Each lamp cord is made of 2 wires stuck together: one with smooth insulation and one with ribbed insulation. Take note of each one for later on. If you purchase a flat cord, use a clamp-style wire plug. For round wires, use a two-pronged wire plug. Swap a metal lamp base for a pretty piece of wood if you want a smaller table lamp.
Hold the base steady with one hand as you drill the hole.
Place your lamp base on a flat surface before drilling the cord escape. To help guide your drill, draw a line with a straight edge on top of your lamp base extending from the center hole to its edge.
Purchase a DIY lamp socket kit from online suppliers or purchase each part separately. If you buy your own nipple from a hardware store, select one that’s zinc-plated and about 8 inches (20 cm) long.
There should be about 1⁄4 inch (0. 64 cm) of the nipple extending from the lamp base to connect to the locknut. If there isn’t, adjust the washers.
Ask employees at local hardware stores for suggestions based on your lamp. Provide them with a picture if possible.
Squeeze the 2 arms of the harp together to remove it from its brackets. Don’t remove the socket cap, which is what the socket connects to.
Remove the insulating covers on your socket if it has any. Never attempt this with the lamp connected to a power source.
Hold the base of the lamp for support as you pull the socket cap off.
After wrapping electrical tape around the wires, snip off the excess piece with scissors.
Discard the old cord once the new cord runs from the top of the lamp to outside of the lamp’s base. If your lamp’s base is covered in felt, carefully cut around its perimeter with a paring knife and peel it off.
If the cord ever gets stuck, pull it back 2 to 3 inches (5. 1 to 7. 6 cm) and then continue feeding it through.
In some models, you’ll have to place a locknut onto the nipple before attaching the socket cap.
Take note of each wire and make sure you can distinguish them before proceeding to the next step. The hot wire should be continuous to the center terminal of the bulb socket. [11] X Expert Source Marvin WooLicensed Electrician Expert Interview. 31 January 2022. Using a multimeter set to resistance or continuity can help determine which wire goes where. [12] X Expert Source Marvin WooLicensed Electrician Expert Interview. 31 January 2022.
After tying the knot, pull the wire from the base of the lamp so that the knot lowers into the socket cap and there’s no slack in the line. Cut the wires 2 inches (5. 1 cm) from the knot when you’re done.
Hold the wire insulation firmly with one hand as you pull the wire stripper upward.
Double-check that you haven’t accidentally wrapped the wrong wire. Make sure that none of the insulation is underneath the screw.
Double-check that none of the insulation is underneath the screw.
Listen for a click as you push the socket into the cap—once you hear it, it’s firmly in place.
Swap out needlenose pliers with wire cutters if you’d like.
If your lamp doesn’t work, double-check the wiring in the socket and plug and try again. Always remember to remove your lamp from a power source prior to doing this.
