DaveC wrote:

A nice designer desk lamp uses those l.v. (12v) 2-pin halogen lamps. Each pin
contact in the socket consists of 2 C-shaped halves that are spring-loaded to
hold the pin.

Over time, these socket halves have pitted due to the extreme heat.
Connection is now intermittent. If I hold the bulb at an angle (usually twist
it in the socket a bit), the bulb goes full brightness. But left on its own,
it flickers and buzzes.

I removed the bulb and using a very small rat tail file, cleaned up the
contacts, but this was only a temporary fix.

This is a nice (and expensive) lamp that I'd like to keep. What are my
choices? I guess I could solder the lamp to the socket components now and
whenever the bulb gives out.


Soldering is probably not a good idea for many reasons.

You could look around for a (cheap) lamp that takes the same
bulb and swap the bulb-holder.

You may be able to build up the contacts again using
electroplating. With time, patience and mask resist this can
rebuild all sorts of irreplaceable items.

You could make up a couple of new connectors using a lathe
(or a bench drill, if pushed) - a brass bar drilled to allow
it to be crimped on to the wires and screw-fastened on to
the bulb pin is easy to make and vry effective.

You could use a different type of bulb - eg a small
automobile halogen type with long wire-ends. You can them
move the connection point to somewhere cooler and easier to
manage.


HTH

--
Sue