Uploaded April 2018 | Updated September 2026, 10 hours ago
I want to make the chandelier retractable, so I can raise it up and out of the way if I need to pull a large piece of farm equipment into the barn. After designing a large reel in illustrator, I cut it out of 3/8" plate on the cnc plasma table in 2 pieces. I clamp the 2 pieces down to the welding table and get them welded together. I bend 1" rebar around the outside of the reel, giving the reel a good hand grip to hang on to as it is turned. Then I cut out a smaller backside to the reel, which will keep the cable wrapped up. With all the pieces cut, I move on to assembling the reel, attaching the bearings, and making a frame to support it.
I want to make the chandelier retractable, so I can raise it up and out of the way if I need to pull a large piece of farm equipment into the barn. After designing a large reel in illustrator, I cut it out of 3/8" plate on the cnc plasma table in 2 pieces. I clamp the 2 pieces down to the welding table and get them welded together. I bend 1" rebar around the outside of the reel, giving the reel a good hand grip to hang on to as it is turned. Then I cut out a smaller backside to the reel, which will keep the cable wrapped up. With all the pieces cut, I move on to assembling the reel, attaching the bearings, and making a frame to support it.
