My wife just bought a lamp at Target, the kind you have to self assemble the rod from 4 hollow pipes and a base, where the electrical wire is already threaded through all of them. Each of the 4 sections screws into the one below it, and finally the bottom one screws into the base.
The rod sections / pipes screw into each other perfectly and tighten nicely.
The last one that tightens into the base is a bit too large, you can screw it on all the way but then the whole thing wobbles, if I try to tighten it anymore it keeps turning freely. After unscrewing it and re-screwing it back a few times I realized it is so big it literally can be pushed down instead of screwed in.
This thread has some interesting suggestions:
What can I use as a thread "tightener" compound for a free-running bolt?
I tried plumbers threading tape and it got squeezed out and shredded and didn't really make a difference. I tried Scotch tape and had the same results. (I do think I may have put too much of both, I probably went around 7 or 8 times).
Finally I tried dental floss, which helped some – its a bit tighter now and I just left it as is.
Any other suggestions?
Since I saw this question on other threads: The base itself has an extruding nub with threads that the bottom section covers and screws over. Both of them have threads. Both of them are hollow and the electrical wire goes through it all.
Best Answer
That's a common failure mode for those lamps; the threads are fairly shallow and prone to stripping out. Though if it happens immediately, rather than after a few years of use, I would definitely return it for refund and/or replacement.
If it fails after the warranty has expired:
It is possible to kluge the connection by wrapping the threat in teflon plumber's tape; enough layers will tighten the connection so the remaining threads can engage. This, too, tends to eventually fail, but you may get several more years of use out of the lamp.
Theoretically you could sweat-solder the mechanical connection, but you'd probably ruin the lamp's finish. Obviously you'd want to remove and reinstall the wiring so its insulation doesn't melt during thd attempt to solder it. And I'm not sure what solders would be compatible with the lamp's metal.
Realistically, most of us consider these lamps disposable. I just discarded one myself, after scavenging some parts that I'm planning to reuse.