One of the few downsides of having a bankers lamp is that the glass shade can break if you are unlucky and tip it over. This is a real pain as a bankers lamp with a broken shade is not worth having. Some people simply throw the lamp away (if it is a low-priced lamp) and get a new one, however, this is not necessary.
If you don’t have the replacement glass available yet, I suggest you read my guide where I recommend where to find the shade for your bankers lamp.
Replacing the glass shade is actually quite easy, and with some guidance, you can easily do it at home. In this article, I will list everything you need to replace the glass shade and give you a step-by-step process on how to do it!
Important before you start
This guide is directed at the more modern versions of bankers lamps that are sold today, not antique emeralite lamps. In addition, there might be some variations in the design of your bankers lamp which makes this guide not directly applicable.
The biggest one is to check whether your lamp has a set screw on the back end of the socket (where the light bulb goes, see photo).
If your lamp has it, the socket most likely is attached like a screw and you can remove it by turning it. If it doesn’t, the socket might be attached with an adhesive/glue, making the job much harder.
Note that some sockets don’t have a set screw, but are still attached like a screw. To get a feel for what type of socket your lamp has, try turning it a bit to get a feel if its movable or completely firm. Keep in mind that the socket might be screwed on pretty tight.
If you suspect that the socket in your lamp is attached with an adhesive, and you bought it for less than 40-50 bucks, you might be better off buying a new lamp, as it complicates the process, and might require you to buy a new socket if the old one breaks when removing it, which might cause the price of repairing the lamp to equal the price of a new one.
What you need
There’s really not that many tools you need to replace your broken shade. There might be variations in the design of your bankers lamp which require additional tools, but the essentials in this guide are:
Glass shade
Trying to fix the broken shade is often not worth trying, so the first thing you need is a new glass shade. You might find replacement shades in lamp stores, here on Ebay or in other retailers that sell bankers lamps. But you can easily find replacements in different colors from Amazon in the table below. I can also suggest that you purchase high-quality glass at the Italian store specializing in vintage lighting www.illuminazionedepoca.com.
 |  | Best Choice | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Product dimensions | Long 8.8 inch, Width 5.3 inch, Height 3 inch | 8.85 in L, 5.11 in W, 2.95 in H or “5.9 IN ” L “3.7IN” W | 5.31″W x 2.36″H |
| Available colors | Green | Green or White | Green, Blue, Amber or White |
| Reviews | Few | One hundred | More than 1,000 |
Before getting a new shade make sure you measure the dimensions of your old shade (height, depth, and width). The most important is the width between the holes in the shade (measured on the outside), as you don’t want to get a shade that is too wide or narrow.
If you don’t have the shade, you can measure the distance between the arms of the stand/base that holds the glass shade, however, it will not be as accurate
Screwdriver
If you are planning to fix anything in your home, a set of screwdrivers is a must. And you will most likely need one when detaching the lamp socket of your bankers lamp, one of the steps to replace the shade.
The size and type (flat or star) of screwdriver needed varies with what kind of socket your lamp is equipped with.
If you don’t have a set of screwdrivers at home, you can borrow one from your friends or family, or get a set for under 20 bucks at your local hardware store or amazon. Just make sure you have one that is small enough as the screws on the socket can be rather small.
If you want to get your own set of screwdrivers, I recommend this set on amazon from craftsman, which is everything you need.
Rubber Grommets
These are the small rubber thingies that line the holes in the shade and prevents the glass from being in contact with the base. If you get a new shade, it most likely comes without these, but if you have the old/broken shade you can simply detach the ones on that one and put them on the new one.
If you do don’t have them you need to get some, as attaching the shade without them can cause the glass to break. Direct metal-to-glass contact is not a good combination.
You can get them at your local hardware store, or you can order them online, just make sure they are made of soft rubber and are of the right size. 1/2 inch grommets like these should fit most shades.
Needle nose plier
This one is not a must but will surely make your job easier as you need to handle some wiring when removing and re-attaching the lamp socket. So if you have one at home, use it, if you don’t have it, borrow one. If you really want one of your own, get one at your local hardware store, or from amazon, like this bestseller from Stanley.
Video Instructions to replace lampshade
Step 1: Remove the socket
If you have all the tools necessary, you can move on to the actual process of replacing the shade. A useful tip before getting started is to do it on a bench/table with enough space and put a white/bright towel underneath to make the surface softer, as well as making it easier to keep track of your parts.
The lamp socket is what holds the light bulb, and in your bankers lamp it has to be removed before you can remove the shade. These sockets usually come in 3 pieces, a 2 piece socket shell, and a single inner piece.
