Brass switch spacer?

[JohnW2]

Hi folks. Most of us know switch/accessory 'spacers' like the one below. Am I right in assuming that one cannot get similar in brass (or even 'brass effect', if that's all that could be had)?

Kind Regards, John

 

[RandomGrinch]

I'm afraid I can't find anything, but that's not saying much

What I can find are some nice brass back boxes:
https://www.socketsandswitches.com/index.asp?SKSID=840&ItemID=29934

And some nasty brass effect Back boxes!:
https://www.tlc-direct.co.uk/Products/VLYBSB.html

Have you considered spray painting a plastic spacer, or using a contrasting spacer (dark wood can contrast nicely with brass)?

 

[JohnW2]

I'm afraid I can't find anything, but that's not saying much .... What I can find are some nice brass back boxes: .... And some nasty brass effect Back boxes!:

Thanks for looking. Yes, I had found versions of both those.

Have you considered spray painting a plastic spacer, or using a contrasting spacer (dark wood can contrast nicely with brass)?

It's not for me (a friend asked me) and, having failed to find anything, spraying a plastic one is what I have already suggested as a 'last resort'.

An alternative, of course, would be to 'have one made', which would probably be simple enough for anyone with the appropriate metalworking facilities. However, that would only be sensible if one knew 'a friend' who could do it, since to have it done 'commercially' would presumably be prohibitively expensive.

Of course (and this was the first thing I said to my friend), the 'best' solution would obviously be to change the existing back box to a deeper one. However, he said that there are three 'well plastered in' cables, with only short lengths of conductors in the box, which made him nervous about trying to change the box for a deeper one - feeling with which I can at least partially sympathise! I suspect he may well end up with the spray paint.

Kind Regards, John

 

[333rocky333]

That Tlc one may be Electroplated brass as it says it matches there Chelsea sockets, it may be a sleeve that slides over a surface mounted box, as it says you will also need a Flush metal box.
Though to confuse things the pic shows it on a moulded box, which are bigger, it may well fit over the white adapters too.
think its something you would need to physically see and try.

It sounds a bit odd but i have bought stainless steel surface switches and they came with a flush box which you screwed surface and as above the metal bit just sleeved over it before fitting the faceplate

 

[RandomGrinch]

That Tlc one may be Electroplated brass as it says it matches there Chelsea sockets, it may be a sleeve that slides over a surface mounted box,

After having a closer look, I think you're right!
The supplier:
https://www.gandhbrassware.com/plate-designs/pattress-boxes/
seems to have a good range of products.

It may not be too difficult to score the sleeve, or cut with a razor saw to an appropriate size.

However, that would only be sensible if one knew 'a friend' who could do it, since to have it done 'commercially' would presumably be prohibitively expensive.

I used to be one of those friends!
One of my labs had a small machine shop; it had a lovely Myford lathe, bandsaw, pillar drill, mini CNC etc.
I currently only have my 3D printer to play with, but that's not too bad

 

[JohnW2]

I used to be one of those friends! ... One of my labs had a small machine shop; it had a lovely Myford lathe, bandsaw, pillar drill, mini CNC etc. ...

That's definitely the very sort of friend one needs in the situation I'm describing - I'm sure that it would be a very simply bit of machining for someone adequately equipped.

I currently only have my 3D printer to play with, but that's not too bad

Even that might do, if you could find some suitable gold-coloured material to 'print' with

Kind Regards, John

 

[JohnW2]

... The supplier: https://www.gandhbrassware.com/plate-designs/pattress-boxes/
seems to have a good range of products.

They do. Interestingly, in their photos, the polished brass and polished chrome ones (which, unlike all other finishes, are only available in 25mm deep) have no visible G/Y earthing flylead to the metal, whereas all others do.

It may not be too difficult to score the sleeve, or cut with a razor saw to an appropriate size.

True, but one would probably have to see/handle one to be sure what was feasible. I imagine that it's not impossible that the material of the 'sleeve' might be too thin/flimsy to really be usable as a spacer?

Kind Regards, John

 

[RandomGrinch]

. I imagine that it's not impossible that the material of the 'sleeve' might be too thin/flimsy to really be usable as a spacer?

I would glue the sleeve to the backbox and cut through it as one - that would also maintain the structural integrity as a spacer

... And yes, interesting about the earthing. That is what led me believe it was only coated plastic to begin with!

 

[JohnW2]

I would glue the sleeve to the backbox and cut through it as one - that would also maintain the structural integrity as a spacer

That sounds like a good plan.

... And yes, interesting about the earthing. That is what led me believe it was only coated plastic to begin with!

I must say it still makes me wonder about those two ("polished brass and chrome") - if they are what they say, they need earthing just as much as any of the others!

Kind Regards, John