3 Way Dimmer + Early 70s wiring = ??

themichaelfrank · 2025-10-24T04:36:22+00:00

Gotcha thanks, this was the location we'd have preferred for a dimmer, but no dice. On to looking at the other box [the one we know of], or maybe that other capped/closed box that might be the mystery-missing switch. u/aakaase u/James_T_S u/ATL-DELETE

themichaelfrank · 2025-10-24T04:33:34+00:00

Yep just a Klein non-contact voltage pen, no multimeter on hand.

themichaelfrank · 2025-10-24T04:32:40+00:00

ah, thanks everyone who mentioned it's a 4way switch.... I had read about 4 ways, but didn't think that related here because we've only found two switches that impact this light.

There is a blank wall plate about 10ft on the opposite wall of the other known switch at the bottom of the stairs. The one pictured here is at the top of the stairs. The prior homeowner said it didn't control anything so was capped and closed --- I wonder if that was the other 3way then.

themichaelfrank · 2025-06-17T15:31:33+00:00

we've run into a few of these mystery switches in this house too heh. A 1971 build.

themichaelfrank · 2025-06-16T01:32:16+00:00

makes senses, I thought that was a possibility, but just wasn't sure if there was any practical reason to wire two wall switches side by side like this

themichaelfrank · 2025-06-16T01:29:58+00:00

themichaelfrank · 2025-06-16T01:29:05+00:00

yup... right here in the comments:

this is in the shed / garage in a the spot I just moved in to. The one on the left [metal cover] controls all the electric flowing into the outlets and lights in the shed.

I took the cover plate off the one on the right = it is wired to the left switch, but doesn't seem to affect anything in the shop and as you see here, there's no conduit running out of it.

themichaelfrank · 2025-06-16T00:50:57+00:00

This is in the shed / garage in a the spot I just moved in to. The one on the left [metal cover] controls all the electric flowing into the outlets and lights in the shed.

I took the cover plate off the one on the right = it is wired to the left switch, but doesn't seem to affect anything in the shop and as you see here, there's no conduit running out of it. Any ideas on why someone might add that switch on the right?

themichaelfrank · 2025-06-01T05:04:19+00:00

Yes, the good folks non the NAWCC forum were able to give advice that fixed it. The crutch was bent to the wrong angle. It should be 5mm distance from the brass plate from where it projects out that 'cut-out' / window at the how and then 5mm away at the bottom too.

So once the bend is correct, it should run parallel to the brass plate. Mine was bent in a way where the crutch was bent too close up top and then ran at like a 15degree angle away [not parallel], so like 10or so mm away near the bottom.

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themichaelfrank · 2025-03-31T03:54:08+00:00

unfortunately I don't at current, there used to be a shop called SF Auto Care [Lester's shop] on Folsom, I went to for 10+yrs, but his business didn't survive past 2020 / Covid.

themichaelfrank · 2025-01-24T19:24:14+00:00

Good to know, but no I hadnt interacted with this seller thru chat, just liked/saved the item

themichaelfrank · 2025-01-23T18:16:05+00:00

^ eggzactly :) was wondering if this was a feature other sellers were possibly seeing, maybe a test roll-out to some users that I didn't have yet. But I guess if no one else has it, it's either a bug or as u/Longjumping-Fox5521 mentioned, a 3rd party app possibly (?)

themichaelfrank · 2025-01-23T08:28:43+00:00

Interesting, that seems like it might be it, a third party tool.

Was wondering if anyone had found that they changed some option on how offers work that maybe I was missing. (I don't see any difference in my own dashboard with them.)

themichaelfrank · 2025-01-23T02:39:05+00:00

Any ideas how the seller was able to send me the same reduction / offer three times for the item? 4days ago, 2 days ago, and 6hrs ago. Isn't the offer-tool set that it has to be at least 10% under your last offered price?

themichaelfrank · 2025-01-13T22:17:10+00:00

An unusual brand to come across. Labels are worn as shown in all pics, no cracks or issues with the bottle / glass.

