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