How to Convert a Recessed Light to a Pendant | Ask This Old House

[@tracyguenther4547]

Wow these lights add so much beauty to the space!

[@franklinchmara3039]

Scott, keep up the great work, I enjoy watching all your videos and I find them very educational.

[@valentingutierrez9374]

I've never seen that before and I'm an electrician!! That's really cool lol

[@kapahi15]

That was cool....yes the drill angle drill adapter was cool!

[@theresakille8680]

Where can you buy the kit? Please and thank you

[@s_boyd378]

I couldn’t stop laughing when Scott figures out how to put the disc on the recessed light, and just goes ham when he gets it😂

[@mikekellyiniowa]

Do Lowes or Home Depot carry the conversion kits?

[@Pancake4o]

I'm an eletrician an I love these video learn more things , like that mounting plate that I never know about

[@harrisond8132]

I have done this but after 20 minutes the light goes out. Do you know why?

[@bubbah671]

I've installed almost the same models . Didn't need that angle drill. But looked the same when finished.

[@tamiramos5873]

Do you have one for a square recessed light? I have a porch light that I'd like to replace but not sure how to mount it.

[@vince6829]

Nice job!! Cool conversion kit. Thanks for sharing.

[@SuperSalmon01]

Great video Scott, I was not aware a conversion kit was available, hopefully my local Canadian Tire store stocks them. Cheers!!

[@danrook5757]

I’m from Texas, what’s that

[@jenniferkannapel9450]

We have a larger recessed light. This kit is not quite large enough. Do you know other options or a way to convert the converter kit? ty

[@esoomreltna]

Well that is all good but note that this works on an new work box attached with bracket to the ceiling joists. You wouldn't want to do this with the snap in kind of cans that simply press some clips in between the dry wall.

[@RangerCaptain11A]

yeah, the electrician said the kit was for "new construction" housings.

[@sbelknap83]

Ironically, the type of can he is installing this kit on is indeed a remodel can. However, as long as the pendant isn’t too heavy, this installation is perfectly fine. We hang pendant lights from remodel boxes all the time, especially over an island since it is very unlikely that you would have structure to attach our boxes to for all of the pendants. Especially since the actual layout of the pendants is typically determined/installed after the island is put in.

[@petemoss9693]

that was a nice little drill - who sell's it ?

[@Blobjonblob]

It's a right angle drill attachment can be got by various brands.

[@meerscan9101]

what brand of right angle drill was that?

[@donl1410]

Dewalt, the better buy over Milwaukee, around town.

[@marksternweis4598]

We have a rest can lights in the basement and in the kitchen and parks

[@KitchenerLeslie2]

Why wouldn’t the kit bracket have a hole to push your splice into it? How many pendants have room for a splice in their canopy? Not many.

[@user-to2qk9oz6b]

Where do u buy that angel drill bit ? I loved it

[@alfredosuki9722]

Ravi Z You can buy at any homedepot

[@nunziawright5957]

This is awesome

[@harrisond8132]

I have done this but after 20 minutes the light goes out. Anyone know why?

[@Churros1209]

That’s a pretty dope kitchen

[@thedge7]

I found some adapters at Home Depot that were cheap and easy.

[@RobertLeBlancPhoto]

Link?

[@thedge7]

@@RobertLeBlancPhoto I actually have one left over, I'll check it later and post

[@bigvic1787]

Do they sale those in home Depot?

[@manuelestrada9804]

Excelente Thank you sir 💪🏽💎

[@MrTacosLvr]

What is the tool He used to install the self tapping screws?

[@x65535x]

Right angle adapter for a standard drill. Lots of options. www.amazon.com/slp/right-angle-drill-adapter/oz6hbqpm3qp36e9

[@jamescrowton007]

where did Scott pick up the adapter kit at?

[@onecrazywheel]

Amazon sells them. Look up "Recessed Can Adapter" Boom!

[@jperry7114]

home depot, lowes, they all carry them

[@HectorFabianRH]

well this is interesting but isn't that a recessed can housing a remodel housing all thats holding it up are three or four tabs around the housing right to the drywall

[@crapper1]

ive always just thrown the entire main when i work on electric no lights on in the house means the lines should be dead as well but double check with a voltage tester

[@KitchenerLeslie2]

john leininger until you trip and break your neck walking in the dark. If you’re that scared and uneducated on electric, hire a pro.

[@MrMrremmington]

Thank you that was great

[@buddy77587]

all kinds of stuff available!

[@piapadmore430]

You guys are so magical✨✨✨ Thanks for this🙏🏻

[@wentaoshu70]

Does anyone know where to get the parts used in this video?

[@alfabrizio6005]

There are two kinds of 'can converters' readily available. One is called 'The Can Converter', and the other is a Westinghouse product. If you do a search on 'can converter' you'll find both. Home Depot carries the westinghouse converter. The other one, I'm not sure.

