okumasheffield Posted January 7, 2009 Report Share Posted January 7, 2009 Noticed the lightbulb is stuck at the base when trying to replace it. Tried turning it pretty hard and was afraid of breaking it .. not sure if there is any rust built up in between metal contacts Any suggestions? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xeon Posted January 7, 2009 Report Share Posted January 7, 2009 If that happens, turn it as far as you can, if the glass part comes off, then take a pair of needle nose and unscrew the metal part in there. Make sure to turn the switch off first though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
irishfield Posted January 7, 2009 Report Share Posted January 7, 2009 (edited) Put a leather glove on or a good heavy rag around it and try to turn it out. Make sure the power is off. If it breaks.. let it. Then use a pair of pliers or side cutters to get a hold of the base and turn it out. Edited January 7, 2009 by irishfield Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paul_614 Posted January 7, 2009 Report Share Posted January 7, 2009 If your nervous using pliers, push a potato against the remaining metal part and turn it out Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jigger Posted January 7, 2009 Report Share Posted January 7, 2009 paul beat me to it. potato trick works great if the glass breaks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
solopaddler Posted January 7, 2009 Report Share Posted January 7, 2009 Yep, potato cut in half has always been my remedy to that problem. Works like a charm. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Raf Posted January 7, 2009 Report Share Posted January 7, 2009 potato x4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spiel Posted January 8, 2009 Report Share Posted January 8, 2009 ....A word of caution, just becasue the switch may be off it does not mean there is no power in the socket. Best to remove the fuse (or trip breaker) before jamming anything conductive into a broken bulb. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
irishfield Posted January 8, 2009 Report Share Posted January 8, 2009 You got that right boss... especially in older wiring jobs, or " weekend" electricians work. I can remember at least 2 occasions that I've found the neutral thru the switch to a light and not the hot! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spiel Posted January 8, 2009 Report Share Posted January 8, 2009 You got that right boss... especially in older wiring jobs, or " weekend" electricians work. I can remember at least 2 occasions that I've found the neutral thru the switch to a light and not the hot! ....Experience is a great teacher Wayne.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
irishfield Posted January 8, 2009 Report Share Posted January 8, 2009 Ahhh... it only tingles for a MINUTE ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daplumma Posted January 8, 2009 Report Share Posted January 8, 2009 ....A word of caution, just becasue the switch may be off it does not mean there is no power in the socket. Best to remove the fuse (or trip breaker) before jamming anything conductive into a broken bulb. Yup.breaking the neutral leg is a big no-no.Happens more than you would think. Joe Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigredfisher Posted January 8, 2009 Report Share Posted January 8, 2009 DROP SOME COKE INTO THERE LOL THAT'LL DO THE TRICK THAT CRAP IS SO ACIDIC IT WILL TAKE RUST RIGHT AWAY Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OhioFisherman Posted January 8, 2009 Report Share Posted January 8, 2009 Like others have mentioned shut the power off at the circuit breaker for safety. I used needle nosed pliers or needle nosed vise grips. The bulb base is just thin sheet metal and will usually break apart or bend enough to loosen for easy removal. Never had anything else break in the process. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blakewalk Posted January 8, 2009 Report Share Posted January 8, 2009 DROP SOME COKE INTO THERE LOL THAT'LL DO THE TRICK THAT CRAP IS SO ACIDIC IT WILL TAKE RUST RIGHT AWAY hahaha! nice way to make sure the next bulb gets REAL stuck in there! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
okumasheffield Posted January 8, 2009 Author Report Share Posted January 8, 2009 Wow, you guys are all handy men! One more thing to add is that the lightbulb is up on the ceiling Since I dont want to worry about when the lightbulb will break, would you recommend me to simply break the lightbulb first regardless? (ofcourse, I will have some kinda bucket below the lightbulb) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
irishfield Posted January 8, 2009 Report Share Posted January 8, 2009 Why I suggested wrapping a rag around it. If it breaks.. it's in the rag. Could hold a bucket under it as well... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DRIFTER_016 Posted January 8, 2009 Report Share Posted January 8, 2009 Wow, you guys are all handy men! One more thing to add is that the lightbulb is up on the ceiling Since I dont want to worry about when the lightbulb will break, would you recommend me to simply break the lightbulb first regardless? (ofcourse, I will have some kinda bucket below the lightbulb) Nah, just twist it like you were removing it normally. When they break they usually just detach from the base. They don`t usually shatter. But for your own safety wear eye protection. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
forrest Posted January 8, 2009 Report Share Posted January 8, 2009 Had to deal with this once before so I KNOW the answer: I would get a few more newfie's Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jdmls Posted January 8, 2009 Report Share Posted January 8, 2009 (edited) How many OFC'rs does it take to unscrew a light bulb ....sorry I had too Google is a great tool, if you happen to run into household problems like this again Edited January 8, 2009 by JDMLS Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
young_one Posted January 8, 2009 Report Share Posted January 8, 2009 WD40? Does that work? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dnthmn Posted January 8, 2009 Report Share Posted January 8, 2009 WD40? Does that work? Probably not a good idea to spray WD40 into a lightbulb socket Between being flammable and conductive what would you prefer the shock or the fire? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Greencoachdog Posted January 8, 2009 Report Share Posted January 8, 2009 The potato trick might work, I think that's more of a womans way to do it. Real men use real tools and mangle that sucker outta there!!! I hate being shocked by elecrticity... so I throw the main breaker to the whole house, just to make sure I get the right circuit!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TroutnMuskieHunter Posted January 8, 2009 Report Share Posted January 8, 2009 I hate being shocked by elecrticity... so I throw the main breaker to the whole house, just to make sure I get the right circuit!!! I didn't know you were a "work in the dark" kinda guy Glen... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ccmtcanada Posted January 8, 2009 Report Share Posted January 8, 2009 When I was around 8 years old, my uncle was doing renovations in his basement...none of the switchplate covers were on. He had this huge COOL electric train set down there that I always went to play with. So, I headed down the stairs, knew where the light switch was and went to turn it on. My fingers went inside the box and suddenly my whole arm went numb...I heard a buzzing in my head and felt myself vibrating. I tried to take my hand out, but couldn't. I then used my other fist to punch my forearm and it came out. I sat there for a bit, went back upstairs and told my uncle what happened. To this day he hasn't forgiven himself for that incident! Anyhow, I have a friend who is an electrician...he does all my work now...LOL. However, to keep this on topic, I do remove light bulbs that break off...I just use needle nose pliers to grab part of the base...the aluminum is pretty thin and pliable...find a spot and rotate it out. I don't turn off the power to the whole house, but I use my voltmeter to make sure there are no hot wires before any tools go anywhere near it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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