El grupo al cual envías entradas es un grupo Usenet. Si envías mensajes a este grupo, cualquier usuario de Internet podrá ver tu dirección de correo electrónico
Need to replace a couple of old fashioned light switches that are an early 1900's brass toggle style. I've found antique push-button switches, but can't find any brass toggle type switches...
<pa...@nospam-mindspring.com> wrote: >Need to replace a couple of old fashioned light switches that are an early >1900's brass toggle style. I've found antique push-button switches, but >can't find any brass toggle type switches...
>-- Paul
Do you mean push back and forth, with a stick on both sides that you push in?
On Nov 19, 10:24 am, "Paul" <pa...@nospam-mindspring.com> wrote:
> Need to replace a couple of old fashioned light switches that are an early > 1900's brass toggle style. I've found antique push-button switches, but > can't find any brass toggle type switches...
DD_BobK wrote: > On Nov 19, 10:24 am, "Paul" <pa...@nospam-mindspring.com> wrote: >> Need to replace a couple of old fashioned light switches that are an early >> 1900's brass toggle style. I've found antique push-button switches, but >> can't find any brass toggle type switches...
In a house that an ex-GF used to rent, all the light switches were the thick solid brass wall plates with the nice crisp beveled edges, they had a single small hole in the center with a brass handled real toggle switch in them. I ASSumed that that was what the OP meant, but I don't know a source (although the first link you posted looks close.)
<pa...@nospam-mindspring.com> wrote: >Need to replace a couple of old fashioned light switches that are an early >1900's brass toggle style. I've found antique push-button switches, but >can't find any brass toggle type switches...
Paul,
Check your old switch. Look for some kind of markings, names, etc...
> Need to replace a couple of old fashioned light switches that are an early > 1900's brass toggle style. I've found antique push-button switches, but > can't find any brass toggle type switches...
Varilight seems to be the main brand in the UK for these type of switches, but I am not sure how well these wall plates (metric?) will mate with a U.S. junction box....
I'll see if the original switch has any markings on it as to who the manufacturer was.
> Need to replace a couple of old fashioned light switches that are an early > 1900's brass toggle style. I've found antique push-button switches, but > can't find any brass toggle type switches...
I'm curious about these switches, which I'm guessing are not the same as the typical "bat-handle" toggle switches that others have suggested replacing them with here. Any chance you could post some pictures somewhere so we could see what they look like?
-- I am a Canadian who was born and raised in The Netherlands. I live on Planet Earth on a spot of land called Canada. We have noisy neighbours.
> Need to replace a couple of old fashioned light switches that are an early > 1900's brass toggle style. I've found antique push-button switches, but > can't find any brass toggle type switches...
Here's some photos: ( that's not the original wallplate <g> )
I didn't want to pull the switch out to look for markings, the wiring is very tight and somewhat fragile. My friend got an electrician to give the switches a "tune up" so we're good for now...
Paul wrote: > "Paul" <pa...@nospam-mindspring.com> wrote in message > news:Y6GdnaYIgdTwEJjWnZ2dnUVZ_uCdnZ2d@supernews.com... >> Need to replace a couple of old fashioned light switches that are an early >> 1900's brass toggle style. I've found antique push-button switches, but >> can't find any brass toggle type switches...
> Here's some photos: ( that's not the original wallplate <g> ) ...> > I didn't want to pull the switch out to look for markings, the wiring is > very tight and somewhat fragile. My friend got an electrician to give the > switches a "tune up" so we're good for now...
...
I've never seen those--where is this geographically and any idea on actual time frame when these were installed?
Is the one a 3-way?
What did the electrician do as a "tune up"--spray them w/ contact cleaner or somesuch or just tighten connections, etc.? I'd be a little nonplussed by the amount of apparent corrosion products around the terminals that would make me want to see if they're running warm.
But, I've no clue where you would find anything evem remotely resembling them...
<pa...@nospam-mindspring.com> wrote: >Need to replace a couple of old fashioned light switches that are an early >1900's brass toggle style. I've found antique push-button switches, but >can't find any brass toggle type switches...
>-- Paul
I just googled "antique brass toggle switches" and got quite a few hits.
