Rare Ornate 1890s Doorbell Restoration | Random Restoration
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- čas přidán 1. 07. 2024
- Welcome! Today's restoration will be an old cast iron doorbell manufactured by Reading Hardware Co. in the 1890s. This antique door bell and bell pull are in the Windsor design. The Reading Windsor was first offered in the earlier 1880s, and was manufactured for many years. I am currently working on restoring a full Windsor set, so expect to see a few more restorations covering this very cool design in the future!
To start this hardware restoration off I disassembled the door bell and doorbell pull. In comparison to some of my previous restoration videos, this wasn't going to be much of a rusty restoration, as this bell was shockingly not too rusty haha. There were four rusty rivets that I had to grind off, but it went pretty smoothly. With the hardware fully disassembled I moved right on to paint stripping. I used a spray on paint stripper which (although sometimes needs a couple applications) works better than most others I've tried in the past.
With the paint removed completely it was time to take care of the rust. My choice for the rust removal process is Evapo-Rust, as it does a great job removing rust from impossible to reach areas. Then all the small and large parts were wire wheeled. Next up I moved onto restoring the small parts, starting with cleaning and lacquering the interior components with an original looking brown translucent tinted lacquer. The small parts and cast Iron bell base were all coated in a dark brown lacquer from the factory. I've been painting on the lacquer with an airbrush because it's easier to get an even tint with small, odd shaped parts.
Then I went ahead and made some new rivets. I was going to use e-clips to hold the new rivets on, but I ended up making all new rivets in the end and simply hammered them into place, as the doorbell wasn't functioning properly with the first rivets I made. Bluing steel parts was up next, as the new rivets and springs had lots of bare steel that needed to be protected from rust. Then it was time to restore the bronze and cast iron parts. I started off by straightening the bell pull, then I moved onto sanding with the goal to repair as much damage and defects away as possible.
The large parts were then polished (unintentionally) to a mirror finish. Then they were lacquered. Watching the iron bell and base turn from silver to a lovely golden color using a tinted lacquer is a real trash to treasure moment - It makes a huge difference! Following this, the recessed areas were painted black. Now it was time for the reassembly! I ended up making new rivets and hammering them solid in place rather than using e-clips, and was able to get the door bell working perfectly 100% of the time! Overall I think this bell looks and sounds fantastic - It'll be even better once it actually is installed on a door!
Time Stamps:
0:00 Welcome!
0:34 Disassembly
3:22 Paint Stripping
4:55 Cleaning Parts
5:36 Rust Remover and Catalog Stuff
6:36 Wire Wheeling Parts
8:59 Making New Rivets
11:12 Lacquering Small Parts
12:10 Bluing Small Parts
12:32 Restoring Bell Bolt
13:02 Straightening and Sanding Bronze Parts
14:25 Polishing Bronze Parts
15:07 Lacquering Bronze Parts
15:42 Painting Bronze Parts
16:14 Sanding and Polishing Iron Parts
18:02 Lacquering Iron Parts
18:58 Painting Iron Parts
20:05 Reassembly
25:12 Before and After
25:45 Installation and Test
27:50 Thanks for Watching!
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Thanks for watching the video Rare Ornate 1890s Doorbell Restoration | Random Restoration - Jak na to + styl
Howdy, all! It's finally a bit of a larger project/video this time 'round haha. As always, thanks for watching!
Well, that was definitely not a mortise lockset. ☺️
I do enjoy watching you bring back an antique's original beauty.
Thanks for showcasing an art form.
@@mskayla7747 Haha no mortise locks this time! Thanks a lot, I appreciate it!
Do you sell your amazing restorations?
@@NoName-vq3zo I appreciate the inquiry, but I do not sell any of my restorations, at least not yet. I may start to sell some from time to time in the future, but it’ll be a while before I decide to do that. Thanks again!
@@randomrestoration6858 I hope you decide to sell them because I am sure many of your viewers would like to purchase them, seeing how detailed you are in making sure that the items look and performs to it's optimum level.
I seriously miss this era of design.
Even the simplest of things was given such amazing and careful detail, and we cared about craftsmanship.
Right! It's very unfortunate that we don't see items like these designed and manufactured in this day and age. Thank you for watching!
This is what I was thinking as I watched the video.
Cost a lot of money, tough...
