Quick Project Thursday #7~Rewiring a Lamp!

This week I want to share with you just how easy it is to replace the electrical socket on a non-working lamp. I learned watching a Martha Stewart show over 15 years ago when Martha was still teaching us "good things" and not trying to be just entertaining.....

Sorry, Martha

.

The first thing you want to do is make sure the lamp is NOT plugged in......then you must remove the socket casing. All casings have the word "press" on them so you know where to place pressure to pop this off. Some older casings need a little help with a small screw driver.....make sure you don't bend the metal of the casing, unless you are also replacing this piece. Of course, Marley watches to make sure I'm doing it right.....

I get lots and lots of help.....need it or not!

How the lamp socket will look when you have removed the casing. Of course, Marley has lost all interest in my project at this point.

And is totally bored as I pull wire up from base so it is easier to work with.

However, Baby picks up watching me unscrew each of the screws on either side of the electrical socket to remove the old socket.

Using two fingers, twist the copper wires together.


Tie a knot as shown in the wire....this has an "official" name, but I don't remember what it is.....this keeps the stress off the wires when you are pulling on the cord from the other end in everyday use........

Start your "loop" in the wire before trying to place it onto the screw....it just helps keep it in place.

New sockets can be purchased at any hardware store.....don't make the mistake of buying a whole lamp kit for $10 or $15 because the socket cost just $3.00. Redoing the whole lamp is a whole other process.....not difficult, just more steps. This is how the wire looks when it is placed over the side screws. It doesn't matter which wire you put which screw . If the wire extends any longer than pictured, simply clip it shorter with scissors or dykes.

Tighten the screws on each side of the electrical socket after curling the wire onto them.

Insert the electrical socket casing inside the bottom casing.....you will know how to replace this because the on/off buttons have cutouts on each side.

Replace the electrical socket casing by pressing down flat into the base, making sure you hear a "click".

Check your skills, making sure it works.

And, of course, Sweet Lola Bear is always impressed with my electrical skills.......it's so easy, you will start looking for lamps to "fix"

I hope you try your hand at rewiring a lamp. I know I used to pass on so many, thinking it would cost more to have them rewired than I could get for them.......this all changes when you do the work. There are a couple more playing this week, so check out my sidebar and see what they have for you.....I am always amazed at their creativity and skills. If you have a project you would like to share, then come join us. Next week I will have MrLynky for anyone to use, so you can just commit week to week if you want to share. You're always welcome and we'd love to have you!

Thank you for stopping by today....

I love it when you come!