> Paul wrote: >> "Paul" <pa...@nospam-mindspring.com> wrote in message >> news:Y6GdnaYIgdTwEJjWnZ2dnUVZ_uCdnZ2d@supernews.com... >>> Need to replace a couple of old fashioned light switches that are an >>> early 1900's brass toggle style. I've found antique push-button >>> switches, but can't find any brass toggle type switches...
>> Here's some photos: ( that's not the original wallplate <g> ) > ...> >> I didn't want to pull the switch out to look for markings, the wiring is >> very tight and somewhat fragile. My friend got an electrician to give >> the switches a "tune up" so we're good for now... > ...
> I've never seen those--where is this geographically and any idea on actual > time frame when these were installed?
> Is the one a 3-way?
> What did the electrician do as a "tune up"--spray them w/ contact cleaner > or somesuch or just tighten connections, etc.? I'd be a little nonplussed > by the amount of apparent corrosion products around the terminals that > would make me want to see if they're running warm.
> But, I've no clue where you would find anything evem remotely resembling > them...
Cleveland, OH, USA, house built in 1923.
I am not sure what he did to tune them up, but if memory serves when the switches are pulled from the box I believe the contacts are accessible and can be cleaned.
homer wrote: > On Thu, 19 Nov 2009 13:24:46 -0500, "Paul" > <pa...@nospam-mindspring.com> wrote:
>> Need to replace a couple of old fashioned light switches that are an early >> 1900's brass toggle style. I've found antique push-button switches, but >> can't find any brass toggle type switches...
>> -- Paul
> I just googled "antique brass toggle switches" and got quite a few > hits.
The switches in the OP's pictures are definitely of American origin. The mounting ears and screws would fit todays American switch boxes. I've seen a lot of old porcelain insulated electrical devices but not that particular item. I've seen the same sort of porcelain switch but it had the squared off toggle handle.
Paul wrote: > "Paul" <pa...@nospam-mindspring.com> wrote in message > news:Y6GdnaYIgdTwEJjWnZ2dnUVZ_uCdnZ2d@supernews.com... >> Need to replace a couple of old fashioned light switches that are an early >> 1900's brass toggle style. I've found antique push-button switches, but >> can't find any brass toggle type switches...
> Here's some photos: ( that's not the original wallplate <g> )
> I didn't want to pull the switch out to look for markings, the wiring is > very tight and somewhat fragile. My friend got an electrician to give the > switches a "tune up" so we're good for now...
Rehabbing the switches, as you have done, may be the best solution.
Possibilities state historic preservation office - for advice architectural salvage company historic houses - for advice
As you probably know, the original wall plate would have been brass with round holes that matched the switches.
> Rehabbing the switches, as you have done, may be the best solution.
... I'm still most curious as to how one "rehabs" a sealed ceramic switch???
Other than that, good thoughts for renovation/restoration tips.
I saw none of the links even to the UK switches had a 3-way listed as available; only 1-4 gang combinations.
Going to be a pickle if really need one of these puppies methinks in the US. Will be interested to see if eventually uncovers a source--I could see using one or two in the old house meself just 'cuz they are kewl... :)
I broached going back to the original-to-this-house pushbuttons that Dad replaced w/ silents when folks did the renovations but swmbo didn't like the idea that much... :(
> ...> Rehabbing the switches, as you have done, may be the best solution.
> ... > I'm still most curious as to how one "rehabs" a sealed ceramic switch???
> Other than that, good thoughts for renovation/restoration tips.
> I saw none of the links even to the UK switches had a 3-way listed as > available; only 1-4 gang combinations.
> Going to be a pickle if really need one of these puppies methinks in the > US. Will be interested to see if eventually uncovers a source--I could > see using one or two in the old house meself just 'cuz they are kewl... :)
> I broached going back to the original-to-this-house pushbuttons that Dad > replaced w/ silents when folks did the renovations but swmbo didn't like > the idea that much... :(
> --
In our house there are a couple of the old push-button switches. When we moved in 15 yrs ago one of them was not working well, it would make contact intermittently and did not feel right when pushing it in. After not finding a similar replacement available (this was just before widespread Net shopping) I decided to just take it out and see if I could rehab it. A good cleaning and regreasing was all it needed - nice solid brass innards, good stout springs, etc. - it was built to last. 15 years later it is working fine. You might find the same applies to yours. -- H
Heathcliff wrote: > On Nov 24, 1:46 pm, dpb <n...@non.net> wrote: >> bud-- wrote:
>> ...> Rehabbing the switches, as you have done, may be the best solution.
