how to remove stuck/siezed lightbulb

[stuntman]

I was unscrewing a light bulb while not looking at it. The metal base separated from the glass part of the bulb and now I am stuck with the metal base in the socket. I tried a couple of needle nose pliers on the thin metal and only succeeded in turning it into a twisted mess. There is no movement. The part when the bulb screws into is in the ceiling so I cannot get a grip on it. What is the best way to go about this and why would a bulb freeze in the socket? moisture problem?

[Hot Ice]

cut a potato, push and unscrew

[dutchca]

You can also try balling up some duct tape. Small ball in the void, then a bigger ball and turn.

Sticky side out.

[fieldhousehandyman]

If it is an inexpensive, or style-less fixture, just replace the fixture! Spruce the place up a bit with a newer one!

[stuntman]

3 replies so far.

1) potato thing: that is for bulbs that are broken and some of the glass is still there.

2) duct tape....not bad but If 2 pairs of pliers did not work.

3) replace them....ugh....these things are honking big.....I guess since I am painting in the summer I wont have to live with ring around the new ones so long.

thanks for the replies.

[dgs]

Had this happen a few times - the easy way is to use a pair of needle nose pliers but instead of tryng to grab the metal with them you put them in the empty metal shell and open them out so they are pushing into the sides of the remains of the bulb - you may need to use both hands to achieve this, then turn and presto !

[Diamond_Ace]

3 replies so far.

1) potato thing: that is for bulbs that are broken and some of the glass is still there.

2) duct tape....not bad but If 2 pairs of pliers did not work.

3) replace them....ugh....these things are honking big.....I guess since I am painting in the summer I wont have to live with ring around the new ones so long.

thanks for the replies.

I've done the potatoe thing with no glass there. I just pushed really hard and it got in the whatever crevice was available. I don't my bulb base was screwed in super super tight so that helped for me.

[diggler649]

Me personally, I would just buy a new house.

[l69norm]

Use needle nose pliers and grab the metal shell. Collapse it and spin it out

[t3359]

Had this happen a few times - the easy way is to use a pair of needle nose pliers but instead of tryng to grab the metal with them you put them in the empty metal shell and open them out so they are pushing into the sides of the remains of the bulb - you may need to use both hands to achieve this, then turn and presto !

this works for me as well!

bjl

[EugW]

I also use pliers, but of course make sure the breaker is off for that fixture.

BTW, I never buy noname brand light bulbs anymore for this reason. When I encounter this problem, 9 times out of 10 it's because of the crappy bulb that breaks when you try to unscrew it.

[Techhead]

I What is the best way to go about this and why would a bulb freeze in the socket? moisture problem?

To answer thequestion as to why?

Most times it is from over tightening the bulb in the socket in the first place.
Never wrench the bulb into the socket. Gently snug it in and thats all it needs.

You'll never have another broken bulb again.

[EugW]

You'll never have another broken bulb again.

I think the adhesive on some of those cheap bulbs really sucks. Even with just "snug" bulbs, you can sometimes pull the glass right off it with a light twist, after it's been used for a year. It's almost as if the heat from the bulb causes the crappy adhesive to break down.

[woof]

Two pairs of pliers, grab the base on opposite sides and then twist together. Make sure you're wearing gloves and safety glasses because you can get glass or metal splinters flying out. And vacuum the floor underneath afterwards to pick everything up.

[qaz393]

when in doubt, use some lube

i recommend some penetration oil.