Comments for Current Work - Matthew Higgins

Comment on Restore: Anglepoise Lamp by mattshiggins

mattshiggins — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 11:25:49 +0000

Sorry for the delay in replying, as a student I’m in the same position as you, have you got any photos of the Anglepoise? I can have a look and see what the best way to do it would be, Obviously if there is any damage it will cost a bit more. Restored Anglepoise tend to to go for very high prices, but you can get one in fairly good condition for a decent price if you keep checking.

Comment on Restore: Anglepoise Lamp by Sarah

Sarah — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 00:03:15 +0000

Hi there,
I was wondering if it would be possible to provide one-to-one training on anglepoise restoration? I’m a student and I recently purchased a vintage Anglepoise Type75 for a bargain on eBay, however I did not expect the restoration quote to cost that much. Am going to attempt in restoring it myself to bring the costs down. any help and advise would be appreciated?

Comment on Restore: Anglepoise Lamp by mattshiggins

mattshiggins — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 13:30:46 +0000

When I did this one I found the old grommets were very brittle so I decided to bin them. I’ve seen quite a few people commenting on their troubles, you have to be very careful with which wire you choose. This one was a three-core twisted wire, but the earth stops before the first hole, connected near the springs, so only two wires pass through.
The best way seems to feed it through everything, so the grommets are loose, then push them in with the small screw driver.

Have you tried respraying yet?

Comment on Restore: Anglepoise Lamp by chris

chris — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 13:13:39 +0000

Don’t know about you, but I found the grommets a pigs ear, can’t get the wire through when they are in place & can’t get them in place when the wire is already through!

Comment on Restore: Anglepoise Lamp by mattshiggins

mattshiggins — Thu, 15 Dec 2011 19:42:00 +0000

Hello, thanks for the comment, this is the advise I have given previously. I haven’t yet had a chance to respray an Anglepoise, but this is my knowledge of spraying metals in the past. Obviously choose your colour carefully, particularly if you are trying to be sympathetic to the Anglepoise tradition. I would always choose a paint that is as close to the original as possible, saying that now is the chance to create a unique lamp.

Usually you would use normal paint stripper to remove the first coat of paint, then a mixture of fine wire wool and wet/dry paper until you get to the bare metal. The metal needs to be wiped down with white sprit to remove any grease, at this stage its a good idea to wear gloves so you don’t touch it as it will effect the paint.
You can either spray (my preferred choice) it or brush the paint on, if spraying I would use a standard grey base coat primer (found at any Car shop i.e. Halfords) follow instructions on the can, then spray with the colour of your choice. You can also use a clear lacquer at this stage, you would need to do some more research on this.
Brushing on is a touch easier, but may not get a truly flat coat. Look for metal paints in B&Q etc. Hammerite is quite expensive but works well. In both cases hand the lamp with string so it stands freely to dry.

Anglepoise lamps can be fully disassembled with relative ease, so you can avoid painting bits you don’t want doing such as the springs.

Obviously try it on a small area before you start the main part, just in case.

Hope this helps, if you have any more questions post another comment and please let me know how you get on.

Matts

Comment on Restore: Anglepoise Lamp by chris

chris — Mon, 12 Dec 2011 18:15:45 +0000

Hi Matt,
I’ve have a black anglepoise 1227, was just going to rewire like you have done; but my paint work is a lot worse than your’s with large patches missing.

In your research did you find out the best way to respray?

Thanks

Chris

Comment on Summer Projects: Final Type Draw Table by lestaret

lestaret — Thu, 13 Oct 2011 19:31:56 +0000

Hi Matt – I made one of these about 10 years ago – not quite as elegant as yours though! It is still in use too – I had a piece of glass cut and a couple of screw holes put in. Each year the kids select something small to put in. It is very full now, and full of little memories…

Comment on Summer Projects: Final Type Draw Table by Dad

Dad — Sun, 09 Oct 2011 09:46:02 +0000

Top drawer, Matts!

Comment on I Have a Letterpress! by steve

steve — Wed, 17 Aug 2011 12:48:30 +0000

Thanks Matthew,
I am so pleased to find such an appreciative home for the printer.
I have a chase which fits!
Nice blog.
Best wishes,
Steve

Comment on Summer Projects: This Is One Way To Spend a Day… by Design Aumentado

Design Aumentado — Tue, 09 Aug 2011 20:52:33 +0000

this is design.

great ideas.