I have never rewired a lamp before in my life, but a crystal lamp with a very questionable cord and socket I paid $3 for at salvation army now has new life on my bedside table and is looking EXPENSIVE. Thank you for these instructions! It was easier than I thought!
I have 4 Stiffel lamps that fell in the Northridge earthquake in '94 that I have not used since. I think I feel confident enough to replace the parts completely so they will work again. They are no longer my style, but someone will enjoy them, I hope. Thanks for the clear and THOROUGH directions.
I just rewired two vintage swag lamps while watching this video! I have two more vintage lamps I've been hanging on to for years that need rewiring, but I was always too intimidated to do it. Now I can't wait to tackle those. Thank you!!
Sometimes, it's difficult to fish the new cord up into the lamp. When I do a cord replacement, I use a wire, or cord, attached to the old ends that I draw down through the channel when removing the old cord. This makes it easier to draw the new cord from the bottom to the top.
Wow, great instructional video, thank you!! I now feel I have the confidence to go ahead and rewire 2 vintage lamps I wanted to keep. You explained things so thoroughly and clearly.
Thank you for this. I ended up only purchasing the socket because the cord in the wiring kit was white and did not go with the lamp. Your instructions were very helpful and now I get to enjoy my beautiful vintage lamp.
Excellent video. Sometimes, the neutral wire has writing on it, instead of ribbing. If the lamp is an old one, it's fun to rewire with cloth-covered wire and a vintage-style plug.
Following your instructions, I just rewired a lamp successfully! I'm very happy - I started looking for a lamp to replace it but I couldn't find what I was looking for. I am no handyman, but your instructions were clear enough for me to buy a make-a-lamp kit and keep the lamp I like so much. Thanks a lot!
Thank you! Ordering a new socket to repair my favorite lamp. Also repaired a loose wire on a vintage lamp which caused it to stop working. Made my day! Hope I can figure the wires apart as they run through a metal tube inside a glass lamp. Gulp.
Hi, glad it was helpful. We have more home improvement tips on our weekly podcast podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/fix-it-home-improvement/id880903087?mt=2
Thanks so much. I have two new lamps that had only one-way sockets. Now they have three-way sockets! I'm a cheap senior citizen and I'm so glad I didn't have to call an electrician for this.
Such GOOD, THOROUGH instructions! You are a wonderful, calm teacher! Your video was excellent, making it so easy to see what you were doing and explaining. Thank You! I really appreciate this so much!
Hi, glad it was helpful. We have more home improvement tips on our weekly podcast podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/fix-it-home-improvement/id880903087?mt=2
Excellent video. Especially nice making that point about the wiring polarity at the end! All instructional videos should be as clear, complete, and concise as this one!
You were the only video who talks about the polarized plug tong and which one is hot and return (neutral). Thank you for that, exactly what I was searching for.
Glad it was helpful. We have more home improvement tips on our weekly podcast, Fix It Home Improvement. You can subscribe on your favorite podcast app. www.stitcher.com/podcast/fix-it-home-improvement-5/fix-it-home-improvement
super helpful and not too wordy, but explained everything with enough detail. I just changed a socket (not the cord) for the first time and did it by following you and pausing, replaying throughout the processs. Thanks!
Thank you! Your presentation was easy to understand and to-the-point. No fluff or bad jokes, just the facts and that's what I want when I need to find out how to fix something. Very good.
Thank you for your very helpful instructional vid! It was so thoroughly explained I didn't feel a need to look further for any unanswered questions. You left no stone unturned. Thanks for my new rewiring confidence! :-)
If the on/off switch on an old lamp becomes an intermittent problem, you can sometimes salvage the lamp by buying a toggle switch at the local hardware box store. (I like to get the 3 prong switches because they stay in place and provide a much more secure connection .) Then you plug the lamp into the switch and always use the stand alone switch to turn the lamp on and off. This is MUCH easier than trying to rewire or repair the lamp. We currently have 2 lamps this worked for. We also used this solution for a set of string lights that didn't have an on/off switch for some crazy reason. WRZ 2020-04-10 Delaware County, PA
I The socket on an old table lamp went bad. I turned to CZcams and found this excellent video on how to replace it. I needed to purchase only a cord and the 3-way socket (not the entire kit) and it was a snap to replace it.
Very helpful, I broke the switch to my lamp trying to kill a moth. I thought it would be too complicated/dangerous to do myself and having someone repair it would probably cost more then the lamp is worth. Your video is very thorough but simple enough for someone with no experience. With the kit and your video, fixing my lamp will be my weekend project.
