John Dirks Jr Posted June 28, 2012 Report Share Posted June 28, 2012 I found this thing attached to the floor joist of a 1920 Baltimore rowhome. It's a steel square shank driven into the joist. The lower part pivots on its attachment to the shank. What is it? Download Attachment: P1260784.JPG 115.59 KB Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim Katen Posted June 28, 2012 Report Share Posted June 28, 2012 Looks like a pivot point (in lieu of a pulley) for an old furnace draft control chain. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Dirks Jr Posted June 28, 2012 Author Report Share Posted June 28, 2012 Looks like a pivot point (in lieu of a pulley) for an old furnace draft control chain. Hmmm. This was along the front wall (street side) not far from what would have been the coal chute. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill Kibbel Posted June 28, 2012 Report Share Posted June 28, 2012 Yup, it's part of an assembly that allowed control of the draft damper and/or the check-draft damper of a coal boiler or furnace. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Dirks Jr Posted June 28, 2012 Author Report Share Posted June 28, 2012 Thanks for the info gents. Now I can pretend to know something the next time someone asks. I like inspecting old homes. I hope to buy one some day. Something way out with lots of elbow room so I can abide by my free will. Stuff like a shooting range right off my own back porch. I would like that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Dirks Jr Posted June 28, 2012 Author Report Share Posted June 28, 2012 BTW, would one end of the control chain be up in the living space? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill Kibbel Posted June 28, 2012 Report Share Posted June 28, 2012 It could be. It could have been a dial that operates an arm or sprocket as described in post #15 here: https://inspectorsjournal.com/forum/top ... C_ID=14228. It could also have been a device with hooks or slots for the chain to be placed in different positions. By 1920 however, it was common for the chains to be controlled by an electric motor, located in the basement and controlled by a thermostat in the main living level. Click to Enlarge 20.12 KB Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Kogel Posted June 29, 2012 Report Share Posted June 29, 2012 This gizmo looks like it may have been part of a furnace control. 100 year old house. "Chas. Fawcett, Sackville, NS or NB" A lot of cast iron stoves and furnaces were produced at the Fawcett factory in New Brunswick. Or maybe it was Sackville, Nova Scotia. They've both got a Sackville, but the factory is now in Sackville NB. Click to Enlarge 34.43?KB Click to Enlarge 25.52?KB Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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