@@vzolin True, even though it's unlikely that we'll see such ornate things produced commercially again I just wish we could build things to last again.
Survivorship bias. The fancy rich things survived because they were more expensive and a higher quality. There are plenty beautifully hand crafted items today, you’re just too poor to afford it. Try being ultra rich in your next life.
I mean this in the most complimentary way- you're a bit of a ding dong and that makes these videos more entertaining. I see you're channeling a bit of your inner Bob Ross too. He'd love that little striker happy accident that turned out so nice.
Hahaha I do appreciate it, Ray! Oh yeah, although I occasionally channel my inner Bob Ross, I haven't committed to copying his hairstyle just yet, though it is tempting hahaha. Thanks a lot for watching!
As I was watching the disassembly, I couldn’t help but wonder how many years those springs had been in tension. Fascinating work. Great video.
Haha right! I know they are the original springs, since I actually have a second one of these bells which has identical bent and tensioned springs inside. Thanks for watching, Gary!
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This is the beautifulist bell I have ever seen
Right, it’s such a gorgeous design! Thank you very much for watching!
Debendifying! Love those technical terms...
Before I forget I better add it to my "Top Ten Words Your Teachers Never Taught You 2021 Edition" list hahaha
That bell is gorgeous!!!
Right, such a lovely design! Thank you for watching!
This bell will last 150 years before it needs repair! We’ll done!!
I hope this gorgeous bell will last for many more years to come! I appreciate the kind words, and thank you very much for watching!
I love the idea of this beautiful antique doorbell being returned to service on a restored historic craftsman home :-)
Thanks a lot, Jett! This will definitely be installed in the future, though it'll probably be up to a year before that happens. Until them it'll chill out upside down in it's display haha. Thank you for watching!
What an absolutely stunning bell, Think i had a mini heart attack when you painted the plate black though lol. It turned out wonderful!
Right, it's such a lovely design! Hahaha I suspect there would be a number of (justifiably) angry comments if I'd left that black. Thanks a lot for watching!
A beautiful object that you have made even more beautiful and kept its soul.
Right, such a gorgeous old bell! I appreciate the kind words, and sorry for the late reply!
The mirror finish made it look even better afterwards.
Thanks a lot, I appreciate it, Herbert!
Wow I was enthralled and dazzled throughout! What a beautiful job.
I appreciate the kind words, thank you for watching!
I appreciate your careful work. For my taste, though, the finish turned out too shiny. It loses a good deal of charm when all the patina is gone. I remember using one of these when selling Girl Scout cookies in a little town in Minnesota back in the last century!
Haha fair enough, I know there are many people that would prefer things kept as is! I personally don’t mind patina at all - There are many very cool larger projects like this that I haven’t purchased simply because the items look great in their current state, so I do try to find more shabby looking examples of hardware like the bell/pull here. Very cool, a house full of this hardware would definitely be spectacular! Thanks a lot for watching!
A fellow Minnesotan, perhaps?
Best ad for Dremel I've ever seen. 😆😆
Hahaha oh yeah I sure put my Dremel to use! Thanks for watching!
I love the amount of work you put into these! No stone is left untouched. And the way that you interact with you community is also so respectable!! My favorite part is that you dont ask people to like and subscribe, that can get so annoying!
This is my first video of yours, but you definitely deserve my like and subscribe.
Thank you very much for the kind words, and welcome aboard, Sam!
Another nice job. I was looking when you put the screws in to see if you lined up the slots , and you sure did. You have an eye for the smallest detail. I love watching you videos. Take care and thanks. Doug
Thanks a lot, Doug! Haha oh yeah if possible I always like to line up the screws - It definitely looks a lot better than having them all at mismatched angles. Thanks for watching!
That is absolutely gorgeous.
It's breathtaking! You've restored it with such kindness and respect to the original creator's work.
Thank you very much for the kind words!
Looks fantastic.
I appreciate it, thanks for watching!
it looks better upside down....great job well done.
Haha yeah luckily it didn’t look too shabby the way I mounted it! Thanks a lot for watching!
This is cool. I live like 30 minutes North of Reading. Good to see something from my home state.
Sweet, it's too bad Reading Hardware isn't around anymore, but they sure made some great hardware back in the day! Thanks a lot for watching!
Built in a time with beauty and made to last! Thanks for sharing.