Natashya Waring Great. Let me know how it goes.We have more tips on our weekly podcast itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/fix-it-home-improvement/id880903087?mt=2
Thank you very much for this video. You saved me a boat load of money from having to hire an electrician to rewire my two antique lamps. I was able to do it for a fraction of the price it would have cost me to hire someone to do it for me, not to mention I did both lamps in about 15 minutes :)
thank you so much for such a detailed video. I was able to fix 2 things a light switch and a light socket thanks to you and saved myself $150.00 thank you and thank you CZcams
Thanks very much for sharing this. I am very much a novice when it comes to home repair/improvement, and so Im very happy that I found your channel. I will attempt to rewire a lamp I found at a thrift store, so wish me luck! :)
TheWenDinDin Hi. Good Luck. Let me know how it goes. We have more tips on our weekly podcast itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/fix-it-home-improvement/id880903087?mt=2
You're welcome. That's my Mom's antiques. We have more home improvement tips on our weekly podcast itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/fix-it-home-improvement/id880903087?mt=2
found the writing on cable. Lamp is antique and screws were both gold but next to them was a small silver and a small , what looked like bronce, and it worked. I did check after testing bulbs that socket was cool...well, not hot, and it looks good so far. Let me know what you think.
Let me know how it goes. If you have any questions, just drop me a line. We have more home improvement tips on our weekly podcast castbox.fm/u/6389499.
Thanks for the tutorial! I just rewired an old lamp that was acting flakey. Took about 10 minutes. Then I read the directions that came with the lamp parts and oh boy, they were confusing. It would've taken a long time just to decipher them. Your video was great!
Thanks for this video. You made it very easy to follow. I noticed you said it doesn't matter what wire goes to what screw. Is it safe not to use a "hot" and neutral wire?
+KT Greene Hi, are you talking about wiring a lamp or a single pole switch. On our lamp video I show that the hot wire, (the smooth wire) must go to the brass screw, and the ribbed wire needs to go to the silver wire. It needs to be polarized properly to be safe. The wire with the small slot is hot, the wide slot is neutral. If you are commenting on a single pole switch. You can connect the main wires to either screw terminal. Then connect the ground wire to the green screw. A single pole switch is just a break in the hot. Let me know if that answers the question.
This was good. I'd like to see a video that goes into more detail for those of us who replace, rebuild and redesign lamps. Anyone know of a helpful site like that?
Yvonne Estrada Great. Let me know how it goes. We have more tips on our weekly podcast itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/fix-it-home-improvement/id880903087?mt=2
+icare4you123 Hi, the wire that goes to the narrow plug is hot, the smooth wire. This wire is connected to the brass screw. The neutral wire is the wide plug, it is ribbed. This wire is connected to the silver screw. Let me know if this helps.
Thanks. We have more home improvement tips on our weekly podcast, Fix It Home Improvement. You can subscribe on your favorite podcast app. www.stitcher.com/podcast/fix-it-home-improvement-5/fix-it-home-improvement
Glad it was helpful. We have more home improvement tips on our weekly podcast, Fix It Home Improvement. You can subscribe on your favorite podcast app. www.stitcher.com/podcast/fix-it-home-improvement-5/fix-it-home-improvement
I learned somethings Thank you. I was so excited to see that you had a multi-part lamp. My lamp is also glass and brass with several parts. When I took out the cord all the parts came apart. Yours all stayed together. I can't tightened it enough so that it is rigid again! The nut at the bottom I cant get my fingers up to it to turn it. On top the nut turns down just so far and then only turns itself AND the pole!! How come your pieces dont come a part?
Should we be paying attention to electrical ratings when doing this? For example, the socket I just bought says that "This lamp socket has an electrical rating of 250VAC and 250W, is UL Listed and can only be used with #18 stranded copper wire."
Hi, if you are using a standard lamp cord set. Lamp wire with a plug connected. It is usually 16 or 18 gauge wire. If you have a standard socket either will be fine, especially if you are using an LED or CFL bulb. 18 gauge is rated up to 10 amps. 16 gauge is rated up to 13 amps, for lamp cord. But for safety I would always follow the manufacturers recommendation. We have more home improvement tips on our weekly podcast castbox.fm/u/6389499.
I just went to Lows and a man in the lighting department gave me the hardware to rewire an old lamp I Iove. He gave me 3 parts. 1. The lamp wire 2. The cocket for the bulb and 3. The plug. So im watching your video. My plug is different than yours. Both sides are the same size. Neither side is wider or smaler than the other. Question. Will the wiring matter with the nutral and the hot sides being the same in size. I cant tell the difference which is hot or nutral The man at Lows didnt explain and the instructions are unclear. Thank you for sharing. = )
+Live and Let Live Hi, I would only wire it with a polarized plug. One plug narrow, one plug wide. If it is wired or plugged in reverse, you have a shock hazard. The light bulb will turn on and off, but the socket will be live when you take out the bulb.
We have a lamp from the early 60’s that have a low wattage light in the body to use as a night light. How can we replace that night light socket and main light socket? I’ve never seen this lamp on because I won’t let my husband plug it in and turn it one. A part of the lamp wire has been taped up and I’m afraid it may short something. Thank you.
Hello. This is so helpful, but I can't get the harp off of an antique lamp. There are no 'braces' that hold it in place. Is there another way to do this, or do I need an entire replacement?
