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Help! Tried to unscrew lightbulb, but bottom metal part of bulb got stuck in the lamp & won't come out!?

  • If anyone can offer suggestions, I'd really appreciate it! I have a hanging lamp that is wired into the ceiling. The light bulb burned out and I went to change it. I tried to unscrew the bulb but it seemed to be stuck. The next thing I knew, the glass part of the bulb came loose in my hand -- but the bottom part of the bulb, the metal part with the screw threads, is still stuck inside the lamp fixture! I got a pair of tweezers and tried to grip the edge of the metal bulb part, to try to unscrew it, but it won't work. Has anyone ever been in this situation and is there a trick to getting a light bulb part out?? I was wondering if I sprayed WD-40 on it, maybe it would loosen up, but I don't know if that would be a fire hazard. I would hate to lose this lamp fixture but I guess if all else fails I can just replace it.

  • Answer:

    Forget tweezers. You need needle nose pliers. Make sure the light is off, and breaker is off. Use your needle nose pliers and spread them open inside the base and attempt to unscrew that way. If you are lucky you will get some rotation and slowly get it out. If you aren't start tearing the edge of the base in a rip out and unscrew motion. It will take some time but you will eventually tear the bulb base apart so much it comes out. If you break the socket don't feel bad, they are cheap to replace.

Missy at Yahoo! Answers Visit the source

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Other answers

Unplug everything and turm of the electricity. cut a potato in half and stick it on the broken piece. use it to grip the metal piece unscrew slowly

jahrmana

Use a potato. Stick it in the socket, the turn the potato and it will come out.

programmerjoe

i usually stick my finger in it with the pwoer turned on until it blows out of the socket

Bob S

Cut a potato in half (making sure the power to the bulb is off), push it into the potato, and then just unscrew it.

heavens.earth

Yes I've had this problem before. I've been told to use an old tennis ball, it's rubber and won't conduct electricity. I would try the WD-40 but only if you can find the circuit breaker for that light. I got mine out by cutting the electricity and using a pair of pliers. I made a mess out of the light bulb but not the light. The hardware store now sells something which will help but I forget the name of it. It lubricates the socket where you screw in the light bulb. Good Luck ! Don't forget... safety first... find the circuit breaker

Jo-Mom

Step One Turn off power to the bulb and unplug the lamp. Step Two Put on protective gloves. Step Three Grip the metal lip of the bulb with needle- nose pliers. Step Four Gently unscrew the bulb base, turning it the same way you would an unbroken bulb. Watch your fingers while turning the bulb base. Sheered glass remnants may still be inside. Step Five Remove the bulb base from the socket. Step Six Be sure to vacuum up any broken glass from the floor.

peaches6

Just wanted to let you know that the people who said to use a potatoe is right on of course be sure the electrical is turned off. As for the people that said to spray wd40 into the lamps dont do it. yes it may work but the oils will stay in the lamp and possibly cause a fire, dont do it. as for the pliers and hammer that may work but it will take forever the easiest thing is to use the potato method, as for the bread Ive never tried it but it dont sound right. potatoe all the way. Good luck

arsa1971

Turn the electricity to the lamp off. Use half of a raw potato or some bread. Push the potato or a wad of bread and push it straight down into the fixture. Holding the potato or the bread, unscrew it like a light bulb. The metal end will come out with the bread or the potato.

Jenn

When a light bulb breaks like the one you have get a patato and cut it in half and place it on the meatle piece and screw it out.

services_handyman

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