Very true, Shawna, it's too bad we don't see items like these in modern times! Thanks a lot for watching!
Fantastic restoration on such a unique piece! 👏🏼👏🏼
Thanks, Michelle! Right, it’s such a cool doorbell!
Amazing
Thank you very much!
Such a beautiful bell, and masterful restoration!
Right, it's such a gorgeous design! I appreciate it, thanks a lot for watching!
This is beautiful! I’ve always loved gold and this is amazing.
Thanks a lot, Carla! This is definitely an impressive looking piece now that it's fully restored! Thank you for watching!
Absolutely beautiful restoration, one of my favourites...... so far
Hey I appreciate it! I was pretty happy with the outcome with this one and definitely can’t wait to get it installed on a door! Thanks a lot for watching!
Great restoration.
Thank you, Gustavo!
I like that your before & after shots are from the same angle and distance. It's the best way to demonstrate the transformation. Good job.
Thanks for the feedback! I totally agree, it's great to be able to see the difference. Thanks for watching!
10 points for lining up the screw heads! All up a beautiful and thoughtful renovavation.
I appreciate it! It definitely completes the look when all the screws are lined up. Thanks a lot for watching!
Now that’s some doorbell. Beautiful pieces.
Right, it's such a lovely design! Thanks for watching!
Your good sense of humor really adds a lot to the video. Very enjoyable.
I appreciate it, Kimberly!
Beautiful
Thank you, Debra!
It is a pleasure to watch you work. Thank you !
I appreciate the kind words, Fiona!
Cool technic using the vice to straighten the plate
Thank you, James! It usually gets things quite a lot straighter which makes doing any final bending by hand way easier
Now this is one beautiful restoration
beautiful. nothing is made like the old days.
Thanks a lot! Right it's such a gorgeous design, and it'll be still working long after any modern day equivalent would. Thanks a lot for watching!
Imagine the people the worked on producing these watching this video, they will be very proud!
Thank you very much, I appreciate it! I'd like to think they'd love to see this bell set restored to its former glory. Thanks for watching!
Beautiful restoration.
Thank you, Larry!
My grandparents had a doorbell that attached to the door. It was plain & instead of a pull you twisted a "key". At that time we lived across the country & would visit every other year, I loved ringing the doorbell. I think my folks finally made me stop. Thanks for the memories! I've always wanted a doorbell like that, I now live in an older house with the original door, so if I play my cards right & find one I might convince my husband to install it. :-)
Thank you for the comment, Heidi! Hahaha yeah they're oddly fun to use, and the few twist style bells I've tried all have had a great sounding ring to them. I see old twist style bells pop up on eBay from time to time They're usually just the bell without the twist, but if you're lucky you may be able to find a complete set on there! Thanks a lot for watching!
It never ceases to amaze me how CZcams manages to show me videos that I didn't know that I really, really wanted to see. An amazing piece of work. Any idiot can take something apart, but it takes real skill to put it back together. I love to watch a true craftsman at work, even though it confirms that I am on Team Idiot. Also, thank you for not adding music.
Sorry for the late reply, but thank you very much for the kind words! Oh yeah, this type of video is definitely best without music - I figure the few people that would like music will just play some in the background while watching. Thanks for watching!
Hermoso trabajo!!!! Felicitaciones!!!!
Gorgeous! looks like Eastlake design
Right, it's such a lovely design! You are very correct, this is indeed an Eastlake style design. Thank you very much for watching, Helen!
That style is so beautiful!
Right, there were so many gorgeous hardware designs in this time period, and this is definitely one of the best! Thanks a lot for watching!
Nice . . . Just love seeing items being revived for use again. Great restoration.
It's always very satisfying to see them like new! I appreciate it, Reuben!
What a superb transfomation
Thank you very much, Leonard!
Excellent restoration 👍👍👍Thanks for sharing
Thank you, I appreciate it!
Wonderful restoration. Too think they could make this 100 years ago and look at the junk they make today. 👍👍👍
Thanks a lot! Haha right, 100 years of use later and not only is it still looking great but it's also working beautify. Thank you for watching, Christopher!
The completed bell looks like it might be comfortable in a Buddhist temple or as a mini-crown for King Herod.
Haha well it's interesting you'd say that because I happen to wear the bell around as a helmet while driving to work. Thanks a lot for watching, and have a great rest of your weekend!
Awesome and stunning detail.
