Creative Hobbies ML94KIT Premium Lamp Kit with All Parts for DIY Lamp Design or Repair

A straightforward path to bringing a lamp back to life

I pulled a pair of tired, mismatched thrift-store lamps onto my bench with the plan to give them new wiring, matching hardware, and a cleaner look. The Creative Hobbies lamp kit handled both projects with fewer hiccups than I expected. It’s a complete package—3‑way socket, 8‑inch harp with base and finial cap, 8‑foot cord, and the usual 1/8‑IP mounting bits—wrapped in an antique brass finish that reads warm and consistent rather than gaudy. Nothing in the box felt exotic or proprietary; it’s standard lamp-making fare, and that’s exactly what you want when you’re repairing or building from scratch.

What’s in the box and how it looks

The kit includes all the essentials for a table lamp build or refurbishment:
- 3‑way turn‑knob socket (UL listed)
- 8‑inch harp with saddle/base and finial cap
- 8‑foot cord set (UL listed)
- Assorted mounting hardware for standard 1/8‑IP threads

The antique brass finish is even across components. The harp’s plating matches the socket shell and finial closely—close enough that, once assembled, everything reads as a cohesive set. The socket’s shell is metal, threads cleanly, and the shell indexing snaps positively onto the base. The harp’s tabs are square and hold a spider-frame shade securely without rattling.

The cord is flexible, sits flat, and has proper strain relief once the socket is assembled. It’s not the thickest lamp cord I’ve used, but it doesn’t kink easily and feels appropriate for a table lamp. Both the cord set and the fittings are UL listed, which matters for peace of mind.

One limitation is the 75‑watt max recommendation. For incandescent users, that’s a ceiling to respect. With modern LED bulbs, particularly 3‑way LEDs that draw far less wattage, the cap is a non-issue for brightness in most rooms.

Assembly: predictable in the best way

I rebuilt two lamps with this kit: a tall ceramic vase lamp that had a cracked socket and a turned-wood lamp base I’d made in the shop. Both were straightforward.

Process highlights:
- The socket’s screw terminals are easy to access, with silver and brass screws clearly differentiated. If you follow standard practice—ribbed conductor to silver (neutral), smooth to brass (hot)—you’ll be fine. The base includes a strain relief that actually bites; you don’t need to over-tighten to secure the cord.
- The included harp saddle drops between the socket base and the mounting hardware cleanly. No paint burrs or misaligned holes.
- The finial threads on easily and seats flush. The 8‑inch harp is a good middle-of-the-road size for shades in the 10–13 inch height range.

The paper instructions get you there, but they read like they were written for someone who already knows the sequence. A couple of steps—tying an underwriter’s knot, for instance—deserve a clearer diagram. If you’re new to lamp wiring, a quick video refresher pairs well with the included sheet. Still, the package order makes sense, and there’s nothing unusual about the assembly path.

Time-wise, the ceramic lamp went from stripped to shining in under 20 minutes, pausing to adjust harp height relative to the shade. The new wood lamp took a bit longer as I was drilling a centered channel for the cord and setting the internal rod, but the kit hardware played nicely with standard 1/8‑IP couplers and locknuts I keep on hand.

Fit and compatibility

• Threading: Standard 1/8‑IP throughout, so if you’re adapting or extending the stem with parts you already own, it’s all compatible.
• Harp size: Eight inches works for many table lamps, but if your shade sits too high or low, you’ll want to swap the harp size. The saddle is standard, so swapping harps later is painless.
• Shades and finials: The finial cap included is basic but tidy. Any standard finial will work if you want something more decorative.

If you’re converting a lamp with non-standard fittings, this kit still helps, but you might need a thread adapter or reducer bushing. For typical American table lamps, it’s plug-and-play.

Electrical performance and bulb choices

The 3‑way socket clicks through low, medium, high, and off with positive detents. I tested a 3‑way LED bulb with three brightness steps; it behaved as expected and stayed cool. This is where the 75‑watt max specification becomes practical: a 3‑way incandescent often exceeds 75 watts at the top step, so stick with 3‑way LEDs if you need multiple levels of brightness. Single-level LEDs at 60–75‑watt equivalent are also a sweet spot for general living room and bedroom use.

Noise-wise, the socket is quiet—no buzz with LEDs, which can creep in with cheaper hardware. The turn knob has just enough knurling to grip without looking chunky, and the action feels consistent.

Durability and finish over time

After a few weeks of use, nothing has loosened or tarnished. The harp clips retain their tension, and the finial hasn’t backed off. The antique brass finish wipes clean without spotting, and the socket shell hasn’t picked up fingerprints or scratches despite several shade swaps. These are the unglamorous details that make a daily-use lamp feel dependable.

What could be better

• Instructions: They cover the basics, but clearer diagrams and a brief section on common layouts (e.g., building on a wooden base versus repairing a ceramic lamp) would improve first-time outcomes.
• Wattage ceiling: The 75‑watt limit is fine for LEDs but constraining if you’re committed to incandescent 3‑way bulbs. Consider that before you plan on a traditional 50/100/150 bulb.
• Cord length options: Eight feet will reach a nearby outlet, but for console tables or rooms with fewer outlets, a 10–12 foot option would be welcome. That said, swapping a longer UL-listed cord later is feasible.

These are minor criticisms in the context of what the kit sets out to do: provide a safe, cohesive, standard set of parts to build or revive a lamp.

Safety and confidence

The UL listing on both the cord set and fittings is the standout. Lamp repair is simple, but it’s also electrical work living in a combustible shade a foot from your face. The components here inspire confidence: solid terminal screws, properly crimped strain relief, and clean threading that doesn’t invite cross‑threading accidents. As always, unplug while working, test your continuity and polarity if you have a multimeter, and don’t exceed the rated wattage.

Who it’s for

• DIYers refurbishing a lamp with a bad socket, frayed cord, or missing harp
• Woodworkers or makers adding a light to a custom base
• Renters and homeowners who want a safe, quick fix without hunting for individual parts
• Anyone who prefers an antique brass look that reads classic rather than trendy

If you need a dimmer instead of a 3‑way switch, or you’re building a floor lamp, this isn’t the right kit. Look for a rotary dimmer socket and a taller harp or uno/clip-on shade hardware as appropriate.

Value and alternatives

Buying these parts individually can be a scavenger hunt, and mismatched finishes are common when you piece things together. This kit’s value is its cohesion: every part belongs together and arrives at once. If you already own a socket or want a different finish (polished brass, nickel, black), you can assemble your own stack of parts—just budget time for match‑testing finishes and threads.

The bottom line

The Creative Hobbies lamp kit is the kind of practical, no‑nonsense package I’m happy to keep on a shelf. It takes the guesswork out of a repair, covers nearly all table-lamp scenarios, and leaves you with a finished piece that looks intentional rather than cobbled together. The UL listing and 3‑way functionality bring real day-to-day benefits, while the antique brass finish blends with traditional and transitional decor.

Recommendation: I recommend this kit for anyone building or repairing a table lamp who wants an all-in-one solution with a cohesive finish and UL-listed safety. It’s easy to assemble, plays well with standard parts, and produces a tidy, reliable result. If you require higher-wattage incandescent 3‑way bulbs, a dimmer socket, or a different finish, there are niche alternatives—but for most DIY lamp projects, this kit is a smart, dependable choice.