>> ... >> I'm still most curious as to how one "rehabs" a sealed ceramic switch???
>> Other than that, good thoughts for renovation/restoration tips.
>> I saw none of the links even to the UK switches had a 3-way listed as >> available; only 1-4 gang combinations.
>> Going to be a pickle if really need one of these puppies methinks in the >> US. Will be interested to see if eventually uncovers a source--I could >> see using one or two in the old house meself just 'cuz they are kewl... :)
>> I broached going back to the original-to-this-house pushbuttons that Dad >> replaced w/ silents when folks did the renovations but swmbo didn't like >> the idea that much... :(
>> --
> In our house there are a couple of the old push-button switches. When > we moved in 15 yrs ago one of them was not working well, it would make > contact intermittently and did not feel right when pushing it in. > After not finding a similar replacement available (this was just > before widespread Net shopping) I decided to just take it out and see > if I could rehab it. A good cleaning and regreasing was all it needed > - nice solid brass innards, good stout springs, etc. - it was built to > last. 15 years later it is working fine. You might find the same > applies to yours. -- H
If they're the style that were disassemble-able, surely; the pic's OP showed indicate he has a ceramic-encased style. Mayhaps there's a way to get one apart but couldn't see so from what was shown.
The problem here isn't mechanical nor electrical, it's "permissional"... :)
The old switches are in a box in the barn; all that I've looked at seem just fine (lacking grounds, etc., but then again, we went quite a long time pretty satisfactorily before that was a requirement, anyway...)
> I saw none of the links even to the UK switches had a 3-way listed as > available; only 1-4 gang combinations.
From what I gleaned looking at the UK switch web sites, they refer to a 3-way as an "intermediate" switch, and they are indeed available. Though it's hard to tell from the UK sites whether a multiple ganged switch plate could be disassembled from the face plate and one switch replaced with a 3-way....
Paul wrote: >> I saw none of the links even to the UK switches had a 3-way listed as >> available; only 1-4 gang combinations.
> From what I gleaned looking at the UK switch web sites, they refer to a > 3-way as an "intermediate" switch, and they are indeed available. Though > it's hard to tell from the UK sites whether a multiple ganged switch plate > could be disassembled from the face plate and one switch replaced with a > 3-way....
Guess you delved deeper than I, then... :)
I didn't see that but I didn't do extensive looking, either...
Will be most interested in what you finally find out/do...in a former life did many early refurbishments in Lynchburg, VA, from antebellum-vintage to pre-Depression era that had all sorts of old and occasionally odd or unique electrical stuff from either initial wiring or retrofits. But, I hadn't come across these down there...
Heathcliff wrote: > On Nov 24, 1:46 pm, dpb <n...@non.net> wrote: >> bud-- wrote:
>> ...> Rehabbing the switches, as you have done, may be the best solution.
>> ... >> I'm still most curious as to how one "rehabs" a sealed ceramic switch???
>> Other than that, good thoughts for renovation/restoration tips.
>> I saw none of the links even to the UK switches had a 3-way listed as >> available; only 1-4 gang combinations.
>> Going to be a pickle if really need one of these puppies methinks in the >> US. Will be interested to see if eventually uncovers a source--I could >> see using one or two in the old house meself just 'cuz they are kewl... :)
>> I broached going back to the original-to-this-house pushbuttons that Dad >> replaced w/ silents when folks did the renovations but swmbo didn't like >> the idea that much... :(
>> --
> In our house there are a couple of the old push-button switches. When > we moved in 15 yrs ago one of them was not working well, it would make > contact intermittently and did not feel right when pushing it in. > After not finding a similar replacement available (this was just > before widespread Net shopping) I decided to just take it out and see > if I could rehab it. A good cleaning and regreasing was all it needed > - nice solid brass innards, good stout springs, etc. - it was built to > last. 15 years later it is working fine. You might find the same > applies to yours. -- H
Some of those old pushbutton switches had radium inserts so they would glow in the dark. Were yours that type?
dpb wrote: > bud-- wrote: > ... >> Rehabbing the switches, as you have done, may be the best solution. > ... > I'm still most curious as to how one "rehabs" a sealed ceramic switch???