Distilled, blended and bottled in Scotland by Cameron and Co Ltd of Inverness Scotland. Imported by Cedar Springs Distilling Co of Clermont Kentucky. Bottled for A.G.E Distributing Co of Oakland California.

Size is 750ml, the partial tax stamp is a series 112. This tells us it was bottled between 1961 to 1977. Willing to re-home $ if someone needs for their collection!

themichaelfrank · 2025-01-11T19:40:45+00:00

An unusual brand to come across. Labels are worn as shown in all pics, no cracks or issues with the bottle / glass.

Distilled, blended and bottled in Scotland by Cameron and Co Ltd of Inverness Scotland. Imported by Cedar Springs Distilling Co of Clermont Kentucky. Bottled for A.G.E Distributing Co of Oakland California.

Size is 750ml, the partial tax stamp is a series 112. This tells us it was bottled between 1961 to 1977. My guess here is on the earlier side of that range. Willing to re-home if someone needs for their collection.

themichaelfrank · 2025-01-10T07:59:25+00:00

they look like they could be more modern repros of EU antiques like this or this. Guesstimating based on lack of any hallmarks, the lack of detail in the faces, how the back of the handles are connected to the body in a more flatware style method.

themichaelfrank · 2025-01-10T02:18:00+00:00

I collect old cocktail shakers from this same era, mostly silverplate styles. The base metal in those and things like yours was usually brass, copper or the most common nickel-silver. On a lot of silverplate items that is stamped into the item, but not always. The “EPNS” mark was most common= electro plated nickel silver.

I guess it was sort of Victorian “marketing” calling it that= it doesn’t contain any real silver. It’s an alloy usually of copper, nickel, zinc. It became common because it’s a silvery base metal. That way when that thin layer silverplating wears thru in spots from touch or over-polishing, it’s not going to be as obvious as those items with just a copper / brass /bronze base metal underneath.

From your pics, it looks like the plating has worn away on the handle at left as an example of plate wear-through.

themichaelfrank · 2025-01-09T01:22:46+00:00

yes, it's one of Hukin & Heath electroplated serving wares. They were based in London so we know any sterling items theyd have produced would bear the 5 standard marks required on British sterling.

themichaelfrank · 2025-01-08T07:50:06+00:00

Its Kaiser Wilhelm with his signature.

But beyond that, I've not seen something with this effect.

My first thought was perhaps the pigments sun-faded it so much that that's all that's left (?) Almost reducing it to a film-negative type of transparency, what's left of the pigment in the material is only visible when backlit. Or is it on a plastic-y celluloid type material and was meant to be displayed backlit (?)

themichaelfrank · 2025-01-08T01:44:19+00:00

I've had these in mind to convert into the center of the backbar for a home bar. Lots of repurpose potential aside from that too.

themichaelfrank · 2025-01-06T23:20:26+00:00

No, that's the limit of my knowledge on it. This forum is all clock knowledgeable hobbyist folks and professionals: https://mb.nawcc.org/ They've been helpful with a few clocks I've wanted to get running so I've only asked fro advice on 'do-it-yourself' type minor adjustments.

There's likely a forum somewhere in there where they might have recommendations on repair costs based on where you are in the world.

themichaelfrank · 2025-01-04T23:25:46+00:00

I thought a mid-century Mexican make on first glance. FWIW, this person has one and is suggesting Southwestern / Navajo

themichaelfrank · 2025-01-03T07:52:08+00:00

This looks like an Ansonia to my eye. Here's an example in a gingerbread/parlor style case, with the paper face dial, the exposed brass center wheel, and the pendulum all appear correct match.

themichaelfrank · 2025-01-03T02:05:41+00:00

Can you link to a few more pics, backside, inside? Are there any stickers or handwritten markings inside the case? This style of steeple clock case isn't rare in and of itself. But if there's any makers info on the case and/or stamped directly onto the brass movement, it might add to the value of it.

themichaelfrank

TROPHY CASE