By continuing to use this site, you agree to our use of cookies. Find out more
Forum sponsored by:
Forum sponsored by Forum House Ad Zone

Looking for a 4-hole twin 13A metal pattress box

All Topics | Latest Posts

Search for:  in Thread Title in  
Greensands09/02/2023 14:49:01
449 forum posts
72 photos

Anyone know (or may even have one available) a source of a top and bottom 4-Hole metal pattress box to fit the twin 13A MK socket shown in the photo. Most commonly available boxes these days, metal or plastic are for two hole fixings mounted along the sides. Do not like the idea of throwing out a perfectly good item which imo was made to a much higher standard than similar items marketed today.

SillyOldDuffer09/02/2023 15:38:29
10668 forum posts
2415 photos

Would it mount on a pair of sideways single pattresses? Or maybe one of these, example is Toolstation

Not sure MK did anyone any favours when they designed that. The layout may be deliberately non-standard to stop light-fingered employees nicking them. There are a few variants:

Some at work had vertical live and neutral rectangular holes rather than horizontal.

Dave

Greensands09/02/2023 15:45:07
449 forum posts
72 photos

The Toolstation option is a thought but the centre section would need to come out. Would also need to check the hole centres.

Harry Wilkes09/02/2023 15:59:17
avatar
1613 forum posts
72 photos

Have you looked on this site link

https://www.art-deco-emporium.co.uk/Vintage-MK-4-Hole-Socket-or-Switch-Fitting-Kit-for-Existing-or-new-Backboxes-1158

H

Engine Builder09/02/2023 16:03:52
avatar
267 forum posts

That's a socket from the MK metalclad range and the box to fit is smaller than a metalbox designed for mouning a socket flush in a wall. The correct  box is the same shape as the socket with round coners and is pressed steel.

Edited By Engine Builder on 09/02/2023 16:05:31

Martin Connelly09/02/2023 16:37:38
avatar
2549 forum posts
235 photos

You could make some suitable pillars and mount them in a standard box. You may have to add a frame to ensure there is no gap around the edge.

Martin C

DC31k09/02/2023 16:44:49
1186 forum posts
11 photos

The Toolstation one will not work. Twin single gang is larger than one double gang.

Pay good attention to the caution from Engine Builder, but verify the truth of what he says by testing the socket you have on a double backbox to make sure the radiused corners do not underhang.

The art deco emporium kit is just a very expensive version of these:

https://www.cityplumbing.co.uk/p/back-box-repair-clip-pack-of-5-bbrc1444/p/638067

The key search term is 'back box repair clip'. They fit a standard double backbox.

Oven Man09/02/2023 17:05:17
avatar
204 forum posts
37 photos

Engine Builder is correct. It requires a surface mount box from the MK metalclad range, if they still do them.

Peter B

Looks like the design has been updated by MK, finding an old style box might be difficult.

Edited By Oven Man on 09/02/2023 17:07:39

Dave Halford09/02/2023 17:14:30
2536 forum posts
24 photos

Harrys vintage link implies 1970's so maybe 50 year old plastic, I know I was in better nick back then than now.

You could weld 2 singles together to get the right screw spacing, but you will probably still get get gaps at the four corners.

DC31k09/02/2023 17:16:57
1186 forum posts
11 photos

Does the white bit remove easily from the metal surround?

If so, buy one of these:

https://www.cef.co.uk/catalogue/products/114579-2-gang-blank-plate-metal-clad

cut a suitable hole in it and for £1.50 you have a double socket socket that will fit a modern backbox.

Emgee09/02/2023 19:13:22
2610 forum posts
312 photos

Those sockets went out many years ago as said by others, my choice would be to cut an aperture in the lid of an adaptable box and fit the socket with screws and nuts to the lid, then connect in the usual way.

