How can I safely remove the base of a light bulb (the bulb broke off while removing) from an outdoor fixture? The base is rusted into the fixture.

Robin, January 2007

Switch off the main power to be on the safe side.Take a pointed pliers and open the pliers inside the holder and turn the pliers to unscrew the holder.

Charl, February 2007

you can use a potatoe to remove the broken part, make sure there is no power to the fixture first.

merv, January 2007

Second that about the power, and remember that not everyone wires up switches correctly, so it might be live with the switch off. I advise that you pull the switchboard fuse.

A squirt of Plus-Gas or WD40 at the rust a few hours before trying the removal will help enormously, and a squirt before the new bulb goes in will stop it happening again.

Bill Goldie, January 2007

make sure the power is off
then use a pair of pointed pliers
to grip and remove it.

Gary, January 2007