There might be some variation depending on the socket in your lamp, but on newer ones, the outermost part of the socket shell can usually be detached by turning it (like a screw). It goes without saying that you should remove the light bulb before this step :P.
The outermost piece might be hard to remove if it is attached firmly, but it should come off by applying some gentle force.
If your lamp has an older or vintage type socket, the outermost piece of the socket shell might not be screwed on, but attached with fittings, which are seen as small indentations. If this is the case with your lamp you can simply pull it off by applying gentle force while wiggling it.
Removing the first piece will reveal the inner piece which is the part you screw the light bulb into. This is also the piece from which the pull chain switch comes out if your lamp is equipped with that. This is the piece that is connected to the lamp’s wiring.
There are 2 wires connected;
- the hot/power wire, whose coating is often black or red, which is attached under the brass/gold colored screw.
- The neutral/common wire, whose coating is usually white, is attached to the silver colored screw
If your wiring doesn’t have colors, you can feel the rubber linings and find the one that is ribbed, this is the neutral/common.
To access these screws and wiring easily, you can loosen the set screw which is located on the back end of the innermost socket piece with your screwdriver, which allows you to rotate the socket. In addition, you can pull the inner piece slightly outwards, as much as the wiring allows.
If your socket does not have a set screw, it might be that the socket is attached with an adhesive rather than as a screw, in which case it makes removing the socket much harder. You can try to detach it by screwing it back and forth’s, breaking the adhesive material. This might, however, break the socket, meaning you have to replace it.
Note or write down which lead goes where and loosen the screws with your screwdriver until you can detach the wires, which allows you to remove the inner piece.
Step 2: Remove the shade
Once you have loosened the set screw at the base of the socket, it should allow you to remove it from the base/stand. After the socket, your lamp might have an additional retainer which you also have to remove.
On the opposite side of the shade, there is a nut which you can remove by turning it, keeping in mind that it might be fastened pretty tight (in which case a tool might come in handy). When doing so make sure you hold onto the shade so it doesn’t tip downwards.
At this point the shade is loose, and all you have to do is remove the shade from the pipe that sticks through the hole in the shade on the side of the socket. Be CAREFUL as you don’t want to be too rough, which can break the glass and cause you to cut your fingers/hands.
Step 3: Attach grommets and the new glass shade
If you have the grommets from the broken shade, simply remove them and put them on the new shade, or use the ones you bought. Then carefully introduce your new shade to the base/stand, by threading it onto the pipe at the side of the socket.
Next, align the hole on the opposite side. During this step, you might have to carefully bend the stand/base to get the shade in place. The brass/metal pipes are usually soft enough to allow slight bending, but be careful not to use too much force so you bend them permanently.
If your lamps stand/base is more firm, you might have to apply some force making it a bit harder.
Once the shade is in the correct position, fasten it with the nuts/retainers on both sides. When fastening, you want them to be finger tight, so the shade doesn’t slip. Be careful not to tighten them too hard as this might put pressure on the glass and cause it to break/crack.
Step 4: Reattach the socket
If you’ve made it this far you are on the home stretch, which is to reattach the socket. There are just a few things to keep in mind while doing this.
Start off by reattaching the innermost piece of the socket shell to the stand/base. Do not fasten the set screw, but keep it loose so that you can turn the socket.
Now you have to reattach the inner piece to the electric wires. Before attaching them, twist the ends and slightly curve them so you can hook them around the screw.
Attach the hot (black or red) wire to the gold/brass screw, and the common (white) wire to the silver screw. This is where the needle nose plier might come in handy, especially if you don’t have much wiring to work with as you can hold the wire in place while fastening the screw with the screwdriver.
All you have to do now is to reattach the outermost piece of the socket shell and fasten the set screw. Keep in mind that you want to have the pull chain pointed downwards before fastening the set screw so that you don’t have the pull-chain hanging at an angle.
Final touch
If you have successfully completed the 4th step, you should be set to screw in the light bulb and make the lamp shine again. If you are a bit of a tech guy, you might want to check the lamp for shorts at this point. You can do so by using a multimeter.
If you have any comments or questions regarding this guide, or if there is any additional information you think people should know about when replacing their shade on a bankers lamp, please leave a comment in the comment section below.
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Thank you so much! Your instructions were quite appropriate especially since my socket didn’t have a screw. You gave directions for both options. My socket didn’t have a pull chain but the switch is on the base of the lamp.
Thanks again
Glad I could help
Very useful. My lamp had a lockable Edison lamp holder. So to unscrew the two outside parts you have to poke a little screwdriver to move the metal locking tang. Lots of YouTubes to watch.
Hello Sarah
Im glad you found it helpful. Yes there are too many designs to cover, but most are quite intuitive. Glad it worked out for you.
