Difficulty

Easy

Steps

6

Time Required

                          30 minutes

Sections

1

  • Making a low cost light stand for Photography
  • 6 steps

Flags

2

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Introduction

Read me: While this is not the best stand you can get and may require modification; these lamps are usually free or inexpensive, especially used. This can be advantageous if you are willing to disassemble one to eliminate redundant components.

  • Use common sense during the cord and socket removal procedure. Death or injury may occur if you make a mistake, as you are handing 120-240V AC!DO NOT keep any part that looks damaged. Discard these parts for safety reasons.Make sure you use a lamp that you are certain you do not plan on reassembling or use a damaged one. Reversal may be impractical if modifications are made.I used a broken lamp. If you can find a broken one, it is likely free and you are not wasting a working one. The socket guard was cracked and supported with electrical tape until it was pulled out of service. These are the best candidate for this type of project, as these parts can be expensive or hard to get and total the lamp outWhile the plastic parts on many of these lamps may not be reusable (either due to assembly technique or uniqueness), most cord and socket sets are easily reused. Save these for another project if they are in good condition.

  • While the plastic parts on many of these lamps may not be reusable (either due to assembly technique or uniqueness), most cord and socket sets are easily reused. Save these for another project if they are in good condition.

What you need

Step 1

              Unplug the lamp
  • Before disassembling on the lamp, it MUST be unplugged!

Before disassembling on the lamp, it MUST be unplugged!

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Step 2

              Remove the lightbulb
  • If the bulb is worth keeping, this can be reused.
  • If your lamp has a lightbulb installed, remove it first.

If the bulb is worth keeping, this can be reused.

If your lamp has a lightbulb installed, remove it first.

Step 3

              Remove the socket components
  • Most lamps will be similar, but be prepared for variations.
  • Remove the switch handle. Removal is not always required, but can limit disassembly complications.
  • Remove the socket cover. Once removed, pull the socket out of the assembly.

Most lamps will be similar, but be prepared for variations.

Remove the switch handle. Removal is not always required, but can limit disassembly complications.

Remove the socket cover. Once removed, pull the socket out of the assembly.

Step 4

              Remove the bulb socket
  • Press-in sockets are not easily reusable.
  • After removing the plastic cover and switch, remove the bulb socket. You will need different tools for screw and push wire sockets.
  • Discard any broken or unwanted components.

Press-in sockets are not easily reusable.

After removing the plastic cover and switch, remove the bulb socket. You will need different tools for screw and push wire sockets.

Discard any broken or unwanted components.

Step 5

              Remove the cord
  • The cord can be reused if it is in good shape.
  • After removing the bulb socket, remove the power cord.

The cord can be reused if it is in good shape.

After removing the bulb socket, remove the power cord.

Step 6

              Test the lamp and make any needed modifications
  • After gutting the lamp, test fit the new light to find a stable place and make additional modification as needed. What you do beyond this step (Ex: Custom alternations) is up to you.

After gutting the lamp, test fit the new light to find a stable place and make additional modification as needed. What you do beyond this step (Ex: Custom alternations) is up to you.

Cancel: I did not complete this guide.

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