I have a lamp from the 1950s with 2 sockets, each with a pull-switch chain. After I replaced the cord, neither switch will light a bulb... This lamp has a 'loop' for connecting a small bare wire section to one socket and the second socket attaches to the cord ends. I was careful to make sure the smooth (hot) wire attaches to brass terminals and the ridged (neutral) wire attaches to the silvery/aluminum terminal. But neither one works to light a bulb. The old plug is a 2 part one that screws together with a hot or neutral wire that is screwed in place to each prong. I wanted to keep the old 1950s look to the lamp since it was hand made by a family member. Ideas ?
I figured out the obvious problem... the switches and cord were original from the mid 1950s, when my brother made the lamp. So I bought 2 new sockets and replaced both sockets. All is well !
I would. have liked to have seen a close up of how you attached the ends of the wires to the socket. The light was not good and it was too far away to really see what you were doing. I am confused. I do not want not do anything that would be unsafe.
i have followed all steps and everything is in place but new cable is smooth on both sides...how do I wire it correctly when this happens? wires on top look the same too.
Hi, use a multimeter on the OHM setting. Touch one probe on the narrow slot on the plug and find the wire that shows continuity. If you don't have a multimeter, run down to your local hardware store and they should be able to test it for you and mark the hot wire. You can also look at the wire. Some will have writing on one side. Follow that as a guide from the narrow slot. That is the hot side going to the brass screw.
Sorry about the confusion... I watched your video again, and you did talk about the hot wire. My situation is -- I am rewiring an old floor lamp. I ordered the some cloth covered wire with a plug online. When I received it, I realized that the plug was not polarized. the guy that I bought it from said not to worry and to just attach either wire to either screw... Could that be right?
+KT Greene No, you want it to be polarized for safety. If you have it wired in reverse, the socket will be live. The bulb will turn on and off, but the metal of the socket has the potential for a shock hazard. You want a polarized plug, a wide and a narrow blade or a 3 prong, so it is oriented properly.
I just asked my electrician about that, and he said no, it is absolutely not all right, and that he wished hardware stores would stop giving electrical advice. If one of your wires does not have ribbing to indicate that it's neutral, it might have writing on it. If you're not sure which is which, please find out before wiring!
Instead of buying a lamp socket replacement kit (around $14) I would like to buy a second lamp from a thrift store and use its components as the replacement parts for my current lamp. Is there a safety hazard to using the components of a used lamp (in good condition) for this kind of a project, especially where the wires are reconnected?
Hi, it depends on your lamp and socket. Check to see if the manufacturer has a watt rating listed on the socket, if not 60 watt is generally the rule of thumb for sockets. LED bulbs with the same lumens of a 60 watt incandescent will be cooler, so you can go into a brighter bulb with an LED. We have more home improvement tips on our weekly podcast itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/fix-it-home-improvement/id880903087?mt=2
I want to replace a socket in an old lamp and there's no ribbed or rough side of the insulation to indicate which is neutral and which is hot and yes, I do see that on my extention cords but not on this lamp. Does it still matter which wire goes to the gold screw and which one goes to the silver screw? Thanks.
+Rock N Hi, yes, if you wire it in reverse, the socket will be live even when you turn off the switch. You can use a multimeter and test for continuity. The plug should have a wide blade and a narrow blade. The narrow blade is Hot. Test from the narrow blade to the end of the wires. Find the one that tests for continuity and you found the hot wire. This goes to the brass screw. You want to wire correctly to prevent a shock hazard. Let me know if this helps.
FIX IT Home Improvement Channel I did get my lamp fixed and everything is working fine. Can't say if I wired it correctly cause I didn't have a multimeter and haven't bought one but I also had to replace the plug along with the socket. I will just say this, I've never ever stuck my hand in a socket and have always changed the bulb with my hand on the very end of it, so other than that, for the time being, is there any other concern if it is wired wrong? Fore now I just unplug it for extra measure, thank you.
I just changed the socket on a lamp and it doesnt work. I did the bumpy wire to the silver screw. When I plug in the lamp it makes a pop and blows the fuse at the box. What could be the issue? Faulty socket or bad wiring?
***** Hi, I would check the socket and see if you can see a burn spot where wire is touching metal. Did you replace the cardboard cover over the wires? Make sure the wires are under the screw terminals. Stranded wire can spread out and touch metal. Let me know if that helps.
FIX IT Home Improvement Channel still no luck. no burn marks, just a pop and blown fuse when i turn the lamp on. i have the bumpy wire under the silver screw, there are no wires exposed on either screw. could my wiring be faulty, or reversed? bad socket?
Hi, Smooth wire goes to the brass, ribbed to the silver. The plug should be polarized, a narrow and wide blade. Make sure the cardboard insulator is covering the screws. If all that is correct and you still have a problem, I would buy the kit that has a new cord and socket and replace the whole thing. It is goof proof. Let me know how it goes.
Hi, for a 3 way bulb, you would use a 3 way bulb socket. Hot wire to brass, neutral wire to the silver screw. We have more tips in our home improvement book amzn.com/B01MRGO8C5.
