Replies

1. 
   calvin | Sep 17, 2005 02:31pm | #1

   Just when you think you might have seen it all...............

   Remodeling Contractor just outside the Glass City.

   Quittin' Time

2. 
   Piffin | Sep 17, 2005 06:08pm | #2

   notice the judicious use of the universal Piffin screws

    

    

   Welcome to the
   Taunton University of Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime.
    where ...
   Excellence is its own reward!

1. 
   maddog3 | Sep 17, 2005 11:00pm | #3

   ......now I can't find the right trim"

1. 
   Piffin | Sep 18, 2005 01:07am | #4

   Just use a 4" Globe bulb and point the other way 

    

   Welcome to the Taunton University of Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime. where ... Excellence is its own reward!

1. 
   maddog3 | Sep 18, 2005 03:11pm | #5

   .....how about one that is half silvered, so no has too look at the filament"

1. 
   Piffin | Sep 18, 2005 05:58pm | #6

   Get the soft white powdered, and spray paint the back side black for that special effect. Don't forget to use masking tape on the threads to keep those contacts clean.(Seriously - I can't imagine why or how that thing came to be...)Oh yeah - remember to take the tape back off before you screw the bulb in. Callbacks are a B**** 

    

   Welcome to the Taunton University of Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime. where ... Excellence is its own reward!

2. 
   maddog3 | Sep 18, 2005 06:02pm | #7

   maybe there's a REDNECK joke ........."

3. 
   BillHartmann | Sep 18, 2005 09:05pm | #8

   What was the purpose of that box. From looking at the picture it does not appear to have any purpose, legal or ilegal.But that is nothing compared to the house that a friend of mine bought.I wish I had a picture of it, but on j-box in the garage had a plastic coffee can lid on it. But what the hey, it was covered. More than I can say for a couple of the others.Then there was the 3-way circuit. Ran 14-2. Then ran a separate wire which was spliced in the middle of the run just between 2 joists.It appeared that at one time they had a wire nut on the splice, but it had been over tightened and the wires broke. The one side about 3/4 of a turn around the other which had about 1/4" bare wire exposed. About 1/2 of the turn was on insulation so it only made contact some of the time.Of course there where the flying splices, burried boxes, switched neutral, and a sub-panel with a randon selection of breaker sizes and wire sizes.

4. 
   maddog3 | Sep 18, 2005 09:29pm | #9

   "flying splices".....I like that, I'm gonna write that one down.Did you see my other post about making a two wire into a three?"originally" .......the setup was feeding a chandelier that was hung from of the box, with 8-32s and an edison adapter to feed it"

5. 
   BillHartmann | Sep 18, 2005 09:44pm | #10

   ""flying splices".....I like that, I'm gonna write that one down."The flying splice that I found where hidden behind the basement ceiling. Old romex with about softball's size of tape on it and under that the wires where VERY VERY loosely connected. The tape is what keep the contact.When my friend that does DW was helping me cut out the ceiling for upgrades he started seeing sparks thinking that he had cut a wire.Nope, just started wiggling the flying splice.

6. 
   maddog3 | Sep 18, 2005 10:07pm | #11

   you and I had the discussion about the '62 Code earlier, maybe your splice was accepted practice before then ??"

7. 
   BillHartmann | Sep 18, 2005 10:38pm | #12

   NO, I don't think that was ever "code" unless you are talking about the code of the wild west.BTW, the orginal house was built in the 50's and the electrical workmanship seemed to be very good. Hard to tell with all of the changes over the years. Of course it was limited in capacity, but had several circuits, including the kitchen run with #12.And I found a junction in one of the basement boxes that looked like a Western Union tap splice .http://www.saskschools.ca/curr_content/paasurvey/elec/lesson5/lesson5.html
   Middle of the page.But no solder. But very, very tight and good connection. Then covered with tape.

8. 
   maddog3 | Sep 18, 2005 11:22pm | #13

   When I started in the trade wirenuts had been around for awhile, and for "fun", my Journeyman had me practice his favorite splices( whenever I finished some of my other equally important tasks). I never got to use any of my new skills, as stranded wire was showing up more frequently. I did run around with my buddy, another apprentice, doin' resi sidejobs, where I saw a LOT of weird crap ....even for Chicago....like cables run thru abandoned gas lines, or pancake boxes in the ceiling fastened to the joist and the gas pipe being used to hold the NEW electric light. The pipe was plugged but still LIVEI still try to make 'em up now and then, if I find a piece of solid layin around"

9. 
   bosn | Sep 19, 2005 02:37am | #14

   Some of those boxes with gas lines to them were made that way on purpose.  Back when electricity was new-fangled and unreliable, there were fixtures that had both gas and electric lights on them.  They are very rare now.  But if you get into any big homes from 1900-1920 you might find some still hanging.If you haven't drawn blood today, you haven't done anything.

10. 
    maddog3 | Sep 19, 2005 05:10pm | #16

    saw lots of that in the bungalows in Chicago...... scared the shat outta me"

11. 
    BryanSayer | Sep 19, 2005 05:31pm | #18

    If you come across any combination gas-electric light fixtures, they are valuable on the old house circuit. Put 'em up on e-bay.

12. 
    bosn | Sep 20, 2005 06:37am | #19

    Yeah, I'll bet.  I've seen some in use here in Omaha.  Gas was shut off, but the electric was still in use. 

    All I have is a bunch of old fixtures that are nothing more than "neat".  Doubt if they are worth anything.  Who knows...

     If you haven't drawn blood today, you haven't done anything.

13. 
    maddog3 | Sep 20, 2005 03:49pm | #20

    this reminds of the fixtures my buddy and I would run across on our sidejobs,the things were brass and had Pink glass shades......and we would race each other to smash the things off the wall.... only to replace them with a $5 cheapo......what a shame huh?stupid kids!!!"

14. 
    bosn | Sep 21, 2005 02:02am | #21

    Stupid kids...

    Yeah, the thirty and forty somethings buying these big, beautiful homes in our city and replacing the original fixtures...trim, moldings, doors, whatever...with "new, modern, better" stuff.  Replacing the irreplaceable with dime-a-dozen. 

    I hate them.If you haven't drawn blood today, you haven't done anything.

15. 
    maddog3 | Sep 21, 2005 03:27pm | #22

    ......you and me both"

3. 
   bosn | Sep 19, 2005 02:45am | #15

   You know, I looked at that picture again.  I've removed a similar fixture once, but the octagon box was on top of the can as the J-box for the connections.  I'll bet the box made the can to tall, so the installer moved it and the connections are not in a box.

   I guy just told me the other day...proudly...that he had cut a big chunk out of the top of a can so a water pipe could pass through it.  It was a remodel application and he had already cut the hole.  It was the only way he could get the can in the soffit.

    

   Just shake you head and walk away.

   If you haven't drawn blood today, you haven't done anything.

1. 
   maddog3 | Sep 19, 2005 05:14pm | #17

   the guy who took the picture said a chandelier was hung from that 8B, not the best,
   but then I'm always amazed at the ingenuity of folks faced with an obstacle!"