I appreciate it, Jim!
what a pretty bell! wonderful work!
Right, this bell has such a gorgeous design! Thanks a lot for watching!
This is a thing of beauty, the way u restored it was perfect
It is a gorgeous bell indeed! Thanks a lot for watching!
When I saw the old finish being removed...I wondered how this was going to turn out! I am super impressed !! It is BEAUTIFUL!!
Thanks a lot, Bill! This bell would definitely look questionable as plain ol' cast iron haha. Thanks for watching!
@@randomrestoration6858 you really finessed the best out of that bell! Phenomenal! Thanks Again!!
Goodness, Have never seen another one of these! Took the exact one off my mom's
door (she had this for over 40 years) do not know where she got it, probably a
garage sale or in a flea mkt in Minnesota! I am just now in the process of putting a
vintage Solid oak door with 9 small frosted windows on the top section (door came
out of Catholic Girls School in the early part of the last century) and we are adding
this exact door bell to it! It is in pristine condition-covered by a storm door all those
years! My house is1937, and all the fixtures are vintage, Added vintage lighting also.
Crystal & brass door knobs, everything that would belong in a vintage house. Have
done vintage for over 50 plus years, and almost everything in my house is vintage or
antique. SO SO HAPPY TO KNOW HOW OLD THIS REALLY IS, and you do excellent
work! THANK YOU!
Hey, thanks a lot for the comment! I'm sure the bell will look great on that door once you get it installed, glad to hear it's still in great shape! Vintage is really the way to go, especially when it comes to hardware - These items were so well built that you'd really have to try to break them! Thank you very much for watching!
This has now become my favourite restoration of yours.🙂
Thanks a lot, Tim - This restoration was great fun to do, and I was very happy with the end result - This bell is gorgeous to look at, especially in person and in normal lighting! As always thanks for watching!
@@randomrestoration6858
It is an awesome outcome.
You are welcome
Thank you for sharing🙂
I love this channel more and more with every new video. I addicted with these ornates. Perfect job! Sorry for too late to watch! ❤️
I really appreciate it, man! Hahaha no worries about being a bit later than usual - I swear there's too little time in a day/week to get everything done, including watching videos sometimes 😁
what a good restoration! a really nice project, I've never seen such a beautiful doorbell before! i wish i had such good skills and tools too
Thanks a lot, I appreciate it! It’s amazing how many different companies were making lovely ornamental doorbells like this one with so many fantastic designs. Thank you for watching!
@@randomrestoration6858 This bell seriously rings my bell. It would make a marvellous bar bell in a small antique style pub.
This bell is like The Postman…. it should ring twice! 🙂
And what’s up with Mary in the backgroud? Mary who had a little lamb? 😁
Haha right! Oh, those are a group of goats that sometimes wander over near the window and love to be pretty noisy sometimes hahaha. Thanks a lot for watching!
I've never seen such a beautiful doorbell before
Right, it's really a timeless design! I have s few other door bell sets with equally gorgeous designs that I'll restore in the future. I'd like to get a couple done this year but we'll see haha. Thanks for watching!
Tried to watch it 3 times but fell asleep again. you do good work
Hahaha you know where to go if you're ever having trouble seeping. Thanks a lot for watching!
beautiful bell!
Right! They sure had some gorgeous hardware back in the day. Thanks for watching!
I believe they found this in Tuts tomb. Nice job as always.
Haha right, it sure looks like it belongs there. Thanks for watching, David!
@@randomrestoration6858 any time. I do think it's reminiscent of the Egyptian craze of the 20s and 30s after Dr Carter found the tomb. People couldn't get enough of Egyptian art
well done love it
I appreciate it, Doug - Thanks a lot for watching!
Good job 👍👍😉
Much obliged, Chris!
Amazing very well restored
Thank you, I appreciate it!
I love the fact you dont leav a spot untouched such an eye for the details noone will see the back side of the bell
Thank you very much! It's very satisfying for me knowing that areas no one will ever see still get the attention they need. Thank you very much for watching!
As always a beautiful resto…wtg 👏
Much appreciated, Sally!
Absolutely beautiful you did a fantastic restoration on that beautiful bell. It was so good to watch someone that takes the time to research a item before they start. You sir are a true craftsman a pleasure to watch you work 👍👍👍😊😊😊♥️
I appreciate it a lot, Kelvin! It's always oddly enjoyably researching the history behind these restorations. Thank you for watching!
