Pendant Fixture Make a simple and stylish hanging light by Tom Stroup If youʼre looking for quick and easy home-improvement project with plenty of eye appeal, this is the one for you. This pendant light fixture is ideal for illuminating a kitchen island or a dining room table. I made this fixture from a piece of 4-1/2 x 4-1/2-in. pine timber that had been sitting in my backyard for many years and had acquired a rustic patina. Basically, I just cleaned off the dirt and installed the electrical parts. You might not have a similar piece of weathered wood but thereʼ s no reason you canʼt adapt this design by using any type of wood old or new. However, weight can be a factor when hanging any type of fixture from an electrical box — lighter is always better, so steer clear of heavy woods. Thereʼs nothing special about this fixtureʼs dimensions and you should size your fixture to meet your needs. Materials and construction A few basic hand tools (hammer, pliers, screwdrivers, hacksaw, wire cutters, etc.) and a drill/driver are all you need to do this project. Aside from a single length of 4x4 or 6x6 lumber, youʼll also need some 1/8 x 2 x 6-in. metal strips (to brace the strain-relief wire clamps) and the electrical parts necessary to wire the fixture. (See the drawing and list below for a complete details.) Bore a 3/8-in.-dia. hole through the center of the metal strip for the wire to pass through, and two screw holes on each side of the center hole. Remove any burrs or sharp edges around the 3/8-in. hole with a file or sandpaper. The woodworking aspect of this project is simple and straightforward. First, mark the three locations where the wires will pass through the wood. Then bore 1-1/2-in.-dia. x 2-in.-deep holes with a spade bit or a Forstner bit. Now, starting at the center point, drill a 3/8-in.-dia. through hole. Be sure to keep the drill as perpendicular to the workpiece as possible and backup the exit point with some scrap wood to prevent chipping. Electrical matters