How does a shade carrier work?

Dannells
Dec 18, 2018
3 min read

Updated: Jun 11

If you’ve been using our Lampshade Making Kits, you’ve likely come across two different ways to attach your lampshade to a lamp base: the standard utility fitting and the duplex fitting. While the utility fitting is straightforward, the duplex fitting requires a shade carrier system — and that’s where things can sometimes get a bit confusing.

In today’s blog post, we’re here to demystify shade carrier systems. We’ll break down how they work, why they matter, and the unique benefits they offer you as a lampshade maker.

What is a shade carrier and how does it work?

If you're ensure how to use a shade carrier, or think it looks complicated or unsightly, we're here to share the many virtues of the common shade carrier or gimble, as it's also known. Fundamentally, a shade carrier provides versatility, ease of use and a classic touch.

What is a shade carrier and how does it work?

We know that not all of you know how to use a shade carrier, or think it looks complicated or unsightly. We are about to enlighten you as to the many virtues of the common shade carrier or gimble. A shade carrier provides versatility, ease of use and a classic touch.

What is a shade carrier?

shade carrier for use with a lampshade. How does a shade carrier work?

A shade carrier is used to connect a lampshade to a lamp holder - the section on the base or lamp stand that holds the lampshade and bulb in place.

The wonderful thing about shade carriers is that you can use them to alter the height of your lampshade as they come in different sizes.

Shade carrier on bulb holder. How to use a shade carrier

Shade carrier fixed to metal bulb holder

Shade carrier fixed to plastic bulb holder. Image by: Helmi Vaga

How does a shade carrier work?

As you can see in our video above the shade carrier attaches to the lamp holder in just the same way as a utility ring lampshade, by screwing the metal ring/ washer or plastic attachment down to keep the lampshade or shade carrier firmly in place.

Once in place on the lamp base or stand the shade carrier is ready for your lampshade. Lampshades used with shade carriers must have standard duplex rings. (The internal diameter of a standard duplex ring measures 107mm).

Duplex ring drum lampshade

shade carrier with lampshade ring set resting on top on a work bench.

Shade carrier with lampshade ring set resting on top. Image by: Emma Rockman

Simply pop your handmade lampshade onto the shade carrier so the duplex ring sits on the carrier. That’s it! So simple! And the great thing is that you can swap between shade carriers until you are happy with the overall look and height of your shade.

Duplex fitting lampshade sitting on a shade carrier, with the shade carrier concealed!

Image by: Emma Rockman

Facts about shade carriers

Do you struggle to reach around your lampshade to change the bulb? By using a shade carrier you simply take off the lampshade in one easy step to clean the shade or change the bulb.

If you need your drum or empire lampshade to work as both a pendant light (from the ceiling) or on a lamp base? Use a duplex ring so it can be used with a shade carrier on the lamp base. You’ll need a spider fitting to work as the pendant light.
You can see our range of shade carriers HERE. We currently stock shade carriers in the following sizes: 4", 5", 6", 7", 8", 9", 10", 11" and 12".
We also currently stock coolie and empire lampshade kits with duplex frames that are used with shade carriers (for use on lamp stands) or spider fittings (for use on a pendant light ie: from the ceiling).
The diameter of each of our shade carriers is the same, measuring 10.7cm. It is only the height which changes.
The duplex ring is always positioned 4.5-5 cm below the top ring (of the lampshade) regardless of size of the lampshade.
Our shade carriers fit onto any British (BC) or (E27) European lamp holder fittings.
We sell a wide range of sizes so you really can create bespoke lighting to suit you and your clients.