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    Everything You Need to Rewire a Vintage Lantern

    By | Work + Money – Wed, Aug 3, 2011 6:26 PM EDT

    We've spotted lots of period and vintage pendant lights at secondhand stores lately, and we're digging them for a couple of reasons: (1) They're often inexpensive, and (2) they're a snap to fix. This one, from the early 1940s, would look perfect in a small entry hall or over a modest-sized dining table. The glass shade is in good shape, so all it took to get it ready to hang from a standard electrical box was a new socket assembly and some basic rewiring. Practically every piece of an old fixture can be rebuilt on the cheap, so if you stumble across one you like, grab it. Here's the gear you'll need to get it working again.-Sal Vaglica

    For step-by-step instructions check out How to Rewire and Hang an Old Light Fixture

    MORE: Beautiful Outdoor Lanterns

    1. Wire Strippers

    This pair has a snap-in voltage detector for testing the wires before you work. About $20; Circuit Alert


    MORE: How to Swap in a Vintage Light






    2. Needlenosed Pliers

    For crimping the wires together. About $25; Klein Tools


    MORE: Inside an Electrical Outlet







    3. Screwdriver

    Get one with a rubber or insulated handle to protect against shock. About $20 for tool and 11-bit kit; Bondhus


    WATCH: How to Add Electrical Outlets






    4. Electrical Tape

    Wrap a layer around the wire nuts and the wires to make sure they won't loosen over time. About $2 at hardware stores

    MORE: How to Remove a Stuck Light Bulb







    5. Wire Nuts

    Oversized grips make these easier to twist on. About $5.50 for 10; Ideal Industries, Inc.


    MORE: How to Install Undercabinet Lighting






    6. 18-Gauge Wire

    Covered in rayon instead of PVC, this gives a fixture with exposed wiring a more finished look. From About $1 per foot; Restoration Lighting Gallery


    WATCH: How to Install a Pendant Light





    7. Socket and Insulator

    A new home for the bulb; the cardboard tube covers the socket to keep it cool to the touch. From About $3 at hardware stores

    See even more on this topic at thisoldhouse.com.







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