How to Hollow Out a Lightbulb and Make a Stand for It

for other uses like plasma globes and aquariums

Step 1: Materials

for this you will need;

lightbulb (preferably burnt out)
scrap wood block
wire hanger
salt

tools;

wire cutters
duct tape (or stapler or staple gun)
drill

Step 2: Remove Brass Contact, Black Glass, and Stuff

use pliers to pull off the brass contact

then use pliers to chip away the black glass

drill the inside of the glass to remove the filament thing and remove sharp glass

Step 3: Clean Out the Bulb

empty out the shards

put a spoonfull of salt in the bulb, cover the opening with your thumb, and shake

empty out the salt, fill halfway with water, cover the opening with your thumb, and shake

Step 4: Now for the Stand

cut a long piece of wire from the hanger

wrap the end of it it around the screw on the bulb

about two inches from the bulb bend the wire down 90 degrees

five or six inches from that bend bend it to be horizontal then two inches from that bend it right 90 degrees

staple or duct tape it to the board

Step 5: Finished

the stand is strong enough to hold the bulb when it's filled with water

you can put a guppie or feeder fish in it (picture soon, i have to find it)

this site gave me the idea for the bulb (and has better pictures)
http://www.teamdroid.com/diy-hollow-out-a-light-bulb/

Be the First to Share

Recommendations

Goldfish EVA Foam Bag by Brooklyntonia in Fashion

26 718

Make a Mechanical Bug From a Vacuum Tube by lonesoulsurfer in Reuse

204 36K

Starry Night Stained Glass by Distracted Maker in Art

68 5.0K

Layered Tulle Embroidery by Brooklyntonia in Embroidery

43 2.4K

Trash to Treasure Contest
Woodworking Contest
Science Fair Challenge

87 Comments

ILykMakin

6 years ago

An alternative to duct tape or staple gun love:

Drill a hole in the end of the base, fill with liquid nails, jam a length of the wire in.

Yonatan24

6 years ago

Hi, I've added your project to the "Unusual Uses for Light-Bulbs" Collection

This is the link If you are interested:

https://www.instructables.com/id/Unusual-Uses-for-L...

Ward_Nox

10 years ago on Introduction

considering this type of bulb is illegal to manufacture in the US now some one should consider making and selling pre hollowed out ones for doing crafts like this cause the new spiral kind wouldn't be the same

9w2xyz

10 years ago on Introduction

When you mount the wire to your block of wood, simply drill a hole slightly smaller than the diameter of the wire and use a grommet for a finished look. Nail polish will hold it permanently. I used them for money plants, the roots look cool.

Father Christmas

13 years ago on Introduction

i want to say thanks for this instructable. the whole hollowing out a lightbulb was a pain for me until i found it. i emptied my bulbs for the hourglass i made. it was prettyy fun.