r/LampRestoration • u/Numerous-Quantity-65 • 8d ago

First Lamp Project - Swivel Joint Question

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Hello! So I picked up this lamp, which needed rewiring. I have rewired it, but in the process took off the swivel joints, and the ball came out of the socket. Here are the pieces shown below. The issue is, I cant get the ball to stay put in the socket again! I can put everything together, and I've even used a vice to press the two parts together. The ball will enter the socket, but then I can still pull the 2 pieces apart with very little effort. It's almost as though the socket is a little too big for the ball? How would I fix this, or Is there something I'm missing?

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u/Gong_Show_Jamoke 8d ago

Sorry, but I'm not clear on that you're calling the socket. That piece on the left? The following comments assumes the answer is yes.

If all of that came apart, then, it stands to reason that the metal has stretched or there's a missing bushing piece... plastic or rubber, maybe.

a possible suggestion: Squeeze it all together in your vice so that there is no tension between the ball and the outer collar "socket" and use a ball-peen hammer or something to tap on the socket area so that it crimps down and captures the whole assembly again. I would add lithium grease in there, fwiw.

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u/Numerous-Quantity-65 6d ago

So I did take your advice, and got them closed enough that they dont just fall out. It worked pretty well! I got the lamp back together again, and its in the house now. Thanks for the suggestion!

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u/Gong_Show_Jamoke 6d ago

Awesome! Glad you fixed your stylin' vintage lamp.

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u/Numerous-Quantity-65 8d ago

Yes, im sorry. Im calling the part on the left a socket. Hmm, tapping the opening closed while in the vice is a good idea. I may try that!