Lamps - From Old Modern To New Modern...

To modernize some vintage lamps we found, we needed to learn the names of some of the lamp parts so we could see what was available and decide what we can do. The lamp on the left was one of six matching lamps we found as our starting point. Some of the brass was coming off the chrome and the large white wire was not that white any more. The lamp on the right is the current goal with the parts we have found so far. Although we were hoping for stainless we have only found brushed nickle so far but at least that is fairly rust free. Living near the ocean we need lamps that do not rust. The suspension lamp shown as our goal uses loops, but hooks (with wireways) might also be nice. Other features might be to use LED bulbs. We liked this overall lighting style as it will produce photographic quality light in our home with a color temperature of 5500k and that light will shine in nearly every direction. The color temperature produces realistic color and make for a great reading or working environment. The lights are also modern and some what minimalistic.

If you have some old lamps to refurbish then tag along and make use of the some of the links and information provided. Each lamp is different and so what you need to do might be quite different than us. Yet, lamps are pretty simple devices with many common parts. Learning the names of the parts and finding them took us a bit of searching, so this article can at least save you a bit of time on that.

"This level of lighting will make a dramatic difference in the overall feel of the house, plus modernize it..."

Here is a slight variation on the lamps suspension system. The main differences are using loops or hooks or not. If loops or hooks are used then the cable also needs to be swagged requiring a swagging tool and crimping sleeves that match your cable size. There are many choices of stainless steel cable in terms of both size and what kind stainless like 302, 304 or 316. Also consider if you need canopies made for sloped ceilings or not.

Color temperature is related to the bulb that is used. A 60 watt incandescent bulb, for example, might have an average color temperature of 2700K. Photographers tend to use 5500k as it is a much more white light. This is also preferred by many people for task and reading lights.

A little research indicates that there are indeed dimmable LED and CFL bulbs. On the CFL you need to make sure they are made for that task. Although we did not find much at 5500k we did find both kinds of bulbs at 5000k. Graphics done with Inkscape. This article is a work in process. We are waiting for parts and excited to get started!

Links:

1Stainless Cable Crimping Sleeves on Amazon.

2Loos Cableware AN100-C3 10 Piece Stainless Steel Thimble for 3/64", 1/16" and 3/32" Diameter Wire Rope on Amazon.

3Cable Swaging Tools on Amazon.

4Stainless Cable on Amazon.

5MyLampParts.com a place to learn about and buy lamp parts.

6GrandBrass.com a place to learn about and buy lamp parts.

7Remodelista.com White Globe Lamps.

8TheLightShop.com Canopy For Sloped Ceilings.

9EarthLED ZetaLux 2 PRO - 7 Watt LED Light Bulb - Cool White (5000K) - 550 Lumens on Amazon. This is the bulb to beat for a non-dimmable led bulb.