Searching for 5" gallery shade carriers

[michael]

Dose any body know where I can find some 5” diameter 3 screw gallery light shade carriers?
I have a set of ten plain white opaque glass lamp shades, part of the original light fittings from my 19th century home which was once a Baptist chapel and Sunday school. Unfortunately they are missing their gallery shade carriers.
Each shade is 1ft in diameter at the base by approximately 5”high. The upper part of the shade which accommodates the gallery is about 125mm diameter (4 7/8”) recessing to about 4” to accommodate the screws.
I’ve looked on various websites including http://www.lampsandlights.co.uk/galleries.htm but the maximum diameter appears to be around 4 ¼”
I’ve also looked on some of the “dot com” websites and there are 5” gallery carriers to be had but I don’t fancy having to order them from the USA.

Any leads appreciated.

 

[michael]

No joy on this topic it would seem ?

Here’ an example of gallery shade carriers that I found on an American website
http://www.grandbrass.com/holders.cfm but I’ll be dammed if I can find anything similar in the UK where the maximum size appears to be 4 ¼” diameter.

Why are the Yanks so good at antique light fittings. I had the same problem last year when I was trying to find reproduction oil wall lights. Nearly all of the most convincing designs were on American websites.

 

[DaveBrigg]

Not a lack of interest on my part, just ignorance. Thanks for the link; I know what to keep an eye open for now

 

[Penners]

Michael - if you have no luck at all in the UK, couldn't you get that American company to sell you some? If you pay with a credit card then currency exchange shouldn't be a problem.

I'm sure they'd charge you for packing and despatch, but if it's the only solution...

 

[Penners]

PS: I presume you've scoured all your local architectural reclamation yards?

Or - if you can wait until June - trot along to the Salvo Fair in Stevenage. http://directory.periodproperty.co.uk/event/salvo_fair_2009.html

 

[michael]

Unlikely to find them in salvage. I need a set of ten. I may have to go to that American company or alternatively, I have some old sheet copper left over from when I had a roof valley redone. I was just wondering what I might be able to produce with a pair of snips and a soldering iron?

 

[Flyfisher]

I think requiring a set of 10 would make it worthwhile to buy the ones on the US website. I've bought a fair few things from the US online and it's just as easy as buying UK online, and often slightly cheaper - even with the currently poor strength of the pound.

As for wondering what you could produce with some sheet copper, a pair of snips and a soldering iron - only you know your skills with such things. But I know if it was my choice I'd be getting out my credit card and logging onto that US website. :lol:

 

[Penners]

Me too.

Have you worked with sheet copper before? It's very soft and bendy - might not have the strength that you need.

 

[chuckey]

If you are handy with tools, I would investigate the possibility of making them yourself. For instance I was wandering around some "cheapo" shop in Catterick Garrison and noticed various sets of kitchenware which could form the basis of what you want. One was a set of 3 glass containers that had a push-on lid (£1.50) or a biscuit tin with a domed lid and domed base (£1.0).
So what next?, the big hole will need cutting in them (chain drilling and a bit of filing), then a strip of ali 3mm thick by 12mm wide bending and cutting so it springs into the inside recess with its ends almost touching. The screw holes then need marking out and drilling the holes in the outer "cap" should be a bit bigger then the screw thread and the hole in the ali should be the exact size for the screw - you might have to buy a drill for this hole. Then a thread cutting tool, called a "tap" and a holder for it will need to be begged borowed or bought. You will want a "taper tap", cos' this allows you to start the thread easily. Bash on and cut the threads (a few practises in a scrap piece of ali would be a good idea) using WD-40 as a cutting lubricant. As for the thread, too big a screw will result in less threads in the ali, too small a screw will result in a very fine thread which is harder to cut and the screws will be weak. I would go for M4 (metric thread 4mm diameter) or 4 BA or 2 BA. BSW and BSW are too coarse for this application.
Frank