Simple Light Bulb Glass Blowing

This is how to do some very simple glassblowing using regular incandescent lightbulbs. I don't know of any use for it, except that it's something fun to do.

Here is a list of things you'll need

- Any normal light bulb
- Gas torch, a butane torch lighter will work, too
- Sharp phillips head screwdriver, or a punch
- Hammer, or something to tap with
- Needle Nose Pliers
- Salt

Step 1: Prepping the Bulb

First, take a pair of pliers and remove that little copper connector at the end of the light bulb. This will reveal a small hole

Next, take a sharp screwdriver, or a punch, and place it snug on the hole. Then take your hammer and start tapping to break the black glass away. Move the screwdriver or punch around to peel the black glass out, and throw it away.

This will reveal the insides of the bulb. Stick your screwdriver and punch inside, and start breaking the glass inside. Dump out whatever you break. If there is any straggling glass, or wire, then stick your needle nose pliers in there and pull the contents out.

Be sure everything inside the lightbulb is removed, and all you have is the hollow bulb.

Comments

[ddhix]

One time I figured out you could take a simple bottle cap (from a coke bottle), and screw it somewhat securely on the light bulb. I poked a hole through the bottle cap, and inserted a BIC pen tube to blow into it. It worked alright but the seal wasn't perfect, so some air escaped, but with enough blowing I was able to twist the bulb in a circle while also heating and blowing, so I got it to blow out equal in all directions.

This took about five light bulbs before I got it down, though.

[Flecks]

Nice idea. I wonder if it could be possible to make a kind of fixture so you could have the burner against the glass and have both hands free at the same time? Then it might be possible to make even better shapes?