Sean
Hi!
I just want to thank you for your clear, concise, and easy to follow instructions.
I just successfully replaced the broken shade on a lamp that was collecting dust for the last 10 years in about 10 minutes!
Hi
Great! glad you found it helpful
Sean
I have a very cool oiled bronze floor lamp with a frosted white bankers shade. The lamp is about 20 years old and the store where we purchase it has been unable to verify the company that makes it. Of course, the shade is broken and the size is about 4 7/8 inches long. This seems to be a custom size. If there anyone you
know of that makes custom size shades. I love the lamp and would hate to get rid of it because of that?
Hello Shelly
Ive been trying to find companies/individuals who make custom shades with no luck, but dont give up. Let us know if you have any luck
Sean
ordered a bankers lamp from Germany solid brass with orange glass shade beautiful 700$ unfortunately the glass was broken after i received it in canada do u know anybody that sells the orange glass ?// thx
Hello Linton
Sorry to hear about the lamp. Is this a modern production or an antique? if it is a modern lamp I suggest you ask the seller for a new one if possible.
Good luck
Sean
I have a bankers floor lamp that had its mini shade broken years ago. Never could find a replacement shade, nor could our city’s best lamp repair shop. Looks like the shade would need to be 4 3/4 inches long and 3 inches wide. I was about to give up on this great lamp but came across your site. Can you help? Thanks!
Hello there Ron
I have come across smaller replacement shades like this one, however, it seems it is still too large for your lamp.
I replaced the glass shade before finding your instructions. I didn’t take the wires off the screws but simply pulled each one through the whole socket and replaced them in the slots. Everything was put back together but the light turns on when the chain is pulled but it will no shut off. Any idea what I did wrong?
Hello Linda
It sounds like you might have gotten the wiring wrong when putting in back together. Try to switch the wiring to see if it does the trick. With regards to removing the wiring by adjusting the screws, as long as they stick, and are able to conduct the electricity, it does not matter whether you adjust the screws or not, however, it might make for a more secure and better connection.
Good Luck
Sean
Super helpful. Thanks so much. I think I’ll tackle the wiring on another lamp if it’s this easy to replace the thing the light bulb goes into. You’ve empowered me!
Hi Jean
Replacing the bulb socket is easy, rewiring is a bit tricky, but only because you need to thread the wire through narrow spaces. Be patient and you will do fine. Best of luck
Sean
Hello
Thanks for your useful article.
I’ve got a banker’s lamps that needs a glass=shade replacement. Looks to me like the width is a little less than 8 ½ inches but the ones I’v seen on Amazon look like they’re closer to 8 ¾ or 8 ⅔. Do you think they’ll work or are they much too wide?
Thanks / John in St. Paul
Hey there John
Make sure you measure the distance between the holes in the shade (if you have it). Alternatively you have to measure the distance between the armature of the base, however, if you do that, keep in mind that the distance will be somewhat shorter as the end piece of the armature has to penetrate the holes in the shade in order to attach the socket. If it still a little off (like 1/4 inch, you might just be able to fit it in there.
Good luck
Sean
Hi, I am trying to replace the shade to my banker lamp but the inner socket shell is stuck and cannot be removed. It’s an old lamp so probably there is some rust inside. Is there anything I could do to remove the socket shell without breaking it? Your website is so helpful. Thank you!
Hello there Mihaela
I think you are right about there being some rust that might make the job harder. In general, older lamps tend to have the socket attached like a screw on a threaded pipe, however, given that your lamp is old, it might be that its stuck pretty hard on there. Try to get some grease spray from your local hardware store to make the job easier, and try to get it loose using a pair of pliers as it might provide you with a better grip. Good luck
Sean
Wow, wow, wow, thank you for the help. Now I just need to go out and get the mar connectors for a new cable, wire or whatever they are called where they change in the base from gold to black. I am left with one gold coloured washer but am putting it down to having previously done this job, also I must speak to the puppy about going snaky around lamps, but then there is the chewing issue and cords. Also the man and the missing wire strippers. It would have been much much harder without your advice, thanks.
Hello Carol
You are very welcome, glad my site could help you out and congratulations on a job well done!
Sean
Do you know, where it is possible to buy a replacement nut ?
The one opposite the socket 🙂
Hey there Finn
You will probably find nuts/bolts that will fit, but im not sure whether you can get one in the same style as those found on bankers lamps, ill be sure to let you know if i come across one.
best regards
Sean
Hello again Finn
I’ve found something that you might find interesting. On the lamp that I have, the nut opposite the socket is rounded, and although not quite the same a brass acorn nut might be a good replacement, like this one https://amzn.to/2Rovq5Q, its worth checking out at least.
