DIY lamps from spare conduit parts - clever or a fire hazard waiting to happen?

Honestly, the idea that every lamp must be a factory kit is just a rigid way of looking at a fun weekend project. When you are doing this out of curiosity and to solve a need, like needing a localized light source and a charging station, the end result is what matters, as long as it doesn't spontaneously combust. My own cobbled togather bedside lamp, which uses a leftover outlet box and some heavy gauge wire, works perfectly fine for indoor use. As long as you've properly crimped your connections and ensured the total load isn't exceeding the rating of the plug or the outlet, it is functionally a safe piece of equipment for your home. It's more about the integrity of the assembly than the provenance of the parts. If you've used a proper pigtail and a suitable junction, you're doing it right for a hobby piece. It's just personal gear, not a display for an inspector.

It is great you are even considering how to keep it safe. Keep the wiring tucked away and avoid any exposed connections that could snag. If you're putting it in a high traffic area, consider housing the main connections in a small plastic enclosure to keep the dust and finger oils away from the terminals. As long as it functions, and you don't have a formal inspection on it, your decision is entirely up to your own comfort level.

I’ve built several custom fixtures myself, usually out of PVC or salvaged metal frames, and I think the focus needs to be less on whether a quick smoke happens and more on the idea of 'field serviceability' and 'code compliance' if this thing ever leaves the workshop. The whole 'it works because it lights up' argument misses the point about longevity. When you use a mix of parts—say, a generic socket from a surplus bin and a pull-cord switch meant for a different kind of gauge—you are introducing failure points that don't map to any standard diagnostic procedure. I get that your unit is cool and functions for now, but if you were to hand this off to a friend, they would be relying on something that lacks proper segregation between the ground path and the live circuits, even if it appears correct. A professional electrician doesn't just look for 'basic wiring'; they look for proper strain relief and insulation ratings. If your device were ever to be used in a commercial space, the lack of a clear wiring diagram based on a known schema would make it illegal. It really comes down to the application. If it is strictly a one-off piece for your own desk, then sure, enjoy the build. But if the goal is to create something that can be reliably given away or sold as a 'product', you should probably standardize the component selection to known, rated devices rather than adapting scrap parts to fit the aesthetic. It's not about being uptight about a hobby; it's about making sure the 'magical' light source doesn't become a fire risk for someone else's living room.

The wiring seems fine, but you should watch the draw. You've got a high-wattage bulb and a charging port connected to the same plug. My concern would be the cumulative load on that socket and the circuit it’s on. Most house circuits are fine, but if you’re running a really powerful floodlight, it could push a standard 15 amp rating pretty quickly. I’d check the amperage draw of the specific bulb you're using to see if it's pulling too much power for a built fixture.

I like the idea of making stuff out of old junk since it saves money. I once tried fixing a little clock in my kitchen that used to run on batteries, and it was just a pile of wire and gears inside. It was harder than I thought, but once it started ticking again, it was really cool. I worry about how much heat things might get if I stack too many devices on top of the thing. Do you think the metal box stays cool enough when a lot of power is running thru it?