Late reply but that's why I need to replace the socket on a 2.5 year old pricey lamp! The new 3 way switches wear out too quickly and I never buy 3 way bulbs. I saw them on Amazon but am going with a single switch. Will probably replace the matching nightstand lamp if I figure this one out. There's very little wire to work with as it's just set into the original socket (no screws) so hoping I have enough wire to actually wrap them around the screws on the new one.
Oh great. Now I feel like I'm in over my head. I've got a brown wire and a blue wire...does it matter which one goes to which screw? both wires are copper. but they are thinner than the original lamp wire.
+FIX IT Home Improvement Channel no there isn't I'll have to go get a new plug. still wondering if the wire will be ok. And which one to screw into which terminal on the socket
Hi again, Thanks for the reply...Yes that is what I'm planning on doing. I'm still wondering about the wire, (which one is hot etc...) Can you help help? Would it help if i sent a photo? Thank you so much :)
I have never rewired a lamp before in my life, but a crystal lamp with a very questionable cord and socket I paid $3 for at salvation army now has new life on my bedside table and is looking EXPENSIVE. Thank you for these instructions! It was easier than I thought!
I can't wait to do my lamps now!
I have 4 Stiffel lamps that fell in the Northridge earthquake in '94 that I have not used since. I think I feel confident enough to replace the parts completely so they will work again. They are no longer my style, but someone will enjoy them, I hope. Thanks for the clear and THOROUGH directions.
Hi, glad it was helpful.
Check out some home improvement tips in our e-books www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0B2KW1FQ9?notRedirectToSDP=1&.
I just rewired two vintage swag lamps while watching this video! I have two more vintage lamps I've been hanging on to for years that need rewiring, but I was always too intimidated to do it. Now I can't wait to tackle those. Thank you!!
You're welcome.
Check out more home improvement tips in our e-books www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0B2KW1FQ9?notRedirectToSDP=1&.
Sometimes, it's difficult to fish the new cord up into the lamp. When I do a cord replacement, I use a wire, or cord, attached to the old ends that I draw down through the channel when removing the old cord. This makes it easier to draw the new cord from the bottom to the top.
Great tip!
Wow, great instructional video, thank you!! I now feel I have the confidence to go ahead and rewire 2 vintage lamps I wanted to keep. You explained things so thoroughly and clearly.
This was SO helpful! I picked up a beautiful mid century rattan swag lamp and it needs to be ReWired. Im shocked how easy it is! Thank you!
You're welcome.
Check out some home improvement tips in our e-books www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0B2KW1FQ9
Just rewired 2 milk glass lamps. I would have never done this on my own without your video. Thank you!
You're welcome.
We have more home improvement tips on our weekly podcast castbox.fm/u/6389499.
Thank you for this. I ended up only purchasing the socket because the cord in the wiring kit was white and did not go with the lamp. Your instructions were very helpful and now I get to enjoy my beautiful vintage lamp.
Glad it was helpful.
We have more tips in our home improvement book www.amazon.com/dp/B01BK2K0JM?ref_=pe_2427780_160035660
Thank you, you made it look so easy. Can't wait to give my lamps new life !
You're welcome.
Check out more home improvement tips in our e-books www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0B2KW1FQ9?notRedirectToSDP=1&.
Excellent video. Sometimes, the neutral wire has writing on it, instead of ribbing. If the lamp is an old one, it's fun to rewire with cloth-covered wire and a vintage-style plug.
Following your instructions, I just rewired a lamp successfully! I'm very happy - I started looking for a lamp to replace it but I couldn't find what I was looking for. I am no handyman, but your instructions were clear enough for me to buy a make-a-lamp kit and keep the lamp I like so much. Thanks a lot!
Glad it helped
Check out more home improvement tips in our e-books www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0B2KW1FQ9?notRedirectToSDP=1&.
Thank you! Ordering a new socket to repair my favorite lamp. Also repaired a loose wire on a vintage lamp which caused it to stop working. Made my day! Hope I can figure the wires apart as they run through a metal tube inside a glass lamp. Gulp.
You’re a godsend. Rewiring a new lamp with faulty wiring. Thank you so much
Hi, glad it was helpful.
We have more home improvement tips on our weekly podcast podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/fix-it-home-improvement/id880903087?mt=2
Thanks so much. I have two new lamps that had only one-way sockets. Now they have three-way sockets! I'm a cheap senior citizen and I'm so glad I didn't have to call an electrician for this.
Glad it was helpful.
We have more money saving tips in our home improvement book amzn.com/B01MRGO8C5
Such GOOD, THOROUGH instructions! You are a wonderful, calm teacher! Your video was excellent, making it so easy to see what you were doing and explaining. Thank You! I really appreciate this so much!
Hi, glad it was helpful.
We have more home improvement tips on our weekly podcast podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/fix-it-home-improvement/id880903087?mt=2
VOILA !! I just re-wired my first (old) lamp thanks to these clear and easy to follow instructions - THANK YOU!!
Nono No Great!
