Modern Dowel Tripod Floor Lamp

The Modern E27 Dowel Tripod Floor Lamp is a DIY lighting project that combines clean lines, real wood dowels, and matte PLA printed parts into a simple architectural form. Designed to work as both a functional lamp and a decorative accent, it fits naturally into living rooms, reading corners, bedrooms, and other modern interiors.

The design uses a tall center dowel, angled support legs, and a compact printed shade structure to create a balanced floor lamp with a warm, minimal look. It is a great project for anyone who enjoys combining 3D printed parts with real-world materials for a more premium finished result.

🧰 Required materials
• 1x center dowel: 1" diameter × 48" length (25.4 × 121.9 cm)
• 2x leg dowels: 1" diameter × 18" length (25.4 × 45.7 cm each)
• 1x E27 plug in socket cord set
• Socket used in this build: Link - If you have another socket, download the STEP File so you can edit it to adapt to it.
• 1x E27 LED bulb only - Do not use incandescent or halogen bulbs, as they can generate excessive heat and may create a safety risk for the printed parts.
• Matte PLA for all printed parts

🔩 Required hardware
• 1x M3 × 30 mm screw
• 16x M3 × 12 mm screws
• 10x M3 × 6 mm preferably or 8 mm screws
• 27x M3 brass inserts

🖨️ Recommended print settings
• 0.2 mm layer height
• 3 walls recommended
• No slicer support is needed for any of the parts
• The part that holds the legs together “Coupler” includes its own breakaway support as part of the model, which can be snapped off easily after printing

🛠️ Assembly notes

Download the Assembly PDF from the Documentation Section of this page.

This build uses brass inserts throughout the printed parts for a stronger and cleaner assembly. Each listed screw location uses a matching brass insert, so please keep the total insert count in mind before starting.

The main vertical structure uses the 48 inch wooden dowel, while the angled support legs are formed from two 18 inch dowel pieces of the same 1 inch diameter. The combination of real wood and printed matte PLA parts gives the lamp a warm and modern appearance that would be difficult to achieve with printed plastic alone.

The lamp shade angle is adjustable in 15° indexed positions. To change the angle, position the shade first, then tighten the screws around the hinge area to lock it in place.

If your E27 socket is different from the one used in this build, feel free to edit the parts that hold the socket assembly together. I included those files in STEP format through Download STL/CAD Files, so they can be adjusted more easily if needed.

🪵 Wood finish
The wood dowels can be left natural or finished to match your space. Users are free to apply their preferred wood stain and sealer. For my own build, I used:
• Minwax Wood Finish Semi Transparent Weathered Oak Oil Based Penetrating Wood Stain
• Minwax Satin Clear Oil Based Fast Drying Polyurethane

This was my first time ever trying wood stain and finish myself, so I highly recommend reading and following the product instructions carefully. It is better to do this work outdoors or in an area with plenty of ventilation, and to respect the recommended waiting times between coats and for drying. I also had to watch a few YouTube videos to understand the process better and do it properly.

If anyone wants a similar result, that combination worked well for me.

⚠️ Important safety note
This lamp should only be used with an LED bulb. Do not use incandescent or halogen bulbs, as they generate significantly more heat and may create a safety risk around the printed parts. A smart bulb is fine as long as it is an LED type.

💡 Project notes
This model is intended for makers who want to build a full size floor lamp using accessible hardware, real wood components, and 3D printed connectors. It works especially well as a decorative lighting piece for a lounge corner, reading chair, or modern living space.