We did 3 old lamps and didn't use any lamp kits. I got the wire we needed by the yard and a continuity detector and plugs. We tied the new wires to the old wires as it is easier to pull them through. We were doing lamps that have the mogul bulb at the top and then 3 arms with a light at each arm. DH just followed exactly what was there but used the new wire. Placed the wire nuts and taped. It is completely safe. c

If you are uncomfortable re-wiring the lamps, an electrician can do it.

There are several sites online that show you how to rewire a lamp. It should be safe. If it's not done correctly it should just throw a breaker.
Here is one DIY

Here is a link that might be useful: This Old houshow to re-wire a lamp

Re wiring a lamp is very safe. There is a plug at one end and a bulb in a socket at the other.
If you don't keep your wires neat and one end sticks out and touches a metal lamp part....it will go ZZZST!! and blow a fuse. that's why we have fuses in our houses.
A simple lamp is not like a microwave or a TV set. Go for it!

Thanks all. I guess I just needed reassurance. :)

Thanks for the link, too!

I took the vintage lamps we recently acquired to my local Ace Hardware. They do the rewiring there, so maybe check at your local store.

I *know* DH would be totally paranoid if I did the rewiring.

I once taught my son's fourth grade class how to make and wire lamps (it was that or back cookies-and I don't cook!).
If the 10 year olds did it, you can, too! By the way, he's living out in California now and still has the lamp next to his bed, 17 yrs later, still fine.

If you don't want to do it yourself - and ever come to Knoxville - there is a GREAT lamp shop there. Calloways.

tina

We used to have a great shop.

Ace Hardware...interesting. I'll give it a try. Thanks!

I did it myself and i couldn't even believe how easy it was! I had two lamps that were my mother's and I waited years for DH to rewire them. I bought two kits (inexpensive, too!) and did the darned things myself. It was so easy I started looking at any other lamps I could rewire and ended up rewiring my antique floor lamp! Try it. It's very empowering!

NHB, thanks for posting because I need to do the same thing. I'm not totally confident in doing it myself, but looks like it can be done. I'm curious as to what you have to remove on the bottom of your lamp to remove the cord? That already has me hung up.

Some lamps have a velvet fabric to protect from scratches.
Once you pull that off, you'll see the nut that keeps the whole thing together. It depends on the lamps. I'd try to take off the socket first. Sometimes you can just disconnect that and the whole wire will pull out. Thread a new wire, add new socket, bingo. You're pretty much done. BTW, it was BAKE cookies, not back cookies (for the record, I hate snickerdoodles!)

NOT "completely safe". If you wire the hot to the socket sleeve you can kill yourself.

The link below describes how mis-wiring can create the potential for a VERY DANGEROUS SHOCK.

Here is a link that might be useful: Wire a plug to maintain correct polarity

don't pull out the old wire till you fasten the new one to it...use it as a guide wire. Otherwise you will be sorry...it is a PIA to try and thread the flex wire through the nooks and crannies. If you look at ALL the old wiring and note the colors and where they are wired...make a diagram on a piece of paper and use a continuity detector you will be fine.

Gee, I hope the original poster saw this.