Jump to content
 
  • entries
    79
  • comments
    172
  • views
    41,176

Lamp Brackets - frustration finally sets in


Focalplane

352 views

As noted in my previous post the fret of lamp brackets is truly beyond my capabilities. A decent desk light from Maplins helped to prove this as I could actually see that it wasn't going to work out to my satisfaction. The lamp brackets on the Dean Goods require an L shaped piece of brass which is then bent twice, one on each limb, to create the required shape. The fitting is then glued with CA to the front of the buffer beam. Well, this is the theory. In practice I simply could not get it to work. So, sadly, I have given up. Lamp brackets are important add ons, though, so something will have to be done. Maybe, as noted in the last post, I can simply use some 0.7 or 0.5 mm wire. This will require drilling a hole for each bracket into the front of the buffer beam, then adding a simple 90º bent piece of wire. One bend instead of three should be simpler! And the one hole can always be filled in if it doesn't work. Enough for this evening, try again tomorrow!

  • Like 1

4 Comments


Recommended Comments

  • RMweb Gold

A good many years ago I made GWR lamp brackets, which require bends in different planes, by using the thinner gauge of florists wire beaten flat (carefully and consistently ;) ) so that each bend was made on a the original round part of the wire and then flattened.  The other advantage was that I could keep a 'tail' of round wire to insert in the hole drilled for mounting the lamp bracket.

 

MY eyes were much better then and my hands were a lot steadier so i don't know if I could repeat the method today but the results didn't look too bad and the soft iron wire seemed to be remarkably averse to damage once the hammering flat had work hardened it.

Link to comment

When the wire is flattened the material undergoes work hardening, and thus becomes brittle. It can we annealed by heating it to cherry red, and then allowed to cool naturally.

 

This will restore the material to the similar properties as it had before the flattering.

 

Julie

Link to comment

When the wire is flattened the material undergoes work hardening, and thus becomes brittle. It can we annealed by heating it to cherry red, and then allowed to cool naturally.

 

This will restore the material to the similar properties as it had before the flattering.

 

Julie

Yes, a good comment!  Having a gas stove helps!

 

Paul

Link to comment

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
×
×
  • Create New...