let's rant about plastic lampshades and/or lightbulbs

[IcyPeas]

I have this exact lamp from Target. I like the style. I've had it a few years. Today I removed all the bulbs and shades to clean them. The cheapo plastic lampshades are so brittle half of them have cracks in them. Mind you, this lamp is only used maybe an hour or 2 per day and they are usually not all turned on (you can switch between 3 settings to choose how many lamps you have on at a time). I have the correct recommended light bulb wattage in them (13W). Tell me, should these already be so brittle that they're cracking?

[PoindexterOglethorpe]

1. I have been through two similar lamps from Target.

The plastic used is simply not all that good.

Honestly, you get what you pay for. I should spring for a much better floor lamp.

[multigraincracker]

2. An original with the marble base

is worth about $10K.

[cinematicdiversions]

3. That is one of the things I like about Costco.

They tend not to have substandard items. I would rather spend more and get a decent item that lasts than save a few bucks.

(For stuff like this, they also have a very generous return policy)

[VarryOn]

4. If I had a nickle for every floor lamp my wife has bought...

I'd be a rich man! We've never found one worth a damn.

[Scrivener7]

5. I have all rewired vintage lamps. It recycles stuff, I scout around for reasonably priced ones,

and the ones I have are GEORGEOUS!!

[abqtommy]

6. Inferior plasltic was used for your lamp. I've had a cheap (10 bucks) floor lamp

with plastic shades that I got at my Big Box Store a few years ago. So far the plastic is
still holding up. This lamp I currently have replaces the old, well-built floor lamp with a
glass shade. I woulda had to pay around 80 bucks to replace it with an equivalent unit
but for 10 bucks each I can afford to get replacements for a long time. I hope you didn't
pay very much for your unit. I wouldn't get concerned over a few cracks, though.

I just checked my lamp (it's on all day) and the shade isn't even warm to the touch so
no problem there.

[Hugh_Lebowski]

7. Oh, they are THE WORST!!! (nt)

[magicarpet]

8. If it is a standard shape to the shade maybe you can replace the cheapo cracked ones with,....

.... A replacement shade of heavier plastic or glass. Try a hardware store. Take a cracked one and match them up to see if comparable. Make sure the replacement fits and is held in place snuggly so it does not fall out unexpectedly and break.

[IcyPeas]

11. I just looked and Amazon sells replacements. Still the plastic ones though.

Next lamp will def be glass or metal shades.

[hunter]

9. Many plastics degrade in ultraviolet light.

Was your lamp near a window?

Compact fluorescent bulbs also produce ultraviolet light.

It's inexcusable to use unstable plastics in a lamp.

[IcyPeas]

12. No, not near a window. I use the recommended bulbs.

The coil shaped ones, I think they are the compact fluorescent ones. Maybe I should switch to the old 40W bulbs.

[hunter]

13. The old 40 watt bulbs would probably melt it! Stick to 13 watts or less.

I'd use LED bulbs. Most of the newer sort run cooler than compact fluorescents.

[UTUSN]

10. You can count on me!1