How do I get the metal bulb cap out of the socket safely?
2006-08-07 11:40:35 · 26 answers · asked by geezermann 1 in Home & Garden ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
Cut off the power and use needle-nose plyers.
Spray the new bulb's metal part with wd-40 for easy removal next time.
2006-08-07 11:48:00 · answer #1 · answered by Texas Cowboy 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
First, disconnect the lamp from the electrical supply (unplug the lamp, or turn off the circuit breaker, or remove the fuse).
Use something of the right size & consistency so that one end of it will grab the broken base of the bulb, and the other end will fit comfortably in your hand. For example, a potato or a piece of soft wood (you might need to trim the end that goes into the socket). With a trash receptacle positioned below the lamp, press this object into the socket, unscrew the base of the bulb, and drop the whole mess directly into the trash. You may need to brush out remaining slivers of glass from the lamp.
P.S.: It's tempting to try to use pliers to twist out the bulb base, but it's hard to unscrew the base that way and you'll likely spread more glass around.
2006-08-07 11:59:46 · answer #2 · answered by Rich 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Make sure the switch/circuit is off. Cut a large potato in half. Use the potato to unscrew the metal part. Make sure the socket is clean and dry before turning the light back on with the new bulb installed.
2006-08-07 11:47:02 · answer #3 · answered by justanotherunknown 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I've had this happen before........this is the answer that I got from the internet and it worked. Take a potato, cut it in half..and place the "open" end up to the socket (make sure switch is off!) and screw it in the direction of the coils. The metal piece will embed into the potato and then you should be able to unscrew the bulb. Let me know if it works because it did for me!
2006-08-07 11:46:26 · answer #4 · answered by ? 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Take a pile of rags or a crumpled mass of newspaper or paper bag paper. Make sure the socket is turned off and slowly mash it up and turn. A large sponge might also work.
Some people swear by a potato shoved up into it. My potato must have been too hard and it didn't work. Though if it's really stuck firmly this might be your best option .
Also make sure to dispose of the mess into a PAPER bag then into a plastic one. That way the sharp edges won't cut the plastic bag open.
Good Luck!!
2006-08-07 11:50:19 · answer #5 · answered by Solunas 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Turn the switch off so that the socket does not have power, then use a pliers to twist out the metal cap. Watch out for broken glass! Works every time...
2006-08-07 11:46:09 · answer #6 · answered by AJF 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I heard that you can use a potato to get a broken bulb out, but it never worked for me. I have always used a pair of needle nose pliers. and if that doesn't work, you will have to change the socket. be sure the power is OFF first.
2006-08-07 11:51:03 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Get a potato. Cut it in half and then push it into the socket. Make sure it is in there tightly and then slowly unscrew the broken bulb out.
2006-08-07 11:45:46 · answer #8 · answered by El Teke 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
UNPLUG the lamp. Then carefully take a screw driver and using it on the inside of where the bulb blew, unscrew the remainder of the bulb. It will come out quite easily.
Good luck!!
2006-08-07 12:18:25 · answer #9 · answered by No one 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Were you trying to replace it with the light fixture on? From now on turn it off before replacing. But, now you have this mess. It has happened to me; turn off the main power source (breaker) or unplug the lamp whichever it is, use needle-nose plyers and twist it out. Works fine. The potato thing is interesting, never heard of that before that I can remember.
2006-08-07 12:04:42 · answer #10 · answered by Goldenrain 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