Repairing an antique elevator installed in 1919

as part of our industrial building renovation, we are attempting to restore the original 1919 three story elevator. It is a freight elevator that works on 3 phase electricity and we desperately need it in order to get all of the stuff that is up on the third floor out of the building so that we can continue on the renovation.
You can contact me at [e-mail]

[@DieselDucy]

This is awesome! I run a small elevator museum. I would love to see this elevator someday.

[@coldwarmercantile]

wow, how interesting. Let me know if you are ever in the area.

[@HabitualButtonPusher]

Hey Chris, If you go to a craft store you can buy a set of “paint pens” or hell even a paint set. Dab of paint on the wire, dab of paint on the screw. That technique has saved my ass more times than once.

[@coldwarmercantile]

That would be super efficient if they were all different colors. Wouldn't even need to write numbers.

[@lakeshadow100]

OMG again I find myself shouting to you. Glad you figured it out! And, you will use this elevator more than you think when it is working. Pffffft those stairs.

[@MrPuckchaser]

Yes! So happy the vintage elevator will be repaired or hopefully repaired.

[@coldwarmercantile]

and not replaced with a winch!

[@missourielevators9252]

This elevator is beautiful i really wanna see this someday

[@ryandean69]

Sir you are doing great. That place would throw anyone a curveball! I mean, one guy knows how to fix your elevator. He’s one of a handful left if your lucky. Most would yank it out and put new in instead of saving that beautiful history. Keep on doing it!✊👏

[@coldwarmercantile]

That is the power of KZbin, and just putting wheels in motion. I think this project would almost be too much without the benefits of meeting people through the channel and learning from them.

[@ryandean69]

@@coldwarmercantile yes sir!

[@fillg]

I was practically shouting at my screen "don't cut the conduit". 🙂 I'm so glad you found that nut would screw off of it because it's almost impossible to cut a conduit without at least nicking the wires inside it. For future boxes you might just leave them in place and unscrew the switches out of it. I'm excited to see work on the elevator because that's something I've never seen before. I've done plenty of electrical but never on elevators. Especially 100 year old elevators

[@lakeshadow100]

me too!

[@bobross4237]

Or just leave the box in place and remove the devices.

[@coldwarmercantile]

Neil my friend will be refurbishing it box and all.

[@coldwarmercantile]

The great thing is that it is such an awesome thing and simple enough that we can get it going! Will be cool I hope to be up and running with it by OCT.

[@robert3302]

My first thought when you discovered the conduit was there must be a knurl nut holding the box to the top of the conduit. And I was right! A year too late. Glad you found it.

[@coldwarmercantile]

yeah, it has been so educational for me learning along the way.

[@Mariana---]

Proud of you for not giving up on this old building...😃

[@coldwarmercantile]

Thanks for the kind words Mariana. It is going to be years but I won't give up.

[@tonydamato240]

I was waiting for you to notice the nut inside the electrical box. Good job!

[@coldwarmercantile]

Hard to sit quietly and not yell at the screen! Haha. Thanks!

[@RogerEbert-vy5pv]

Life is a series of adjustments. You're doing very well.

[@SamuelBrownMD]

Im now trying the exact same thing ! Thank you !!!!!

[@coldwarmercantile]

oh nice, our plan is to fix it next week. But I don't know when it will actually get uploaded to the channel.

[@sparks869]

Nice work. Glad the freight elevator project is finally moving. I was sweating a little when you said you were going to cut the pipe. 😅

[@coldwarmercantile]

That is the novice in me. Every time I do something like this I learn something. I am trying to include the embarrassing stuff as well.

[@sparks869]

@@coldwarmercantile the honesty is refreshing. Your teaching people that you don't have to know everything to get started with a big project.

[@Davett53]

As I explained in another of your videos, my art studio was in a warehouse built in around 1905. The freight elevator was equally primitive,...more so because it didn't have an "UP or "DOWN", button. To go up, one had to manually grab a greasy cable, via a small opening, in the side of the elevator car, pulling it down and the car went down,....pulling it up and the car went up. To stop the car at a floor, one had to lift the front gate. The electric assist motor would groan, and hum. Pulling the cables, released the counter weights, mounted in the elevator shaft, on rails, on either side of the car. A solitary bare bulb way overhead, was all there was to help you see. Some light filtered in from dusty windows in the shaft.

[@jpalmer4099]

Same heat here in Minneapolis!! Always good to see your sidekick Bailey!!

[@coldwarmercantile]

It was so humid. But right now I am reading your comment in an air-conditioned space with a cold lemonade.

