Empty light bulbs can be used for a variety of crafts, decorations, and scientific projects. You'll have a little trouble opening the light bulb for the first time, but it gets easier once you know how.
Step
Part 1 of 3: Unlocking the Light Bulb
Step 1. Grip the solder points with pliers
Look at the bottom of the light bulb and look for small metal solder points. Hold this point firmly with sharp pliers.
In this and subsequent steps, you may be able to accidentally break the lamp. Therefore, it is better to do this activity in a box or on a few sheets of newspaper. You should also wear safety glasses and gloves
Step 2. Twist and remove the metal bulb
Twist the soldering point with pliers until you feel that one or more of the brass wires connected to the filament are disconnected. Unplug until the solder point comes off.
- Hold firmly on the bulb with your other hand as you pull out the solder points.
- You may have to push the solder point back and forth if turning the solder point doesn't work.
- The metal side should be lifted slightly so that the pliers can clamp down properly before you remove the solder points.
Step 3. Break the insulating glass
Hold one side of the black insulating glass under the bulb with your pliers. Turn it up to break the glass.
- This insulating glass is thick so you need quite a lot of force to break it. Make sure you hold the bulb firmly with your other hand when you break the insulating glass.
- The insulating glass will break into several pieces, so do this step carefully.
- You may have to try breaking the insulating glass from a few corners of the edges if all the steps above didn't break the glass the first time you tried it.
Step 4. Remove the fragments from the insulator
Use tongs to clean the black insulating glass from the light bulb socket.
- The shards of the glass may be very sharp. Therefore, do not touch the fragments without gloves.
- After cleaning the insulating glass shards, you can see the inside of the bulb from the underside of the lamp.
Step 5. Break the tube that is inside the lamp
Insert a flat screwdriver from the bottom of the bulb to one side of the inner tube of the lamp. Press the side of the tube with a screwdriver until the tube breaks.
The light bulb is filled with elemental argon or a harmless, non-reactive gas. If you break the inner tube of a light bulb, you will hear a sound indicating the release of argon gas
Step 6. Remove the inner tube of the bulb
Use a screwdriver to crack the entire side of the tube, then remove the pieces using tongs or pliers.
- If you manage to remove the tube from the bulb without breaking it, you can reuse it for another project.
- If you can't crack the tube from all sides, you may have to turn the screwdriver a little more to crack the tube. Remove the shards of the tube using tongs when the tube is cracked.
- Since you're going to have to exert a lot of force, make sure your other hand is holding the light bulb firmly as you perform the above steps.
Step 7. Remove the tungsten wire
Gently shake the filament to remove it from the lamp onto your work area.
- If the filament is still intact and complete, you can also reuse it.
- You may also have to remove the wire using tongs or pliers.
Step 8. Break and remove any remaining glass shards
If there are still small pieces of glass remaining on the inside end of the lamp, carefully break them open with a screwdriver.
- Remove the broken glass using tongs.
- Now your light bulb is open and empty. You can stop at this step, but you can also read this article further.
Part 2 of 3: Removing the Metal Socket
Step 1. Ask yourself whether this is necessary or not
For most projects, you can leave the metal socket attached to the light bulb. If you only need a glass bulb for your project, you can remove the metal socket before moving on to the next step.
- You may want to leave this section for visual aesthetics. Another reason to remove this part is to make a bigger hole in the lamp base.
- If you want to reattach the lamp socket after removing it, you can apply a small amount of glue to the top end of the socket and press the socket against the bottom of the lamp.
Step 2. Soak the lamp socket in hydrochloric acid
Put a little hydrochloric acid in a glass bowl. Soak the lamp socket that is still attached to this acid and let it soak for 24 hours.
- Hydrochloric acid is a strong cleaning agent that is often used to clean heavily soiled toilet and plumbing surfaces.
- Use enough acid to soak the metal parts of the lamp.
Step 3. Clean the lamp from hydrochloric acid
After soaking the lamp socket, remove it from the acid, and clean it under running water.
- Use a small amount of soap or a mild base, such as baking soda, to neutralize any acid that is still on the surface of the light socket.
- Wear gloves when performing this step to protect your fingers from harmful chemicals.
Step 4. Carefully twist and remove the metal socket
Hold the light bulb firmly with one hand, then gently twist and release the metal socket with your other hand.
- The hydrochloric acid will dissolve the strong adhesive glue that keeps the metal socket on the lamp glass, making the socket looser and easier to remove.
- If you do this step carefully, you won't break the glass at the bottom of the lamp.
Part 3 of 3: Cleaning the Light Bulb
Step 1. Decide whether you need to do this or not
If you use it with a clean light bulb, you don't need to clean it. If you are using a light bulb that is coated with white kaolin powder, you will definitely want to clean this powder off before using the bulb.
Kaolin is considered a safe ingredient, but you still need to avoid direct contact with skin and eyes. Keep your safety glasses and gloves on
Step 2. Insert the tissue paper into the light bulb
Fill the lamp with tissue paper and leave the end of the tissue paper long enough to stick out so you can pull it out.
Avoid the sharp edges of the lamp or glass shards
Step 3. Rub the powder stuck to the lamp
Use the end of the tissue paper to twist the tissue paper around the inside of the lamp and remove any powder.
Dry tissue paper usually removes powder well, but if you have trouble cleaning the lamp with tissue paper, dampen the tissue paper and try cleaning the lamp again
Step 4. Fill the lamp with salt
If some kaolin powder cannot be removed, fill a quarter of the lamp with salt.
You will use the abrasive properties of the salt to scrub the corners and sides of the bulb
Step 5. Shake the lamp
Close the bulb carefully and shake the lamp. The salt in the lamp can remove any remaining kaolin powder.
- Cover the bottom of the bulb with your thumb (keep gloves on) to prevent the salt from falling all over the place. You can also use tissue paper to cover the bottom of the bulb.
- Remove the salt when done. Throw away the salt, don't reuse the salt.
Step 6. Reuse tissue paper
If there is still salt or kaolin powder in the lamp, use a paper towel to clean it.
- At this point, the contents of the lamp should be easily removed with tissue paper.
- Once you have completed this step, the bulb is open, clean, and ready to use for your purposes.
Tips
Empty light bulbs can be used for a wide variety of projects. For example, you can use them as miniature models, terrariums, ornaments, oil lamps, beakers, vases, or installation art
Warning
- Protect your eyes and hands while performing the steps instructed above. Always wear safety glasses and protect your hands with thick gloves.
- Never try to open a neon light. Fluorescent lamps contain the element mercury. This mercury substance is safe when in fluorescent lamps, but can be dangerous if the lamp is opened.
