LAMP REWIRE ~ For Safety’s Sake!

When out antiquing I always keep my eyes open for lamps.

This alabaster lamp is one of my recent finds but it didn't come with a shade.
I searched for a good while and finally found this crewel lampshade at TJ Maxx.
I think it's perfect!

I had been searching for an alabaster lamp for a while,
but they usually have a price tag that is higher than I am willing to pay.
When I found this one with flower details cut into the marble,
and at a reasonable price...I jumped on it!

The finial is unique...




and has quite a few parts.

This ceramic lamp was also purchased without a shade.
I am still searching for one but with no luck so far, this one will have to do for now…

I really liked the shape, crackle finish, and it also has a unique finial...

Old lamps have many great qualities but often the electrical cords and sockets are scary!
This was the plug on the alabaster lamp…

And this was the plug on the crackle finish lamp…

and the sockets were full of dust and dirt…

Rewiring these lamps has been on my to-do list for a LONG time,
and I have been leaving them unplugged ~ for safety’s sake.

So I got busy and rewired them, starting with the crackle lamp.

First I removed the felt bottom…

Then loosened the bolt on the bottom…

 

Once the bolt was loosened all the lamp parts began to separate into different sections…

None of the electrical parts could be reused, so I cut the cord…

You’ll notice there are no UL markings on the old socket because it is OLD…

I purchased a complete lamp rewire kit from Lowes…

It has the UL listing…

First I inserted the wires into the side of the lamp base…

and then fed the wires through the metal tubing that goes up through the lamp to stabilize all the lamp pieces…

the metal tubing was then fed up through each part of the lamp…

once the wire and tubing was up through the top section of the lamp…

the harp bottom was then placed on the metal tubing at the top of the lamp…

the bottom part of the socket was placed on top of the harp bottom
and screwed tightly to the metal tubing which tightens all the parts of the lamp back together again....

Using a wire cutter to remove approximately an inch of the insulation from each wire,
I then tied the split cords into a underwriter's knot …

Then I connected the wires by using a screw driver to loosen the screws on either side of the new socket,
wrapped each exposed wire around one screw on the socket (one is gold and one is silver),
and then use the screwdriver to tighten the screws to hold the wires in place.

 


Attached the top of the socket housing…

 

Tightened the screw on the socket…

Attached the harp and then added a light bulb…

 

Placed the pretty shade on top so I could plug her in!

It really felt good throwing those old cords and sockets in the trash.
Now I can leave these lamps plugged in without worrying.

Have any old lamps that need rewiring?  It's easy-peasy!

I have lots of lamps, here's a peek at Little Lamps that Light the Way.

Blessings,

Cindy

Hop over every Monday for…AMAZE ME MONDAY!