[@mikerico5568]

Bro, you are the only person in the last THOUSAND years to loose an elevator panel screw. But hey, had to be someone. Glad We all could witness this too good to be true happening!

[@coldwarmercantile]

I should go out and buy a lotto ticket today! The luck is with me.

[@mauriced9335]

What an UPLIFTING video😁 next time let Bailly say hello as you need all the help you can get, stay safe.

[@coldwarmercantile]

I will, He has been a lot of help this summer!

[@bbiskner]

Every day is a learning day so you learned something new that’s great isn’t it

[@coldwarmercantile]

Yeah, that's right. By the time I get this place done 27 years from now I might know a thing or two. I have already learned so much since this all began. It's pretty great.

[@MK-Farm-Michigan]

That's because we all care Chris! Only trying to help. Way to go Chris! Thanks for helping Neal.

[@Norgesky]

Yes,getting the elevator working will be awesome!

[@coldwarmercantile]

I can't wait.

[@kevinganje3356]

Good for you, Chris!!

[@coldwarmercantile]

Thanks! Cheers!

[@Ragnar8504]

There's not a whole lot to go wrong on these beasts. Clean each and every single contact (especially safety switches, if they no longer close when they should each and every single one is going to stop the whole thing from working), check and if necessary replace all the rubber-insulated wires for crumbling and cracking, grease and oil everything, including the tracks. The oldest lift I managed to get going was from 1901 and had been abandoned since the 1960s. All this stuff looks quite familiar to me. The brake is indeed a safety feature but the worm gearbox between the motor and drive sheave (the big wheel in the motor room) has so much drag the car won't likely move on its own anyway. All a completely buggered brake would do is make the car overshoot the stop by something like half a foot. Had that happen on a 1920s lift that refused to stop correctly as soon as the rust had worn off the brake disc. The bad thing was that overshooting the bottom stop made the car hit the pit floor, so you definitely do want the brake to work. The brake is held on with a spring or springs and the brake solenoid releases it when power is applied. There should be a manual release that you need to pull or push or turn so you can operate the lift manually with a wheel or crank or ratchet on the motor shaft. Doing that is quite handy for inspecting the shaft and tracks and doing maintenance. You're supposed to crank all the way up without people inside and then do the work while lowering the car (excerpt from the maintenance instructions of the 1901 lift). I think the main reason for that is that the counterweight is overbalanced. It's heavier than the empty car (usually car plus half the rated payload), so with just one person inside, if something went terribly wrong the car could crash into the top of the shaft pulled up by the counterweight.

[@coldwarmercantile]

Oh my gosh, there is so much knowledge out there. That is why this channel has been such a great experience for me. Cheers!

[@pskully57]

I was hoping your John Deere would fit on the elevator, but it looks like not. You definitely need something with wheels that fits on there to get the stuff off the 3rd floor. Like even a large wagon would work. That elevator is beyond cool though, I love the way they made things back in the day, made to be bullet proof and last. BTW I'm in Phoenix, 117F yikes!

[@tbirdracefan]

A big flat cart like those at the home centers to load lumber and materials on would be handy for such work.

[@pskully57]

@@tbirdracefan Yeah, good call!

[@coldwarmercantile]

I actually have several of those in the building.

[@coldwarmercantile]

I have a rolling cart, I think I recall us talking about a three wheeled bike. that would definitely fit.

[@pskully57]

@@coldwarmercantile Then you hook a small wagon on the back, and you can move stuff with ease.

[@justnana2256]

Put a good magnet on some Paracord and drop it down the shaft. It will only pick up small items. No telling what you'll get from under there.

[@coldwarmercantile]

that was my exact thinking. we think alike. the ground is less than 12 inches below the lift.

[@tete7958]

Awesome! We used the freight lift all the time at the antique mall. Love these old buildings. So glad Neil is going to be helping you on this.

[@coldwarmercantile]

He has been amazing. Great to make new friends.

[@achristiansilluminosity2596]

after i watched a little more video i see you figured it out. i am seventy three. and it took me many years to look then look more then look harder. so the problem was conduit the next step is look more. your learning keep up the good work. also slow down before you move on. oh you will see my friend.

[@coldwarmercantile]

haha, thanks for the encouragement. I do sometimes put the cart ahead of the horse.

[@marksmith-ew7ir]

Nice to see you started on lift repair, long time in the making. Then items from other floors can make there way gfor resale or scrap.

[@coldwarmercantile]

Oh that will be so great, to get it all out so I can actually focus on doing stuff. It's all in the way right now.

[@fredmeyer1898]

Here's the one I've been waiting for!

