How do I wire this lamp??

Would there be enough space in the curved tubing to do the following?

I'd try #14 stranded wire and wire sockets in parallel. I wonder if you limit the wattage of bulb if you couldn't go to a #16 wire.

I'm pretty sure that the shaft unscrews from the spherical hub where the three sockets are attached, and you'll find the splice for the three sockets and the power cord in there

# 16 is good for about 1000 watts. He'll probably use 60

Solder the wires and use head shrink tubing instead of wire nuts.

re: use head shrink tubing

Don't you have to order that from Africa or some place like that?

Use very small wire. Each lamp will only need 1 amp or less. All you have to worry about is the insulation being rated for 120 volts or more. Number 20 or even maybe 22 would carry each bulb.

That certainly is overkill considering most lamp cords at 18 ga.

The less modification the better wrt antique value, and it will make me happy too.

So please don't replace the covers for the sockets unless you absolutely have to (and I can't imagine that.)

The sockets themselves are probably still good for another 20 years also. They do sell knew ones, but i'm not sure they will fit in those covers, so if you replace the sockets, you might need new, shiny, anachronistic covers. I'm not sure the new covers are like these covers so if you attempt to replace the tubular part, you might have to replace the base also.

Also you won't be able to get matching chains.

wires to the base and make all of you connections there.

I think so too.

I think it will be hard or impossible to use heat shrink tubing with this umbrella arrangement of wires. Solder and electrical tape will be fine.

They have it a Home Depot, Radio Shack or All Electronics web site.

Those stores sell *heat* shrink tubing...you suggested *head* shrink tubing,

Head Shrinkers...Africa...Get it?

If you're going to make a funny, it's better if you get it right.

Head shrinking was/is(?) a South American thing.

Jeff