Is there a trick to replacing PF bulbs?

NeP

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Is there a trick to replacing playfield bulbs?

Usually the sockets are all stapled down, making them a pain to get to. Is there a trick to replacing the playfield bulbs, or do I just need to wrassle them one-at-a-time?
 
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I believe there is a tool you can buy from the pin parts suppliers. Basically a rubber thing on the end of a rod that will grip the top part of the bulb.

As for me, I push down from the top, then use a screwdriver or something to slide the little nubs into place from the bottom. Having a helper makes it easier.
 
Am I missing something here? We are talking about replacing playfield lamps, right? The press and twist kind?

Sounds like it. They can be a pain if they're set deep so that you can't grip them from the top and if the sockets are stapled, rather than screwed in.

Just yesterday I replaced pretty much every 44 in my LOTR and thankfully those are screwed in from the bottom so each one was a quick change.
 
OK, I'll take another look. I guess I didn't realize that the little inserts would pop out from the top of the playfield. I thought they were glued down.
 
OK, I'll take another look. I guess I didn't realize that the little inserts would pop out from the top of the playfield. I thought they were glued down.

ATTENTION: Don't do that!

The inserts might pop out but you really don't want to do that. You will have to glue them back in if you do. They are not designed to be removed. You'll want to replace the lamps that are under inserts from the bottom of the playfield. Sometimes you will have to remove the screw mounting the lamp socket to the playfield to allow you to get to the lamp. There can be problems with staples on the common wire. Especially in lamps that are grouped closely together but most of the time you won't need to remove any staples. If you have to remove the staples you can usually pull them out with needle nose pliers but it rarely comes to that.

I assume most people were thinking you were talking about lamps that protrude through the playfield (like GI). I thought the same thing because these lamps are typically installed with staples only and it can be all but impossible to remove the lamp because the socket pushes down into the hole. I haven't seen feature lamps installed like this but I guess it's possible. In any case... any lamps that don't protrude through the playfield should be removed from the bottom.
 
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Sharpie cap, or other pen cap - I keep a bunch around - they work like a charm. One cannot press too hard - just enough to set the cap on the bulb, push and turn.
 
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