The Ford Barn

JMFL36 · 03-07-2019, 05:34 PM

I'm rewiring my '34 and plan on reusing all the lamp sockets as they are in good shape. Which is a very good thing as the re-pops are junk. Does anyone know where I might find the little wire ends that anchor the lamp wire to their sockets? The old ones are crimped on (not soldered) so I can't reuse them. They need to be added after you feed the new wire thru the back of the socket, so as to seat at the bottom of the front of the socket when the bulb is installed. One way would be to join the new harness to the old pigtails I left when I clipped out the old harness. But I'd rather not splice the wires if I don't have to.

51 MERC-CT · 03-07-2019, 06:01 PM

Reused the ends many years ago by drilling straight thru the end with a suitable size drill.
Then solder and finish off contact surface.

fordwife · 03-07-2019, 06:03 PM

I have used pop rivets for this purpose. Just remove the center and crimp or solder it to the wire.

Bob C · 03-07-2019, 06:03 PM

I got some a few years ago from this place and they were the good ones like
you show but now it looks like they just have crappy ones.
https://www.repairconnector.com/prod...Connector.html

Found some good ones.

https://www.ronfrancis.com/prodinfo.asp?number=LC%2D8

Bob

TJ · 03-07-2019, 06:09 PM

I've used tubular small rivets from the hardware store(Ace) and soldered them on the wire. Some of the automotive parts stores sell socket rebuild kits which include the wires with contacts.

19Fordy · 03-07-2019, 06:34 PM

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

51Merc got it right.

Scotty's 52 F3 · 03-07-2019, 11:21 PM

I think Rhode Island Wiring has them.

34PKUP · 03-08-2019, 01:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fordwife

I have used pop rivets for this purpose. Just remove the center and crimp or solder it to the wire.

Quote:

Originally Posted by TJ

I've used tubular small rivets from the hardware store(Ace) and soldered them on the wire.

Never heard of using STEEL for contact points in any electrical circuit.

Ritzy1 · 03-08-2019, 04:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scotty's 52 F3

I think Rhode Island Wiring has them.

You are correct. Looks like you could source them from them: http://www.riwire.com/. Click on Supplies, then Washers, Buttons and Springs. Scroll down to find Small Brass Button.

Drbrown · 03-08-2019, 10:38 AM

I do what 51 Merc did. Sometimes I encounter tips that are crimped and sometimes not. One can drill all the way thru the tip as he said but I don't if there's enough of a gap/hole to solder the new wire in.

54vicky · 03-08-2019, 10:54 AM

51 is right I have done that for years looks like others have also.biggest problem I have is finding lead rosin core solder last few years.new stuff is crap in my opinion.the tip on R.I. is a good one also

TJ · 03-08-2019, 01:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 34PKUP

Never heard of using STEEL for contact points in any electrical circuit.

Not all tubular rivets are steel. You can get them in brass.

flatheadmurre · 03-08-2019, 01:08 PM

And there are copper pop rivets...
I use brass tubular rivets same supplier as the ones i use for brake lining.

JMFL36 · 03-12-2019, 09:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ritzy1

You are correct. Looks like you could source them from them: http://www.riwire.com/. Click on Supplies, then Washers, Buttons and Springs. Scroll down to find Small Brass Button.

Thanks Ritzy1. I ordered a bunch from RI Wire and soldered them in place. All is well.

03-07-2019, 06:01 PM	#2
51 MERC-CT Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: East Hartford, Ct Posts: 5,898	Re: Lamp socket wire ends Reused the ends many years ago by drilling straight thru the end with a suitable size drill. Then solder and finish off contact surface. __________________ DON'T RECALL DOING SOMETHING FOR MYSELF BASED ON SOMEONE ELSE'S LIKES OR DISLIKES

03-07-2019, 06:03 PM	#3
fordwife Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2015 Posts: 287	Re: Lamp socket wire ends I have used pop rivets for this purpose. Just remove the center and crimp or solder it to the wire.

03-07-2019, 06:03 PM	#4
Bob C Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: So Cal Posts: 8,751	Re: Lamp socket wire ends I got some a few years ago from this place and they were the good ones like you show but now it looks like they just have crappy ones. https://www.repairconnector.com/prod...Connector.html Found some good ones. https://www.ronfrancis.com/prodinfo.asp?number=LC%2D8 Bob

03-07-2019, 06:09 PM	#5
TJ Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Napa,California Posts: 6,037	Re: Lamp socket wire ends I've used tubular small rivets from the hardware store(Ace) and soldered them on the wire. Some of the automotive parts stores sell socket rebuild kits which include the wires with contacts.

03-07-2019, 06:34 PM	#6
19Fordy Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Coral Springs FL Posts: 10,942	Re: Lamp socket wire ends Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) 51Merc got it right.

03-07-2019, 11:21 PM	#7
Scotty's 52 F3 Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2015 Location: Marana, AZ. Posts: 414	Re: Lamp socket wire ends I think Rhode Island Wiring has them.

03-08-2019, 10:38 AM	#10
Drbrown Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: Glens Falls NY Posts: 1,267	Re: Lamp socket wire ends I do what 51 Merc did. Sometimes I encounter tips that are crimped and sometimes not. One can drill all the way thru the tip as he said but I don't if there's enough of a gap/hole to solder the new wire in.

03-08-2019, 10:54 AM	#11
54vicky Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Oakville Ontario Posts: 586	Re: Lamp socket wire ends 51 is right I have done that for years looks like others have also.biggest problem I have is finding lead rosin core solder last few years.new stuff is crap in my opinion.the tip on R.I. is a good one also

03-08-2019, 01:08 PM	#13
flatheadmurre Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: Sweden Posts: 3,045	Re: Lamp socket wire ends And there are copper pop rivets... I use brass tubular rivets same supplier as the ones i use for brake lining.