Author Topic: Don't let this seller get ahold of ANY vintage "decora-but-not" plates!  (Read 8159 times)
Fluorescent05
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Don't let this seller get ahold of ANY vintage "decora-but-not" plates! « on: November 08, 2019, 11:44:05 AM » Author: Fluorescent05
There is an eBay seller who sells modified ribbed bakelite plates. He says in the descriptions: "I have machined the cutout for a decora device" or something similar. Example: https://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-Uniline-Ivory-Decora-GFCI-Switch-Outlet-Wall-Cover-Plate-Eagle-Ribbed/254415009420?_trkparms=aid%3D1110001%26algo%3DSPLICE.SIM%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D20131231084308%26meid%3D42e4813e96e4404e8b7b7733d808afe3%26pid%3D100010%26rk%3D6%26rkt%3D12%26sd%3D254415009424%26itm%3D254415009420%26pmt%3D0%26noa%3D1%26pg%3D2047675&_trksid=p2047675.c100010.m2109
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Ash
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Re: Don't let this seller get ahold of ANY vintage "decora-but-not" plates! « Reply #1 on: November 08, 2019, 11:50:16 AM » Author: Ash
I assume most/all proper vintage switches/receptacles are of the "small switch hole" / "2 receptacle holes" type. Machining those for decora looks like a sort of hipster magnet...
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Fluorescent05
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Re: Don't let this seller get ahold of ANY vintage "decora-but-not" plates! « Reply #2 on: November 08, 2019, 11:53:53 AM » Author: Fluorescent05
I assume most/all proper vintage switches/receptacles are of the "small switch hole" / "2 receptacle holes" type. Machining those for decora looks like a sort of hipster magnet...
Some vintage devices use smaller holes that look decora-like, but they are not. This eBay seller basically destroys the plates by machining them to fit modern decora devices.
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Fluorescent05
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Re: Don't let this seller get ahold of ANY vintage "decora-but-not" plates! « Reply #3 on: November 08, 2019, 01:09:34 PM » Author: Fluorescent05
Snap switch.
What's the brand? Can you post a pic with the cover off?
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fluorescent lover 40
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Re: Don't let this seller get ahold of ANY vintage "decora-but-not" plates! « Reply #4 on: November 08, 2019, 01:33:09 PM » Author: fluorescent lover 40
Switches might be Circle F and the plates might be Bryant or Hubbell.
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Fluorescent05
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Re: Don't let this seller get ahold of ANY vintage "decora-but-not" plates! « Reply #5 on: November 08, 2019, 01:34:52 PM » Author: Fluorescent05
BEAUTIFUL!!!! Those look like ivory Circle F snap switches! Whatever you do, DO NOT THROW THEM OUT! If you ever look to get rid of them, PM me, fluorescent lover 40, or streetlight98.
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Re: Don't let this seller get ahold of ANY vintage "decora-but-not" plates! « Reply #6 on: November 08, 2019, 01:42:15 PM » Author: fluorescent lover 40
BEAUTIFUL!!!! Those look like ivory Circle F snap switches! Whatever you do, DO NOT THROW THEM OUT! If you ever look to get rid of them, PM me, fluorescent lover 40, or streetlight98.

I am glad I saved mine as well as a Leviton 1230 and Eagle Q270V. I unfortunately couldn't save a Sierra receptacle with matching ribbed plate. :(
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Fluorescent05
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Re: Don't let this seller get ahold of ANY vintage "decora-but-not" plates! « Reply #7 on: November 08, 2019, 03:42:53 PM » Author: Fluorescent05
Very nice! They look like ivory versions of my brown single pole one.
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Fluorescent05
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Re: Don't let this seller get ahold of ANY vintage "decora-but-not" plates! « Reply #8 on: November 08, 2019, 03:43:17 PM » Author: Fluorescent05
I am glad I saved mine as well as a Leviton 1230 and Eagle Q270V. I unfortunately couldn't save a Sierra receptacle with matching ribbed plate. :(
Why couldn't you save the outlet?
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Re: Don't let this seller get ahold of ANY vintage "decora-but-not" plates! « Reply #9 on: November 08, 2019, 03:45:08 PM » Author: fluorescent lover 40
Why couldn't you save the outlet?
It was reachable, but I have never thought about saving it.
« Last Edit: November 08, 2019, 03:47:59 PM by fluorescent lover 40 » Logged
Fluorescent05
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Re: Don't let this seller get ahold of ANY vintage "decora-but-not" plates! « Reply #10 on: November 08, 2019, 05:01:44 PM » Author: Fluorescent05
I have some brown's in the house as well. They are still strong and been in service since 1972.
Can you post pics of the brown ones?
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Re: Don't let this seller get ahold of ANY vintage "decora-but-not" plates! « Reply #11 on: November 08, 2019, 11:33:05 PM » Author: Fluorescent05
Will be in the morning....
Thanks in advance! :)
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Re: Don't let this seller get ahold of ANY vintage "decora-but-not" plates! « Reply #12 on: November 09, 2019, 12:45:38 AM » Author: Cole D.
A lot of manufacturers had a line before the standardized decorator size plates. Slater had their Medalist series and Leviton had Centura, back in the late 60s and early 70s. Sierra used to have some 3 outlet receptacles that also fit a skinny opening for the cover plate. They might have had a larger line as well like the others. Decora came out in the early 70s and that's when they seemed to do a standardized opening, along with the first GFCIs.
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Re: Don't let this seller get ahold of ANY vintage "decora-but-not" plates! « Reply #13 on: November 09, 2019, 12:47:24 PM » Author: Fluorescent05
Quick tip: If you want to clean a switch or receptacle, use a toothbrush with nothing on it. Of course don't use the one you use to brush your teeth.
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Fluorescent05
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Re: Don't let this seller get ahold of ANY vintage "decora-but-not" plates! « Reply #14 on: November 09, 2019, 03:51:09 PM » Author: Fluorescent05
This winter I plan on replacing the switches and the two prong receptacles. If you or 40 want them I will email you when I get them all donw.
I'm interested. PM me to work out details. How many snap switches are you replacing?
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