Changing a lightbulb(!)

[Nightmare]

Yes im as thick as mince! But would appreciate someone explaining this to me!

We have a ceiling light fitting in one room as per picture:



The glass covers (which desperately needed cleaning) are attached with the usual circular plastic screw thing:



It is impossible to get my fingers inside the glass cover and screw that back on. And I have slender girly hands. How is this actually meant to work??!

Would hugely appreciate someone providing clarity (and/or mockery)

Thanks all

[Richard-D]

they usually come with a long plastic socket for this reason. I've lost all mine too.

[Crafty_]

the light came with a "spanner" of sorts, something like this https://www.amazon.co.uk/Plastic-Shade-Removal-Too...

That was the first link on google, you may find cheaper - obviously check fitment too.

If you have a 3d printer it'd be a relatively easy thing to make, would not be surprised to find STl files on printables.com

[Nightmare]

Thanks v much both! I’ll have a look in the cupboards in case we still have said spanner somewhere

Also have several 3D printers so will check that possibility out too

[119]

You could carefully turn the glass shade in the undo direction and that should loosen the nut.

Wont help you get them back on though.

[Wacky Racer]

Richard-D said:

they usually come with a long plastic socket for this reason. I've lost all mine too.

[no eye deer]

Try a short length of plastic waste pipe. The solvent weld & pushfit types are slightly different sized. If your lucky you might get a snug fit over that plastic ring, tight enough to tighten it up.

If the pipe is a bit small you can cut a slot along the length which will allow you to open it up a little to spring it over the ring (assuming there's enough room in the shade)

[Stevemr]

They don’t need to be tight. If you can’t find the socket tool get some card (cereal packet will do) make a tube the right diameter. Sellotape to plastic ring. That will enable you to guide the nut on and screw it tight enough. Then pull off the sellotape will stick much better to the card so will cone off with the card.

[Nightmare]

no eye deer said:

Try a short length of plastic waste pipe. The solvent weld & pushfit types are slightly different sized. If your lucky you might get a snug fit over that plastic ring, tight enough to tighten it up.

If the pipe is a bit small you can cut a slot along the length which will allow you to open it up a little to spring it over the ring (assuming there's enough room in the shade)

Stevemr said:

They don’t need to be tight. If you can’t find the socket tool get some card (cereal packet will do) make a tube the right diameter. Sellotape to plastic ring. That will enable you to guide the nut on and screw it tight enough. Then pull off the sellotape will stick much better to the card so will cone off with the card.

Genius points to you two - that worked perfectly. Cardboard tube with some sellotape was the ticket. Adding a band of sellotape on the inside of the card tube actually gave enough friction it didn’t even need directly taping to the plastic thing

Thanks v much guys