We have more tips on our weekly podcast itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/fix-it-home-improvement/id880903087?mt=2
Excellent video. Especially nice making that point about the wiring polarity at the end! All instructional videos should be as clear, complete, and concise as this one!
Glad it was helpful
We have more home improvement tips on our weekly podcast
itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/fix-it-home-improvement/id880903087?mt=2
You were the only video who talks about the polarized plug tong and which one is hot and return (neutral). Thank you for that, exactly what I was searching for.
Glad it was helpful.
We have more home improvement tips on our weekly podcast, Fix It Home Improvement. You can subscribe on your favorite podcast app. www.stitcher.com/podcast/fix-it-home-improvement-5/fix-it-home-improvement
super helpful and not too wordy, but explained everything with enough detail. I just changed a socket (not the cord) for the first time and did it by following you and pausing, replaying throughout the processs. Thanks!
+Leslie Gupta Glad it was helpful.
We have more tips in our home improvement book www.amazon.com/dp/B013YR9UOC.
Thank you! Your presentation was easy to understand and to-the-point. No fluff or bad jokes, just the facts and that's what I want when I need to find out how to fix something. Very good.
Thanks,
We have more tips on our weekly podcast castbox.fm/u/6389499.
Never new about why the wires were smooth and ribed thanks help a lot
831zapata Great. We have more tips on our weekly podcast itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/fix-it-home-improvement/id880903087?mt=2
Thank you for your very helpful instructional vid! It was so thoroughly explained I didn't feel a need to look further for any unanswered questions. You left no stone unturned. Thanks for my new rewiring confidence! :-)
Glad it was helpful.
We have more tips in our home improvement book amzn.com/B01MRGO8C5.
Thank you so much for this! Got a vintage lamp from the 60's that I'm going to fix now!!
+Roland Salinas Great. Let me know how it goes.
We have more tips in our home improvement book www.amazon.com/dp/B01BK2K0JM?ref_=pe_2427780_160035660
Just finished watching your video. You did an excellent job explaining how to rewire an old lamp. Thank you for the video!
Glad it was helpful.
We have more home improvement tips on our weekly podcast castbox.fm/u/6389499.
If the on/off switch on an old lamp becomes an intermittent problem, you can
sometimes salvage the lamp by buying a toggle switch at the local hardware box store.
(I like to get the 3 prong switches because they stay in place and
provide a much more secure connection .)
Then you plug the lamp into the switch and always use the stand alone switch to
turn the lamp on and off. This is MUCH easier than trying to rewire or repair
the lamp. We currently have 2 lamps this worked for. We also used this solution
for a set of string lights that didn't have an on/off switch for some crazy reason.
WRZ 2020-04-10
Delaware County, PA
Thanks! One lamp down and two to go! You explained this so clearly!
Great. Glad it was helpful.
We have more home improvement tips on our weekly podcast castbox.fm/u/6389499.
Great video!!!! I've rewired several lamps now, and I love to watch this one to review. Best way to get a vintage look is to go vintage!
Thanks.
We have more home improvement tips on our weekly podcast castbox.fm/u/6389499.
I
The socket on an old table lamp went bad. I turned to CZcams and found this excellent video on how to replace it. I needed to purchase only a cord and the 3-way socket (not the entire kit) and it
was a snap to replace it.
Glad it was helpful.
We have more home improvement tips on our weekly podcast castbox.fm/u/6389499.
Very helpful! Remind your viewers to make sure the lamp shade bracket is installed prior to wiring. Voice of experience .;-)
Thanks for the tip!
🤔🛋 💡‼️🤣👍 🇬🇧
I feel so empowered now ! LOL Thanks for making it so obviously easy
Glad it was helpful.
Check out more home improvement tips on our weekly podcast
itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/fix-it-home-improvement/id880903087?mt=2
Thank You, I only do this every 10-20 years so reminding me which is the hot and neutral wire helps
Glad it was helpful.
Check out more home improvement tips in our e-books www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0B2KW1FQ9?notRedirectToSDP=1&.
Thank you so much for this, I just couldn't read the directions on the cord kit...Fabulous!!
You're welcome.
We have more tips in our home improvement book amzn.com/B01MRGO8C5.
Free download til 11-15-16!
Very helpful, I broke the switch to my lamp trying to kill a moth. I thought it would be too complicated/dangerous to do myself and having someone repair it would probably cost more then the lamp is worth. Your video is very thorough but simple enough for someone with no experience. With the kit and your video, fixing my lamp will be my weekend project.
Natashya Waring Great. Let me know how it goes.We have more tips on our weekly podcast itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/fix-it-home-improvement/id880903087?mt=2
Thank you! With your help, I changed a lamp socket! Great tutorial!
Glad I could help
Thank you so much for the tutorial. I just rewired my first lamp!
+Mary Yoder Great. Happy it was helpful.
We have more tips in our Home Improvement Book www.amazon.com/dp/B01BK2K0JM?ref_=pe_2427780_160035660.
