I purchased a pre-wired Torchiere floor lamp that attaches together in sections of hollow iron rods that each have a smooth end and a threaded bolt on the other end. On one of the iron rods the thread on the bolt does not have a sharp edge – like the others – which is preventing the bolt from 'cutting' a thread into the connecting hollow iron rod end when I thread it into the opening. I was already issued a refund by seller who said to just "keep the lamp." My mom loves the lamp so, if possible, I want to try to salvage it. I tried turning it as far as it will turn and then taped a small plastic collar with foam around the rod to hold it in place. But the halo torchiere light makes it top heavy and it is not secure. Is there a collar or something I can use to secure the torchiere section to the lower iron rod since I'm unable to screw the 'threaded bolt" into the rod to tighten securely?
Use to hold an iron rod Torchiere lamp section to the pre-wired lower iron rod threaded bolt that won’t tighten securely
lampthreading
Related Solutions
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.
Some DIY ideas...
1
Get yourself a chunk of mild steel or aluminum, some drill bits, and a couple taps. Build a two-sized coupling nut. You probably have a neighbor who has a tap set. You may want to use jam nuts to lock the rods into the sleeve.
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2
Use a piece of C-channel or box tubing. Drill opposing holes for the two rod sizes and attach them with nuts inside and out.
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3
Drill offset holes in a chunk of steel or aluminum bar stock for each rod size. Nut them each from the top and bottom faces.
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4
Use a 3/4" black iron plumbing nipple and caps. Drill the center of a cap for each of the two rod sizes, nut the rods inside and out, and snugly connect the caps to the nipple.
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Best Answer
I solved this by using a pipe repair clamp from the plumbing department. It is meant to seal pinhole leaks in pipe. It looks like a 3-4" long bracket that clamps to the pipe --not in this case the floor lamp tubing-- and has a rubber, inner liner. Get one in the 1" or greater size. It has two parallel bolts that tighten to clamp it all together.
It's not the prettiest solution but it works. I salvaged a perfectly good floor lamp with bad threads this way.