1950's Herbert Terry Anglepoise resto

[jamesd1972]

So in the course of picking up a pillar drill I managed to get a rough but complete Herbert Terry Anglepoise light. They are nice things but this needed a rewire and major clean-up.
Plan was to do a 'patina' rebuild so no re-painting etc. so jnr. urchin could use it for art.

[jamesd1972]

Pictures as arrived with dodgy earth 100w ‘burn you’ bulb and lots of dirt

[jamesd1972]

Some detail - dodgy earth

l
Nice original bakelite  fitting

[jamesd1972]

So strip down for clean up and start looking at what bits needed. Urchin helper who likes his art.

[jamesd1972]

Found these people
artdecolightingcompany.co.uk/collections/herbert-terry-anglepoise-restoration-spare-parts

Who answered the phone and gave advise so placed an order for the bits and got on with polishing up.

[jamesd1972]

[jamesd1972]

So after spending more on fancy cable and switches etc. than paid for the light 'twas time to re-build.

[jamesd1972]

[melle]

Nice project! How are the springs? I had to shorten the ones on my Anglepoise considerably to make them functional again. Mine has a bakelite fitting with an integrated switch that had fallen apart. I've glued it back together because I couldn't find a good alternative, but the switch unfortunately no longer works. I see why they left the wire dangling on the previous rewire on yours, getting it through the tube is a pig. The original wire is twisted cloth covered stuff, I think you can find it on eBay. Why would you need the earth? The fitting should be isolated from the metal.

[jamesd1972]

So the parts ordered included non-shrink sleeving, cable, a new correct solder on earth connector, a special spring steel piece to hold the top of the light firm so it holds its rotated position and a fancy switch.
Aim was to get back to full original look but keeping evidence of the life as an engineers lamp.

[jamesd1972]

Jan 25, 2019 18:45:06 GMT melle said:

Nice project! How are the springs? I had to shorten the ones on my Anglepoise considerably to make them functional again. Mine has a bakelite fitting with an integrated switch that had fallen apart. I've glued it back together because I couldn't find a good alternative, but the switch unfortunately no longer works. I see why they left the wire dangling on the previous rewire on yours, getting it through the tube is a pig. The original wire is twisted cloth covered stuff, I think you can find it on eBay. Why would you need the earth? The fitting should be isolated from the metal.

Springs are really good. Needs an earth as it looks right (I know being weird) and its not double insulated. Got some modern braided cable which looks good but was indeed a pig to get up through the holes without damage. Was advised that fitting grommets was a must. 
Ref spring tension apparently they are very fussy about weight and balance so heavy bulbs and fittings can throw them right out. Ended up with a filament LED bulb to look right and weigh less than a cheap LED one.
James

[jamesd1972]

So used the non shrink sleeving from the parts bought but also a bit of shrink at the top of the arms to protect / tidy the cable there and for strength where the 3 core becomes earth and two core. Pretty happy with how most of this came out.
James

[Deleted]

Nice little project, hope junior had a hand in it.

[jamesd1972]

Jan 25, 2019 19:39:17 GMT @elkyholic said:

Nice little project, hope junior had a hand in it.

Junior and senior urchins helped. Senior urchin was instrumental in having no shame and asking if he could have it when we collected the pillar drill !
Very happy with how its turned out, but have made a rod for my own back as Dad wants his re-wired now !
James

[jamesd1972]

[grizz]

Just lovely.

[Sweetpea]

Rather good that.
I like the period wire. Maybe I should swap the wires on the pendants in my house?

[jamesd1972]

Lots of different colours available, went with gray as a little bit of a modern twist on it and thought it would show less dirt than the white that was the second choice.
Dad’s will be in a more trad old bronze colour.
James

[jamesd1972]

So last bit was to add some felt to the bottom. Tried to be all clever and mark out to get the hole in the right place on the base. Didn’t quite work - it’s hard to drop a lumpy base in the right spot with a light bashing you in the ear. Worked out OK ish (it’s on the bottom and doing the job of not scratching stuff) but next time I would stick the felt to the base with no hole and do this before fitting the arms back on.
Anyway ‘tis done and works well.
James

[bmcnut]

Thats come out really smart. Sometimes its so easy to over-restore something and loose its oldness, the period wire its a really nice touch. Id imagine it was quite a satisfying rebuild, and now its nice and practical.