Thank you very much for this video. You saved me a boat load of money from having to hire an electrician to rewire my two antique lamps. I was able to do it for a fraction of the price it would have cost me to hire someone to do it for me, not to mention I did both lamps in about 15 minutes :)
Great!
We have more tips on our weekly podcast castbox.fm/u/6389499.
thank you so much for such a detailed video. I was able to fix 2 things a light switch and a light socket thanks to you and saved myself $150.00
thank you and thank you CZcams
Great!
We have more tips in our home improvement book www.amazon.com/dp/B01BK2K0JM?ref_=pe_2427780_160035660
Excellent video! Very clear and understandable, especially for someone who's not done this before!
momblvr Thanks. Let me know how it goes.
We have more tips on our weekly podcast itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/fix-it-home-improvement/id880903087?mt=2
I was gonna call my Dad to help me...but you made it so easy! Thanx!
+Dean Webb Glad it helped.
We have more tips in our home improvement book www.amazon.com/dp/B01BK2K0JM?ref_=pe_2427780_160035660
Thanks very much for sharing this. I am very much a novice when it comes to home repair/improvement, and so Im very happy that I found your channel. I will attempt to rewire a lamp I found at a thrift store, so wish me luck! :)
TheWenDinDin Hi. Good Luck.
Let me know how it goes.
We have more tips on our weekly podcast itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/fix-it-home-improvement/id880903087?mt=2
Thank you!!! You have some beautiful pottery!
You're welcome. That's my Mom's antiques.
We have more home improvement tips on our weekly podcast
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THANKS SO MUCH!!!! This helped me perfectly after I opened a light kit with confusing af instructions
Glad it was helpful!
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Thank you so much for the tutorial. I just rewired my first antique lamp and it works!!
Fran Matola Great! We have more tips on our weekly podcast itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/fix-it-home-improvement/id880903087?mt=2
found the writing on cable. Lamp is antique and screws were both gold but next to them was a small silver and a small , what looked like bronce, and it worked. I did check after testing bulbs that socket was cool...well, not hot, and it looks good so far. Let me know what you think.
Thank you for your advice. I successfully did it!
Glad it was helpful
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Going to subscribe. I have 3 vintage lamps that need rewiring. You make it look so easy. Wish me luck!
Let me know how it goes. If you have any questions, just drop me a line.
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Excellent Tutorial - Thank you!
You're welcome!
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absolutely nice video , thank you so much for all details and explanation.
You're welcome
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Thanks for the tutorial! I just rewired an old lamp that was acting flakey. Took about 10 minutes. Then I read the directions that came with the lamp parts and oh boy, they were confusing. It would've taken a long time just to decipher them. Your video was great!
Andy Lehman You're welcome. We have more tips on our weekly podcast itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/fix-it-home-improvement/id880903087?mt=2
Very good video. Made the repair super easy. Thanks!
You're welcome.
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thanks, you just saved a beautifull lamp from trash. 🌹
+Pierre Lavallée Morissette Glad it was helpful.
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Thanks for this video. You made it very easy to follow.
I noticed you said it doesn't matter what wire goes to what screw. Is it safe not to use a "hot" and neutral wire?
+KT Greene Hi, are you talking about wiring a lamp or a single pole switch. On our lamp video I show that the hot wire, (the smooth wire) must go to the brass screw, and the ribbed wire needs to go to the silver wire. It needs to be polarized properly to be safe. The wire with the small slot is hot, the wide slot is neutral.
If you are commenting on a single pole switch. You can connect the main wires to either screw terminal. Then connect the ground wire to the green screw. A single pole switch is just a break in the hot.
Let me know if that answers the question.
This was good. I'd like to see a video that goes into more detail for those of us who replace, rebuild and redesign lamps. Anyone know of a helpful site like that?
Thanks!
Thank you - very helpful. I have 2 lamps to repair.
Yvonne Estrada Great. Let me know how it goes.
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thank you for the video.. here in los angeles.. they want to charge 45$ to do this.... i just saved a lot of money.. i had 4 lamps to redo...xooxox
You're welcome.
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Thank you! easy instructions!
You're welcome
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Thanks. Perfect and easy to understand!
luluoregon Thank you. We have more tips on our weekly podcast www.stitcher.com/s?fid=49441&refid=stpr
Thanks for posting this. It's looks easy but I'll have to go back and watch the neutral/hot part. You had me until we got to that.
+icare4you123 Hi, the wire that goes to the narrow plug is hot, the smooth wire. This wire is connected to the brass screw.
The neutral wire is the wide plug, it is ribbed. This wire is connected to the silver screw.
Let me know if this helps.
Very helpful 👍
Thank you!
Glad it helped
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Very helpful video. Thanks so much for sharing!
+Drew McNeill Thanks.
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FANTASTIC video !! Everything I wanted to know and more ! Thank you kindly Sir !!
MaxiesGal You're welcome.
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Very Helpful & Great Presentation. Thank You!
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OUTSTANDING!!!!
Thanks.
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thank you i just finished two swag 60s lamps 😄
+Marlow Nancy Glad it was helpful.
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Great tutorial ty.
