Making a low cost light stand for Photography

If you need a light stand for photos, this guide will show you how to take a standing lamp to convert a broken standing lamp by removing the lamp components. While I am using a common Mainstays (Walmart) lamp for this guide, there may be slight variations with other lamps from different brands, or even styles -- even if they are minor. It does not impact the guide but may change how certain components are removed. I will also help you identify reusable components for other projects.

Read me: While this is not the best stand you can get and may require modification; these lamps are usually free or inexpensive, especially used. This can be advantageous if you are willing to disassemble one to eliminate redundant components.

• Use common sense during the cord and socket removal procedure. Death or injury may occur if you make a mistake, as you are handing 120-240V AC!
• DO NOT keep any part that looks damaged. Discard these parts for safety reasons.
• Make sure you use a lamp that you are certain you do not plan on reassembling or use a damaged one. Reversal may be impractical if modifications are made.
• I used a broken lamp. If you can find a broken one, it is likely free and you are not wasting a working one. The socket guard was cracked and supported with electrical tape until it was pulled out of service. These are the best candidate for this type of project, as these parts can be expensive or hard to get and total the lamp out
  • While the plastic parts on many of these lamps may not be reusable (either due to assembly technique or uniqueness), most cord and socket sets are easily reused. Save these for another project if they are in good condition.