14:20 wow! Looks brand new. Nice sanding work
Thanks a lot, I appreciate it!
Very nice job well done.
Much obliged, thanks a lot for watching, man!
Love it!
It is a fantastic looking bell for sure! Thanks a lot for watching!
Beautiful job. Excellent work.
Thank you very much!
Fantastic
Thank you very much!
So elegant. Great video.
Much obliged, Cali!
Bob Ross used to say there are no mistakes in painting only happy little accidents he was right it was a more positive way of looking at it even a mistake can be artfully entertaining
Oh yeah I’ve been watching some Bob Ross episodes lately and had the irrational urge to add that comment in there haha. Thanks again!
Классные видео, увлекли, смотрю с удовольствием ваши реставрации.
Большое спасибо!
Super - thanks for sharing your excellent restorations ✌🏻🎨☕️
Thank you, it was great fun returning this bell back to its former glory! Thank you very much for watching!
Amazing restoration 👏 🙌 🤝
Thank you, I appreciate it!
It is almost Aztec in design. I think it turned out gorgeous!
Awesome! Iwas totaly mesmerised, love the detail of the finished doorpull, real class
Right, such a gorgeous design! I have a few more ornate bells that I hope to get to in future videos. Thanks for watching!
Amazing...
Thanks a bunch!
All that work just to ring a bell it’s a beautiful piece. Well done 👍
Hahaha right, but it was well worth it! I appreciate it, thank you for watching, Anne!
i love your restoration dear i liked it
Thank you very much!
Amazing restorations! Such a beautiful doorbell
Thank you vary much!
unglaublich schön. tolle Arbeit
Vielen Dank!
You probably won’t see this comment but my great grandmother had a doorbell like the one you’ve restored, the bell was mounted at the top of the door and the lever was mounted at the bottom of the door and was connected by a long rod, you then used your foot to ring it. All the kids got in trouble for playing with it because it was so different than any other doorbell we had seen.
Thanks for the comment, Sandy! Haha now that's an odd way to mount one of these! This bell has a pretty cool design which allowed them to be ringed with a handle like the one in the video, a different kind of bell pull which was pulled straight out from the door and a rod or chain like you described. With a setup like that no wonder it drew attention haha. Thank you very much for watching!
@@randomrestoration6858 I was 8 years old but you definitely rang it with your foot and the reason I remember it so well is because I was slapped for the continuous ringing of it. This was back in the good old days of capital punishment, and for an old lady she had a hell of a left hook.
@@Sandy.J.Lloyd.Sr. Hahaha well that's one way to keep you from continuously ringing it!
its beautiful
Thanks a lot!
Again, great restoration! So far you have been restoring different Ornate styled things, from door locks to door bells. I wonder what will be next, A mail box? XD
I appreciate it, Koaya! The next project is actually not a hardware restoration if you can believe that haha, but it should help me in future restorations. After that though I'll be back to ornate hardware - I just can't resist restoring all these sweet lock sets and related hardware hahaha. As always, thanks for watching!
Trabalho lindo, detalhado, cuidadoso, calmo. Quanto mais brilha, mais eu amo!
Muito obrigado - Este foi um projeto divertido para restaurar! Obrigado por assistir!
Nice! I really like the finish you put on your projects.
I appreciate it, Bill!
Nice job
Thanks a lot!
good job!
Thanks a lot!
Красота. Какие красивые раньше вещи делали. Душевные. Спасибо за видео. Вашими руками восхищена
Они умели делать красивые вещи много лет назад! Спасибо за просмотр!
Love it. Is amazing
Thank you, Susan!
Great job and thanks for the video love ❤
I appreciate the kind words, Karen - Thanks a lot for watching!
What a beauty :)
Right, it’s such a cool bell set! Thanks for watching!
До абалдения красивая вещь!!! Дизайнеры, съешьте свои дипломы... На свете есть МАСТЕРА!!! 👍👍👍
Большое спасибо за просмотр!
Beautiful Doorbell! Splendid job you did on your video! 🙏🙏 Thank you for taking us along! Cheers from Alaska!!
Thanks a lot! Right, it's such a cool design, especially for something as simple as a doorbell. Thanks for watching!
Perfect
Thank you, I appreciate it!