MagicalHoliday.com - Bubble Assembly

Bubble Light Assembly

Original NOMA bubble lights were made from Cellulose Acetate. This early plastic melted and deformed over the years. While some people have successfully cracked them open to replace light bulbs, more often they destroyed the plastic bases trying to save a piece of history.

Now, with the replacement parts we have created, it will be easy to make the lights like new. These new bases are made from polycarbonate plastic. This polycarb (that's plastics lingo) is very well suited to the heat generated by long hours of use. These are much stronger than the original Cellulose Acetate.

Another problem with the originals was that they were believed to have caused a fire, so a chemical called Trikessel Phosphate was mixed with the plastic to serve as a fire retardant. While I am sure that I spelled that wrong, I am right in my decision to use the Polycarb and avoid any additive to the plastic.

On to how to recreate the Noma Biscuit...

Step One:
Fill a coffee cup with hot tap water.

Step Two:
Put the old light into the hot tap water and let it sit in there for a few minutes to soften the old glue holding the tube in place.

Step Three:
Using a kitchen towel, grab the tube and twist gently while holding the base steady. If the tube doesn’t turn, go back to Step One.

Step Four:
So the tube did come out. Great! Now, with a pair of pliers (needle-nose work best), start picking away at the plastic base. Keep this up until the light bulb is free.

Step Five:
It's time to reassemble the new light. Place the bulb in the new base. Looking inside the new base bottom, you will notice a small notch. That is the place where you place the solder bump on the light bulb. If this is confusing, just place the light bulb in the bottom piece and turn it around until is settles down.

Step Six:
Using a silicone glue (Elmer's Stix All or a silicone caulk), place a small amount at the inside around the bottom of the glass part of the bulb. This silicone is able to withstand temperatures to several hundred degrees (read the tube to be sure). This will keep the bulb in place when it dries. If you cannot locate the Stix All go to www.elmers.com and ask them for a store near you.

Step Seven:
Next, we need to glue the top and bottom plastic parts together. I find that a Super Glue works fine for this step. Simply apply a small amount to the rim of one of the pieces and then hold both halves together until the glue has set.

Step Eight:
When all has set, apply a bit of silicone to the bottom of the glass bubble tube and push it into the plastic base. Since the tubes seem to be different sizes, you may have to devise some way to keep it straight until the silicone has set.

Step Nine:
Examine your work and be amazed that you have now fixed a bubble light!

Step Ten:
Screw it into your string of lights and enjoy!

To see all Christmas items available at Magical Holiday, click here.