Fix a swingarm lamp that wont stay up. Takes just a few minutes and that cheap lamp will work like a pro again. These cheap lamps are a great lamp for the woodworking bench, desk or sewing table etc.
Enjoyable, informative video. I created a fix which will hopefully extend the time for reaching for the drill. I switched the upper springs with the lower springs and the lamp stays in position…for now. Checking hardware stores for new springs. Spring fatigue happens. .
Hi Jeremy- liked your video and hope it may help me out in future. My issue now is replacing my luxo LS1 bulb….it doesn’t seem to be a traditional twist or screw bulb so I’m not sure how to replace? Also do these lamps only take luxo bulbs?
Scott. I am not sure here specifically regarding Luxo but as far as I know Luxo takes a 23W CFL with an E26 base or in other words a standard base. So if I am incorrect here you may have something different or special. Sorry I can’t be more specific. Cheers.
Wow. That's it?! Thank you for this! Won't the springs run out of tension eventually, though? And you'll run out of space to move the screw? What then?
So far this fix holds up. I don’t expect there should be issue going forward as the springs no longer will have to work as hard, however they may fatigue depending on the lamp you have and the springs it came with. So far for Ikea lamps it’s worked for a number of years.
Well, I immediately modified my lamp. I used 1.5". Now it won't stay down. Too much tension. But I disconnected one of the springs and now have just the right amount of tension. hopefully, when it begins to sag again, I can just re-connect the second spring and be good to go again. But your solution is a good one.
Thanks for that finding. I don’t think it would weaken the arm to drill another hole half way between them. But it’s good to know that 1.5” may be the general maximum modified distance. I supposed different manufacturers and different spring tensions are the main reason. At least we don’t have to throw out a lamp that still has some life left.
THANK YOU SO MUCH! I am a designer and take pride in my mediums and tools. After having this issue with my very expensive lamp I was hesitant to make a new purchase for fear of getting the same issue but out of necessity, purchased another swingarm only to have the issue again. Recently, a neighbor in my building threw out their lamp and I recovered it and will now be able to enjoy this lamp along with the others that I have kept. Wow, this information is a real gem.
I have about 4 mag swing arm exam room lamps with internal springs. They always break so I'm left with a bunch of rolling floor stand mag lamp bases & would prefer to repair them before switching over to goosenecks. The gooseneck exam lamps typically have plastic lenses or lower diopter smaller glass loupes because they don't hold the weight for long & lack tightening knobs for holding a set position. I attempted to repair a few of the type I have in the past, but the spring tension makes it unbelievably impossible to reconnect internally & the components along the joints are a bit different that the type in video. Going to attempt to mount external springs to work like yours in video, but man are they ever so prone to breaking.
I am not sure how long those springs of yours are. But consider this. The lamps you have sound special and therefore expensive. If the spring lengths are compatible try just buying an IKEA lamp for the springs. They are cheap lamps and the springs don’t break. Alternatively an auto parts store may have them as would Mc Mater-Carr if you are in the US. Good luck.
Great advice! I found this video while looking for one to help with another issue. I have a swing arm lamp with a broken switch (at the top as is typical I assume). The "innards" have dropped down from the top inside the shade. The cord is still sitting inside, attached to the bulb base. I don't know how to replace or fix the switch. Might you have advice on how to do that? I hope so - I'll keep my eyes on your space :). Thanks!
I'm restoring my late grandpa's desk lamp that he used, so that I can use it on my workbench. I've been pulling my hair out trying to find a way to get it to stay in position and I don't know why I hadn't considered just moving the spring attachments further... Thanks!
I have a simpler problem, a swivel arm lamp with one joint and zero sprints. It was too tight so I sprayed WD40 inside it and now it cannot retain a position, way too loose! Do you know, please, what I can do to this joint to stiffen it back up again? (...obviously, there is not screw at the joint I can use :-) )
Hello, I'm repairing a lamp and I found a pair of magnets iside the triangular piece that joins head and arm... I was wondering if it's there for an important technical reason??? I have constructed simple lamps before and haven't found that magnets were part of the circuit... Any advice?
Hi Rosemary. I am all for fixing and not chucking but I can’t direct you to someplace for an exact replacement. It’s going to take searching. I would imagine the springs alone would cost more than a cheap IKEA clone. However if you do have one of the old originals spring arm lamps a new IKEA clone would be an ok donor for the money and will probably cost less than the springs by themselves from a vendor. For springs try searching Amazon for “tension coil springs” or “extension springs”, auto parts stores or AliExpress will also have small quantities direct from China.
is it possible you can make a video on the base you made? I've been looking for something like this for taking pictures of items with a white backdrop and this makes it easy to position the light.
It would help sure. I have tried that but it doesn’t last cause you end up easily overextending the spring. I have tried other methods - I run 18 of these lamps and have had my share of frustration. My method i like better due to there being better leverage for weak or weakened springs. You could also buy new springs. Regardless I present a solution but I recognize it’s not the only one. I just prefer this one.