Push-Button Switches for Exposed EMT

[High Desert]

During the planning stages of building my workshop, I got ahead of myself and purchased some old-style push-button switches from classic accents. They don't sell mounting plates for this application though. I thought I could just purchase a blank switch plate and modify for the switches. It wasn't until a few months after the shop was completed that I went to change out the standard switches installed by the electrician with the push-button switches that I realized nobody makes the "blank" plate.

The only way to make it look correct was to weld fillers into the rectangle openings in the existing plates, then grind and drill to accept the push-buttons.

I finished the plate up with some hammered gray paint.

Although everyone loves the block construction of the shop, I get more comments on the old-school switches than you would believe.

This just shows the double-box. I also did a single for the back door.

 

[sands35]

That looks like a 4-11 box. They do make blank covers for 4 and 4-11 boxes

http://www.garvinindustries.com/electrical-box-covers/4-square-box-covers/flat-covers/52c1-vt

and

http://www.garvinindustries.com/ele...16-industrial-surface-covers/1-2-raised/72c29

You did a nice job on yours.

 

[Charles (in GA)]

Just a deep (2-1/8) 4x4 box.

 

[pentavolvo]

Mom and dad still have a pair of push button switches on the staircase, I need to take them haha. Looks awesome

 

[cowboy73]

Very cool!

 

[LS6 Tommy]

There are loads of antique & vintage design companies that sell cover plates for push button switches...

Tommy

 

[n8n]

yeah, but probably not for a 1900 box.

You can still find vintage brass switchplates for single and double gang boxes on the 'bay for these switches as well, usually less expensively than buying new repros.

 

[LS6 Tommy]

yeah, but probably not for a 1900 box.

Ahh, yes. Good point. I must be dozing off...

Tommy

 

[C96]

Nice job on the industrial switch cover conversion, very cool.

My Grandmother had those type switches throughout her entire house along with glass doorknobs on all the doors. The electric panel had the glass plug fuses that screwed-in just like a light bulb. Yea, the kind you could stick a penny behind in an emergency….

 

[jeff000]

That turned out super slick looking.

I did some demo work last summer and tossed out hundreds of those switches, although I am not sure if the cover plates were for a 4x4 for not.

 

[jeffmoss26]

That's awesome! Nice work.

 

[High Desert]

That looks like a 4-11 box. They do make blank covers for 4 and 4-11 boxes

http://www.garvinindustries.com/electrical-box-covers/4-square-box-covers/flat-covers/52c1-vt

and

http://www.garvinindustries.com/ele...16-industrial-surface-covers/1-2-raised/72c29

You did a nice job on yours.

Thanks! I probably should have asked what is available here first before welding and grinding everything.
My grandpa's garage/shop (and entire house) had these types of switches, and I just loved them as a kid. He always had something cool he was working on whenever we went to visit.

 

[High Desert]

Attached is a picture of the single switch for the back door porch light.

 

[sands35]

Thanks! I probably should have asked what is available here first before welding and grinding everything.
My grandpa's garage/shop (and entire house) had these types of switches, and I just loved them as a kid. He always had something cool he was working on whenever we went to visit.

Yeah - but personally, I look for excuses to weld stuff.

 

[Stuart in MN]

My Grandmother had those type switches throughout her entire house along with glass doorknobs on all the doors. The electric panel had the glass plug fuses that screwed-in just like a light bulb. Yea, the kind you could stick a penny behind in an emergency….

I still have one original pushbutton switch in the back stairway of my house, along with the glass doorknobs. Fortunately, the fuse box is long gone.

 

[machine_punk]

Well done! I like a little bit of a vintage feel to things. Did you use the Oxy-Acetylene torch to weld those plugs in?

Great idea. I wish I had thought of it.

Kev

 

[High Desert]

hine_punk;3923531]Well done! I like a little bit of a vintage feel to things. Did you use the Oxy-Acetylene torch to weld those plugs in?

Great idea. I wish I had thought of it.

Kev

Yes, it seemed like too intricate work for the mig, and I didn't want to use any body filler. A #2 tip and patience for both sides. Smoothed it out with a cutting wheel on the dremel. It is the kind of dedication that my wife makes jokes about.

 

[machine_punk]

Cool! I would have used Oxy-Acetylene too...mainly because that is all I have.

I think you could have gotten away with soldering or brazing...but it definitely isn't going anywhere with the welding.

Kev