[@gsent56]

Very interesting kit

[@tygrahof9268]

Great video.

[@buddy77587]

man! that turned out beautiful!

[@Esiggies]

Yeah well that's about the cleanest job I have seen Scottie achieve, maybe he should just stick to the Simple Stuff. Makes him Look like a pro.

[@fnhwk]

Maybe you should make videos of yourself doing a better job, just an idea for you Pete.

[@arnoldtarbooz1420]

And tell us about the cost of these conversion kits? I only got an ARM.. leg is gone to a shark attack.

[@BigMikeD10001]

good job

[@javierchavez5296]

smart idea...saves a lot a time and money...sweet

[@dinamboyz]

Why would you want pendants in such a low ceiling room. Just convert the original ceiling lights to LED lamps. Flush light is neater and makes your rooms bigger.

[@cup_and_cone]

dinamboyz - It is an island. Pendants over islands are pretty standard for design. Save the recessed for rest of kitchen.

[@CurmudgeonExtraordinaire]

It's being done for a woman, it doesn't have to make sense.

[@KitchenerLeslie2]

What part of Iowa are you from? You’ve never seen an island in a kitchen before?

[@leobgoo6350]

Probably b/c there are no islands in Iowa.

[@2aminitials]

Sabula Iowa is an island town

[@jesusvaldez8869]

I love watching This Old House but man the home owners are horrible actors.

[@swp466]

These converters are only to be installed on new construction fixtures. The two fixtures you converted in the segment were both retrofit can lights. A qualified electrician would know not to install these on that type of fixture because there is no structural support.

[@jej3451]

How can you tell that they were retrofits?

[@jperry7114]

Haha, I saw that too

[@jperry7114]

Its just something an electrician notices, its a completely different light, lots of things can be seen just by looks

[@baxtronx5972]

I should have watched this before I tore everything out and started from scratch.

[@EasyGoVideos]

I'm not suprised he installed the kits in a remodel can, I'm just suprised he allowed a close up of him doing so! Seriously, those long lights would rip those cans out of the ceiling if someone bumped one good (which is likely considering how low they are).

[@sbelknap83]

The type of can he is installing this kit on is indeed a remodel can. However, as long as the pendant isn’t too heavy, this installation is perfectly fine. We hang pendant lights from remodel boxes all the time, especially over an island since it is very unlikely that you would have structure to attach our boxes to for all of the pendants. Especially since the actual layout of the pendants is typically determined/installed after the island is put in.

[@red_freckle]

Jeslus those medallions were way off center! So that's something the homeowner is supposed to fix?

[@stevenm4117]

no they weren't

[@andrewsandefur7715]

As a professional electrician he shouldn’t be hooking things up in reverse order. Doesn’t matter if power is off or not, it’s a bad habit and one of the first that I break in an apprentice. I also would’ve elected to remove the can and add a bar hanger and round box. Much easier installation, and better quality than the Recessed light retrofit.

[@PoeCompany]

too low imo

[@Coxfame]

36 inch standard height from top finish of dining table, island or bar to the bottom of light fixture. it can be low or higher per personal preference.

[@KitchenerLeslie2]

Coxfame decorators will try to tell you 30. 36 much better. These look a couple inches high actually.

[@Clipbrd]

And the lazy electrician uses the "push wire in this hole",,, which, on an outside wall will cause problems down the road...... Great instructions.

[@nicholasdidier4188]

Stealing the cutaway from Richard I see

[@jareds7969]

You really didn't need to turn off the breaker. Just flip the switch off, the lights will turn off and tape the switch off during work. he wasn't replacing any wires in the housing.

[@CurmudgeonExtraordinaire]

That's assuming that the house is wired *right*. I've found out that is not something that you can rely on. Sometimes, it's a previous homeowner adding things and does the wiring wrong. Sometimes, it's the fact that it wasn't someone who was competent in electrical wiring (regardless of whether they were licensed electrician). When you are putting something like this out for a lot of people to see, it is better to be safe and tell them to turn off the breaker.

[@GlitchedPepsi]

Ok handyman.

[@j0rdanhxc]

some dimmers and/or smart switches pass a small amount of current even with the switch off, besides these videos are intended for home owners/amateurs so as if they will suggest anything but the safest option.

[@KitchenerLeslie2]

I love instructional videos where they get the basics wrong. I would fire a guy for tying in the hot first. Dummy. Always work like it’s hot. The 3 way video the numbnut grabbed a bundle of stripped wires together. What’s wrong with these yahoos?

[@nene1964]

The ugliest pendants ive ever seen 😂

[@benp8366]

Looks like poop. No way!

[@KitchenerLeslie2]

You’re gonna see 50 lb chandeliers swinging from high hats? Great. Maybe a ceiling fan? Who invented this crap?

[@venividivici4253]

This sounds scripted