Wednesday, February 14, 2018

Cluster Removal and Floor Lamp Rewired

A customer brought in this floor lamp the other day and wanted to change the socket arrangement. The lamp had a 2 socket cluster with pull chain sockets on each side. This limits the shade options to rectangle or large, to fit over these two sockets. The customer instead wanted only 1 socket with a harp. It would really open the shade styles and sizes for this lamp.



As with every repair or replacement, we inspect the lamp and make a parts list. For this repair, we need:

1) Heavy turned socket in Antique Bronze finish.


1) Harp Saddle in matching Antique Bronze finish


1) 18 Inch Threaded rod



1) Harp in Matching Antique Bronze Finish (Size depends on shade)

First, we want to remove the old cluster and get down to the threaded rod. The wire nuts are clipped off and the lamp and the cluster unscrews from the rod.






We continue to remove the check ring, tubing and other body pieces to find the other end of that old threaded rod. All of the parts are slipped onto the lamp.









With the other threaded end found, we can unscrew the old threaded rod from the lamp.



Our new threaded rod goes right back on the lamp. These thread sizes are universal in the lighting industry and are known as 1/8IP. They measure about 3/8 inch wide. The replacement rod is fully threaded from one end to the other. This allows the user to tighten as much as needed to get the right height (handy for replacement or repair). You could also cut the rod down to the desired length without re-threading the rod. With the new rod on the lamp, we can start to replace the floor lamp parts.









Now we are ready for the harp base or harp saddle.


Next the socket ring and socket cap go on the lamp. The socket ring sits on the harp saddle while the socket cap screws onto the threaded rod. This socket has a locking screw to keep the socket in place.




Now we are ready to tie a UL Knot in the lamp cord and attach the rest of the socket. The cord is split, tied, and stripped. The smooth wire connects to the brass screw and the ribbed wire connects to the nickel plated screw. The socket shell slides over the socket interior and is held to the socket cap with the screw collar.





Now we can add a bulb and test the lamp.



Brilliant! Another proper lamp repair. Total Cost < $30 Total Time < 45 minutes

Friday, February 9, 2018

Dietz Lantern Maintenance Made Easy

The Deitz lantern has been around for over 100 years. Their simple design make it really easy to operate and keep the lantern in top shape. This video demonstrates how to easily change the globe, burner, or wick on a Dietz lantern.


The burners, wicks, and globes made today fit the 100 year old lanterns based on the model name. Specialty shops like Antique Lamp Supply carry Dietz replacement parts for new or old lanterns.

Friday, February 2, 2018

Rewiring A Bridge Arm Floor Lamp Socket and Cord

A customer brought in this bridge arm floor lamp the other day and asked for it to be repaired. The socket was no longer working and they wanted it fixed. We identify this as a bridge arm floor lamp from the top piece being a Bridge Arm.

11998i - 12" Cast Iron "Bows & Clovers" Bridge Lamp Arm


From the pictorial lamp part index, we can see the parts list for a bridge arm lamp.


As usual, we start with an inspection of the lamp. Other than the socket not operating, we find the plug is not polarized. The customer agrees to replace the cord set with a matching antique brass color cord.





The lamp parts needed for this repair include:

1 - Antique Brass Push-thru Socket with UNO Threaded Shell

48280A - Brass Early Electric Style Lamp Socket, Antique BRASS Finish, Push-Thru, On/Off function, UNO Thread Shell
1 - 12 foot Unfinished Brass Cord Set
46727 - 12 Ft. Length, Unfinished Brass Color, Lamp Cord Set, 18/2 SPT-1A
First, we want to make sure the lamp is unplugged. We start to disassemble the lamp by opening the socket. With a flat head screw driver, pry open the socket by putting pressure on the socket shell near the socket cap.



Slide the socket shell off the socket interior and unscrew the wire terminals.



Unscrew the socket cap from the bridge arm swivel.


Now, we will pull the new lamp cord up from the base of the lamp and through the bridge lamp arm. Since the old cord is being discarded, we will use it as a feed line. Cut off the old plug and strip the cord. Attach the new cord to the old cord and pull the new cord up the lamp toward the bridge arm.









Screw the new socket cap on the bridge arm and completely pull the cord up the lamp.



Remove the old cord from the new cord. Split the new cord ends and tie a UL knot in the cord. Attach the new socket interior to the cord. The smooth cord connects to the brass screw terminal and the ribbed cord connects to the nickel screw terminal. Pull any cord slack from the socket back down to the base of the lamp and slide the socket shell over the interior. Snap the socket shell into the socket cap.

Note: With UNO style sockets, the shade usually mounts on the end of the socket with an UNO shade holder. It is really important to check the socket shell and make sure it is securely fastened into the socket cap.



Add a bulb and test the lamp.


Total cost <$15.00 Total time < 40 minutes