[@coldwarmercantile]

It will be spread out over several episodes. Cheers!

[@robert3302]

Try tying a magnetic refrigerator hook to a length of twine and dropping it down to the bottom of the shaft and see if it grabs your lost screw.

[@coldwarmercantile]

like magnet fishing in an old elevator shaft. who knows what I'd find.

[@mikerico5568]

📡LETS HEAR IT FOR NEIL GAH-DANG!

[@nrivera4380]

I think most of us (99%) are here bc we love this adventure you're on, Chris! Our expectations are for you to succeed in your dream. Please don't apologize to us. XO to you and your lovely family! P.S. Glad you git a chance to see some of the artwork link I sent to your IG inbox.

[@coldwarmercantile]

Okay now I make the connection! Thanks and for the kind words too!

[@dombutler7685]

I can't believe you've got this far in life, without knowing how to fix and service an elevator! lol (me neither!)

[@coldwarmercantile]

Shame on me. I know.

[@lolMyke]

As an electrician that kind of made my head hurt and made me giggle. But I am glad to see you got it out with no damage and not cutting the conduit! Looks like rigid conduit which is a little harder to repair then thin wall emt conduit. Also side not it’s single phase and 3 phase. Even know single phase we have 2 “hot” wires it gets its name from the primary side of the transformer not the secondary. Love the video

[@coldwarmercantile]

I have since learned that. Which is pretty cool. I actually mention single phase in the new video. Great to learn new stuff. So many teachers here. Thanks!

[@vikingwarrior2018]

Oh man great work on the elevator boss 🤙🏻🤙🏻

[@coldwarmercantile]

It's a process I will have an update sometime in October.

[@oldtop4682]

Stop and ponder. Someone put the elevator control box in there, and it went in from the front (inside side). Before you found the nut, I was wondering if the fitting was on the outside or inside of the box. Either way, there HAD to be a screw on connection there. Hint for the future - painters tape is you friend for marking wires/cables. You can number the wires and connections with the tape and a Sharpie. The ribbon is kinda sexy though lol.

[@coldwarmercantile]

hey old top, I was thinking that the box screwed on to the conduit when the car was elevated. but as usual I was mistaken. The good thing is that moving forward I will immediately know how they come together which will help me a lot getting conduit up for wiring the building.

[@dougdobbs]

Man, we come here to see you problem solve, not show off how much you know. Sometimes we get to help you out, which is cool. There's no need to be embarrassed or feel inadequate. ALL of us started out not knowing things and none of us knows everything. You're doing fascinating work and we love that you bring us along on the journey. Keep up the good work, you're doing great!

[@coldwarmercantile]

Thanks, I wasn't sure anyone would be interested in watching this, but it has been so great. Glad to see you are still with the channel Doug. Cheers.

[@Motorsportqueen]

Chris I am so glad you found another solution to a problem by taking your time and thinking about what you have. Nothing wrong with how you approached this task. Be proud. Neil thank you for helping. I cant wait to see it all come together.

[@coldwarmercantile]

Thanks so much! I do get ahead of myself. I can get hijacked and make rash decisions. So it was a teachable moment for me.

[@armchairobserver4747]

I think a 60' electric scissor lift is the quickest method to a workable lift. Having said that I will be watching the "Neil Project " for sure

[@HabitualButtonPusher]

I was thinking for the short term,find out how heavy the lift car is, how much it’s rated for, and put a 2-8 ton wench in the mechanical room. Viola, can use the elevator.

[@coldwarmercantile]

Monday will be another upload about this adventure.

[@coldwarmercantile]

I actually have a 3 ton winch in there. I have been using it to lower stuff through the shaft.

[@chuxmix65]

Elevator tip: if the buttons are inside the car it was passenger rated. Otherwise there would be buttons on the wall outside the doors on each floor. Good luck! It will be so great to see it working again!

[@coldwarmercantile]

Thanks so much. I was hoping it was both but apparently now. maybe it will be soon though.

[@garyallsebrook3493]

I played in a band, that rehearsed in a commercial building with freight elevators and other than closing the gate, there were no restrictions.

[@coldwarmercantile]

I was wondering about that as a private piece of equipment. That makes sense.

[@bearhardcorepicker]

You must have heard the commenters....anyway, now you know how conduit is mounted to the boxes, and you won't forget it. 😉 Taken lots of them apart myself when scrapping, and and put them together when creating sculptures from electrical parts.

[@coldwarmercantile]

The funny thing is that I have those nuts and threaded washer things everywhere all over the building laying around. now I know what they are. LOL.

