Thanks guyz.
I was using a 60 watt/130 volt household bulb. That shouldn't have cause a problem...should it? I've seen 100 watt bulbs in the strings used in construction sites. If I remember correctly, the lampholder was rated for 600 volts/660 watts (anyone ever seen a 660 watt bulb?)
The pigtail wasn't supposed to stay up this long -- it was originally connected when the defective fixture was removed and prior to painting the place. That's when I discovered the brittle wires (insulation was intact but brittle and hard).
I decided to leave that thing in place instead of disturbing the wires any more until I replaced EVERYTHING (there goes the nice paintjob).
But you know how it is with temporary things....
-- wish I wasn't short of money right now....
[This message has been edited by SvenNYC (edited 08-26-2003).]