Lamp repair - three way to two way??? (solved - it's called "on/off")

Bought a beautiful lamp at the thrift store but the switch is dodgy and is a 3-way.  I don't really need a dim function on this lamp, and since I'm replacing the socket part anyway, I thought I could put a 2-way (on/off) version in it.

But I can't find one to buy.  

Do 2-way sockets not exist anymore?  

Those are mostly what exists. I don't think I've seen a 3 way switch for a lamp recently.

The whole socket base gets replaced, not just the switch. And you don't specify 2 way, look for just "lamp switch replacement"
I think I have one still in the package on the floor by my desk if you want a pic, tell me :D

Yeh, I meant to say the whole socket is getting replaced.   But only the switch is the broken bit.

I tried amazon so far but maybe a hardware shop would have a regular socket with 2 way.

From my morning on amazon, it looks like two way repair kits have the switch on the cord and 3 way have it at the socket.

It's been nearly 15 years since I needed to repair a lamp and it looks like things have changed.   I wonder if it's related to led bulbs being more common now?

There never was a 2 way socket was there??  I have been rewiring lights for nearly 50 years and I don't ever remember seeing one.   A quick google isn't showing anything either.

3 way lite the low filament for low. the high filament for medium and both for high.  A 2 way wouldn't make much sense given that as you can get 3 choices for virtually no more cost.

I think the reason you can't find it was it never existed.(maybe I am wrong)

It's been a few years, but a local hardware store in Canada called Home Hardware used to have a good selection. In fact, Hubby called from there to ask what kind of switch I wanted out of the several choices and I choose a dangly chain version because it's easier to feel for if the room is dark and I don't have my dyslexia go weird on me and try to twist the switch the wrong direction! (Yes, I *know* righty tighty, lefty loosy - but that only works if my eyes can see which way... sigh, brains are wonderfully unique things, and a dangly pull cord on this lamp is wonderful!)

The neat thing about Home Hardware is that so long as it's still in their catalogue, they will order it in for you at no change.

Does 2-way mean something other than just on and off?

Like this? https://www.amazon.com/DiCUNO-Listed-Socket-Replacement-Threaded/dp/B09PY973MC/

Shows the two different socket types.

Looking around the house, my older lamps are two way.  1940s and before.  

Never really noticed the others were 3 way before.

Christopher Weeks wrote:Does 2-way mean something other than just on and off?

Like this? https://www.amazon.com/DiCUNO-Listed-Socket-Replacement-Threaded/dp/B09PY973MC/

Not available in Canada but close

I'll have to check the lamp again, but I probably just need the middle part.  


Because inquiring minds need to know, why are they rated for such high power?  250V?  The max my power is supposed to give is 120v (for regular wires).

(note to self so I can stop looking it up every hour - yes, it's an E26 I want)

Jay Angler wrote:... I choose a dangly chain version because it's easier to feel for if the room is dark and I don't have my dyslexia go weird on me and try to twist the switch the wrong direction! (Yes, I *know* righty tighty, lefty loosy - but that only works if my eyes can see which way... sigh, brains are wonderfully unique things, and a dangly pull cord on this lamp is wonderful!)

It works if one can remember which hand is right and which left.  
I often get those mixed up and will find I use my left hand for the weirdest tasks like chopsticks or knife work.  When I concentrate, it's not able to do either of those.  

"on/off" seems to be the search term amazon likes instead of "2-way".  Getting a lot more options.  

And so far they are more expensive than a three-way.  Looks like the savings for having a regular bulb would make it worth it at about 3 or 4 bulbs.  

Going to look locally over the next week or two to see what's available.  It's good to know the amazon price for a starting place.  

Thanks, everyone!  

You can install a 3-way socket and just screw a regular bulb into it. The only gotcha, and I think this is minor is that you have to turn the knob twice to get it to turn on and then it stays on for two knob turns.

One of these is what's under my desk, cost me about 2.00 at walmart.



And if you don't want the gold part it'll look like this, and will still cost the same amount, probably.

asking around, the thing to try first is to get a 3-way bulb.  It might be the modern bulb is disagreeing with it.  With a proper bulb for that lamp, we can decide if it's really broken or not.  

Christopher Weeks wrote:You can install a 3-way socket and just screw a regular bulb into it. The only gotcha, and I think this is minor is that you have to turn the knob twice to get it to turn on and then it stays on for two knob turns.

Right, and it does not matter what sort of bulb. I have a very old 3-way and one that's somewhat newer, both presently have generic 6W and 13W LEDs (for whatever reason the 6W is much brighter), but formerly had 40W and 60W incandescents, and for a while the ancient one had a CFL (sure don't miss those).

I'm so used to the double turn that my hand does it without consulting my brain.