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How to Make a Trick Light Bulb

The magic light bulb looks just like an everyday household light bulb. The magical part is that the bulb creates the illusion that it can light on its own, with no power source. A few internal alterations will have a light bulb glowing anywhere, as long as you have a secret metal object to give the bulb its power. A ring is ideal because it looks natural. The magic light bulb can be used as a science experiment, a way to trick your friends, or an addition to a magic performance.

Things You'll Need

Work gloves
2 light bulbs
Needle nose pliers
Utility knife
Wire cutters
2 CR2032 button cell batteries
Wire stripper
3 small pieces of wire
Zip ties
Soldering iron
1 white high-intensity LED
Hot glue gun
Hot glue
Metal object

Instructions

- 1
  Hold one light bulb in one hand. Twist the metal base of the light bulb back and forth with the other hand until the glue loosens and the metal base comes off. Wear work gloves while doing this just in case the bulb breaks. Remove any glass or excess glue from inside the base, using needle nose pliers or a utility knife.
- 2
  Cut a slit into the base of the other light bulb, forming an area that protrudes just enough to grasp. Grip the edge of the protruding area with needle nose pliers and carefully peel the metal back, removing the base of the bulb. Be careful when removing the metal base; the bulb itself is what will be saved from this light bulb. Keep the work gloves on throughout this step. If still attached, clip the filament wire that is soldered to the base of the bulb, using wire cutters.
- 3
  Stack the two CR2032 batteries facing them in same direction, positive touching negative. Wrap two zip ties around the batteries, forming an X around the batteries; pull the ties tight. Clip the ends of the ties as close as possible.
- 4
  Cut three pieces of wire to approximately 2 inches in length each; leave about ¼-inch of exposed wire on each wire end. Solder one wire to the inside center of the metal bulb base. Solder another wire to the rim of the outside wall of the metal base. There may be leftover solder in these areas from the manufacturer, eliminating the need for extra solder.
- 5
  Solder the opposite end of the wire attached to the bottom of the base to one side of the LED. Solder one end of the unused wire to the other side of the LED. Wrap the end of the wire just attached to the LED around the zip tie, ensuring that the metal touches the positive side battery. Wrap the opposite end of the wire attached to the outside of the base to the negative side of the battery. Wrap it around the zip tie; making sure it touches the battery.
- 6
  Place the battery bundle with wires attached, into the metal bulb base, laying it parallel to the bottom of the base. The positive side of the battery bundle will face up, with the LED and wires facing upward.
- 7
  Insert the light bulb into the wired base, allowing the LED to lie at the center base of the bulb. Use hot glue around the edge of the bulb base to hold the bulb in place.
- 8
  Illuminate the trick light bulb by touching the bottom of the metal base of the bulb to any metal object, such as a ring. The metal closes the circuit allowing the light to work as long as it remains touching the metal surface. Grasp the bulb in one hand, wrapping your fingers so that they discreetly touch the metal, and in turn cause the bulb to light.

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