Making a low cost photography light stand

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 and identify which parts can be readily reused. While I am using a common lamp style from Walmart (Mainstays) for this guide, there may be slight variations with other lamps from different brands or styles -- even if they are minor. The impact to the guide is minor, but keep this in mind during disassembly.

Read me: While this approach may necessitate further modification, these lamps are usually free or inexpensive as it stands, and get some easily reused parts. This can be advantageous if you are comfortable doing something like this.

• 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! In addition make sure you do not keep ANY damaged part which is for safety or gets power!
• 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.
• USE OF A BROKEN LAMP IS RECOMMENDED AS REVERSAL OF ANY CHANGES MAY BE COMPLICATED BY PARTS AVAILABILITY. The lamp I used had a safety defect (cracked socket guard, taped on) and was discarded, making it a good candidate for this process as I had no intent to "restore" it as it is not cost effective.
  • 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.