Post #361149 by Polynesiac on Thu, Feb 14, 2008 11:54 AM

Welcome to TC paco, not a bad thread to start with!

THanks for the pics, gatorrob! some of those are in fact ones that I made! - and I agree about the resin ball lamps, there are quit a few wild examples from the 50's and 60's out there, including a few "how to" pamphlets I've seen on ebay as to how to make them yourself! wild indeed!

Here's a picture of my meager collection of the "real deals" (please excuse the disgusting pink rug - f'n landlord!):

2 are marked - one with the double F (I've seen many of this mark around so cal - so maybe a pretty common mark?) and one with NW (the small one), which I assume is a north american made one (NW - stands for North West?). The other two I'm unsure if they were used in the fishing industry. They are old, but there were a few companies in the 50's and 60's that made repro fishing floats (the same thickness as the real thing) for decorative purposes. but who knows. I also have a bunch that were beachcombed up in Alaska (the smaller 3.25 diameter baseballish sized ones), and some really nice amber colored ones.

I wish that it was more cost effective to make the real fishing floats into lamps - as they look gorgeous all lit up. I've made a few of the smaller ones into lights (one I've had for onatiki for a long time...sorry bro - it's coming your way soon!) and they look great - but they're just too expensive, and if you crack 'em? that's a bummer! Any of you wouldn't happen to have a lead on a bunch...and want to share?!?!?!?