Alright /diy/, new homeowner here. Guy who sold me this place

Just get any light fixture with a flush back (nearly all of them) and mount it over the hole to hide it. While you are at it make sure all of the metal is earthed with a wire terminated to it.
t. electrician.

>>1237601
Assuming that means drilling into the ceiling around the hole. I'm sure that would be sufficient for most lights, but I'm a little worried about doing that with the ceiling fan. It's going over our bed and I'd hate to have it fall on us while we're sleeping.

I think it would be nice if we could utilize the existing mounting hardware since it seems so sturdy.

>>1237606
Yeah you are going to need more than plaster for the fan but the fixing already there will work. The end of that center pipe will be threaded and the mounting for fans is threaded so it's just a case of finding / making a thread adapter if they don't match.
Some fans also use a hook, in that case you could just drill a hole in the pipe for the hook to grab.

I am only assuming that the pipe in the middle is threaded, hard to tell by the picture. If it is, might be able to build upon it with couplings to extend it enough to start attaching hardware. What about wood beams, are there any close to these openings? A box would be prefered for mounting a ceiling fan, most of them usually are supported across two beams to assist with weight distribution

>>1237612
Yes, the outside of the pipe in the middle is threaded. The inside of the hole is just a flat metal plate, and I'm not sure where it goes from there. If I could find a coupling with a hook at the bottom that would be perfect for the other fixtures I'm looking to put up, but this ceiling fan has me a little puzzled.

could be gas pipes. older homes use to use gas lighting.

>>1237676
Wow, yeah. That's almost certainly what it is - this place was built in the 1920s.

>>1237593

Old house? Before there was electricity, there was gas lights. When houses were first getting electricity, they used the (disconnected) gas lines, as conduit. What this looks like to me.

That center thread is usually 1/2" NPT. They sell adapters to turn that into standard electrical fixture threaded rod. A good electrical supply house will know what you need.

There should also be two little tabs, opposite each other, at the lip of the metal box, for electrical screws & spreader bar. Can't see them in your pic, might be covered by plaster, might be broken off.

>>1237676
>>1237777 (checked)
You know, I knew about gas lighting, but never before seeing it was I ever forced to consider how awfully dangerous that seems. Who the fuck thought piping gas through your ceiling to light on fire would be a good idea?

>>1237930
You run gas under your floor to run your stove and water heater, done right they are perfectly safe.

>>1237930
We ride explosions daily, what part of life do you think is safe?

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>>1237593
If you remove a little of the material around the edge of the hole you may find a couple of 'ears' on the box.
Screws through the fan mounting hardware into the threaded holes in the ears.
If not ears are found, post pic of
>>1237593
>nice covers for all the unused hookups

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>>1237593
Looks like he really fucked you over because that is not a "standard" electrical box.. Was removing the lighting part of the sale or was it like "oh and I'm taking that shit also" after you had agreed on a price. If it's the latter then you actually own the lights he took from you because they are considered "attached" to the property in question. Might not be worth your while but just a word to the wise..

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>>1238013
>that is not a "standard" electrical box
It look like pic related here >>1237956
which is a 'standard' box
>remove knock-outs
>insert bushings
>install pipe-thread hanger to support rod between ceiling joists
>run wires
>looks like OP pic

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>>1237956
Here's a picture of one of the covers. Pretty simple, just a little cap that screws onto the gas pipe and a bolt that screws into the cap. I'm going to dig around in the plaster a bit and see if I can find some lips. Will report back.

>>1238118
great, thank you
how about a pic of the ceiling fan part that attaches to a 'normal' junction box.
>got an idea going here...

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>>1238035
I agree with this,bushings mounted uniform, and that threaded rod/pipe looks like the one you attach a chandelier hook.

OP take a couple more pics, different angles, better lighting, etc, or can you get to the attic side of one of them?
Lots of lighting fixtures, hanging or not, just use a small nut to keep their bodies attached to short pipe on a cheap bracket that is mounted to the box.
Those lights would be simple to mount in place of the old ones, perhaps needing adapters.
It's possible you can adapt back to fan hanger, or run bolts into current box for fan hanger, but need better pics of what you have to know. There are also fans that don't hang from a ball, instead using other mounts or flush mount.

collage of random related pics

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Okay, big update. There are no ears on any of the junction boxes. I think we will end up having to find a way to bolt everything on to the center pipe. Attached is a picture of how one of the remaining chandeliers is mounted. My dad had the idea of fastening a regular pancake junction box to the center pipe and mounting everything else to that - I'd appreciate some feedback on that idea.

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>>1238836
>I'd appreciate some feedback on that idea.
Before I answer I'd rather see
>>1238271
>a pic of the ceiling fan part that attaches to a 'normal' junction box.
There are several types of ceiling fan mounting base/brackets

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>>1237593

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>>1238877

>>1238873
The biggest issue most folks have with fans is the ceiling box wasn't meant for that weight load. That means using a spreader bar or moving over to where you can get a lag into a joist. If you have to move the hole go grab a ceiling medallion/ring to cover up the hole.

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Minor success - managed to transplant the chandelier from one of the kid's rooms to the dining room. It used just the hickey to support the entire weight of the chandelier, so I think the one in our room can handle the weight of a ceiling fan.

