Changing light bulb in old fixture?

Question

How do I get the light bulb box out that is over my kitchen sink? I took screws out and it came down some, but cannot figure how to get it open and change the bulb. The bulb is incased in a metal box. House is 50 yrs old.

Answer 1

If I understand your situation right. The screws are holding the box? If there is a glass cover, that should pull down towards you. It may only come down a few inches, after that you will have to reach up the side of the diffuser and you should feel a wire on each side. These are what hold the glass trim to the box itself. They have to be compressed towards center and the trim piece should release so that you can access the bulb. That is about all I can offer you on the older style of cans in that time era. If that does the trick for you I would suggest a fluorescent bulb for long life as the removal of the trim piece can be a pain in the butt.. Good luck and hope that helped.

Answer 2

If the bulb is encased in metal, it won't do any good to change the bulb, anyway, because the light will not go through the metal.

Replace the whole fixture.

Answer 3

Push a potatoe into the socket and turn it.  It will loosen the broken piece.