Building a lamp is sometimes easier said than done. There are hundreds, if not thousands of ways to build a lamp. Building your first lamp will take some Research and Development (R&D) to figure out what lamp parts and lighting components work best for your application. In many cases, you may not get the sizing correctly on the first try. Lighting designers and builders usually acquire an assortment of lamp parts and components to test what will work for their application. This is the R&D part of building lighting. In some cases, a lot of time and effort goes into as lighting design. It may take several attempts before you figure out what parts work best for your application. Once you figure out the parts, it can be replicated easily. I always say, the first is the hardest to build!
When building a lamp from scratch, you must keep in mind that it may take several hours of time and effort going into the design and R&D phase. There is no standard when it comes to the design of making lamps and lighting fixtures.
The first step is understanding how lamp thread is measured. Lamp thread is measured like plumbing with the exception as plumbing is a tapered thread and lighting is a straight thread. The thread designation goes back to when lighting was gas.
Most common table lamps require a threaded pipe, nipple or pipe stem to hold the lamp together and to attach the decorative components, and lamp sockets.
Pipe comes with Female thread (Threaded on the inside) and a Male Thread (Threaded on the outside)
1/8ips thread is the most used thread in lighting. It is used on table lamps, chandeliers and fixtures with lighter duty applications. 1/8ips thread measures 3/8-inch outer diameter.
1/4ips in the next larger measuring ½ inch diameter. This is common on floor lamps and heavier chandeliers and lamps that require more stability.
3/8ips measures 5/8-inch outer diameter and is commonly used on heavy chandeliers and lamps.
1/2ips measures ¾-inch diameter and is common on heavy chandeliers and lamps.
We have several information articles in our help section regarding how lamp thread is measured. Here is the link to our help section explaining lamp thread- https://grandbrass.zendesk.com/hc/en-us/sections/200317444-How-Do-I-Measure-Lamp-Thread
We have couplings, reducers, and nozzles that allow you to modify, adapt, and extend the threading.
Couplings have female threading. A coupling can have the same thread on both sides and can be used to couple two male threaded pipes, nipples or lamp stems together and or extend the length of a thread using a nipple. A coupling can have two different female threads on either side and can be used to adapt to a larger or smaller male thread.
Reducers have a larger male thread and a smaller female thread. Reducers do exactly what the term states. They reduce the thread to adapt a larger female thread to a smaller female thread.
Nozzles have a male and female thread like a reducer. In some cases, the thread size is the same on both the male and female. The nozzle can act as a stop to stop the thread from passing through a hole. A nozzle can also adapt a thread from a larger to smaller.
Nuts are used to secure the threading to the piece and washers are used to add extra stability and structure. A locking washer should be used to lock a nut in place, so the lamp does not come apart when changing a bulb.
In some cases, the fittings may not align, and we use a thread locker such as Loctite to lock the fixture into place.
You can use your imagination when building lamps. You can use off the shelf products, items that you find in local home stores, or create items from pottery or glassware. Most common lamps have a thread that runs though the lamp and are attached to a lamp base for stability using nuts and washers. In some cases, for added stability, we use weights or commonly called loaders. You can use several forms of weight from cast iron, stacking washers or making a weight from concrete.
You can run a threaded pipe though the lamp and bolt it together using nuts and washers. It could be difficult to get the length required correct on the first try. It maybe easier to use fully threaded nipples that can be cut to your desired length using a saw.
The benefits of female threaded pipe, is you can purchase a male threaded nipple in the length required to accommodate the lamp that you are building.
Decorative covering can be used to cover the pipe such as tubing. Checkrings cap the ends of the tube to keep the tube in check. A larger diameter decorative tube to cover the pipe is common on floor lamps. The tube will add added stability.
Some lamps are bolted to the top of the structure and cord passes through a wire exit in the structure or from the lamp socket. It is always recommended to use a wire bushing where the cord exists to protect the wire from damage.
All lamps must have proper strain relief so that the wire cannot but be pulled apart easily from a wire junction and/or lamp socket terminal.
You must use your best judgement and follow the NEC (National Electric Code) when building lamps.
Please be aware:
All and Any Information, Help , Suggestions, Recommendations, or Guidance given from our Sales Associates is provided in good faith for guidance and reference purposes only. This Information is of a general informational and educational nature, and Grand Brass Lamp Parts, Llc and Its Employees take No Legal Responsibility for the Accuracy of the information provided. It is recommended that the Customer seeks a Reputable Local Professional to determine the Compliance with all National and Local Building and Electrical Codes.
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