Mild rant: 3-way lamp sockets are junk
 

Recently replaced the light bulb socket on a lamp and the socket has
started to go bad only after 6 months. Any one know of a Web source of
high quality lamp parts?

I was suckered in again by Leviton electric products. Leviton brand is
just cheap, cheap, cheap! Useless junk that don't last. Only thing
worse (very cheaply made and don't last) than Leviton's lamp products is
Leviton's eclectic wall duplex outlets, you know the 49 cent junk.

As you know, inside the socket there is the center contact, a spring leaf
second contact, and the outer shell for the neutral (white wire)
electrical connection. What normally happens is the 2nd connector looses
its spring over time and makes a weak connection with the 3-way light
bulb; corrosion results. (but everyone knows this already.)

But Leviton's products start to fail almost before I get my tools back in
the tool box in the basement. Everywhere I go, BORG, Hardware, Lamp
store, they all *only* carry the same cheaply made Leviton. I seem to
remember a 20 years ago, another brand of 3-way lamp sockets that were a
bit more expensive but lasted a lot longer since the maker used better
metal (spring leaf had more "spring" life.)

Again, anyone know of a Web source for a good quality lamp parts so a 3-
way lamp socket will last more than a couple of years? I found a few
hits from Google, but as I don't know them as vendors, I would like a
recommendation as to vendor and product maker.

Thanks to all who reply.

Phil

Mild rant: 3-way lamp sockets are junk
 

Many manufacturers make "consumer grade" products (cheap junk), but also
make "commercial grade", "industrial grade", "hospital grade", or "military
specification" products which high quality and are built to last. They also
can cost 5 times more! These products would not be sold at a consumer retail
store.

I know Leviton makes these other grade products with plugs and outlets
(excellent quality), but I don't know if a 3-way light socket would be a
commercial/hospital/military product or just a consumer product?

Might want to call them and ask if they have a higher grade product you can
order... 877-389-0000

Web site...
http://www.levitonproducts.com/help/...66C&p id=1208



"Phil Again" wrote in message
Recently replaced the light bulb socket on a lamp and the socket has
started to go bad only after 6 months. Any one know of a Web source of
high quality lamp parts?

I was suckered in again by Leviton electric products. Leviton brand is
just cheap, cheap, cheap! Useless junk that don't last. Only thing
worse (very cheaply made and don't last) than Leviton's lamp products is
Leviton's eclectic wall duplex outlets, you know the 49 cent junk.

As you know, inside the socket there is the center contact, a spring leaf
second contact, and the outer shell for the neutral (white wire)
electrical connection. What normally happens is the 2nd connector looses
its spring over time and makes a weak connection with the 3-way light
bulb; corrosion results. (but everyone knows this already.)

But Leviton's products start to fail almost before I get my tools back in
the tool box in the basement. Everywhere I go, BORG, Hardware, Lamp
store, they all *only* carry the same cheaply made Leviton. I seem to
remember a 20 years ago, another brand of 3-way lamp sockets that were a
bit more expensive but lasted a lot longer since the maker used better
metal (spring leaf had more "spring" life.)

Again, anyone know of a Web source for a good quality lamp parts so a 3-
way lamp socket will last more than a couple of years? I found a few
hits from Google, but as I don't know them as vendors, I would like a
recommendation as to vendor and product maker.

Thanks to all who reply.

Phil

Mild rant: 3-way lamp sockets are junk
 

Phil Again wrote:
Recently replaced the light bulb socket on a lamp and the socket has
started to go bad only after 6 months. Any one know of a Web source of
high quality lamp parts?
....

Why web? For something that small and presumably you're not needing
case lots, just go to your local electrical supply if not happy w/ the
stock at the borg's.

--

Mild rant: 3-way lamp sockets are junk
 

"Phil Again" wrote in message
m...
Recently replaced the light bulb socket on a lamp and the socket has
started to go bad only after 6 months. Any one know of a Web source of
high quality lamp parts?

I was suckered in again by Leviton electric products. Leviton brand is
just cheap, cheap, cheap! Useless junk that don't last. Only thing
worse (very cheaply made and don't last) than Leviton's lamp products is
Leviton's eclectic wall duplex outlets, you know the 49 cent junk.

As you know, inside the socket there is the center contact, a spring leaf
second contact, and the outer shell for the neutral (white wire)
electrical connection. What normally happens is the 2nd connector looses
its spring over time and makes a weak connection with the 3-way light
bulb; corrosion results. (but everyone knows this already.)

But Leviton's products start to fail almost before I get my tools back in
the tool box in the basement. Everywhere I go, BORG, Hardware, Lamp
store, they all *only* carry the same cheaply made Leviton. I seem to
remember a 20 years ago, another brand of 3-way lamp sockets that were a
bit more expensive but lasted a lot longer since the maker used better
metal (spring leaf had more "spring" life.)

Again, anyone know of a Web source for a good quality lamp parts so a 3-
way lamp socket will last more than a couple of years? I found a few
hits from Google, but as I don't know them as vendors, I would like a
recommendation as to vendor and product maker.

