A few months ago there was a thread regarding vintage doorbell chimes . . . does anyone remember what thread that was? The '50s NuTone at my parent's house has died, and after looking at the plastic nasties at Home Depot and Lowe's I remembered that some other sources were listed in the thread. Thanks!
Doorbells
- Thread starter hydralique
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Yes, I started that thread.
The only sources I found on line were for restored ones or brand new in that same retro style, and they were not even remotely affordable. As I recall, they were emphatic about not selling parts so you can repair your own. I've provided a link for one of them below.
I've still not been able to find a replacement for my chime.
I would guess that in your area Liz's Antique Hardware on La Brea might have something used and unrestored, but they also tend to charge an arm and a leg for everything.
The only sources I found on line were for restored ones or brand new in that same retro style, and they were not even remotely affordable. As I recall, they were emphatic about not selling parts so you can repair your own. I've provided a link for one of them below.
I've still not been able to find a replacement for my chime.
I would guess that in your area Liz's Antique Hardware on La Brea might have something used and unrestored, but they also tend to charge an arm and a leg for everything.
Thanks very much for this. The defective bell is a recessed NuTone with a really elegant gold grille. The house was recently purchased and I had no idea this was the main doorbell as there is a non-functional '50s radio-intercom with various grills installed throughout the house so I just assumed this was another speaker. It did seem odd that the only doorbell was a nasty buzzer near a side door, but there is a newer phone intercom system at both doors so I figured the original bell had possibly been removed. When I removed the gold grille to take some paneling down I realized it was indeed a doorbell and not a speaker. I doubt that it can be repaired but even a modest '50s or '60s bell would be more appropriate to a 1956 house than the modern units I've found. I know that hardware store on LaBrea, and yes they are pricey but then again they have lots of hard to find items.
If you haven't already done so, pull the switch at the door and make sure it's working by touching the wires together.
If that checks out OK, there's no harm in removing the chime cover and checking the connections. It could just be a loose wire somewhere, or the strikers could be gummed up. Just a bit of cleaning (do not lube with WD-40 or any kind of oil, just clean the strikers) could fix it. I would try that first before declaring it absolutely dead.
If that checks out OK, there's no harm in removing the chime cover and checking the connections. It could just be a loose wire somewhere, or the strikers could be gummed up. Just a bit of cleaning (do not lube with WD-40 or any kind of oil, just clean the strikers) could fix it. I would try that first before declaring it absolutely dead.
Also check the transformer for it as well.
The transformer seems OK, it has voltage and works the buzzer in the back hall near the side door. The dead unit is clean inside and I will investigate for broken wires but to be honest it doesn't look like there's much inside that's serviceable. I have found a new NuTone recessed bell and if I can adapt the original grille to that I'll do it.
