Vintage Bathroom Light Fixture -- How Do I Install It?

[askolover]

What about LED bulbs?  some of them can be used on a dimmer.  My hallway light has them and is on a dimmer and they work well for my taste.  I bought the retro looking LED bulbs at Lowes for that light fixture since it is clear and the bulbs are visible.

 

[yogitunes]

that's what I was trying to locate for you Ralph, or at least get a pic....

I think the square base would look best with that shade.....

most likely you will have better luck finding one of these at an electrical parts source than at Lowes/Homodepot...

also a better resource for your mounting needs....

 

[rp2813]

Martin, I was thinking at first that a parts house might be where I end up. 

 

I'll buzz over to Lowe's anyway since they're right by me, and Duke indicated that they carry a base that will work.  Also, Orchard Supply Hardware tends to carry offbeat items that others don't, and they're not far from me either.  If neither store pans out, I'll be giving Electrical Distributors or a nearby lighting supply house a call.

 

[yogitunes]

yeah, this is going to be one of those things that the internet is of no help to you.....

I been through ever site I could think of trying to find that piece...even if it came with a shade.....no luck......

yeah, I know I seen those at Lowes, but nothing on their website....but then again, all depends on what they call it....

shop around, but best to take the whole unit with you in person, most places will know exactly what your looking for...or at least offer options....

I have one similar to your light, just a plain white shade, but wider....it has two stubs to hold it, and take 4 bulbs...basically a double of your unit......mine also has a switch on the side...

good luck, and keep us posted....

 

[rp2813]

Just got back from chasing around for a replacement base.  Closest I came was an entire fixture at HD for $21, with the white base pictured above.  Even the lighting supply place that usually has everything was a bust.

 

So I've already drilled a larger hole into the canopy that will accommodate a barrel thread piece and am currently letting paint stripper work its magic.

 

The only thing I might have to buy is a mounting bar.  The ones I've found in my stash so far are all two-piece swivel types and I only need a plain one with a barrel thread in the middle.

 

More as things progress.

 

[duke]

Try this and break them in half,Then use your bolt with a nut on each side of whichever piece lines up the best.

 

[travis]

I am glad it's working out for you.

 

[rp2813]

DONE!

Well, I had to hit OSH for a new "lock-up kit" aka decorative fastener for the shade, so picked up a single mounting bar and a short barrel bolt to mount the canopy.

 

I used two 60W GE "Reveal" bulbs that I already had.   This bathroom gets minimal use.  The LED bulbs I have aren't dimmable.

 

Here are pix of today's events (scratches on the canopy aren't as bad as the flash makes them appear):

 

 

[duke]

Proud for you.You were right about the chrome so why did you sand it after the paint was stripped? Looks awesome,Rare

 

[rp2813]

I didn't sand it.  I used chrome polish with a soft cloth.  Somebody in the past must have used steel wool or a scrubber of some kind on it.  No big deal.  You don't see any of it once the shade is on.

 

[duke]

Good work

 

[rp2813]

You Can Be Sure

I failed to mention that all of the parts I bought were Westinghouse brand.

 

[duke]

George Westinghouse died in the early 1900s .A major investor/purchaser and wheeler dealer of electrical inventions.Why would he be of importance in your project?

 

[rp2813]

HE isn't.  I was just giving a nod to an appliance manufacturer that for decades turned out quality products. 

 

I have two Westinghouse ceiling fans that I bought several years ago.  Of course they were made in China, just like the parts I bought today, but it's nice to see the brand and the underscored W logo hasn't disappeared entirely, even if it doesn't represent even a particle of the original company.  That's all.

 

[mattl]

Looks very good.  I really like the glass, it's quite unique.  Good job!

 

[rp2813]

Another Shade

I just saw this one on ebay.  It appears to have the same finish that catches light from different directions.  

 

I like the geometric pattern better, but not for $120!

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www.ebay.com

 

[yogitunes]

pay no attention Ralph, the rest of us Appliance enthusiast get it...

you did good, you didn't have much of a deep box to work with, that was a challenge alone...

if I ever come across longer ones, I might switch mine out as well....

nice design on both of those shades......

congrats on another job well done....

 

[panthera]

Ralph,

I think this looks beautiful. Great job. Congrats!

 

[circlew]

Ralph, that turned out really nice. I like that shade.

I'm surprised they used a "pancake" box in the original construction of your home; is it in a masonry wall?

I did find a mounting crossbar that may have been the original type used for this fixture. See link below.

I bought a similar style glass shade at a school that was being renovated, but it slips down into a bracket on the fixture. Didn't get the fixture, as I would have had to go back a couple days later after power was disconnected to that part of the building, and I had something else to do that day.

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www.mylampparts.com

 

[rp2813]

Tom, you're exactly right about the "pancake" box.  This half bath occupies a gable that has stuccoed exterior on three sides. 

 

Good try with the mounting bar, but the original hole in the fixture was only the diameter of a standard electrical mounting screw.  1/4" would have been too large.

 

I've turned the shade upside down since I took the pictures above.  It seemed too much like granny's fancy draperies the other way.  Now it has a more non-descript/less feminine design IMO.