Feb 072010
I removed the broken bulb and then tried to remove the metal base, but couldn’t. So, I got the genius idea of trying to bend all the pieces inward and hoping they’d either snap off or I could pull them off, yeahhhhhh, not working. So, now, I’m left with 2/3 of the metal base stuck in the fixture. Anyone know how to remove that mess?? Oh and save the comments about my stupidity, I already know. Thanks!! : )
You need a good pair of needle nose pliers a lot of patience and extreme care not to damage the fixture part of the threads. The aluminum base bulbs oxidize and stick.
1- Turn off the power (I know you did or you wouldn’t have written the question).
2- Use a fine tooth hacksaw blade and cut the higher portion of the threads. (as much as you can with minimum damage to the socket itself).
3- Use the needle-nose pliers to get under the bulb threads and twist/roll the metal in the manner of the lid on a sardine can cover and peel the bulb base out a piece at a time.
4- It might be easier to replace the entire socket as a whole unit as replacements are many in style, shape and material.
(I always tried to get a porcelain socket as much as possible as the plastic one may cost less but don’t last).
this happened to me just two days ago. i made sure switch was off, got my thin nosed pliers, grabbed each side of the part i had to remove and twisted as if to unscrew a lightbulb. the broken peice came straight out. i put new bulb in and it works fine. good luck.
Cut a potato in half, jam the cut edge onto the metal part, and twist it out. Be sure to disconnect from the power supply.
Use needle nose pliers to grip the metal and then force it around counter-clockwise. Or, insert the needle nose into the center of the metal base and then open the needle nose grip so the pliers press against the inside of the metal base, and then turn the whole handle counter-clockwise to unscrew it.
Don’t worry, lots of people have done that!
break that glass piece in the middle with needle nose pliers find a piece to grap onto and spin out.
First of all, I/we don’t think your stupid!
Two things to try: (Make sure the power is off to the fixture)
1. cut the end off of a potato. Squeeze the cut end up into the broken fixture and turn it as to unscrew. Next time you have a broken bulb like this, you may want to try this method before resorting to stronger means.
2. Use needle nose pliers to grab a protruding part and twist counter clockwise to unscrew. Sometimes you can open the pliers while inside the socket pressing against the sides and unscrew the remains.
I had a friend that used a piece of metal pipe which he superglued to the bulb remains and then twisted them out.
Good luck
Ammended answer LOL: Looks like you’ve already got the advice I offered prior to me posting. However, I actually found a website that gives a better explanation. You may want to try it:http://www.naturalhandyman.com/iip/infel…
hi
have you tried needle nose pliers?
Make sure the power is off first
if you don’t have needle nose pliers
here’s a trick take potato and cut it a little larger than the socket hole push it in to the bottom then twist off
should remove the piece of metal
then after used a paper towel and wipe clean inside the socket
cut a potato in half
Here’s a trick to get a broken light bulb out of a socket —
take a raw potato,
cut it in half,
twist the half potato into the broken light bulb/socket,
you should be able to unscrew the broken light bulb with the potato.
It’s unconventional but it works!!!!!