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"Soilax Bucket" Tool Box Lamp

January 17th, 2009 in blog, member junk     
JunkArchitect Jim Healy, contributor
16 users recommend
Good old Soilax...what a name. I had never heard of the stuff until I found the bucket.
Lots of yard sale finds in this Lamp.
Lightly distressed.
Great place to store tools.
Concept Sketch
Good old Soilax...what a name. I had never heard of the stuff until I found the bucket.

Good old "Soilax"...what a name. I had never heard of the stuff until I found the bucket.
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Believe it or not they still make this cleanser; I've seen it at the paint store. One of my “theme lamps” that is also functional. It’s like having a live-in janitor. The “Soilax Bucket” is dated 1949 and was found at a yard sale.

I constructed the base from wood to function as a tool box and painted the graphics to match the bucket. Then added all the necessary janitorial paraphernalia…keys, whisk broom, etc. Casters on the base allow it to roll about 10 feet. Roll it 11 feet and you pull the plug out of the wall...so it has its limits. The remainder of the components are galvanized pipe, metal bands, vintage door pulls and the usual workshop junk.


Pattern or design used: My own design
posted in: blog, member junk, metal, vintage, wood, cottage, eclectic, organizer, industrial, country, funky, family room, furniture, porch, entry, light fixture, office, great room, sunroom, lamp, mudroom, game room, paint
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Comments (24)

TrashyChick writes: OMG! How come I didn't notice this before. This is your best lamp ever. TC Posted: 8:36 pm on June 19th
susyn writes: Oh! This lamp is so Neat! And I love and appreciate the little sketch that you included; it makes it even easier to figure out the details we are seeing in the photos! Brilliant! Posted: 10:54 pm on May 20th
JunkArchitect writes: Hey Emily, the cord is new stock with a vintage look. I bought a large spool of cord from a lamp store about 15 years ago. I’m a little freaked out because my supply is coming to an end and the store closed a few years ago.

When I find a new supplier I’ll let you know…or you let me know.

Thanks,
Jim
Posted: 4:45 pm on January 23rd
yikesmom writes: Jim ~ natty assemblage. If the cord is modern, what is the source? Best, Emily Posted: 4:30 pm on January 23rd
MelHow writes: Everything about this is cool but I do believe my favorite part is the whisk broom - for some reason that little detail tickles me... Posted: 5:23 pm on January 21st
TGTG writes: This is just too cool! So nicely done. Great job!
Posted: 8:28 pm on January 19th
KimberlyMelamed writes: BRAVO! Love this lamp in all it's useful and artistic glory. Another home run from you, Jim. Way to go. Posted: 2:41 pm on January 19th
JUNKFORFUN writes: AWESOME AS USUAL. YOU DID A GREAT JOB MAKING THE BOTTOM LOOK LIKE IT CAME WITH THE BUCKET, AND MAKING THAT PART INTO A TOOLBOX IS INGENIUS!! Posted: 11:19 pm on January 18th
groovyartgal writes: Okay.....this is way cool....you really have a creative vein !!!!!!!!!!!!VERY IMPRESSED> Posted: 5:34 pm on January 18th
plumberdaughter writes: This is so cool, I love the use of the galvanized pipe. I love the key's and the whisk broom. Very clever. Posted: 3:46 pm on January 18th
paisleypenguin writes: This is amazingly cool and I just love the "out of site" tool storage. Two functions in one and it rolls! Posted: 2:11 pm on January 18th
georgiamoon writes: Oh Jim you crack me up! A rolling lamp with storage!!! Whodove thunk it??? I just love to see how your mind works. It is sooooo cool!(not your mind... the LAMP...well Ok they're both cool.) Anyway, just don't forget to unplug before you start doing your chores around the house, ha ha ha, this made me smile, Geo Posted: 1:52 pm on January 18th
bridiemurphy writes: Woah. This is super terrific -- USEFUL, whimsical and just FUN junk! Soilax is a scary name...can you imagine the marketers sitting around throwing out names for their product and then saying SOILAX, that's it, SOILAX!!!???

Love the storage too, heck, might be a great place to tuck away valuables -- what am I thinking -- tools are valuables! Posted: 9:29 am on January 18th
upyourattic writes: AMAZING !!! You are super talented ~ and such an original thinker!!

I look soooo forward to your posts - do you keep all of these things for yourself or do you sell someplace?

Thanks again
Patti Posted: 9:23 am on January 18th
berton718 writes: I love this lamp!! You are very talented!! What a GREAT use of junk!! Posted: 2:04 am on January 18th
DownHomeDIY writes: Jim, you are brilliant...just brilliant I tell you! Your contributions consistently leave me looking forward to the next one. Thank you for sharing and inspiring. I can't wait to see what you come up with next - MB Posted: 10:06 pm on January 17th
SnowmanHill writes: This is so cool! Seriously, I love everything you've posted. I bet your house is amazing! Keep the posts coming, you are very creative!! Krista Posted: 9:28 pm on January 17th
CottageElements writes: Another amazing project. Love the base, and the graphics are great as well. Btw, I was at an antique store this week and I found on those pointed buckets you used for your lamp shades. It was $85! The tag said it was a fire bucket. Needless to say I passed on it, but it was very cool!

Lani Posted: 7:54 pm on January 17th
fellowjunker writes: Hi Jim
Firstly, I don't think I have yet congratulated you on becoming a contributor.....so CONGRATULATIONS!!!! You never cease to amaze me with your projects. I always get such a kick out of your design drawings as well.
Secondly, this is another great project that brought a smile to my face. The base is priceless!!! And I also love those worn red boards in the background of the picture. I love the colour red to liven up a room!!!
xojanis Posted: 7:14 pm on January 17th
LuAnn writes: Great lamp. Love the storage too!! You certainly do good work!! Posted: 6:56 pm on January 17th
shabbychick writes: Jim - what a great lamp! Your design is ingenious (and of course your drawing is inspiring). I love the tool storage in the base - how handy is that?? :)

$1.00 for the bucket - what a deal!!

Thanks for sharing another junk-architectural wonder!!!

Kathy Posted: 6:31 pm on January 17th
Junk_Sophisticate writes: I think the tool storage idea is ingenious. Possibly because I always struggle removing tools from our designated kitchen drawers since they get all jammed up. Love all the color too!

Fantastic project, Jim!
Candy Posted: 5:16 pm on January 17th
ultrajunk writes: Great looking lamp..very cool! Is that a cloth cord? Posted: 10:17 pm on January 16th
MimiToria writes: This is very well done and so cool. You are such an innovative thinker!
Just waiting to see what you come up with the piano roll challenge. I'm sure it will be awesome.
Gretchen Posted: 10:13 pm on January 16th
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