Glad it was helpful.
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Thanks great tutorial.
Glad it was helpful.
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Thank you! So helpful!
Super useful!
Michael Colvin Thanks.
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Great video - thanks so much!
You're welcome.
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Nice tutorial, thank you!
You're welcome.
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Thank you! This was very helpful!
Linda Lafaux You're welcome. We have more tips on our weekly podcast itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/fix-it-home-improvement/id880903087?mt=2
I learned somethings Thank you. I was so excited to see that you had a multi-part lamp. My lamp is also glass and brass with several parts. When I took out the cord all the parts came apart. Yours all stayed together. I can't tightened it enough so that it is rigid again! The nut at the bottom I cant get my fingers up to it to turn it. On top the nut turns down just so far and then only turns itself AND the pole!! How come your pieces dont come a part?
Thanks for the help!
+Erin Gibson You're welcome.
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Thank you!
You're welcome
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Thanks for the video,..i have to do this on 2 lamps : )
+Robert G Let me know how it goes.
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Thanks so much!!
You're welcome
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Should we be paying attention to electrical ratings when doing this? For example, the socket I just bought says that "This lamp socket has an electrical rating of 250VAC and 250W, is UL Listed and can only be used with #18 stranded copper wire."
Hi, if you are using a standard lamp cord set. Lamp wire with a plug connected. It is usually 16 or 18 gauge wire. If you have a standard socket either will be fine, especially if you are using an LED or CFL bulb. 18 gauge is rated up to 10 amps. 16 gauge is rated up to 13 amps, for lamp cord. But for safety I would always follow the manufacturers recommendation.
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ok. will try that. Thank you
Let me know how it goes.
I just went to Lows and a man in the lighting department gave me the hardware to rewire an old lamp I Iove. He gave me 3 parts. 1. The lamp wire 2. The cocket for the bulb and 3. The plug. So im watching your video. My plug is different than yours. Both sides are the same size. Neither side is wider or smaler than the other.
Question. Will the wiring matter with the nutral and the hot sides being the same in size. I cant tell the difference which is hot or nutral
The man at Lows didnt explain and the instructions are unclear. Thank you for sharing. = )
+Live and Let Live Hi, I would only wire it with a polarized plug. One plug narrow, one plug wide. If it is wired or plugged in reverse, you have a shock hazard.
The light bulb will turn on and off, but the socket will be live when you take out the bulb.
I may need to go back to exchange it then. thank you
Is there a reason why you didn't use the old sockets?
Thanks. Just bought an antique lamp with 2 downward facing sockets, with pull chains. One chain missing. Any videos on that style? Thanks.
Hi, I don't have a video on it. Do your sockets attach from the side or at the end of the socket?
We have a lamp from the early 60’s that have a low wattage light in the body to use as a night light. How can we replace that night light socket and main light socket? I’ve never seen this lamp on because I won’t let my husband plug it in and turn it one. A part of the lamp wire has been taped up and I’m afraid it may short something. Thank you.
Hi, you can send a picture to fixitpodcast@gmail.com
Hello. This is so helpful, but I can't get the harp off of an antique lamp. There are no 'braces' that hold it in place. Is there another way to do this, or do I need an entire replacement?
Michelle Alberigi McKenzie Hi, can you send me a picture? fixitpodcast@gmail.com
I will. Thanks so much!
I have a lamp from the 1950s with 2 sockets, each with a pull-switch chain. After I replaced the cord, neither switch will light a bulb... This lamp has a 'loop' for connecting a small bare wire section to one socket and the second socket attaches to the cord ends. I was careful to make sure the smooth (hot) wire attaches to brass terminals and the ridged (neutral) wire attaches to the silvery/aluminum terminal. But neither one works to light a bulb. The old plug is a 2 part one that screws together with a hot or neutral wire that is screwed in place to each prong. I wanted to keep the old 1950s look to the lamp since it was hand made by a family member. Ideas ?
Hi, can you send a picture to fixitpodcast@gmail.com.
I figured out the obvious problem... the switches and cord were original from the mid 1950s, when my brother made the lamp. So I bought 2 new sockets and replaced both sockets. All is well !
I would. have liked to have seen a close up of how you attached the ends of the wires to the socket. The light was not good and it was too far away to really see what you were doing. I am confused. I do not want not do anything that would be unsafe.
i have followed all steps and everything is in place but new cable is smooth on both sides...how do I wire it correctly when this happens? wires on top look the same too.
Hi, use a multimeter on the OHM setting. Touch one probe on the narrow slot on the plug and find the wire that shows continuity. If you don't have a multimeter, run down to your local hardware store and they should be able to test it for you and mark the hot wire.
You can also look at the wire. Some will have writing on one side. Follow that as a guide from the narrow slot. That is the hot side going to the brass screw.
Sorry about the confusion... I watched your video again, and you did talk about the hot wire. My situation is -- I am rewiring an old floor lamp. I ordered the some cloth covered wire with a plug online. When I received it, I realized that the plug was not polarized. the guy that I bought it from said not to worry and to just attach either wire to either screw... Could that be right?