[@Dancing_Alone_wRentals]

KZbin friends are the real wealth of KZbin.

[@coldwarmercantile]

I am sooooo finding that to be true.

[@marytaylor9185]

Oh my! It is such an experience watching your projects. I really enjoy your approaches to all that you tackle. Looking forward to the next.

[@coldwarmercantile]

Thank you so much for the kind words! cheers!

[@kevinstewart8]

Hell yea! Love seeing your hard work and progress sir!

[@coldwarmercantile]

Thanks Kevin!

[@jimclasquin]

Great job persevering through that junction box connection. The ONLY way to learn things sometimes is by trial, error and reason. You were correct at the end of the video. You SHOULD be proud!

[@coldwarmercantile]

thanks so much. I am actually learning some things which is pretty cool. Kinda late at 50 but it's never too late right?

[@jimclasquin]

@@coldwarmercantile You're actually learning so many things you don't even realize! One of the most important is that you have a growing sense of accomplishment that will lead to the ability to overcome adversity. That week translate to wiring run customs agents, or other barriers that will present themselves in the future. You should be proud of you too! And the day you stop learning is one you don't want to face!

[@garyjones2582]

Use screwdrivers with magnetic tips... And you should get a lathe and have someone teach you how to use it or get someone else to operate it.. If it's a screw that isn't a common size, it can be made on a lathe... You could always use one when you get your business up and running... You're doing a great job on the building...

[@coldwarmercantile]

Haha, I am lucky I found a screwdriver at all! I keep putting stuff down and never see it again. A lathe would be amazing, that would be a cool skill to have.

[@garyjones2582]

@@coldwarmercantile They make a little device that you stick the tip of your 🪛 in it and it will immediately magnetize it .. insert the screwdriver in from the other side and it will demagnetize it.. you could probably get one at harbor freight for a few dollars.. Get several and put one in each of your tool boxes... Happy magnetizing...lol..

[@rupe53]

@@coldwarmercantile ... the first thing to check is *IF* that screw was magnetic. The cover plate seems to be stainless, so a magnet won't stick.

[@mikeanderson3334]

I was telling you to spin the nut, probably because I live in a 100 year old house and am used to seeing those connectors. Glad you figured it out, and cannot wait to see this put back into service. It will make all the difference!

[@coldwarmercantile]

Thanks mike. I also can't wait. This fall we are hoping to have it going.

[@georgesenda1952]

I don''t know how you are going to get debris that has fallen down the shaft. I once lived in an apartment building where people threw all kinds of stuff down the shaft because the elevator kept missing the floors by a foot or more and someone put a couch at the bottom of the shaft because you could open the shaft with a tool if you knew how. They finally cleared it out and fixed the elevator but it took about 3 owners until they got one with enough money to get it done.

[@coldwarmercantile]

There is no basement so when it finally works and raises. the ground is directly under the car. Like maybe 1 foot down. So I can just go in and scoop around. I have high hopes of getting this thing going.

[@mikerico5568]

When Neil gets this color coded panel, he's going to roll his eyes and throw the ribbons away stating, "AMATEURS!"😉... its all good. We are all learning a thing or two. Thank you for thinking of us👊🏼

[@coldwarmercantile]

He actually sent me a pack of stickers to label since the video went up. haha.

[@michaelsimolke5697]

You should use different color paint markers to mark where the wires go

[@coldwarmercantile]

I have official ones now. Just got them in the mail. They are little numbered stickers.

[@thedreamclockproject1113]

There should be a lock nut inside the box. Comes off by spinning it with a hammer and a screwdriver blade.

[@coldwarmercantile]

I didn't know that, and thank goodness it turned by my fingers, that is the only reason I figured it out because I thought it was a permanent feature of the box.

[@CavAmes19]

Awww, awesome!

[@scottstempmail9045]

They are very robust.

[@user-rx3ew9fq5r]

Super HaPpY you noticed that lock nut in control box.

[@coldwarmercantile]

So obvious looking back but at the time.......

[@82ndairbornevet]

Chris, that is really cool that you are getting the elevator fixed and I am so glad that you heard me talking through the video on how to get that box off of the conduit.😂 You have made so much progress with the building, it is amazing!😎

[@coldwarmercantile]

Hey man thanks. It is so obvious in hindsight. But you don't know what you don't know. Anyway, I have also been doing some other rooms in the building and working on the roof so there will be a lot more project type videos. You still in California?

[@82ndairbornevet]

@@coldwarmercantile sounds like you have a great deal going on. Good to hear you are working on that roof! Ya, I am still in California.

