Let There Be LIGHT!!! (How Many MOLers Does It Take to Change a Light Bulb?)

I have two identical light fixtures in my kitchen, and though I've lived here for years, I've never had a bulb go out in either of them.

Well, now that one has gone dark on me, I -- and anyone else I've asked to look at it -- have not been able to figure out how to get inside the "globe" portion of the fixture to change the light bulb.

The globes each measure @ 38" in circumference, and are @ 13" (roughly) from top to bottom.

Each has a "pipe"-like stem (about 6" long) that connects to and screws into the ceiling. To date I've not been able to unscrew this pipe from the ceiling completely. I presume there are wires that go through that to inside the globe to something the lightbulb screws into.

The globes are made of frosted glass, and the second picture below shows a round metal "cap" on each that connects to the "pipe". Logically, it seems to me that this "cap" would come off (open up, pop off ... something), so you can get inside to change the bulb. But that's not easy (maybe impossible) to do. Haven't been able to remove it without possibly damaging the glass globe.

So, do we have any mystery solvers out there (or maybe just someone who has the same light fixtures) who can help me get my kitchen fully lit again? ">

There just may be a prize awarded to the winning solver ">

Thanks in advance for any help or ideas!

The globe itself should unscrew. Hold the plate and spin the globe to the left.

What Steve said. I hope.

Ooh, hadn't tried that! I will tomorrow. Thanks!

That's what I was trying to do, but I couldn't get enough leverage because I couldn't find anything to stand on.

Have you made progress?

Thanks for checking in, Apollo!

I was not able to get the globe to move separately from the "cap" on top of it. I could get the two to move together, but that just got me separating the globe and cap from the "pipe", with the wire still connecting them.

Not sure if the "cap" can be pried from the globe, or "popped off" somehow ... or if it's just that I can't get enough leverage to get the globe to turn separately from it

Still stuck!

I was trying to google an answer, but not much luck. BUT, I did find a fixture that I think looks similar to yours:

http://www.amazon.com/Light-Globe-Pendant-Size-12/dp/B00AINFFO0

I know you can call with questions about the fixture before ordering - maybe try and ask them how one would change the bulb? You don't have to order it, but they might have some info. There are lots of online sites dealing with how to change bulbs in various demonically-designed fixtures, so you could also post your inquiry on one of them. Maybe someone else has figured this out. Looks very difficult!

Thanks Cody! Great ideas! How did we live without Google???

I trained to be a librarian .... love mysteries like this.

There's GOT to be a way.

I can't see from your pictures how the lamp shade is held on but, if a light fitting I have is at all similar, you'll find the shade is held on to the top support by spring-loaded clips.

Search for "Spring Loaded Lamp Shade Holder".

I don't know how long this image will stay up, but take a look here... http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Lamp-Shade-Spring-Clip-Retainer-for-Glass-Lamp-Shades-10mm-Choice-of-5-Sizes-/131126872558

To be honest, I've never removed the shade from my lamp, but it's a matter of holding the shade support and gently levering the shade away until the springs can be grabbed and held such that the shade can be taken off.

Failing that, try putting on some safety goggles, a safety helmet and, adopting a comfortable stance, swing an old baseball bat or - perhaps - a 3-iron and see if you can't dislodge the shade.

I looked more closely at your images, Juniemoon, and I'm wondering if the metal piece that sits on the vertical piece right where it meets the metal on the top of the globe can be unscrewed. Have you tried that?

It looks like a weird curtain rod that I have where the metal rod is held in place by screwing it into a small holder on the side of the wall. It was difficult to unscrew it the first time because it had been in place for so long. Just a thought.

MOLer #7 : Try a little WD-40 around the metal parts to unscrew the cap if marksierra's clip idea doesn't work. It may be that things have frozen from not being changed in so long.

LOVE your thread title!

Though your fixture doesn't seem to have the screw in the small collar just above the metal top of the globe, i suspect that the collar is the thing that releases the globe, either by turning or sliding up ...or pushing down. Of course you will need at least a step ladder and 3 or 4 hands to try....Good Luck

Thanks for all the great ideas. Someone's coming over this afternoon to try to help me. So maybe with a step stool, four hands, and all your great ideas, we'll get somewhere.

I'll report back!

Mystery solved! And here's all it took:

1) A quick trip to Home Depot to find my lamp and a couple of salespeople; open up the box, and look inside

2) They explain that loosening the nut at the top of the metal plate should allow it to be lifted, then turning the globe to the side would allow the metal plate that holds the light bulb to slide out.

3) Change the bulb and reverse the steps ... DONE!

But I couldn't have done it without the help of another MOL'er (who asks to remain anonymous) who helped me through the physical prying open, balancing the globe while bulb was replaced, then reassembling BOTH lamps! (Turns out the OTHER lamp went out, too, while I've been trying to figure out how to fix the first one!)

My Good Samaritan has been awarded the prize earned, and my kitchen is brightly lit once again.

Thanks to all of you who chimed in with ideas and advice! What a great little community support team we have here! ><

Got pics?

Looks like the answer is: 10

12 if you give credit to the 2 salespeople at Home Depot (thus acknowledging Home Depot as a potential good resource for solving these mysteries in the future....)

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Since you asked, marksierra, here's a new picture with BOTH my kitchen lights shining brightly! ><

And Cody, you should get honorable mention, too, since one of the ideas you suggested turned out to do the trick!

Thanks everyone!