I'm trying to make 2 floor lamps last a little longer
I have 2 floor lamps that sit on carpet in an older apartment complex with maybe not so even floors. The lamps keep falling over. Only thing I can see to repair is to somehow glue the base to the pole. One will not stay attached it looks like it's stripped as soon as I screw it back on it pops right off. The other one just won't balance. I've heard some people say they used fishing line and help them to a wall to baby proof. I will do that but need to know what to do to stabilize them. Type of glue? I thought about the foam that expands but my hubby vetoes that. Yet I'm left to fix them, he gave up.
Neither pole will stay in place and the bases seem too small but I'm just looking for a cheap fix. Never rent an apartment without overhead lighting to save $35 a month. If anyone feel too sorry for me trying to repair as my husband just said we will get new ones. But Im out of work right now due to my car being totaled when someone ran a stop sign. If you have floor lamps just sitting around. Send them on.. I need more than 2..I can't see hardly anywhere in this place.
ive put sand bags on those type of lamps...did you put thread tape on thethreaded end?
Hi Robin
I am sorry about your accident, and not being able to work and the lighting issue.
E6000 glue might work to permanently attach and then screw back in or add plumbers tape to outside of threads or electrical tape and try screwing back in with the E6000 added as well. E6000 is around $3-5 at Walmart in craft or home help sections of store.
For the balance issue- this is a little on the out of box answer but what if you used same glue and glued the base to a weight lifting plate to the bottom if you can find one at goodwill or thrift but then again you might find lamps there too? Or a piece of wood might be cheaper... who knows they might even cut at Home Depot or Lowe’s if you give them diameter or add a sand bag pouch to bottom of base in the indented area to add weight
Another idea for adding light is to get a hanging lamp kit $7 and you can add about anything you think of as a shade and hang them at strategic spot near an outlet. You could use a large plastic bowl and decoupage a design on outside of bowl, take old lampshade and recover, etc
Other ideas
look on craigslist- free page for lamps, lamp shades, weights etc
look on FB marketplace near you
nextdoor.com - a neighbor may be giving something away
good luck!
Hi Robin. I'm Cindy. After I read your post, I was reminded of how kitchen cabinetry is leveled with the use of shims. Is there a way you could slip a shim under your lamp to increase it's height and making it level. You will need to slip a shim under your lamp until it's level. Mark the shim so that you can cut it and it won't stick out from the base. After you cut off the excess, glue it into place with E6000 glue. After this fix your lamp should be level.
Two-part plumber's putty can glue about anything, but don't put any weight on it until it's twice the package time, ti be sure. Giod luck!
Suggest you borrow a tap and dye set and rethread both pole and base. Then glue if needed. Also take plastic plate off bottom and weight it for stability.
Take apart and wrap thread around grooves of screw section. Just a couple of turns. Then apply e6000, screw back together and lay on side so there is no weight on the connection. Let dry over night to be sure. Smooth out the cord to lie as flat as possible
In case you don't know shims are small pieces of wood or plastic used to level...kind of like putting the folded paper under the wobbly table.
Sand bags are good to add extra weight to the base and help stabilize it. We had the falling lamp in the bedroom. Wedged it between the bed and nightstand.
For more light use LED bulbs. Expensive--yes but they last 2-3 times longer and provide brighter light, and they don't get hot. They estimate 20,000 hours. I've been using one for a couple of years. Not joking, half that time it stayed on 24-7 as a night light in a bedroom we used for computer and crafts.
https://www.pulsetv.com/3-in-1-LED-Emergency-Bulb-w_-Remote/productinfo/8069/
They've sold out of the regular LED's but this 3 in 1 may be better.
6.99 for one, 9.98 for two.
NO I DO NOT WORK FOR THIS COMPANY.
Take a look INSIDE the pole - it's possible you could pour some sand right inside the bottom section of pole to make the lamp "bottom heavy" so it doesn't fall over.
Sugru is great for all types of repairs!
Dark rooms with minimal light can be brightened by adding mirrors to room. You can find something inexpensive at Goodwill or Dollar store. God bless and good luck.