As I mentioned in the previous installment, I altered my plan to use different lamp pipe to avoid having to use a decorative sleeve over all-thread lamp pipe.
I thought I'd try antique brass given this is a mid-century modern style lamp. Unfortunately, the antiquing read more black than brass. Not the look I was going for.
The antique brass pipe was a bust, and it had been a little fiddly to trim the threaded ends to ensure no threads would be visible when the two sections were joined with a coupler (not shown, but the coupler would be in the saddle at the top of the stave joint). So back to the Grand Brass website. While perusing parts, I saw that they also offered internal thread lamp pipe. The outer diameter was a little larger (1/2" instead of 3/8"), but it would solve the issue of having visible threads and would eliminate the need for a coupler. Essentially, the internal thread pipe becomes a long coupler. I like simplification, so I changed the plan again. Just in case there were assembly issues I wasn't considering with the new approach, I ordered both internal thread and external thread pipe, in brass this time. If I have to fall-back on the 3/8" pipe, I won't have to place another order.
For the base, I have a 3" section of pipe. I had to disc sand down maybe 1/16" from an end to make it fit under the stave joint, leaving a small gap below the joint (which won't be visible). The gap is just to ensure that the legs fully seat against the base.
A piece of all-thread gets installed next. It's long enough to protrude about 5/8" when the stave assembly is set in place.
The final 18" pipe and check-ring go next. This looks very much like the pipe proportions of the original lamp.
Unfortunately, the internal threads on the 18" pipe were cut off-axis. There was probably an inch of deflection over the length of the pipe. More than I could correct for with the stave bracket without distorting the lamp. I contacted Grand Brass and explained the problem and provided photos, and they'll be sending out a replacement. Here you can see the pipe tight against the rule and the all-thread going off at a wonky angle.
Another wait on hardware, but I've got a plan that I'm happy with.
Yeah, those threads were weird. I had hoped it was the all-thread, but I tried a number of different segments and they all threaded crooked. In both ends of the pipe.
I definitely could have gone the spray paint route and continued on with the antiqued pipe. But, since I had to purchase something (paint or pipe) and the prices at Grand Brass are pretty good (if you ignore shipping costs), I went with real brass. (The antiqued pipe was steel. A spec I had missed when I placed the order.) I'll save the antiqued pipe for some future project.
