Five minute fix for a broken lamp
May 04, 2018
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Hey there and happy weekend! I'm back with a quick post to share how to fix a broken lamp cord. You can actually use this on other electronics but this particular tutorial is for an ungrounded, two-prong cord for a lamp.
One of my favorite lamps was damaged in the move and I've held onto it all this time. We had a reimbursement plan for the broken items but I just never got to them to get the money -- the moving process took over and I ran out of time. (They only offered reimbursement based on weight anyway.)
The cord was missing from the lamp when they unloaded it -- it looked like it was cut off by the door of the truck. I'm so glad I kept it in the garage all this time though because the other day I remembered I could fix it myself!
I had forgotten about this little trick and it took all of five minutes to get it working again. Here's how the cord looked:
I ended up making a clean cut to the end before starting. Usually this is where I'd warn you to make sure nothing is plugged in...but that's kind of impossible with this one anyway. ;)
You'll need a (affiliate) replacement plug from the hardware store. They're bulkier than regular plugs, but only $2:
Unscrew the screw on the front and open the plug all the way up:
Take your Phillips screwdriver and loosen the two screws inside:
Then separate the end of the cord -- I use scissors to do this. Just take care not to cut into the cords:
You'll need a wire stripper to strip the ends of the wires:
You just kind of twist the cutter around the wire and then pull off the casing to expose the wires. Twist them together like so:
Then shape them into a hook and wrap around the screws inside the plug and tighten:
Make sure there are no stray wires sticking out, then you can close up the plug and you're done!:
That's it! You have a working light again! I completely forgot about this solution or I would've done this a long time ago. It was daylight when I did this so I closed the blinds just to show you that it does work!:
It's a simple fix that will save you some money for sure! You can also get them in white for clear or white cords.
I got this lamp at Target years ago and they don't carry it anymore, but this is a very similar version. (That one is more than I spent, but either way I would have been tossing a lot of money away!)
Hope this helps some of you at one point or another! You could also use this to shorten cords as well. Again, this is just for a lamp, be sure to ask a professional for the process for anything larger or three-pronged.
Affiliate links included for your convenience!
This is so handy to know! I don't even have a table lamp but this would save my life if I had one.
ReplyDeleteCharmaine Ng | Architecture & Lifestyle Blog
http://charmainenyw.com
Thank you for this tutorial!
ReplyDeleteYou always have great tips, Sarah!!
ReplyDeleteGreat tip! I never knew these parts existed. Question: would you mind sharing the source of your spindle back chair? Is it comfortable? Thanks!
ReplyDeleteAnother great and simple-to-do tip. I've repaired many plugs this way when my kids were teenagers and everything seemed to get broken on a regular basis. I love that you can buy lamp kits in order to make a lamp out of pretty much anything.
ReplyDeleteThis one I did not know, thank you so much! I can imagine me sharing this tip with someone who needs it sometime, and lookin' all smart. haha Chrissy
ReplyDeleteGreat tutorial. I have used your home ideas and tutorials as we built and decorate our own home. You've been pinned so many times! Thank you. I have an empty corner in my living room that needs a spool chair like yours. Care to share your source?
ReplyDelete