Refurnish Anglepoise Lamp  

I've done more than quite a f...
I've done more than quite a few Craig - but can you be more specific about exactly what you'll be doing? And do you mean the original Carwardine anglepoise? They're generally fairly easy to get working (providing all the fittings are there) but things like refinishing can be difficult to get right. More info please!

refurbish
Craig, I haven't had any experience of refurbishing an original but Anglepoise brought out reproductions of this around 15-20?? years ago and I bought 3.
Recently the switching mechanism wore out and Anglepoise sent 3 replacement switches and didn't charge me anything. I think you would find them helpful if you ever need any replacement parts.

Well its a cream colour with...
Well its a cream colour with bits flaking off and light rust on the base so I wanted to take off all the old paint, maybe re-paint the head and base. Also it will need new springs (I think) or could they be polished up and de-rusted? but the main thing will be re-wiring it is the original 1940's/1950's wiring.
Do you have any suggestions on the rubber sections where the wire comes out and where I can get these from. They look like cork or some other material like that on the original.
Hope this all makes sense?
Many thanks

thanks annette
Thank you, I will also get in contact with them also
Regards

Sounds like a Herbert Terry...
Sounds like a Herbert Terry made Anglepoise. Rewiring is pretty easy although be careful when you take the horseshoe shaped shade holder off as there's a little 'widget' in there to stop the shade revolving all the way around. Try and save the bakelite switch/bulb holder if you have it - if the locking ring won't undo spray some WD40 or similar on it and it should free up. If its a Crabtree switch (it'll say on it) you can rewire the lamp without removing it from the shade.
One of the problems with rewiring is that it was originally designed for the old style silk braided flex - it still available but thicker now (double insulated) so it can be a squeeze running it through the holes. Its still best to use braided flex as then you can earth it on the body. Presuming you are then you'll need about 3 metres. Look on the end of the three strands and you'll see the plastic insulation - blue, brown and green/yellow. Unwind the green strand to a similar length to the flex that will go through the lamp. Feed the other two strands through the holes in the arms until you have about 5" coming through the top hole and replace the shade holder. Strip back the ends of these strands (blue & brown) by about 1 cm to reveal the copper core and attach them to the bulb holder.

contd
Make sure they're screwed in tightly. The remaining (green/yellow)length of flex is your earth. Just above the middle spring above the base you should see an oversized washer - undo the nut which hold this in place, cut the strand of flex to length and attach it to the washer and then replace. Put a plug on and you're lamp should be rewired. Obviously this is just a quick guide and I take no responsibility - if you're in any doubt get someone who knows what they're doing to look it over!
The springs are best just cleaned up with a wire brush - try and stretch them out a bit when you're doing it so you get between the wires. If you really have to you can strip the paint from the base and shade (nitromors) and polish up the metal but I really the original paint, even chipped. looks best.

is it worth is?
the lamp I'm thinking about buying has the Herbert Terry stamp... but is doesn't have the rolled edge shade, its going to around £50 is it worth it still?
many thanks

sorry more info.... it's a 60...
sorry more info.... it's a 60's+ version rather than a pre 50's..... real tempted to but but would not like to waste my money... thanks all

What Happened To:
' just for the joys of doing it up and having on my desk with the achievement of having it look real nice' ?
If that's your aim- of course it's worth it!

first attempt on refurbishing my cream colour angle poise 75
Dear All,
This is my first attempt in refurbishing the lamp. Wow! There is an earth wire and it is attached to a metal hook, I tried unsoldering it but it won't bend outwards. So now I'm left with a dismantled lamp while trying to rewire it.
Please help!
Will try to post some images once I've uploaded them somewhere.

Without knowing any
more than what you've said, maybe your soldering iron or gun will soften the ground (earth) wire end that's bent, so you can straighten it ? You'd have to bend it straight while it's soft from the heat -- so work fast (with needle-nose pliers) and don't burn yourself !
Or do I misunderstand ?

images uploaded
here you go - images uploaded
my friend says I need a new switch - no way am I able to get the same one and how am I going to fit it to the lamp cap if so?
http://photobucket.com/saveanglepoise

Thats a 70's anglepoise....
Thats a 70's anglepoise. Check out this website they sell Anglepoise spares I am in no way affiliated to this company.
Hope this helps.
http://www.30-something.co.uk/herbert-terry-anglepoise-restoration-and-s...
http://www.30-something.co.uk/herbert-terry-anglepoise-restoration-and-s...

re: anglepoise refurbishment establishments
yups I've contacted them but it is way too expensive to repair with them. I doubt he will share with me his expertise in order for me to repair it on my own. hopefully this would be a nice achievement if I could do it on my own and perhaps forge new relationships with hobbyists and enthusiasts like yourself. I believe that British classics should belong to everyone, and I'm trying to live that out.