[@tpcdude]

220 is single phase .. you could use a rotary phase converter.

[@coldwarmercantile]

Thanks man. I wondered about that. I will correct that on the next episode.

[@mcgjohn22]

That was real conduit on the back of that elevator switch box. back in the day, they would bend that to fit, and all boxes were either threaded directly on to the pipe or in this case used a capture nut to hold the box to the pipe. Today conduit is much thinner and called EMT (electrical metal tubing). Much easier to work with and can be bend with a hand bender. All sorts of fittings are available for EMT. It you have other areas the have pipe type conduit, there are adapters made to go from pipe to EMT, so don't rip out the old stuff. All that old cloth covered wiring may have to come out. But don't pull it out yet. You can use the old wiring to pull fresh wires from the source to the switch box. You are quite correct about stuff being built to last back in the day. My guess is that elevator motor once you get it cleaned and lubed, will likely outlast all of us.

[@coldwarmercantile]

I just had an electrician in today. It was actually pretty exciting. I found out I can do much of the work myself. That conduit that is up will also help a lot.

[@mcgjohn22]

@@coldwarmercantile very cool. yes, if you can pull the wiring through old conduit, makes life much easier. sometimes the old wires will get jammed, so don't get in a hurry.

[@kevinwassellsr.5646]

They say it "Single phase to 3 phase" Good luck on the project Let me know when you get your welder, I'll run down and larn ye some stuff 😉

[@coldwarmercantile]

haha, are you local?

[@kevinwassellsr.5646]

@@coldwarmercantile northwest Illinois

[@MrJeep75]

I road a freight lift many times

[@JesseBoth]

The screw bouncing to the one place it didn't need to go! lol....bro I've been there many times...usually it's involving a screw falling between boards on my porch deck!

[@coldwarmercantile]

Yeah, and it's usually a screw that that you don't have a replacement for. LOL>

[@trufix72]

You need to get a roll of number tape that you can mark the wires with numbers. They sell them at home depot or Lowes if you have those stores there.

[@coldwarmercantile]

Just picked up some masking tape. I'll be posting that video on Monday. I had a big step forward on this project.

[@achristiansilluminosity2596]

the conduit has a nut that holds it in place that is on the inside of the box

[@coldwarmercantile]

Yep. Now I know that. The first time I looked at it I thought it was cast as part of the box. My mistake. Now I know. Good thing too because when I wire the building for lights there will be hundreds of those boxes.

[@achristiansilluminosity2596]

@@coldwarmercantile i don't wish you luck i wish you success.

[@GrumpyXer]

Every place I worked at we used them to transport ourselves and cargo, old old freight elevators in hospital and factory. The hospital one had to be manually controlled as I recall, not hard to figure out. I don't understand why you wouldn't use them instead of the stairs.

[@sparks869]

I think he's trying to be cautious due to the liability unless he's sure it's all covered by his insurance policy. Also avoiding inspection costs? Don't see why he couldn't use it himself personally if it's all been approved as functional though.

[@stache1954]

Elevator cabin. 🙂

[@coldwarmercantile]

I have heard cabin, car, and something else that I already forgot. LOL. Thanks.

[@stache1954]

Car is what you ride in as you said. Cabin houses the elevator engine etc.@@coldwarmercantile

[@MK-Farm-Michigan]

Get a magnet on a rope and fish for stuff at elevator. Where is the white strip to make it Red,White & Blue USA.😊

[@coldwarmercantile]

I thought of that too. That would be a cool video by itself! who knows what's down there after a century of use.

[@mikerico5568]

In my Junior and Senior year of high school (74-78) on the Southside of Chicago, I worked at a shoe store owned by three brothers. They actually had two shoe stores physically separated by a camera shop. They sold Buster Brown shoes at both locations. Looking at your frieght elevator has send my imagination in to overdrive. Is it possible that I sold a pair of Buster Browns that left the manufacturer (building) in this very elevator?

[@coldwarmercantile]

whoah, how cool would that be? Small world.

[@lisaakinlabi]

I was electrocuted when I was a kid so anything electrics makes me so nervous. I also knew a couple of people who passed away from being electrocuted and one guy I know was thrown across the room being electrocuted. I watched nervously! LOL

[@coldwarmercantile]

I remember my brother touched two wires and flew when I was a kid. He is afraid of wires to this day.

[@lisaakinlabi]

@@coldwarmercantile Ugh yeah scary stuff. My parents told me they would take the lights out of my room if I kept staying up all night reading. The next night I went in my room turned on the light and nothing. I put my hand up to tighten the light bulb, only to put my hand right into the socket. My hand turned black for awhile. Turns out my parents took the bulb out of my light.

