Repairing broken brass trim on vintage lamp

[mattl]

I'm a bit mad at myself.  Went out a second floor window onto a roof to put up some Christmas lights and hooked my foot on the cord to a vintage marble lamp with some brass trim pieces.   This was the first lamp my mother bought in 1940.  I'm wondering what the best way to repair the brass is.  I'm leaning toward epoxy.  One piece holds the center marble piece up and the second supports the square base on the table.  All the pieces are there, so that helps.

 

Btw it was the first lamp I rewired when I was 8 years old.  Had the old cloth cord that was badly worn.

 

[rp2813]

Without a picture of the broken components, it's hard to advise, but my first thought is JB Weld, presuming there's a side of the brass piece that won't be visible.

 

I'm not a metallurgist but wonder if the trick I used to repair my GE roaster's broken nichrome heating element would work.  That involves a blow torch, borax paste, and brass jewelry wire.

 

[mattl]

I'd guess the best description would be "filigree", do not think JB would be doable.  Will get some pictures at  some point but holiday prep is in full swing.

 

[sfh074]

Perhaps .....



Start at the 5 min mark to jump to the chase.

I've soldered brass before with good success. The trick ingredient is flux. Don't waste your time without flux.

 

[lowefficiency]

Soldering would seem to be a stronger and more permanent repair, but for decorative bits, I wonder if glue would be better?

With soldering, both the solder and the necessary cleaning would highlight the repair. If the brass has any tarnishing from age, a thin line of clear glue or adhesive might make for a less noticeable join...

 

[circlew]

Sorry to hear about your lamp being damaged. I question whether the broken parts are solid brass, or if they are actually pot metal with a brass finish. I have an old lamp that a metal piece broke off of (knocked it over), and discovered it was just a brass finish over pot metal, which is somewhat brittle. I thought about having a new piece cast (2 other matching parts on it), but doing so was rather expensive, so left it as is.

 

[mattl]

I think you got it, pot metal with bass finish/paint.  How to repair that metal?