It’s a question as old as the lightbulb itself, yet as far as I can tell, nobody has ever posed it to the woodworking community-so here goes nothing:
How does a fine woodworker change a lightbulb?
Watch the video and find out. Plus, learn about our upcoming live event: Fine Woodworking Live 2013. This summer, your favorite woodworking authors, editors, and video personalities will gather together in New Haven, CT for three days of woodworking demonstrates, presentations, tool vendors, and more. We’ve lowered the price, changed the venue, and opened up all of this summer’s classes as electives.
This year, Fine Woodworking Live is even better!
Reserve Your Spot Today
Visit FineWoodworkingLive.com for more information, and to register.
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google
Privacy Policy and
Terms of Service apply.
Comments
You forgot the teflon spray or silicon grease on the threads so next time it will be easy to remove. Also, reset the time meter on the fixture so you will know if the bulb lasts as long as the package says.
I think the article should be titled "Selecting the propper electrical ceiling box and light fixture combination".
Need information and type study on the brace & ball.....
No calipers to ensure a proper fit???
Makes me want o use my brace the next time a bulb goes out! hats off once again to a job well done.
Nate
great video!!
This is a cute video, and it makes a worthwhile point: fine woodworking is all about the journey, the process. I'll spend two weekends on a jig or two months on a piece of shop furniture. This used to embarrass me, but I no longer make apologies.
I used to work with a guy who would tell others "not to ask me the time, 'cause I'd tell them how to make a watch."
Somehow this video brings that statement back to me.
That's hilarious! He used drywall screws 'cause it's April Fools Day! Good one guys. Nice ladder too.
@EngrMike, I've found that regular anti-seize lubrication, the type used for spark plugs in cars, works better for lightbulb fixtures.
typical sepo's , bloody light bulbs that are different than everybody else's, down here in oz we have the good old bayonet fix,
As a reader of Fine Woodworking since issue # 001, this seems perfectly logical to me.
What a great idea using the brace and tennis ball it will save me some time next time a downlighter blows Thanks Graham.
Typical fine woodworker, use a chain pull light fixture when he could of had a low voltage controller / dimmer to do the job.
I saw this and it was like a lighbulb went off in my head...........
This is very informative as far as it goes, but can we have a follow up video on how to best ensure that the tennis ball is precisely halved?
For someone so fastidious I am surprised by the poor detail around the bulb holder. Also it would be good practice to test the new bulb with a meter before going up the ladder to fix it and as has already been said some form of heat resistant lubricant on the thread to make it easier to remove the next time. I do not like round rungs on ladders they are very hard on the feet, proper steps would have been much better. Writing the date fitted on the bulb base allows you to claim under warrantee when the bulb does not last as long as it says on the packet, you would have to provide an estimate the usage.
I like the bulb grip, I will have to make one of those.
Apart from that very good :-)
I wish I had that much time on my hands !
Super funny....... So how do we handle the squirrelly new florescent bulbs ? Oh yea and how bout a power drill in place of the b& b just a thought.
Duane
Really like the brace idea, but why not an extension on the brace and skip the ladder? Course, the extension would need to be turned on the lathe and perhaps some sort of face shield in case the bulb breaks....
What is so unusual about this :))
Loved it! Thanks for the laugh.
The best part is the new foam-encased light bulb in its own display box. How funny!
Watched this before my first sip of coffee, what a wake up! Thanks Fine Woodworking.
Wow, that is an inventive and very thoughtful way to remove a bulb. It just goes to show that there is always a better way. However, I must protest as to the final operation, as I believe all light bulbs need to be, and should ONLY be carefully and skillfully, "hand fitted". Precision is everything!
How about a "tool test./comparison" on tennis balls in the next issue of FW? Or a "how they did it" on the medallion this guy needs to turn to go under that ceramic fixture on the ceiling?
Well... I have found the best light bulb. Never needs changing. I have my shop fitted with homemade LED strips in aluminium channels. Even overhead glow from many lights points, so no shadows. Best of all, when swing a board up the wrong way, the bulb does not break!
I had a friend who had a similar personality. I used to kid him by telling him "When you get a project you go out and buy graph paper. When I get a project I go out and buy lumber."
I agree with HappyHacker, he needs to spend a little time fixing the ceiling around that fixture.