[@mikerico5568]

🔈Wow! The elevator equipment looks in great shape! Drive on pal!, your'e kicking, ___! Oh yes I said it!!

[@coldwarmercantile]

haha, thanks, appreciate the support and kind words!

[@Tulsaghost1]

get a GoPro type of camera with several mount types. That way you free both hands

[@coldwarmercantile]

I have been trying the tripod thing but that tiny room was super cramped and it was so hot that I kind of missed that one. I will try to get better stable footage instead of walking and talking so much.

[@Tulsaghost1]

@@coldwarmercantile more like free both hands so you do not get an injury or drop something important.

[@ReverendLinc]

Observation: the elevator controls appear to be *inside* the elevator. How do you make it go up n down if you are *outside* the elevator? Are there floor call buttons somewhere?

[@coldwarmercantile]

it doesn't have that functionality, it has a bell. back in the day you would ring the bell and somebody would have to go and send it down. or up. I wondered the same thing.

[@ReverendLinc]

@@coldwarmercantile So, you are going to have to ride it up and down (never saw a freight elevator you didn't have to ride in to make it work either, but I was curious.

[@coldwarmercantile]

Neil is going to help me modernize and put in the upgrade. Good eye.

[@DUSTEATER2]

A licensed electrician will pull a permit from your local jurisdiction to do the work. Which means any obsolete / unserviceable equipment will need replaced at the inspectors discretion. This could be very big bucks. Also getting the 3 Phase hooked by up by the Power Company if they are even willing to do so is expensive too. If you chose to use a VFD to run the motor then one big enough is lots more money. Pay an industrial licensed electrical contractor to come in and evaluate your cheapest solution BEFORE getting the outside local people involved. They will probably want an elevator company to sign off as well. I forgot, replace all the wiring with new, you will not regret it later I would lov e to be there to watch your progress, GOOD LUCK

[@sparks869]

This is a very small rural town so he's going to have to check locally about their requirements for a freight only elevator.. He's already got guidance from Neil who is a retired elevator tech in terms of modernizing it. That's why he's mailing some of the primary equipment before Neil comes to do the work in September. It sounds like from the video, he even has a VFD in case 3 phase doesn't work out.

[@DUSTEATER2]

@@sparks869 I hope Neil can make this work out. A huge win for everyone.

[@coldwarmercantile]

Thanks man for the great food for thought. Hoping to keep cost down for sure.

[@coldwarmercantile]

Hey sparks, are you the same "sparky" that stopped by the building the other day? or is the name just a coincidence?

[@dansetzer1454]

Cyd in MD. I'm sitting here clicking my fingers, but my three bathrooms still are not clean. Is there something I'm missing?

[@coldwarmercantile]

hahaha.

[@cferguson3368]

Based on personal experience, where did you put the nut for the conduit?

[@coldwarmercantile]

haha, sorry took so long to get back to you. Let's just say they are replace-able. haha.

[@atomicpunk701]

Use different color zip ties or # stickers to label the wires next time, also good for keeping track of hydraulic lines.

[@coldwarmercantile]

I have a pack of proper labels now. Maybe I'll get to show them off in a future vid.

[@wingerfan1]

It'll be really awesome to see the elevator functioning again. I think it'll make clearing out the third floor go insanely fast. If I was close enough in the area, I would love to come over and help out because I like doing stuff like this. Too bad I live all the way in Alaska. Lol. You did bring up something pretty awesome though. It reminds me of the movie Major league when Tom Berenger's character take the elevator up to see what his ex has been up to, and the door opens, and he's inside someone's penthouse. I've always wanted a place like that. By the way to ask a question, do you plan on using a pressure washer to remove some of the old paint to repaint it? That would be a very awesome video to see the transformation before and after. Before you remove the paint and after of course.

[@urbanurchin5930]

......NO ....if you lived close enough - you would NOT be allowed to come and help. This has to be repeated on almost every single one of these videos ! The liability on this project PROHIBITS anyone else - other than family - from being inside the building. Try to keep up !

[@coldwarmercantile]

the cool dudes always had those apartments in the movies. I do plan to power wash the bottom floor because it has a lot of areas with concrete floors and drains. The main bay would be the first place I'd go. It would be awesome.

[@wingerfan1]

@@coldwarmercantile well, removing some of the old paint with the proper nozzle on a pressure washer is a very awesome feeling. The room completely transformed itself. Can't wait for future videos.

[@wingerfan1]

I already know this you don't have to be so negative.

