I inherited a floor lamp without a shade. It has a harp, but there is nothing on the top of the harp to attach the shade. If I have my terminology correct, I'm looking for the piece that that the finial will screw into. It's circled in this photo. What's this called, and can I buy one with a finial so I can buy a shade for the lamp? Or should I just buy a new harp (that presumably will come with this piece)?
What’s the part of a lampshade that the finial screws into called
lamp
Related Solutions
First off you do not want to hang the light by the socket that you purchased. With the poke in holes for the wires this is NOT an acceptable mounting system for your lamp - heavy glass or not.
Next note that the wire used to hang lamps is a special type that has strengthing cord built into the cable.
The conventional hanging lamp fixture has a two piece socket assembly that has a top part that slides up on the cord. The cord is then knotted with a special electricians knot that puts equal tension in all the conductors and fibres in the cord. The ends of the wires then attach to the lower portion of the conventional socket via screw terminals. Finally the top and bottom parts of the socket firmly snap together to hide the knot inside. The hanging lamp assembly pulls against the knot to transfer the weight into the cord from the ceiling.
It sounds as if the knurled knob loosens over time. There are a number of solutions.
The knurled knob seems to be either the head of a bolt or a specialized nut. In either case, a washer between the knurled head and the body of the lamp arm may help. A flat washer may be enough.
If not a lock washer should help.
Another approach is a locking fluid spread on the threads of the bolt that prevents loosening, such as this stuff.
There are different versions, depending on whether you want it to be removeable or permanent.
Best Answer
I just was looking for one a few weeks ago. I saw them under a few names "harp fitter", "spider fitter", or "lamp adjuster". I just got a new harp it was easier.