Looking for help with Light Fixture

[hammlm]

As most of you likely are, I’m the fix-it guy around the house. I am generally successful at my endeavors.

I have a light fixture that has me stumped. It’s a lighted makeup mirror on a boom arm with an articulating head.

I’ve determined that there is a problem with one of the conductors at or near one of the arm joints. I can not figure out how to disassemble the joints in order to pull / put new wire in.

Any ideas? Pics below. Thanks!

 

[ghnl]

LH threads?

 

[hammlm]

It seems as if the knurled end caps can rotate together by hand. If I (carefully) use pliers I can rotate them in opposite directions (in either direction) but it takes an assload of force and I can’t really pull them apart simultaneously.

TLDR: I think, but am not sure, that they are not threaded.

Edit /update. Only one of the joints can I spin the knurled knobs opposite—-the other two joints seem to be fixed and rotate together.

I’m getting aggravated...

 

[Platonic Solid]

Might be possible to use existing lamp wire to pull new lamp wire through. Unfortunately if that doesn't work you will have no lamp wire.

 

[CJ7VFR]

Can you post pictures showing what the face of the knurled parts look like?

Also, if you turn the knurled parts (the ones you have shown in your picture) in opposite directions, does the joint get looser so you can adjust it and then turn them back to tighten the joint keep it where you want it positioned?

Jim

 

[hammlm]

Can you post pictures showing what the face of the knurled parts look like?

Also, if you turn the knurled parts (the ones you have shown in your picture) in opposite directions, does the joint get looser so you can adjust it and then turn them back to tighten the joint keep it where you want it positioned?

Jim

I will try to post the picture you request. It's a smooth face.

No -- they don't seem to make the joint looser. The joint is fairly loose and stays that was regardless of how I twist the knurled parts. and, only one of them allows me to spin the knurled "caps" in opposite direction.

I was so frustrated last night, I gave up. I might have imagined that I could spin one set opposite directions.

The joints are loose but when it's hung, the weight of the mirror leans downward and provides "weight" so the joints are not "flopping around" when in use.

I'll post pics tonight or tomorrow.

THANKS!

 

[CJ7VFR]

Do the brass tubes connecting to the joints screw into each part of the joint?

Jim

 

[CJ7VFR]

...The joints are loose but when it's hung, the weight of the mirror leans downward and provides "weight" so the joints are not "flopping around" when in use.

I'll post pics tonight or tomorrow.

THANKS!

I Googled lighted lamps like yours, and I see that when they are mounted to the wall the joints are there so you can pull the mirror out from the wall. I thought maybe they also moved up and down too.

Not being able to tighten or loosen the knurled parts would explain why the center joint didn't really do anything when/if you turn them.

Maybe the tubes going into the joints can be removed. See if they unscrew if you haven't tried that already.

Other than that, I think the advice of attaching a new cord to one end of the existing cord, and then pulling the new cord thru using the old to pull on might be the only way to get new wire for the light.

Jim

 

[hammlm]

Thanks for the suggestions! I never thought about the tubes threading into the fitting. I will give that a shot.

The problem with just pulling the wires in (aside from the obvious that they make 3 90* turns around some sort of "axle" in each joint), is that i can't access the inside of the light itself. I think it was all wired up, then the mirror installed and then a brass rim was crimped around the light fixture shell. Hence the total Pain in the **** factor.

Lamps are usually an easy fix for me. I can't remember the last time I was as pissed as last night.

Thank you all so much for the ideas. I'm hoping someone comes along and sees this who used to work at the factory and can say something like, tap it with a magnetized robertson driver three times on the second joint, while applying pressure to the switch.

yeah right.....

Seriously, thanks. I'll let you know.

 

[Platonic Solid]

Guess #1: The elbow itself cannot be disassembled.
Guess #2: Maybe the knurled ends are snap-fit into place. Thus you may be able to pry or pull them out.

 

[PassnThru]

I have never tried this before so......
The knurles are there for a reason - I do not think they are decorative. So they must play a major part in assembly. You mentioned that the joint has play in it. I would drive a wedge - either a wood shim or a cloth wrapped flat head screwdriver - into the space between the barrels and attack the knurles again.