Please help me with this cast iron lamp!

I bought this lamp off ebay. Seller said it worked, I received it and the switch was broken and it doesn't work (hoping for at least some money back to cover repair costs).

But the question is, what type of switch is this, and is it easily obtainable? I'd really like to have this thing function.


Question 2: the rim on the top is split in two places. what's the best way to fix this? I have JB Weld steel epoxy. Is that suitable or should I look for metal putty or something?

Question 3: how do I preserve the paint/glaze do it does not continue to deteriorate? Will a spray clear coat, for example, help, or what else can I do?

Thanks so much for your help to a newbie.

 

I'd say that looks like a newer rocker switch though I can't see it.
I'd lose that cord first!

 

Do you actually have to lift it to turn it off and on?
Unless you are trying to restore it almost any simple switch will do.
~
If you are repainting then smoothed out thin JB, inside, may be fine but clean the area VERY well first.

 

Sent with a lousy swirly bulb IN it?????

 

I totally forgot to mention, the switch is one of those things that you push in to turn on.

 

Actually, after actually thinking about it, it's going to be a lot easier to just get one of those cords with inline switch. That push-in switch really doesn't matter, I realized.

 

Swirly bulb appropriated from the swirly bulb sanctuary in my garage

 

Too small a photo but it may be available at a good lamp shop or on line.
Search it the way it works.

 

Ew.
Will look nasty in that lamp. Sorry.

 

Then make sure you put a grommet in the hole.
A nicer cloth covered cord would be nice.

 

The switch is easy. You probably had a turn switch, but it is mounted the same as this.

Nut on each side to adjust how far it sticks out. 1 amp 125 volt rating should be fine.

The stress cracks in the collar could be patched with ample epoxy inside. It won't be real strong. It will likely develop more cracks.

 

He's going to use an inline switch.

 

Realized it's too much trouble (for my lazy butt) to replace the switch. So I'll just have a dummy switch with a real switch inline. More utilitarian too!

 

Here's just one similar one>

http://m.ebay.com/itm/J-201A-Sun-Li...sh-button-wire-lead-lamp-switch-/201968294897

 

Know nothing about wiring.

However, your lamp is not cast iron. Looks like pot metal, aka spelter.

I think the lamp shade is not original to the lamp, although it does look ok. Also, I think the shade is upside down. Looks like the grapes are growing up.

 

Switches like yours are available. The rotary switch, rather than the push button, seems to be easier to find and would work as well. Easy to replace. I wouldn't put an in-line switch in if you have to do some rewiring anyway.

You could preserve what is left of the paint with a clear coat once you have removed the rest that is flaking. Otherwise, you might try a repaint. I guess my question is why you would buy this in this condition in the first place? I don't know what you paid but think there is little value in this condition.

 

I don't know, it looked cool at the time. I paid about $80 which is probably way too much..

 

Ow!!!!!!

 

I'm fairly sure that white globe is newer and did not originate with the lamp. I got stuck with something like this, once, only it was my father who sold it to me. I grew up in the business and should have known better. He called me up and said he had a Victorian lamp for sale and described the beaded shade and a brass ship. Sounded good so I agreed to pay him $35. This was in 1977 so the money was equivalent to what you just paid now. When I got the lamp, it was one of those glass ones that was painted on the inside. Someone had just slopped some streaks of paint that were flaking off - not Victorian at all. The shade was rotting and most of the beaded fringe had fallen off. The finial was a 2 1/2" inch tall brass ship. When I called to complain, he said it was a lesson in not trusting anything without seeing it and researching it. Yes, I learned that lesson well!

 

Agree that the shade is not original to this lamp.