Let there be Light

I was glad to be rid of that bare socket and bulb that had been above our sink for the past 5+ years since we finished 99% of this kitchen renovation project.

We saw this online probably well over year ago as I was looking for this type of light that Tresa tried to describe. First off it's not from China.  It's actually from the USA.    As we narrowed it down, it was a waiting game until the CAD to USD exchange became more favourable for us.  The finish is a very nice glossy white and build is solid.  Not flimsy at all.  That's because it's meant to be an outdoor barn light.  You typically see these outside of shops or buildings.

We had 2 locations planned for this light.  The bathroom, that currently has a plate covering the box. And here in the kitchen.  We tried it at first in the bathroom and Tresa said it looked too big in that space.  So we tried it in the kitchen and since it's more open, it seemed to work a lot better.

This particular light has a base that is meant to be mounted to a RAB box.  It has 4 screw holes to mount to.  I used mount ring from HD and then used 1-1/4" 10x3/32 machine screws, lock washers and nuts to mount it in the 4 holes.   It turned out pretty nice.  

I did have to 3D print an adapter plate otherwise the base would not sit flat due to the screws that hold the mounting plate to the box.  So I made in TinkerCAD a 22mm thick adaptor plate to accommodate for the screw holes and the 2 button screw heads that were holding the mounting plate. It even has a small lip to hide the plate. Cool-bean eh?  I keep finding great uses for my 3D printer. 

What was really strange was the LED bulb that I had would not thread all the way down into the socket.  I had another LED bulb that did.  I ended up going to HD to get another one and that worked.  All 3 were e26 socket type bulbs.  Basically standard ones you get for majority of light fixtures.  However the 1 i had seemed to have a shallower thread.  It was tight and did not want to seat all the way into the socket.

I noticed on Steel Lighting Co's site that they have e26 bulbs but the Edison style.  Still a standard thread.  But manufacturing tolerances between models makes a difference.  The bulb feels really secure.  Doesn't move like some other cheap-China made stuff.  The build quality is terrific on this light fixture.  Glad I was able to find away to make it work.

So the bulb on the left screwed in without a hitch.  It was the one on the right that was a problem.  The left one isn't the 'white-white' light that Tresa prefers.  It's warm light.  It actually looks nicer in the photos that warm light.  Puts a softer glow on the surrounding kitchen area.

It is what it is.  Gots to do what gots to be done.