+KT Greene No, you want it to be polarized for safety. If you have it wired in reverse, the socket will be live. The bulb will turn on and off, but the metal of the socket has the potential for a shock hazard. You want a polarized plug, a wide and a narrow blade or a 3 prong, so it is oriented properly.
I just asked my electrician about that, and he said no, it is absolutely not all right, and that he wished hardware stores would stop giving electrical advice. If one of your wires does not have ribbing to indicate that it's neutral, it might have writing on it. If you're not sure which is which, please find out before wiring!
Instead of buying a lamp socket replacement kit (around $14) I would like to buy a second lamp from a thrift store and use its components as the replacement parts for my current lamp. Is there a safety hazard to using the components of a used lamp (in good condition) for this kind of a project, especially where the wires are reconnected?
Hi, no problem as long as the parts are in good shape.
Here is an episode of our podcast where we give some lamp repair tips castbox.fm/u/5875562
What the light bulb watts. 60 to 100 is good.
Hi, it depends on your lamp and socket. Check to see if the manufacturer has a watt rating listed on the socket, if not 60 watt is generally the rule of thumb for sockets. LED bulbs with the same lumens of a 60 watt incandescent will be cooler, so you can go into a brighter bulb with an LED.
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I want to replace a socket in an old lamp and there's no ribbed or rough side of the insulation to indicate which is neutral and which is hot and yes, I do see that on my extention cords but not on this lamp. Does it still matter which wire goes to the gold screw and which one goes to the silver screw? Thanks.
+Rock N Hi, yes, if you wire it in reverse, the socket will be live even when you turn off the switch. You can use a multimeter and test for continuity. The plug should have a wide blade and a narrow blade. The narrow blade is Hot. Test from the narrow blade to the end of the wires. Find the one that tests for continuity and you found the hot wire. This goes to the brass screw. You want to wire correctly to prevent a shock hazard. Let me know if this helps.
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I did get my lamp fixed and everything is working fine. Can't say if I wired it correctly cause I didn't have a multimeter and haven't bought one but I also had to replace the plug along with the socket. I will just say this, I've never ever stuck my hand in a socket and have always changed the bulb with my hand on the very end of it, so other than that, for the time being, is there any other concern if it is wired wrong? Fore now I just unplug it for extra measure, thank you.
Yes, it matters a lot. If the neutral has no ribbing on it, it might have writing. Please find out if you don't know which wire is which.
I just changed the socket on a lamp and it doesnt work. I did the bumpy wire to the silver screw. When I plug in the lamp it makes a pop and blows the fuse at the box. What could be the issue? Faulty socket or bad wiring?
***** Hi, I would check the socket and see if you can see a burn spot where wire is touching metal. Did you replace the cardboard cover over the wires? Make sure the wires are under the screw terminals. Stranded wire can spread out and touch metal. Let me know if that helps.
FIX IT Home Improvement Channel still no luck. no burn marks, just a pop and blown fuse when i turn the lamp on. i have the bumpy wire under the silver screw, there are no wires exposed on either screw. could my wiring be faulty, or reversed? bad socket?
Hi,
Smooth wire goes to the brass, ribbed to the silver. The plug should be polarized, a narrow and wide blade. Make sure the cardboard insulator is covering the screws. If all that is correct and you still have a problem, I would buy the kit that has a new cord and socket and replace the whole thing. It is goof proof. Let me know how it goes.
Thanks so much for your video! Does this work for 3-way lighting, too? I've subscribed.
Hi, for a 3 way bulb, you would use a 3 way bulb socket. Hot wire to brass, neutral wire to the silver screw.
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Late reply but that's why I need to replace the socket on a 2.5 year old pricey lamp! The new 3 way switches wear out too quickly and I never buy 3 way bulbs. I saw them on Amazon but am going with a single switch. Will probably replace the matching nightstand lamp if I figure this one out. There's very little wire to work with as it's just set into the original socket (no screws) so hoping I have enough wire to actually wrap them around the screws on the new one.
Oh great. Now I feel like I'm in over my head. I've got a brown wire and a blue wire...does it matter which one goes to which screw? both wires are copper. but they are thinner than the original lamp wire.
+KT Greene Hi, on the plug, is there a wide blade and a narrow blade?
+FIX IT Home Improvement Channel no there isn't I'll have to go get a new plug. still wondering if the wire will be ok. And which one to screw into which terminal on the socket
Hi, I would rather have an updated polarized blade. You can pick one up at any hardware store. Safe against shock and fire hazard.
Hi again, Thanks for the reply...Yes that is what I'm planning on doing. I'm still wondering about the wire, (which one is hot etc...) Can you help help? Would it help if i sent a photo? Thank you so much :)
Happy to help. Drop me a line with a pic and I will walk you through it.
Good information but you’re going too fast.
Thank you so much!!!
You're welcome.Thanks.We have more tips in our home improvement book www.amazon.com/dp/B01BK2K0JM?ref_=pe_2427780_160035660