Sean
Hi I have a bankers lamp, fairly basic at around $60, I was wondering if you would know where to find the darker green shades similar to the more vintage models, I saw the smaller bankers lamp you mentioned with the darker shade, so I was wondering if darker shades are available on their own.
Best Regards,
Stedman
Hi there Stedman
The vintage bankers lamps (emeralites) shades look almost black when not lit, and when they are, they have a more of a blue-ish color to them, so far I haven’t come across darker shades similar to that of the vintage ones being sold on their ow, but if you happen to find it be sure to let the rest of know!
Sean
I’ve been attempting to replace the shade on a banker’s lamp, and have had problems with the grommets. There were none on the old shade, so I had to buy new ones. The holes on the new shade measure 1/2″ diameter, and the sleeve that fits in the hole is 3/8″ diameter. I tried grommets with a 5/8″ OD & 3/8″ ID, but it appears they are too large to fit in the holes in the shade. Is there such a thing as a rubber grommet with 1/2″ OD and 3/8″ ID?
Hi Bill
Yes, you should be able to get 1/2 inch grommets (I’m assuming you use inches) either online (like highlighted in the article) or in your local DIY hardware store. Good luck!
Just an “FYI”, for replacing the glass shade. Followed the instructions, but it seemed you couldn’t fit the shade, but after investigating further the hinge on the left facing the lamp allows you to unscrew it completely which then allows room to attach the shade. Couldn’t find this info in the instructions.
Hey Rich
Not all bankers lamps are the same so there certainly can be some small differences between how to proceeed with the individual lamps, but thank you so much for your input, hope it will help others if they encounter the same problem
Help, my vintage tiffany emeralite shade was removed during a move and I am perplexed as to how it goes on. The lamp has a metal channel that the shade rest upon, and the socket is attached to. On the channel near the lamp “leg” or body are two hinge type mechanisms (not hinges, but they hinge upward and have clips or channels in the hinge’d up part. The dings on the metal cause me to believe that these have been “opened” before. At the front sides of the channel are two more hinge type devices that pull forward. I’m afraid of breaking the shade and would be ever so thankful for any advice.
Hi there Kerstin
Id is happy to help, but it’s difficult to tell without being able to see it myself. However, based on what you describe, it can sound like your shade is attached with the same mechanism as the original banker’s lamp shades (emeralite). These also have a metal frame or channel in which the base/bottom edge of the shade rest, and then there are 2 hinge types of clips that fix it into place. Check out the article , there should be a picture in these that shows these hinges or clips, and let me know if they look familiar. If so, they are really easily handled.
I just bought a banker’s lamp that arrived with a broken shade. How do i find the right replacement shade? Are they all standard?
Hey Logan!
Did you buy a brand new one? if so, you should contact the seller and ask for a new one. If you bought off someone as a second hand, but it was advertised as not broken, you should contact the seller and argue for a refund/return agreement. If you knew it was broken but bought it with the intent of fixing it, it will depend on which type of bankers lamp it is. Most of the newer models have a standard shade size, how to proceed is detailed under the section “what you need: 1. a new glass shade” in the article. I recommend you start off by measuring dimensions of your broken shade and compare it with those you can get online or elsewhere. Hope you will figure it out!
I didn’t identify that knurled knob when I looked around–it’s on the inside opposite the socket. I’ve tightened it with pliers and it seems to be working. If I had read every word of your instructions, I might have figured it out. Thanks for helping all of us!
Great! yeah, there might be some differences from lamp to lamp, but im glad you figured it out. and thanks for sharing, ill be sure to add a section that highlights how to tighten the shade, as it is known to be a recurring problem.
My green shade is loose and flops over. Is there an easy way to tighten it? I do have the set screw type.
difficult to say without being able to see the lamp Lorna. do you mean that you dont have the set screw on the socket? or that you dont have a turnable knob on the side of the shade? either way, not all sockets are equiped with a set screw, but they may be tunrable nontheless. If yours are, try tightening the socket, which should help tightening the shade. If you rather have a tunrable knob on the outside of the shade, opposite the socket, it might be screwed on pretty tight, so you might need a tool to get it loose, but if its there, you should be able to get it loose and tighten it in order fasten the shade more tightly. Hope this helps
replacing glass: Which is front or back side of glass?
Hi there Dennis!
If youre thinking about the front as in which side of the glass is supposed to face the user once it is is place? it it is the slighly more curved side that is the front. The backside of the shade is more vertical in comparison. You can see it in the picture on the very top, which shows the front side of the shade.
Hope this made it more clear for you!