DIY Copper Menorah
I love this Menorah, the warmth of the copper, the clean lines, the nice patina....but the best part is that I made it without doing any welding. I know, right?! So here's the skinny: MATERIALS8 Copper pipes, 1" diameter, 12" long5 Copper pipes, 1/2" diameter, 12"long(FYI, you can get this length already cut at some hardware stores.)Super gluePipe cutterCopper polish STEPSCut 4 of the 1/2" copper pipes in half using a pipe cutter (or if you're real charming, get the guy at the plumping store to do it for you.) A pipe cutter is super easy to use. You just slide the pipe in, rotate the pipe cutter around it a few times, and presto! Once they are cut polish all of the pipes to get off any markings, etc. I used Barkeepers Friend and they cleaned up very easily. Line up a 6" piece of the 1/2" pipe and one of the 1" pipes so that 3" of the smaller pipe overlaps. I found a 3" box and lined up both pipes so I didn't have to measure. However, it's just as easy to use a ruler, mark 3", and lay both pieces side by side on a table. Run a line of super glue between the pipes and hold together for 30 seconds and you should have a good tight bond. Repeat this for all 8 6" pipes. Now, start attaching the 8 glued pipes to each other. Hold up one pipe. Take the second pipe and line up the 1/2" pipe with the side of the 1" pipe at the 9 o'clock position (see photo on left). Draw a line with a marker where the pipes touch. Run a line of super glue down this line and then press the two pipes together until they're set. Now add a third pipe in the same manner. This pipes position should mimic the first pipes placement. It's a little tricky getting the pattern right, you basically want to have each pair of pipes attaching to the previous pair at a right angle and then the next one back at the same position as the first, so they kind of zigzag. Once you get 4 pipes together, set that aside and do the same thing with the other 4 sets. Now glue the leftover 12" long 1/2" pipe, which will be your shamish (the longer candle holder in the middle), to the 1" pipe at the end of one of your sets letting it rise 6" above the 1" pipe. Once it has set, glue the second set of pipes to the other end side of the shamish. Let it all set and you are done! Enjoy.