Other than that, neat ladder, should have flat steps for better stability. But, I guess if you are going to build a ladder every time you need to change a bulb that's the fastest way to do it.
Also he should have a backup bulb in case the other one in the box isn't any good.
Enjoyed the video! And, the comments, too! The music was a nice touch. I think I'll try some classical music to lend an air of elegance to my time in the shop.
Thank you for the video demonstrating a Fine Woodworker's method of changing light bulbs. Even though I long ago replaced the incandescent bulbs with fluorescent fixtures; I still have them plugged into the same pull chain switched porcelain sockets via socket adapters. I am really, Really, REALLY looking forward to the followup video demonstrating how to replace that pull chain that ALWAYS breaks off inside the socket.
How many tough guys does it take to screw in a lightbulb?
None, they're not afraid of the dark.
That was absolutely hilarious!
Still using incandescent bulbs?
I don't feel so alone anymore...
I am glad that I am not that obsessive! Great video though...
Enjoyed it...thanks for a fun moment.
What, No gloves!?!?
What was the tennis ball torqued speced at?
Some dielectric grease next time please.
LOL!!
Thanks
Some Labrador Retrievers would be miffed at the waste of a perfectly good tennis ball.
LOL
I do not understand why I did not think that idea before
I like how you are still using incandescent bulbs, (for the heat obviously) =0)
But what about bayonet fittings? Great video - made me laugh!
This made my day!
Showed my wife the clip and she was concerned there was no safety glasses or hearing protection.
sorethumbAustralia The video makes me feel a little better when I fiddle around.
A pity he didn't cut the ball in a straight cut ( a bit wavy) and I personally would have like to see dovetails on the box-would have been much smarter and taken a little more time?
If you believe the latest"safety" ads, the best woodworker uses a "LightBulb Stop" to change the light bulb. It uses only the latest in B.O.L.B.S.T. (Burned Out Light Bulb Sensing Technology).
That way, no tools, no sandpaper, no ladder, no brace, no tennis ball (and DEFINITELY no thought) need be used.
And by the way......Was that tennis ball cut using the latest in "ball-stop" technology, instead of caution, good judgement and focus? I certainly HOPE SO!!
He forgot dielectric tune-up grease. I prefer Permetex. The lubrication makes bulb removal a breeze.
At rate I work wood... I would need to start the next ladder now in order to be ready for the next change. Of course he could have always taken the opportunity to lower the ceiling to avoid the need for a ladder.
My experience tells me that Wilson tennis balls work best :)
Wow. Glad the bulb was turned off, but I was concerned we didn't see him turn off the circuit breaker as well. Would love to have seen a hand-rubbed oil finish on that ladder.
Your Fine Woodworker could use a Fine Taper! Excellent video.
I think that the light bulb carrier is great. I am going to make one for all the light bulbs I have.
The video was very amusing. I have become very much like that guy. It's about the journey, not the destination. I used to whip projects together very quickly. They'd be functional, they's serve their purpose, but sometimes they weren't too pretty (no comments on dating intended). I learned that taking your time, enjoying the journey is really what woodworking is all about. I take things very carefully step by step, enjoying each operation, understanding that I am working with a living medium, that I am giving new life to as something to be treasured. As a result, I appreciate the results much more.
Oh and yeah, that lightbulb remover/installer is a real keeper.
Expect a visit from several government agencies- Dept of Energy for promoting incandescent light bulbs; OSHA for not putting the proper stickers on the ladder for usable maximum weight, how not to lean to far, not to step on the top step etc etc; the Dept of Woodworking Shop Safety for not using safety glasses and hearing protection etc etc etc etc etc.. Expect several visits including the IRS to interview the actor about whether or not he was covered under ObamaCare during the video taping. Other than that the woodworking is good quality and the light bulb tool is a great idea- it should work on most CFLs!!!!
I am of Polish heritage and my first wife was hispanic. One day while I was engaged in the activity that has spawned so many ethic jokes, my wife asked the obvious question. I sweetly told her that only one Pole was needed to change the bulb, if no Mexicans were helping. She told the story to everyone she knew.
Now I do not feel so obsessive.
nice job/////!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Definitely dielectric grease on the threads.
Ummm I don't see the humor! Isn't this the way everyone does this?
Log in or create an account to post a comment.
Sign up Log in