Questions tagged [antique]
An object that is collectable due to its great age
14
questions
4
votes
1answer
3k views
How to ground a switch without a ground screw?
I'm rewiring my house, and keeping some circa 1920 light switches, which don't have ground screws. The switch cases are porcelain, and have a brass yoke. I originally planned to sandwich a ground ...
2
votes
7answers
2k views
Can I oil a push button light switch?
I have a circa 1920 push-button light switch which sticks occasionally. The push buttons move fine, but sometimes the blade switch inside doesn't flip unless the button is pressed very hard. I'd ...
0
votes
2answers
41 views
Which colored layer is the orignal brass and what is the other colored layer?
I restored antique brass door knobs and plates.
This is what the brass looked like before restoration.
This is what the brass looked like after restoration.
The door knobs have a color mix of yellow ...
0
votes
1answer
45 views
How do I correctly change hard wired antique wall sconces to plug In with the toggle box
I have 2 antique sconces (candelabras) that I used for years hard wired in one of my previous homes. I would like to switch them to plug ins because of several factors that I won’t detail unless asked....
6
votes
5answers
2k views
Replacing tongue and groove floorboards: but can't find a match
A room in an old farmhouse, formerly a porch, now enclosed, has floors made of tongue and groove lumber. I need to repair those floors by replacing at least some sections of floorboards - somewhere ...
0
votes
2answers
72 views
Does anyone know what this type of furnace/heater is called?
I have this old style of heating but I cannot find any information on it. Can anyone help? It's gas and just sorta gets hot heating the house. No blower, no ducts, just the exhaust. The brand on the ...
0
votes
1answer
256 views
How do you remove a stuck glass door knob?
I have an antique glass door knob I am trying to remove.
I have removed the screw at the base of the door knob and have tried to unscrew the door knob. It is stuck. I have tried spraying WD40 to ...
2
votes
2answers
759 views
Reducing threaded rod to mount fixture cross bar
I have a very antique light on a very antique ceiling that I do not want, by any means, to compromise (meaning have to open). A few weeks ago, the ceiling light that was installed started losing its ...
0
votes
3answers
90 views
Are these sconces from the 1920s or newer?
I'm trying to determine if these are original to my 1920 house.
- They appear to be stamped brass which has since been painted gold.
- The wiring is cloth-wrapped.
- The switches are newer.
- The ...
0
votes
1answer
1k views
How do I turn light the oven pilot on this vintage stove?
My 30s Wedgewood stove has an oven pilot that is funky. I distinctly recall that I had to do something special to light the oven pilot last time I shut the gas off, but I can't remember what it was. ...
-1
votes
1answer
144 views
Will installing a deadbolt on a 1920s bathroom door decrease the resale value [closed]
If this is the wrong place to ask, I apologize and please direct me to the right place. Common sense arguments are welcome.
My house has 1920s era doors with crystal door knobs
example here: https://...
1
vote
2answers
269 views
What is this tool. Pizza cutter?
It's pot metal, three screws holding it together. It has a sharp rolling disk inside. Looks like it can be held in the palm of your hand to cut something. Maybe leather, carpet, or Pizza. It's at a ...
0
votes
1answer
43 views
Antique headboard and footbard with iron frame
I have an antique headboard and footboard along with the one piece iron frame that attaches to it. Problem is that when you attach the frame to the head and footboards, the "L" shape is upside down ...
1
vote
1answer
126 views
Identifying a piece of cast iron hardware
A friend has a very old house, and while exploring it found the following piece of cast iron hardware. It's about 2 1/2" across, has four holes with what seems to be set screws, and a fifth taller ...
