# Tool for extracting a broken light bulb? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [January 10, 2006, 1:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tool-for-extracting-a-broken-light-bulb/339242 "2006-01-10T01:02:42Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Otto](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/bbe5ce/32.png) [@Otto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Otto)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2006, 3:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tool-for-extracting-a-broken-light-bulb/339242/21 "2006-01-10T03:04:25Z")
And a new SDMB meme is born. ---
**Author:** ![Raguleader](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/258eb7/32.png) [@Raguleader](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Raguleader)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2006, 3:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tool-for-extracting-a-broken-light-bulb/339242/22 "2006-01-10T03:10:01Z")
Don’t forget to turn off the potato before unscrewing the circuit breaker and… uhm… I’m confused. ☹ ---
**Author:** ![Polycarp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/82dd89/32.png) [@Polycarp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Polycarp)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2006, 3:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tool-for-extracting-a-broken-light-bulb/339242/23 "2006-01-10T03:11:24Z")
> [@Otto](#): > > And a new SDMB meme is born. Why did I start hearing “Rio” by Duran Duran as I read this thread? Don’t forget to turn the power off. At the breaker. Before you use the potato. ---
**Author:** ![Q.E.D](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/51bf81/32.png) [@Q.E.D](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Q.E.D)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2006, 3:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tool-for-extracting-a-broken-light-bulb/339242/24 "2006-01-10T03:13:04Z")
> [@Otto](#): > > And a new SDMB meme is born. This one’s my fault, isn’t it? Sorry. ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Blue\_Sky](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d26b3c/32.png) [@Mr.Blue\_Sky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Blue_Sky)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2006, 3:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tool-for-extracting-a-broken-light-bulb/339242/25 "2006-01-10T03:15:13Z")
> [@Polycarp](#): > > Why did I start hearing “Rio” by Duran Duran as I read this thread? > > Don’t forget to turn the power off. At the breaker. Before you use the potato. I have it on good authority that Duran Duran turned off the power to their potato before recording Rio. ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2006, 3:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tool-for-extracting-a-broken-light-bulb/339242/26 "2006-01-10T03:15:35Z")
When you are done extracting the bulb with the potato, you could leave the metal piece on as hat and use a pair on silver thumbtacks as eyes and maybe make some paper clip tentacles and add a few more decorations and you would have Robo-Tater. Jim ---
**Author:** ![spingears](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ebca7d/32.png) [@spingears](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/spingears)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2006, 3:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tool-for-extracting-a-broken-light-bulb/339242/27 "2006-01-10T03:17:59Z")
> [@Mr. Blue Sky](#): > > The first thing is TURN THE POWER OFF! > Try a pair of needle-nosed pliers and open them up inside the base of the bulb and you should be able to twist it out. > Did I mentioned to TURN THE POWER OFF? TURN THE POWER OFF! SILICONE SPRAY applied to the lamp base frozen in socket. (WD-40 if you don’t have silicone.) Wind strip counter clockwise as if unscrewing the base. NEEDLE-NOSE PLIERS open jaws and try that first. AS A LAST RESORT use a scriber to separate the base from socket at rim. Use the pliers to twist/roll up the base material like you were opening a can of sardines! OTOH it might be easier to just replace the socket if at all possible. Worked fine to remove a screw in fuse adapter that had broken. ---
**Author:** ![Fear\_Itself](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fear_itself/32/19637_2.png) [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2006, 3:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tool-for-extracting-a-broken-light-bulb/339242/28 "2006-01-10T03:22:22Z")
> [@spingears](#): > > TURN THE POWER OFF! > SILICONE SPRAY applied to the lamp base frozen in socket. (WD-40 if you don’t have silicone.) > Wind strip counter clockwise as if unscrewing the base. > NEEDLE-NOSE PLIERS open jaws and try that first. > AS A LAST RESORT use a scriber to separate the base from socket at rim. > Use the pliers to twist/roll up the base material like you were opening a can of sardines! > OTOH it might be easier to just replace the socket if at all possible. > Worked fine to remove a screw in fuse adapter that had broken. So what do I do with this potato? ---
**Author:** ![Amp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/6a8cbe/32.png) [@Amp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Amp)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2006, 3:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tool-for-extracting-a-broken-light-bulb/339242/29 "2006-01-10T03:24:27Z")
I think you’re supposed to turn the power off with it. ---
