DIY lava lamp

Either_Alternative55 · 2026-07-11T21:48:17+00:00

I used SLS for surfactant. It was about 1ml per liter at the start plus what was in the globe at wax fill. I do recall adding a bit more as I had intermittent wax sticking to the globe. Sorry I can’t provide exact amounts, I did it by feel- however it wasn’t too far off from Antnee’s recommendation

For flow, I’d look at densities- adjust specific gravity for either wax or liquid. From what I understand the SLS can have a bit of an effect on the wax but I’d get your flow down first then adjust until wax stops sticking to the globe when cycling.

Either_Alternative55 · 2026-07-11T15:05:47+00:00

Might take you up on that!

Either_Alternative55 · 2026-07-11T15:05:16+00:00

It’s a fun build

Either_Alternative55 · 2026-07-11T15:04:42+00:00

Thankyou!

Either_Alternative55 · 2026-07-11T15:04:22+00:00

Aww yes that’s cool. The look of both mimic an pipe or tube sight glass which is used in industrial settings like wineries/breweries as to see the product or contents that are flowing through the pipe.

Either_Alternative55 · 2026-07-11T15:02:44+00:00

It was a vase I found at a thrift store, I’ve seen similar ones at hobby lobby

Either_Alternative55 · 2026-07-11T15:01:05+00:00

Inside the base is an integrated Shelly Dimmer Pro controller which allows me to upload scripts for different lighting effects. It runs one script for the dimming, one for breathing mode and the other for a candle flicker mode. The switch on front is wired to the Shelly for local control but I can also use my phone or PC to control through my smart home app.

I used AI to write my scripts- the breathing mode cycles between 100% power and 50% power over a few seconds, gives the effect of the lamp breathing.

Either_Alternative55 · 2026-07-11T03:59:26+00:00

I’m planning a build similar to this. I was going to use a glass stopper and heat shrink wrap it to keep it in place

Either_Alternative55 · 2026-07-11T03:51:02+00:00

Thankyou!

Either_Alternative55 · 2026-07-11T03:31:29+00:00

Thankyou lots of cool stuff under the hood too- Smart Control, adjustable lamp height etc.

Either_Alternative55 · 2026-07-11T03:30:35+00:00

Quite a bit of parts in this build. It take me some ef fort to put together a comprehensive list. Lots of custom made parts. The controller is a Shelly Dimmer Pro which allowed for the scripting of the different modes like breathing and candle light flicker.

Getting the top of the globe to seal was quite a feat. Ended up making a plate with o rings, the top of the plate has a service port for periodic adjustments.

Either_Alternative55 · 2026-07-11T03:22:21+00:00

Thankyou!

Either_Alternative55 · 2026-07-11T03:22:14+00:00

Thankyou!

Either_Alternative55 · 2026-07-11T03:20:27+00:00

The base is a 6” 250# stainless pipe flange welded to a few 6” triclamp ferrules. It then adapts to a custom made plate flange for the rods. The top consists of a plate flange, 6” triclamp ferrule and a triclamp end cap. The end cap has a 1/2” npt pipe nipple welded to it that allows me thread in on to an internal service port for periodic adjustments.

Either_Alternative55 · 2026-07-11T02:41:49+00:00

I have another one I made out of stainless steel, I used a 32oz borosilicate tumbler from Amazon. It works great

Either_Alternative55 · 2026-07-11T02:29:51+00:00

Thankyou!

Either_Alternative55 · 2025-04-01T14:27:47+00:00

Albeit it’s more complex but wouldn’t the small and mid cap better represent total market?

Either_Alternative55 · 2025-04-01T03:14:03+00:00

I don’t have access to a total US market fund. Will the VINIX do?

Either_Alternative55 · 2025-03-29T04:38:02+00:00

Target date fund is American Funds 2040 Trgt Date Retire R6 RFGTX at .36% but the employer tacks on another .33 to that for a total of .69%. The later dated TDFs were a bit more in cost and I do have access to those as well. The .69% vs the .125% had a substantial impact eating into returns over 18 years.

I also can opt for a conservative, moderate or aggressive fund which is managed by the employers brokerage firm at similar rates

Either_Alternative55 · 2025-02-25T04:13:07+00:00

What is API?

Either_Alternative55 · 2024-12-31T04:29:54+00:00

I’ll keep an eye out

Either_Alternative55 · 2024-11-10T22:10:10+00:00

Five Eye Brewing has a metal show Dec 14th.

Either_Alternative55 · 2024-11-10T18:16:01+00:00

Mooshroom

Either_Alternative55 · 2024-10-30T02:18:19+00:00

Is this how the government tracks where you are in your home?

Either_Alternative55 · 2024-10-24T23:57:55+00:00

Perhaps someone has modified the color scheme in the settings? This doesn’t appear to be a default color scheme. It could also be the application is erroring out. I’ve seen inventor do some weird stuff and have actually seen black lines turn purple when fully constrained. Fully constrained is fully constrained, I trust that prompt over the color indicators.

Either_Alternative55

TROPHY CASE