How do I get a new cable up this table lamp?

[MaxBrenner]

This is NOT a question about specialist skilled sparkie wiring.  This is simply about how to get the new cord up this table lamp.  To say that it is vexing me would be putting it mildly.  Will cord lubricant help?  Or even silicon lubricant? Note there is a curve at the neck of the dragon.  Cord channel appears to be M10 width. New cable will get up may 4cm, and then snag and eventually come away from the old cord.  How can I do this?  Importantly, will cord or silicon lubricant damage what is probably unfinished unvarnished wood cord channel inside? This is a 1960s article. And the new cord has a fabric covering to match the colour of the lamp stand.  So, what will cord/silicon lubricant do to unvarnished wood, and the outer fabric of the cord?

[EricL]

Hello @MaxBrenner 

I'm currently unaware of a lubricant that will help with sliding the electrical cable up the installation hole. However, I propose trying a different tactic and that is to use baby powder. I suggest putting some baby powder on the wire and see if it helps it slide up the installation hole.

Let me call on our experienced members @Dave-1, @Nailbag, @CSParnell and @R4addZ for their recommendations.

If you need further assistance, please let us know.

Eric

[R4addZ]

Hi @MaxBrenner 

You can buy cable lube but it is for use with modern plastic covered cables. Also it may have an adverse effect on untreated wood. It may be the tape you are using to tie the two cables together so if it is possible, I would try soldering the two together so you don't need tape. Alternately use a thinner, stronger wire and pull that in and then use that to pull the new wire in.

[Nailbag]

Hi @MaxBrenner 

Use good old fashion Vasoline, works a treat and easy to clean off again. In my experience, it will work better than cable lubricants in that scenario

Nailbag

[CSParnell]

A bit of KY will work just fine, anything water based

[Dave-1]

Morning @MaxBrenner 

The first question that comes to mind, does the existing wire move at all?

How are you tieing the wires together?

I would strip back the existing cable to wire by around 2cm, 3cm if you can get enough. Also strip back your new wire (how much bigger is it compared to the fig 8 cable you have?) Place the two cords (id only go for one of the fig 8 wires not both) side by side, Then you go half wire along the stripped sections and bend the copper around each other and spiral wrap each loop back to their own cables insulation. It will look like a looped join. 

I like @R4addZ suggestion at this point and solder them together (old lights are a pain) Tin the wires first and then fill the copper strands. You should have enough of a mechanical connection at this point, also you are not enlarging the join section, possible one wrap of tape if the dip bewteen the solder and the insulation is large just to smooth it, but hopefully not jagged edge.

Baby powder is the way I would also go as @EricL suggested, I have used vasiline for tight runs before but find its messy if it dosnt work. I have used baby powder and found that its worked on long runs (Havnt had to do a light styand as yet)

Blan B (Along the lines of @R4addZ suggestion.

Lay your hands on some stainless steel fine wire, Same steps as before tho you might need to stitch the wire into the cable and then solder (it wont bend in the loop idea) Once you have that draw wire through then you know it will fit through. You may need to change the wire you want for the lamp as the fabric might have too much friction to pull in.

Dave

[Noyade]

Just a surgical thought @MaxBrenner. 

Remove the old wire completely.

Feed a colon biopsy forcep (which I can provide you) through the Dragon - I'm thinking the neck area is causing most of the grief?

Grab the end of a strong piece of string/fishing line - and pull through.

Attach a long length to your new cable with electrical tape, avoid creating a 'bulbous' connection as seen above.

Hopefully pull through.

[MaxBrenner]

@Noyade , how to get hold of a colon biopsy forcep with serrated jaws like that? Happy to pick up from you if you are local to Sydney. Or I will pay for postage.  At this stage, I am willing to try all the very helpful suggestions here, just to get my old flea market lamp working.  

[R4addZ]

Hi @Noyade & @MaxBrenner 

It's hard to get a scale on things but the Forceps appear to actually be larger than the original cable at the point where they are grabbing the rope. Will that also be the case when grabbing the new cable because that would lead us back to soldering the cables together as it eliminates the friction grab that can easily part.

[J-P]

Would passing in a galvanized wire 

to be passed first and then pull the wire work?