**Author:** ![Xema](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/x/9de053/32.png) [@Xema](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Xema)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2006, 3:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tool-for-extracting-a-broken-light-bulb/339242/30 "2006-01-10T03:29:17Z")
What the heck, dare to be different - leave the power on. Just be sure you’re using an early-harvest potato from eastern Idaho - certain strains grown along the Falls River near Ashton would be ideal. They’re known for their excellent dielectric properties and favorable coefficient of friction. ---
**Author:** ![BMax](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bmax/32/4267_2.png) [@BMax](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BMax)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2006, 3:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tool-for-extracting-a-broken-light-bulb/339242/31 "2006-01-10T03:33:37Z")
Would that be a 1920’s style potato? But turn off the power. Once. For 20 minutes. Someone please stop me. ---
**Author:** ![Cunctator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/43a26b/32.png) [@Cunctator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cunctator)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2006, 3:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tool-for-extracting-a-broken-light-bulb/339242/32 "2006-01-10T03:33:46Z")
> [@Kansas Beekeeper](#): > > Wood broom handle. Push up and twist. That works well. I’ve also used a lump of plasticine. ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Blue\_Sky](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d26b3c/32.png) [@Mr.Blue\_Sky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Blue_Sky)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2006, 3:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tool-for-extracting-a-broken-light-bulb/339242/33 "2006-01-10T03:34:55Z")
> [@Cunctator](#): > > I’ve also used a lump of plasticine. Were you wearing a looking glass tie at the time? ---
**Author:** ![BoringDad](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ad7895/32.png) [@BoringDad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BoringDad)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2006, 3:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tool-for-extracting-a-broken-light-bulb/339242/34 "2006-01-10T03:37:54Z")
> [@Fear Itself](#): > > So what do I do with this potato? When come back bring potato pie. ---
**Author:** ![Cunctator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/43a26b/32.png) [@Cunctator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cunctator)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2006, 3:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tool-for-extracting-a-broken-light-bulb/339242/35 "2006-01-10T03:42:18Z")
> [@Mr. Blue Sky](#): > > Were you wearing a looking glass tie at the time? You’ll have to explain that one I’m afraid. I have no idea what a looking glass tie is. ---
**Author:** ![Rico](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rico/32/3582_2.png) [@Rico](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rico)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2006, 3:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tool-for-extracting-a-broken-light-bulb/339242/36 "2006-01-10T03:44:30Z")
[ol] [li]Turn off power[/li][li]Insulate yourself[/li][li]Hi Potatopal![/li][/ol] ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Blue\_Sky](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d26b3c/32.png) [@Mr.Blue\_Sky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Blue_Sky)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2006, 3:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tool-for-extracting-a-broken-light-bulb/339242/37 "2006-01-10T03:46:09Z")
> [@Cunctator](#): > > You’ll have to explain that one I’m afraid. I have no idea what a looking glass tie is. It’s from the Beatles’ “Lucy in the Sky With Diamonds”: “Picture yourself on a train in a station, With plasticine porters with looking glass ties,” The word plasticine isn’t used in the US, AFAIK, so whenever I see it, that line pops into my head. ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2006, 3:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tool-for-extracting-a-broken-light-bulb/339242/38 "2006-01-10T03:46:19Z")
> [@BMax](#): > > Would that be a 1920’s style potato? > > But turn off the power. Once. For 20 minutes. > > Someone please stop me. We could drop a 20 ton potato on your head or maybe a 20 Mr Potato Head. Jim ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Blue\_Sky](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d26b3c/32.png) [@Mr.Blue\_Sky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Blue_Sky)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2006, 3:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tool-for-extracting-a-broken-light-bulb/339242/39 "2006-01-10T03:48:20Z")
I burning your potato! ---
**Author:** ![Queen\_Tonya](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/4491bb/32.png) [@Queen\_Tonya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Queen_Tonya)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2006, 3:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tool-for-extracting-a-broken-light-bulb/339242/40 "2006-01-10T03:49:56Z")
And if the same dim bulb labeled yon breaker box as what miswired the wee socket, one of [these](http://roadietools.com/volttick.html) pocket sized proximity testers wouldn’t go amiss. Unless you prefer your potato baked, of course. 🆒 [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tool-for-extracting-a-broken-light-bulb/339242.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tool-for-extracting-a-broken-light-bulb/339242.md?page=3)