I have seen old, but more familiar, pushbutton switches that look similar. The back of the switch was open and the internal mechanism could be removed. In the picture there are 2 or 4 yellowish plugs on the face. These probably cover screws that can be removed to allow the mechanism to come out. http://img20.imageshack.us/i/toggleswitches0071024.jpg/
bud-- wrote: > dpb wrote: >> bud-- wrote: >> ... >>> Rehabbing the switches, as you have done, may be the best solution. >> ... >> I'm still most curious as to how one "rehabs" a sealed ceramic switch???
> I have seen old, but more familiar, pushbutton switches that look > similar. The back of the switch was open and the internal mechanism > could be removed. In the picture there are 2 or 4 yellowish plugs on the > face. These probably cover screws that can be removed to allow the > mechanism to come out. > http://img20.imageshack.us/i/toggleswitches0071024.jpg/
Perhaps...as I noted previously if they can be taken apart that's certainly an option.
The old push-buttons here can be indeed but the assembly screw are in the rear and are in the corners--the asymmetry of those locations makes me wonder if that is their purpose. Not saying it isn't, just don't know...given the age it is probable they are able to be taken apart; particularly since looking at the picture again I do notice the color difference between the front and the rest of the case--looks like on these maybe only the front is actually ceramic the rest might be another material similar to an early Bakelite, perhaps???
I'd like to have a bunch of 'em, I could probably get away w/ using them whereas swmbo says emphatically "no" to putting the pushbuttons back. :(
On Wed, 25 Nov 2009 10:26:44 -0600, dpb <n...@non.net> wrote: >bud-- wrote: >> dpb wrote: >>> bud-- wrote: >>> ... >>>> Rehabbing the switches, as you have done, may be the best solution. >>> ... >>> I'm still most curious as to how one "rehabs" a sealed ceramic switch???
>> I have seen old, but more familiar, pushbutton switches that look >> similar. The back of the switch was open and the internal mechanism >> could be removed. In the picture there are 2 or 4 yellowish plugs on the >> face. These probably cover screws that can be removed to allow the >> mechanism to come out. >> http://img20.imageshack.us/i/toggleswitches0071024.jpg/
>Perhaps...as I noted previously if they can be taken apart that's >certainly an option.
>The old push-buttons here can be indeed but the assembly screw are in >the rear and are in the corners--the asymmetry of those locations makes >me wonder if that is their purpose. Not saying it isn't, just don't >know...given the age it is probable they are able to be taken apart; >particularly since looking at the picture again I do notice the color >difference between the front and the rest of the case--looks like on >these maybe only the front is actually ceramic the rest might be another >material similar to an early Bakelite, perhaps???
>I'd like to have a bunch of 'em, I could probably get away w/ using them >whereas swmbo says emphatically "no" to putting the pushbuttons back. :(
I think you're going to have a problem with wires. It's that cloth covered rubber insulated stuff. Its a bitch to work with when its that old. The rubber just cracks and falls off. My house was built in the late 50s and every time I open a box up, the insulation falls off the wires.
> I think you're going to have a problem with wires. It's that cloth > covered rubber insulated stuff. Its a bitch to work with when its > that old. The rubber just cracks and falls off. My house was built > in the late 50s and every time I open a box up, the insulation falls > off the wires.
> I hate that stuff!
Who you talkin' to???
The house here was rewired when the pushbutton switches I'm ruing were removed w/ nmc.
OP's pictures do show that, yes, and he's already commented he didn't move the existing switches out of the box for that reason at least until mandatory.
There is a fair amount of cloth wiring still on the place in various locations--I just added a junction in one box in the car garage for an opener. It went ok w/ care but only took pulling two additional 14's in the conduit and connecting them to the existing junction at a box on the ceiling that already fed the light and outlet.
The older rubber is worse than the cloth generally, agreed since it does get so brittle.
|