[@markheld995]

That's why you should have a screw gun with magnetic tip and you would of never lost the screw.

[@coldwarmercantile]

Yeah, I am buying tools as I go along. That would have been helpful.

[@1ajs]

these mke gret bars eh

[@app-o-matix]

Chris, were you ever able to locate a number or some identifier that tells you the specific model of the elevator?

[@rupe53]

Some of that info might be on the wall tag (certification) issued by the building department. From there the rest may be available through the mfgr.

[@coldwarmercantile]

Neil actually sent me the book So I have the manual for it. I can look and get the exact name. I will try to mention it in a future video as it will be hard to find this comment again. There are so man.

[@coldwarmercantile]

there is an authorize personnel only sign but didn't see any other plates. I do have a book manual. I will try to talk about it in future video as I mentioned above. Probably should have done that already as it could be interesting for folks.

[@kimberlydavis2754]

What happened to your pulling toolbox

[@coldwarmercantile]

It's there on the first floor. I didn't pull it up. Good catch.

[@thethirdrail8397]

It is about to Be 100ºF here ! For the Degree Sign : In windows hold the Alt Key on your KB and use the Number pad on the right hand side and type 1447, then release the Alt Key! one part you will need is at least one Tube(radio Tube), This one might use some big tubes! so, this could be a very expensive elevator to repair. I saw one tube spot on the slate, which slate was/is used to help contain any cross voltage that may be found on the chasis. basically, that means you should be able to touch the slate without being shocked! but, you might still, get a shock from it. also, the buttons I do believe would be bake-a light. One side might slide out, but I think that may have been done at the time as a code. as you do have a two door setup. per haps one side was taken out of service for safety reasons you will need to go into the pit to retrieve that screw... the wiring is not that complicated! they just have big wires -

[@sparks869]

He's sending everything to Neil who is a retired elevator repair tech. So not much for Chris to do but methodically label, photograph, and disassemble without damage.

[@coldwarmercantile]

Yeah that's right. Thank goodness otherwise I would be able to do it. Or it would take forever.

[@coldwarmercantile]

Just complicated enough to be a good learning experience for me.

[@user-zo6qq8xd9g]

Thats a more modern relay base

[@Davett53]

Yeah! Dangerously HOT where I am, HERE in the mid-west,...I'm in Columbus, Ohio. Today is July 27, 2023. It is supposed to be in the 90's today, wavering between 90 and 95 degrees,..with a heat index that will make it feel hotter than that. Old person's like myself need to find a "cooler" place to hang out. Health issues I have, at age 70,....means, I must avoid stressful activities. Drink plenty of fluids,...and stay out of the sun.

[@JRCentrex]

Don't you need to replace all the wiring for the elevator? I can't imagine the old wiring would be trustworthy. Likely a fire hazard.

[@coldwarmercantile]

That I don't know yet. I am going to get professional advice.

[@mengelman2]

There is no 2 phase, just single phase and 3 phase

[@kooldoozer]

There absolutely is 2 phase power. But I seriously doubt if anyone is generating it for commercial consumption any more. ---Doozer

[@coldwarmercantile]

Yeah, that's what I learned. single phase. Thats because I don't know what the heck I am talking about. but since the video I have learned quite a bit.

[@coldwarmercantile]

Now I know single phase is what would go into the doohickey that changes it to 3 phase and that I need pretty heavy cable.. Doohickey is the technical term.

[@oldgrumpytools98]

When the city electrical inspector gets there, he will read you the riot act. His word is law and you better follow it, oh yes and you will need deeeeeeeep pockets to get the freight elevator going. I've been in maintenance for 30 years, ask me how i know. Get yourself a FLuke 90-1000 VAC tester, not the chinese made look a like stuff but the real one. Then check and see if the fluke lights up before you touch a wire, i hate to see you get juiced. If I was in the area I would visit you and help out but i'm too far away. so good luck on your projects.

[@coldwarmercantile]

I just got a tester, granted not that model. The city inspector has already been out with the the city after we had the fire. They were very accommodating and helped me get to a place where I can run tools for demo etc. I think I have a lot of good will because I am trying to fix the place. granted good will won't make it cheaper.

[@justusbar7597]

Hi Chris, What differs two from three phase? How many watts and torque does the motor provide?

[@coldwarmercantile]

I meant single phase. I am not sure about the torque. I will be learning though as we go

[@Alexlfm]

A three phase motor will typically have better efficiency and usually higher torque compared to a single phase though it can get more complicated than a blanket statement. Modern tools, vacuums, etc. with “brushless” motors are using a DC generated 3-phase system to drive them where as single phase DC requires brushes (AC single phase motors don’t require brushes). The power phases pulls the motor rotor from one stator coil to the next more smoothly with fewer gaps and as such is capable of a higher starting torque with fewer stutters and stalls (important for an elevator) compared to a single phase induction motor. Edit: I should clarify that three phase power has each phase staggered so that the wave peaks are sequential to each other in a line.

