Tips for removing existing 'recessed can lights'

[Git]

So I noticed that Amazon and Home Depot have these 8" wafer LED lights on sale and I am thinking about buying about 12 of them to replace the lights in our kitchen and another room. I have installed about 25 of the smaller 6" lights without any issues, but I have yet to actually replace any of our existing fixtures.

We currently have these recessed cannister lights that are nailed to the floor joists. Any tips either getting them out of the way or completely removing them?

$16.25 per light is a really good price for these Lithonia 8" wafer lights
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Lithoni...-WF8-SQ-B-LED-30K40K50K-90CRI-MW-M6/308157329

 

[jdm5]

Curious - why replace the existing ones?

 

[Git]

A couple of reasons. For one, in our kitchen there are two lights over the kitchen table and they were not placed very well in regards to where we have the table. I think I can improve the situation by adding another two lights to 'balance' it out. Another reason is a number of years ago when the LED craze started, I purchased some retrofit kits - the kind you screw into the old socket and then you attach the new LED light. They don't really look that great and a couple of them there is a slight gap around the edge of the trim ring and the ceiling. (The spring clamps on these wafer lights hold really well). Lastly, these new 8" lights should put out more light and as we get older, more light is always a good thing

 

[cybrdyke]

If the hole in the bracket is the right size for the new wafer, then the "dome" part is all that needs to be removed. It's attached to the flat plate with 3 or 4 screws. Undo the screws and toss the dome aside. The wafer clips will clamp down onto the flat bracket.
If the existing can hole is too small, the whole thing will have to be removed. Sawzall would be fastest, I suppose.

 

[sparky 1971]

Drop the housing out. There are three or four #8 screws holding it in. Then reach inside the ceiling with a screwdriver and start prying against the legs. I have pushed on the housing hard enough that the tabs holding the legs bend enough that it comes loose. There isn't an easy way. If it's a single story house, get in the attic and do it.

 

[yeldogt]

I'm confused .... are you just building or is that a picture of when being built?

That Halo can is just a middle of the road item -- they have/had limited trim .... the key to recessed is getting the bulb back from the surface. The better recessed have the bulb back. The LED retrofit kits are dreadful and the wafer are worse IMO. The light is at the surface and it's horrible light.


You can get trim kits that cover the opening and will power a hanging ....

 

[Git]

Drop the housing out. There are three or four #8 screws holding it in. Then reach inside the ceiling with a screwdriver and start prying against the legs. I have pushed on the housing hard enough that the tabs holding the legs bend enough that it comes loose. There isn't an easy way. If it's a single story house, get in the attic and do it.

It is times like this I wish it was a single story. Thanks for the help

I'm confused .... are you just building or is that a picture of when being built?

That Halo can is just a middle of the road item -- they have/had limited trim .... the key to recessed is getting the bulb back from the surface. The better recessed have the bulb back. The LED retrofit kits are dreadful and the wafer are worse IMO. The light is at the surface and it's horrible light.


You can get trim kits that cover the opening and will power a hanging ....

That pic was when the house was being built back in 2003. Track home - we used to go there after hours and take some pics and do some little mods here and there... Actually we have no problem with these wafer LEDS. Chalk it up to personal opinion. Like I said I have installed about 25 of the smaller 6" lights in several rooms and we are very pleased with the outcome

Nothing like planning a layout on paper - all the lights perfectly spaced and then when you go to install them, there is a gas line or a joist that you weren't expecting... These wafer lights can be a life saver in those situations. This pic is from when I was installing some in the garage. I wanted the lights to be a set distance from the wall and I knew there was a floor joist right there. No problem with wafers, although I did get a surprise on that one hole where there were two joists that I wasn't expecting

 

[Dustball]

Head to the home improvement store and take a look at a recessed can fixture on the shelf to see how it comes apart. The screws used to adjust the height of the can needs to be removed to take the can out.