Re: [VAL] My ball joints are killing me

["Stan Truitt" <stan.truitt@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

hey glenn
had the same problem with mine. i tried to swage the socket with a copper
tube flare tool. very difficult to do because the balls are spring loaded.
it worked for just a few adjustments of the swivel and then let go. i
believe that the metal fatigues and will never hold the shape that you need.
what i did was to remove the swivel stems completely from the base and the
lamp shade. i then cut about 3 inches of standard brass lamp all thread
which i think is about 3/8" in diameter. i bought some thin wall brass
tubing which fit onto the outside of the all thread quite tightly,  cut
about 2-12" long and painted it with a nice aluminum paint (my lamps are
aluminum color). i installed the all thread covered by the tube in place of
the swivel arms with lamp nuts and they look great. only downfall is that
this arrangement does not allow for swiveling. more of a fixed spot light.
looks and works just fine while waiting to come across some originals
replacements.  photos if you wish

regards

harry truitt
66 safari