[@kooldoozer]

2 phase is 90° between phases, 3 phase is 120° between phases. 2 phase is 4 wire, 3 phase is 3 wire, and single phase is 2 wire. If he has 2 wire, it is probably single phase. Power companies have not generated 2 phase for many years. ----Doozer

[@rupe53]

@@kooldoozer ... the data plate will give him what he needs. In the video he shows the motor has 3 wires. In that era, I doubt they ran a ground wire so probably 3 phase.

[@kooldoozer]

@@rupe53 The question was, "What differs 2 from 3 phase?". I believe I answered it well. ---Doozer

[@MrJeep75]

Probably nothing wrong with those buttons

[@bufords]

you can ride a freight elevator, no law against it bud. The interior control panel is for humans buddy! Elevator rules all based on weight. Used one at GM for years! Keep in mind if your there alone, and your phone won't work in the building no one will here your screams for help if it gets stuck, js.

[@tbirdracefan]

luckily the elevator car has no roof so climbing to the next floor up is an option. Unless it"='s on the 3rd floor when trouble arises.

[@coldwarmercantile]

It is private, so maybe it is okay. Not for public use.

[@coldwarmercantile]

yeah, it is easy to get out no matter where it stops.

[@bufords]

public, private still doesn't matter bud. Its just an elevator, with safety brakes and its easy to get out of like you said. Just chill bud! you can put as many people as you want in the thing, just don't exceed weight load. Back in the day. department stores had the manual style lift. They employed attendants to run the lift. Now if the public was to use it, safety inspect and insurance would be the thing to do.@@coldwarmercantile

[@urbanurchin5930]

@bufords........if YOU'RE there alone.......learn English......no respect for those that never got past the third grade.......

[@mojo6706]

So, you have been there how long? Surely you have seen a box of conduit parts, learned how they go together. You have even pulled out some conduit from the ceiling joists. And you are relearning how conduit works?! C'mon dude.

[@coldwarmercantile]

believe it or not the answer is yes.

[@mojo6706]

@@coldwarmercantile okay well watching you is frustrating. Those conduit ring nut fasteners, pretty easy. I typed some mean things but backspaced and put this in. Get back to work!!

[@snowman3630]

LIFE HACKS 🤣 LET'S SEE CHOICES OF MARKERS TO IDENTIFY WIRING 😂 AND IT'S PAR FOR THE COURSE THAT THE LITTLE SCREW WOULD BOUNCE DOWN THE BIG DARK CASUM , IT'LL BE GREAT TO SEE IT UP N WORKING , HEY THE SUN DOES SHINE OIN A DOGS ASS ONCE IN A WHILE 🤣🤣,TAKE CARE BROTHER 🤘

[@coldwarmercantile]

Thats right. Thanks. I picked up some tape and markers. I'll be posting Monday about that. Had a big step forward with it all today.

[@scottstempmail9045]

Please tell us you were wearing a mask when shoveling the dust, lead paint chips and most importantly pigeon crap.

[@coldwarmercantile]

Most of the time I do. Sometimes I take it off for talking to the camera and occasionally forget to put it back on. =}

[@Davett53]

Arrrgh! I hate watching you make obvious mistakes. You would not have lost that screw if you had a "best practices" routine you lived by. Like never take apart things, without something to capture "possible", parts that could fall away. Or better yet: PAY SOME ONE WHO KNOWS WHAT THEY ARE DOING!

[@sparks869]

One screw is not the end of the world. Plenty at the hardware store. All of this is being sent an elevator repair tech so he is using an expert. The most important thing was labeling which he did fine and not damaging anything.

[@DocNo27]

Good grief - people like you is why we aren't going anywhere as a civilization any more.

[@coldwarmercantile]

I'll drop a magnet down and get it back. no serious loss.

[@coldwarmercantile]

Doc with the save!

[@coldwarmercantile]

hey Dave, I include the embarrassing stuff too. I bet you don't get that from the other channels! But I hear what you are saying.

[@urbanurchin5930]

........why did I know that the first screw you removed, was going to fall through an opening in the floor / wall of the elevator ??

[@coldwarmercantile]

haha, I am a glutton for punishment. Now I know to get a magnetic screwdriver. The bread always lands butter side down.