old electrical ceiling box

Hello,

I have a 1928 home. I want to put a new light in my dining room. Right now there is a ceiling fan light. I took out the fan. I bought a new hanging chandelier light. I was unable to install it. In the middle of the metal electric box there is like this bolt that goes up toward the ceiling.

This isnt mine but it looks like this, minus the burn marks.

http://www.leoandrene.com/files/gall...card%20430.jpg

So Anyone reading this knows. When installing a hanging light you have a bracket that connect to a screw hole on each side. Then in the middle there is a hole you slide a bolt up and put the nut on top to hold the light.

But I cant because of this stupid bolt in the electrical box.

Does this make sense. Any Ideas? I dont want to have to put a new box in. I fear this box is installed in the plaster and lathe and removing would create a whole new box of worms.

Are there any attachements you can buy or different brackets?

thanks
Jake

 

Honestly my first thought would be to replace the box. Some questions first. Is there an accessible unfinished attic above? Is you wiring knob and tube (K&T). that is individual cloth covered wires or conduit, or cable?

 

Yes, there is an accessible unfinished attic.
I dont know for sure but I think it is cable wiring. I am a new homeowner, but I am pretty sure it is insulated plastic over like a copper looking wire.

thanks

 

Is it possible the bolt looking thing is an old gas line for gas lights?

 

More likely a mounting nipple. It should unscrew. Is the box you have really a pancake box only a half inch deep like in the picture or is it 1-1/2" or deeper? My main reason for suggesting a new box is I don't know if the existing one will support your chandelier.

Looking in the attic and telling us what's there, confirming if you have cable and some actual pictures of what you have would be helpful.

 

It is about an inch deep box that looks just like the one in the picture except there is also like a bracket/rod that runs acoss thrugh the middle of the box and it also goes through the mounting bracket nipple thingy. it supported a ceiling fan just fine.


If I do put a new box in I suppose I have to get to it through the top in the attic???

 

Not necessarily. You may be able to unfasten the box from below and install a ceiling fan old work box from below. I know it is a chandelier not a fan but it will work for either.

I have a concern that the box may be fastened to a joist. There is a workaround if it is. First though I'd try to remove the brackets fastened to the box including the nipple. If you can remove the hangers you may be able to reuse the box. If there is any way you can post actual pictures of the box it might be very helpful.

Last question for now, is the box diameter 3" or 4"?