Glass Chandelier Help

Hi All,

I recently purchased a replacement glass part for my chandelier -- but I cannot figure out how to disassemble the connected parts in order to replace the broken glass. There are no screws/glue. The glass parts are connected to the chrome piece with a metal cylinder that is attached by a metal piece (photo attached) -- I tried to pull it apart but it doesn't seem to budge. Any advice?

 

That's a tough one considering you're working with a fragile piece.

That retaining clip is designed to cinch everything together under tension from the teeth, and it will resist trying to pry it off (not that you want to pry against glass). You'd have to get in between the teeth (if there's any room) to carefully bend enough of them outward to release it, possibly destroying it in the process. Depending on the type of steel used, this could be an endeavor.

I'm not sure if a little metal cutting/friction wheel on a Dremel would be feasible or not. I don't own one and can't say how it would work. Of course, you'd need to find one of the same clips to put it together or use threaded rod...but it looks like the assembly would be visible from below and look unsightly.

Maybe @springfld.arsenal has some ideas that are superior to mine.

 

Removing the retaining clip as sabre suggested which would be my first call. Cutting with a Dremel on a piece of hardened steel like this would be difficult, but needlenose pliers and fine flat screwdriver may work. If you can't do that safely, it looks like you can break off the remains of the broken glass piece, which would loosen the retaining clip and make it much easier to remove it safely. Breaking off the remaining glass piece requires some skill (and safety gloves and glasses), so you shouldn't try it if you're not comfortable going for it.

 

Thanks for your reply! When you say needle nose pliers and a fine flat screwdriver, do you mean trying to pry the piece off? I was able to break off the remains of the broken glass but the retaining clip seems to be solidly in one place. I am going to try letting some WD 40 sit on there for a bit and see what happens/

 

WD 40 won't do anything with this type of "star" push on nut. It's designed to lock everything together and not come loose.

Maybe this will help (it does require a somewhat specialized tool: locking needlenose pliers):