Thanks to all who reply.

Phil

Check out Grand Brass Lamp Parts ( www.grandbrass.com ). For a start,
instead of a snap-together lamp socket, they use a threaded design -- keeps
the socket from coming apart. Cost is about $5.00 They sell on line.

Part of the 3-way connection problem is with the lamp, of course. Check the
lamp when you install it for smoothness of the 3rd. (rim) contact. If
there's a solder blob or rough weld, smooth it down so the metal tab in the
socket has more contact area.

Note: I've not had personal experience with the Grand Brass products, but I
do know that they are well respected in the high-end segment of the
residential lighting industry.

TKM

Mild rant: 3-way lamp sockets are junk
 

On 2/5/2009 4:07 AM Phil Again spake thus:

Recently replaced the light bulb socket on a lamp and the socket has
started to go bad only after 6 months. Any one know of a Web source of
high quality lamp parts?

I was suckered in again by Leviton electric products. Leviton brand is
just cheap, cheap, cheap! Useless junk that don't last. Only thing
worse (very cheaply made and don't last) than Leviton's lamp products is
Leviton's eclectic wall duplex outlets, you know the 49 cent junk.

Slight correction: present-day Leviton products are junk.

Surprise, surprise. Most stuff made today is crap.

But older Leviton sockets are well made. I have a lamp sitting on my
desk that belonged to my parents that I got when my mom died; I remember
it in our house from almost 50 years ago. Has a 3-way Leviton socket,
and it still works fine.


--
Personally, I like Vista, but I probably won't use it. I like it
because it generates considerable business for me in consulting and
upgrades. As long as there is hardware and software out there that
doesn't work, I stay in business. Incidentally, my company motto is
"If this stuff worked, you wouldn't need me".

- lifted from sci.electronics.repair

Mild rant: 3-way lamp sockets are junk
 

On Thu, 05 Feb 2009 16:47:35 -0800, BobK207 wrote:

Phil

Check out Grand Brass Lamp Parts (www.grandbrass.com). Â*For a start,
instead of a snap-together lamp socket, they use a threaded design

TKM

Phil-

TKM's suggestion of www.grandbrass.com

I have purchased an assortment of light & lamp repair parts from them. I
was very pleased with their service & the qulaity of their parts.

I would use them again.

cheers
Bob

TKM & Bob:

Thanks for the link to Grand Brass.

Mild rant: 3-way lamp sockets are junk
 

On Thu, 05 Feb 2009 09:37:58 -0600, dpb wrote:

Why web? For something that small and presumably you're not needing
case lots, just go to your local electrical supply if not happy w/ the
stock at the borg's.

This is why I was searching for a Web sto

One major point in Web e-commerce is small business can find a market
amongst a much larger Internet population than any single brick and
mortar business which is limited to local customers. For example: there
are web stores that just sell black peppercorns and other spices from
India. Would such a store make enough profit to stay in business in your
neighborhood? I know they wouldn't near where I live. Amazon.com carries
way more different books than any of my local book stores, or my local
library for that matter.

Maybe 2 years ago, in search for an additional electrical circuit
breaker, one electrical supply house in my local area (suburban Detroit)
quite up front and in-your-face told me they focus on the professional
electricians only due to inventory reduction and staff adjustments (read:
go away.) The supply house where I did purchase the circuit breaker from
is now out of business while the other supply house who didn't want to
sell to me, is still open.

Trust me, the days of Mom & Pop small specialty stores are almost gone
forever. Bland one-size-fits-all BORGS and other mega stores have taken
over. A few places Mom & Pop specialty stores still exist, but many have
moved to the Internet.

Yes, shipping and handling drive the cost up, but I wasn't looking for
cheap, I was looking for quality and long life.

Mild rant: 3-way lamp sockets are junk
 

replying to TKM, jharris91 wrote:
www.grandbrass.com
I was looking at their site and much of what they sell is Leviton. Luckily
they do have other brands also. But it's hard to search because the price is
not there until you select an item. They seem to be well priced, however.

--
for full context, visit https://www.homeownershub.com/mainte...nk-357646-.htm

Mild rant: 3-way lamp sockets are junk
 

On Wednesday, February 15, 2017 at 1:14:06 PM UTC-6, jharris91 wrote:

replying to TKM, jharris91 wrote:
www.grandbrass.com
I was looking at their site and much of what they sell is Leviton. Luckily
they do have other brands also. But it's hard to search because the price is
not there until you select an item. They seem to be well priced, however.

--
for full context, visit https://www.homeownershub.com/mainte...nk-357646-.htm

Nine year old post you are replying to, ace.

Mild rant: 3-way lamp sockets are junk
 

replying to Phil Again, 68monza wrote:
my 3 way sockets keep going bad too. have replaced the socket 4 times in one
year. bought at Home Depot. Are the bulbs defective as to make the sockets go
bad?

--
for full context, visit https://www.homeownershub.com/mainte...nk-357646-.htm