jethro

[Kris]

Dr.What -

Some of the flakes are really fine and they look really cool. They do catch the eye a bit more. However it's hard to ground it all up because they start sticking together in chunks. Or they would stick to the paper. The flakes are very thin. I had to hold my breath when dealing with them or they would have blown away - no joke.

Jethro -

I like how it's on top as well. Not sure what causes it to stay on top. Even when all the wax is sitting on the bottom ON TOP of the silver flake, it does not go in. No idea. There are some pieces that have made there way inside the glitter but they come to the surface as it flows.

[Kris]

I have another color I want to try. However I have to find a globe first with the color. Clear/Green.

[Jethro]

Have you tried it will strips of glitter? Be cool to use something that reflects images optically intact. We could then illuminate the lava lamp using laser light through a grating and an image of the lava goo would reflect on the walls. Facinating concept!

I've always been interested in motion lamps that project their images out into the room. On a somewhat related subject...other than the glitterball (never seen one)has anyone ever tried and/or invented a metalic or reflective goo? Something that reflects like mercury would be great for reflecting light out into the room space. how about clear goo with metallic bits?

I've build a few glitter lamps with laser illumination and would love to incorporate the same into something with lava type motion.

Cheers

[Kris]

Have not tried anything else. I have a love hate relationship with lava. Some days I love it, others I hate it. Lol. Your concept does sound interesting. However sometimes the simplest of things, is what does the best. That's what I find intriguing about some of the lamps I collect. You would think they are complex, yet they are not. At least not by today's standards. Not sure any where back then either. They use the simplest of things to create the most amazing lights we have seen to date.

As of now, nobody has created anything that compares to the late 60's/70's era.

Lava with the reflectiveness of mercury would be amazing. Not sure it's possible though. I think the closest you will get would be a satin silver. Nothing shiny like that of mercury. You can supplement with the addition of silver glitter/flakes of some type.

[Jethro]

Hey Kris, thanks for your reply. Yep, I'm in the same boat....I was really into lava lamps at one time then I got interested stuff that puts on a larger show. lasers, plasma lights, glitter and fiber lamps. However, I'll get back into Lava if something new comes along...glitter, metallic goo, clear goo, etc. where I can us an external light source to liven things up a bit.

Silver has stron ionic properties when in solution and that may

Key to doing a goo with glitter (in my opinion) is using glitter that has flat surfaces

So any thoughts about clear goo?

[Kris]

What?

[Kris]

Jethro- Can't get a hold of clear goo. Seems the person selling it, has vanished. Plus that goo is too "watery" for a lava lamp.

DrWhat- The lamp is holding up just fine. No issues.

[Kris]

That might actually bond with the wax and turn it silver. Or have splotches of silver. I don't know.