Critical design flaw leads to failure; parts unavailable
The bad:  the threads holding the base to the lamp's neck stripped on mine, just like it has for other reviewers.  These threads are made from soft metal, and are only about an inch in height.  They don't need much coaxing to fail catastrophically. When they do, this relatively heavy lamp can flop over, threatening anything within its path.<br /><br />If you frequently push this lamp aside, in a way that makes the neck rotate, I promise you, yours will also fail. It ain't no swing lamp!<br /><br />Verilux won't sell you replacement parts on this, their most expensive lamp.  Their Customer Service comment:<br /><br />"Unfortunately we do not sell separate parts for this lamp, but advice I can offer is trying teflon tape, also known as plumber's tape and wrapping that around the threads to help make a tighter connection. . . "<br /><br />This advice is dubious.  Teflon tape is a lubricant, and a very, very thin product.  I gamely tried the tape, and it was a waste of time.  Worse, the threads are attached to the base very securely; I couldn't figure a way to remove them, despite a healthy collection of tools.<br /><br />What has worked for me, at least temporarily:  the old Christmas Tree Stand approach.  I drilled and tapped three holes arranged around the base of the neck, and screwed three half-inch, #10x24 stove bolts through both the neck and the stripped threads.  IMPORTANTLY, I attached nuts to the bolts to help limit how far the bolts go into the thread/neck assembly.  The bolts should not penetrate to where they put pressure on the lamp cord (which passes through the neck, duh).<br /><br />Yes, the result is rather inelegant.  It looks like a Red Green Show hack.  But it is not that noticeable, with the lamp in use.  And it seems sturdier than the original product.<br /><br />WARNING: if you try this, you must be very careful not to penetrate the insulation on the lamp cord!!!  Be sure to check it visually and by feel, once you've drilled your holes.  If you damage the cord, I strongly suggest you discard the lamp.  If you perform this repair, you should periodically check the lamp cord, to be certain that the bolts are not abrading it.<br /><br />Another bad:  if you buy a Verilux, you've committed yourself to their proprietary replacement bulbs.  There are comparable fluorescent bulbs available at your local hardware store, but Verilux has designed plastic tabs into their products, simply to make the competing bulbs incompatible.  Yes, some generic bulbs may be cheaper and/or brighter.<br /><br />The good: the Verilux Heritage Deluxe floor lamp is otherwise, an attractive, reasonably bright, and otherwise seemingly durable product.
Rating: 2 stars