Fluorescent lamp repair?

Question

My mom has an old reading lamp she wants me to repair. The switch is broke. It has a manual start switch, in other words the old magnetic ballast and no starter, you start it manually by holding down a red button, then release the button after the tube starts. It has a seperate black button to turn it off. Anyone know if there is a switch like this available? I did find a manual start switch by Edwin-Gaynor I think might work but I'll need to modify the base to make it work. The number on the switch says Edwin-Gaynor 1055. The original switch is retained by a small s***w between the red and black buttons.

Answer 1

I know the switch you're talking about. I think Lowes carries the small parts, but for what it will cost, I'd put an inline thumb switch in it and let it go. It has a small knurled k**b and one switch covers everything. Might be about $2 and I think it would replace it. If not, the only other option off the top is to visit some old antique or junk stores and see if you can find another similar lamp. Haven't seen them in a while, but you could also tell her that those lights aren't good for you (they're not) because they give off a green tint, not good for reading. Good luck on that one though.