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>>1238873
As requested, a picture of the fan mounting gear

Maybe I could buy this part and attach the fan mount to it: http://www.mylampparts.com/Products/Bracket-Bar-38-IPS-SPECIAL-HEAVY__SL16010.aspx

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>>1238886
Ceiling fans are fairly heavy and they create vibrations/torque when switched on/off etc.
I always us a box lagged into the joist or a hanger like pic. Those can be fit between the joists through the same mounting hole. Easier if you can get to the attic tho.

>>1238894
In a condo on the first floor, so no easy access to the joists, unfortunately.

>>1238889
Even a 'special heavy' one probably isn't intended for that much weight.
>>1238887
>the fan mounting gear
Drill and tap two holes in the 'in place' box instead of adding a box.
Screws directly through the box to hold the mount.
It would be nice to have access to the other side of the box (attic?) so you could be sure to miss any wires on the back side.
If you didn't want to drill and tap, and have access to the back side, just drill and use bolts and nuts.

>>1238899
>In a condo on the first floor,
this came up while I was typing >>1238902
so forget about the nut and bolt
Just drill and tap holes next to the inside edges of the boxes.

>>1238902
>>1238903
If you slip a piece of metal tubing over the bit so only 1/8" of the drill is sticking out you don't have to worry about how far the bit goes into the attic.
It will barely penetrate the box.

The drill and tap idea sounds good to me. Here's a clearer picture of the inside of the box. I just ordered some parts, so hopefully I'll be posting more success pictures in the coming days.

>>1238920
Lol file too large:
https://www.dropbox.com/s/bzcggh35btd5dfm/20170904_201239.jpg?dl=0

>>1238920
>The drill and tap idea sounds good to me.
Since you are makin your own hole, I'd suggest going with 10x24 screws.
You need a #25 drill bit for the correct hole size for the 10x24 tap.
Select a screw length that gives ~1/4" of space between the screw head and the bracket when you are holding the bracket against the ceiling and the screw is just starting into the threads.
You'll get full holding with not too much sticking into the area behind the box.
Once you have it all worked out and are ready to make the actual installation, use a drop of blue Loctite on the threads for 'insurance'

If the lights weren't an exclusion in your contract he shouldn't have taken them. Contact your estate lawyer. He should have to pay for the new fixtures and someone to put them up.

Most things that are connected to the house are considered part of the house and part of the sale.

>>1239264
If he removed them BEFORE you signed the closing documents, SOOL.

If he removed anything from the house after signing and you did not have it in writing that he may have any chattel after signing, call the agent or just go for the karma and forget it...

>>1239519
There's lots of time before signing the closing contract and the last inspection you made to ser what you're buying. Even if he just called and said lol in taking these, op and probably still fuck him. He should call his realtor for sure.

>>1237606
I wouldn't trust EZ anchors, but I would trust some long wood screws drilled into studs if you can find them.

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>>1237593
Could probably use a standard ceiling light mounting bracket. They are technically made to attach to a normal "eared" junction box to allow a threaded rod to be attached to the center, but there's no reason it couldn't be used the other way around (attached to the threaded rod in the center and the fixture is attached to the slots on the ends)

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Just got the stuff for mounting the fan. Updates to come.

>>1240417
Interesting choices here. I've never installed anything in my home with superglue. Godspeed OP, and stand around the corner the first time you run the fan. Looks like it might save your life.

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Got the holes drilled and tapped, and the mounting gear bolted on with the bolts secured with superglue.

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>>1240432
Holy shit, thats what the super glue is for? Save this image man.

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Motor is up and electrical wired.

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Finished product. As soon as the hickeys and hooks come for the other things I'll post more updates.

>>1240434
Not sure how this is relevant. The superglue was more of a "just in case" thing to cover all my bases, not an integral part of the stability of the fan.

>>1239527
>>1239519
>>1239264
>>1238013

We knew he was taking the chandeliers way in advance. It was part of the negotiations before the initial contract was even signed. We did not mind because the ones he was taking could have easily cost him ~$10k (very extravagant tastes) and they weren't our style anyway. We were definitely cool with spending $200 on lights we actually like, and it did factor into the price negotiations (ended up getting 3k off the asking price for the lights and other various things from the inspection).

>>1240455
>Not sure how this is relevant.
Because I said, >>1238932
>use a drop of blue Loctite on the threads for 'insurance'
Those are the different colors of Loctite thread locker.
I didn't mean Loctite brand super glue in a blue bottle.

Also: Don't use any more of the counter-sink type screws. Get some pan-head.
If you have to use the counter-sink type, at least add a flat washer.
The taper on the counter-sink is trying to force the slot in the bracket open.
Otherwise, good job. Congratulations.

>>1237930
>Who the fuck thought piping gas through your ceiling to light on fire would be a good idea?

People that didn't have electricity.

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>>1240653
ITS LOCTITE BRAND SUPER GLUE. IM FUCKING DYING OVER HERE. HELP ME /DIY/

>>1238886

What town was this picture taken in OP?

I swear Ive seen that fixture...

>>1241772
Chicago

>>1241775

Lmfao, they moved to elgin eh?

>>1241793
Nah, you must be thinking of someone else. Maybe they get lights from the same brassworks place in the city. The guy I bought from only moved a few minutes down the road.

>>1241772
They only manufactured one of that fixture I bet.

>>1241793
Just out of curiosity - what's their first name?