Lamp Repair Supplies
- With the right supplies, you can repair that broken lamp.night lamp / bed lamp image by Sid Viswakumar from Fotolia.com
When your favorite lamp ceases to function, a few simple repairs will get it working again, adding just the right degree of lighting and the right accent to your room's decor. The supplies necessary to repair your lamp will vary tremendously depending upon the type of lamp and the nature of the needed repair. However, supplies for lamp repair do typically fall into several general categories. - One simple means of repairing a lamp is to replace whichever component isn't functioning properly. For an oil lamp or oil lamp-inspired electrical lamp, you may need to invest in a new wick, an oil or kerosene burner, a lamp chimney glass or a lamp collar or cap. For a lamp that lights up but doesn't mount properly, you may simply need to replace the support hardware, such as the sconce mounting for a wall-mounted lamp or the chain hardware for a ceiling-mounted chandelier. If the lamp's mounting has a loose joint, you may need to replace corroded couplings, nuts, washers, crossbars, finials or bases. If the lamp structure is fine, but it doesn't light up, you may need to replace the socket, clusters or cluster sockets.
- Repairing a lamp can call for a range of tools, depending on the nature of the project. If you're fixing an electrical problem, you may require wire strippers. Other commonly used tools include chain pliers or a prism pinning tool, useful for bending or cutting wire. Hex nut drivers are useful in 9/16- or 1/2-inch models. If your repair includes adjusting large metal components, such as when shortening a floor lamp, you may also require a tube cutter and tube cutting wheel.
- For minor repairs, or to put the final touch on a thoroughly rebuilt lamp, you may make use of several tools and materials. Liquid thread locker ensures that all screws and fittings are securely fastened. A high-quality all-purpose metal polish will add shine to salvaged or refinished lamps made of brass, copper, gold, silver, chrome, nickel, pewter or carbon steel. For a lamp with gold leaf decoration, applying wax gild can restore its luster. Should your lamp repair consist of fitting back together the pieces of a porcelain lamp, you'll need some basic epoxy glue. Fast-drying epoxy glues set in as little as five minutes and dry completely clear, bonding together glass, ceramics, china, metal or wood.
