How can I make an adapter for this torchere glass shade?

My 40 yr old, 16” diameter torchere shade will not “seat” properly in this base, as the on/off “stem” is where the shade’s “neck” needs to drop down.As in, this lamp base is for a contemporary “bowl” shape, not an antique torchere shade.I’m not going to drill a hole in the side of the glass shade’s stem, as that’s drilling tangent to a glass cylinder. Not going to risk it.If you can help me find a very large “washer” I could use one under the neck, and one where the shade flattens out.Considering I’m going to be buying this base, I don’t want to throw $30 of parts at a $15 base, that has two problems.What do you think?

Don’t dare let it sit on the stem & fall to the ground

See how the shade is much bigger than the plastic nut?

  7 answers
  • P P on Oct 01, 2019

    as the staff person at a hardware store if you can change the base wiring so the on-off switch is on the cord - then the shade can slide in fully

    • Lifestyles Homes Lifestyles Homes on Oct 01, 2019

      Thanks. Yes, I know this- but if it’s 2 hours of time & $20 in hardware- then I’m not going to buy this base.

  • P P on Oct 01, 2019

    I meant to say 'ask' not 'as'

  • Gk Gk on Oct 01, 2019

    Do you have to buy the base or is it something you can reject as not fitting your needs? Even if you could change the wiring so that an on/off switch would be on a cord I have doubts that the neck of the glass shade would even fit down into the flared, tapered down neck of the base-it looks too narrow. The neck of the glass shade looks too long to fit securely into that flared area. I think I would keep looking for something else that might work better. Maybe you can check on Ebay for a base that would fit your glass shade better.

  • Gk Gk on Oct 02, 2019

    Sounds like this torchere glass shade is something very special to you. I would wait to find something that will hold it more securely in place rather than take a chance and have it be wobbly in the base and not sitting securely. You can spend the 15.00 but it looks like you still will have to make modifications and if none of it works then you will have nothing for your money. Can you just unscrew the on/off switch and remove it to see if the glass shade fits? It looks as if that could be a possibility. Then screw the switch back in when you are done checking things out.

  • Lifestyles Homes Lifestyles Homes on Oct 02, 2019

    I’m going shopping for two large washers:

    one at the switch stem line to hold the bottom of the shade evenly. The second ti hold the shade down to the threaded socket.

  • Dee Dee on Oct 07, 2019

    Try this site for the washers you need

    https://www.bokers.com/large-washers.asp

  • Lifestyles Homes Lifestyles Homes on Oct 07, 2019

    I’ve found some PVC plumbing couplers & adapters that I will “try on for size” and then “router” with my Dremel Tool the one that fits, later this week. Will keep you posted.

    Thanks all.