Re: Sheared lightbulb in recessed socket

In <dgi0j2$7jg$1@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> kj <socyl@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> writes:

>I was doing a routine lightbulb replacement in the recessed ceiling
>fixture in my entrance hallway when the top of the bulb sheared
>off cleanly from the threaded metal part. Great.

>I yanked off the bulb, but now the metal part is stuck in there,
>so I have a useless fixture. This would be a pain under any
>circumstance, but the fact that the socket is recessed makes it
>impossible to stick a pair of pliers in there to attempt to unscrew
>the metal part.

>The housing for the fixture is attached to the socket, so even if
>I managed to pry it out, I still would not be able to access the
>socket with pliers. I suppose I will have to pull the housing out,
>cut the wire, and replace it with a new housing, splicing the wire
>coming off the new housing into the cut end.

I had another idea, hopefully not too harebrained. I could use a
flexible shaft attached to my handheld drill to apply a torque
inside the socket. The only problem is finding a suitable drill
attachment to transmit the torque from the end of the flexible
shaft to the inside of the socket. The only thing I can think of
is something like a drill "socket wrench" attachment whose outer
diameter is slightly smaller than the inner diameter of the sheared
off bulb thread, with a rubber band wrapped around the outer rim.
(Hopefully the rubber band would produce enough traction to twist
the bulb thread.) If anyone can think of a better drill attachment
for this strange task please let me know.

>Am I on the right track here? If so, what do I have to do to remove
>the housing. After working at it for a while I didn't get very
>far at all. One would think that one has to rip the ceiling to
>get that housing out, but I can't believe the system would be that
>stupid.

>How does one fix a situation like this, without ripping out a big
>chunk of ceiling?

>Thanks!

>kj

>--
>NOTE: In my address everything before the first period is backwards;
>and the last period, and everything after it, should be discarded.
--
NOTE: In my address everything before the first period is backwards;
and the last period, and everything after it, should be discarded.
.

Relevant Pages

  • Re: Sheared lightbulb in recessed socket
    ... > I yanked off the bulb, but now the metal part is stuck in there, ... > so I have a useless fixture. ... I suppose I will have to pull the housing out, ... One would think that one has to rip the ceiling to ...
    (alt.home.repair)
  • Re: Sheared lightbulb in recessed socket
    ... >I yanked off the bulb, but now the metal part is stuck in there, ... >so I have a useless fixture. ... but the fact that the socket is recessed makes it ... I suppose I will have to pull the housing out, ...
    (alt.home.repair)
  • Re: Sheared lightbulb in recessed socket
    ... > I yanked off the bulb, but now the metal part is stuck in there, ... > so I have a useless fixture. ... I suppose I will have to pull the housing out, ... One would think that one has to rip the ceiling to ...
    (alt.home.repair)
  • Re: Sheared lightbulb in recessed socket
    ... >>I was doing a routine lightbulb replacement in the recessed ceiling ... >>so I have a useless fixture. ... but the fact that the socket is recessed makes it ... I suppose I will have to pull the housing out, ...
    (alt.home.repair)
  • Re: Sheared lightbulb in recessed socket
    ... light socket and turning counter-clockwise while maintaining pressure. ... Look around inside the perimeter of the housing. ... be able to pull it down just below the ceiling. ... > so I have a useless fixture. ...
    (alt.home.repair)