When purchased the socket would have usually been mounted on a metal box to the plate dimensions although there was an option to buy the bare socket for fitting to your own equipment, a metal frame was available that had the 4 fixing points tapped and the frame was fitted behind the cut out aperture.

box on eBay 263712560450 may not be long enough but otherwise suitable 141x81x39.5mm (Plastic)

Metal eBay 181302507015

Emgee

Edited By Emgee on 09/02/2023 19:18:53

Edited By Emgee on 09/02/2023 19:31:48

peak410/02/2023 01:38:51
avatar
2207 forum posts
210 photos
Posted by SillyOldDuffer on 09/02/2023 15:38:29:

.................

Not sure MK did anyone any favours when they designed that. The layout may be deliberately non-standard to stop light-fingered employees nicking them. There are a few variants:

Some at work had vertical live and neutral rectangular holes rather than horizontal.

Dave

A little video for you; we used several different designs at work, e.g. a secure supply would feature T shaped earths, or some computer kit would be a different shape to stop the cleaner using an adjacent socket etc.



A Little bit here about the old 4 screw sockets.
https://flameport.com/electric_museum/sockets_13A_BS1363/mk_socket_outlets_double.cs4

Bill

JasonB10/02/2023 07:23:41
avatar
25215 forum posts
3105 photos
1 articles

If you are that bothered about reusing it and a metal worker why not get a current 2 lug one and silver solder on 4 mounting lugs to suit the old layout.

Myself I doubt I would bother and just get a new one which with far less plastic on the front offers more resistance to damage that that old design which is the reason why Metclad are used in garages and workshops.

Engine Builder10/02/2023 10:16:38
avatar
267 forum posts

In my working life as an electrician one job we did used special 13amp sockets in some locations where only specific

appliances could be pluged in. The plugs and sockets at first glance looked like normal ones but they had all the pins rotated 90 degrees.

Nealeb10/02/2023 10:37:03
231 forum posts

Way, way back in my school days I had a job in a local television and radio shop. Sometimes helping with repairs but mainly out on the van helping deliver fridges and colour televisions - a two-handed job in those days. One day, we delivered to a guy who has just refitted his kitchen, and he very proudly showed us the waterproof 13A sockets that he had picked up where he worked and had now fitted in his new worktop. I asked him where he could get the matching plugs. Yes, the ones with pins rotated 90°. He wasn't very happy when we left...

Ed Duffner19/02/2023 17:40:25
863 forum posts
104 photos

MK make there parts in ranges, e.g. Logic Plus range or Sentry range. There might be a 'range' imprinted into the plastic on the rear of the socket outlet and could simplify searching for a box.

Edit: Just having a quick scan of the web I came across this: https://www.art-deco-emporium.co.uk/Vintage-MK-4-Hole-Socket-or-Switch-Fitting-Kit-for-Existing-or-new-Backboxes-1158

...will update if I find more.

Ed.

Edited By Ed Duffner on 19/02/2023 17:43:02

V8Eng19/02/2023 19:20:39
1826 forum posts
1 photos

The up to date modern standards MK version of that box and socket is about £15 at various wholesalers. Sorry to say it but personally I find it very difficult to see any point in hunting for an ancient bit of kit like that.

No personal offence whatsoever intended.

Edited By V8Eng on 19/02/2023 19:26:54

Greensands20/02/2023 12:05:27
449 forum posts
72 photos

Problem now sorted having bought the plastic box suggrested by Emgee. The modification required a lot of time which I dare say others would have considered as wasted time but have achieved a presentable result which does look far neater on the bench than the previously old domestic model ever looked. Thanks to all those who provided assistance.

All Topics | Latest Posts

Please login to post a reply.

Magazine Locator

Want the latest issue of Model Engineer or Model Engineers' Workshop? Use our magazine locator links to find your nearest stockist!

Find Model Engineer & Model Engineers' Workshop

Sign up to our Newsletter

Sign up to our newsletter and get a free digital issue.

You can unsubscribe at anytime. View our privacy policy at www.mortons.co.uk/privacy

Latest Forum Posts
Support Our Partners
cowells
Sarik
MERIDIENNE EXHIBITIONS LTD
Subscription Offer

Latest "For Sale" Ads
Latest "Wanted" Ads
Get In Touch!

Do you want to contact the Model Engineer and Model Engineers' Workshop team?

You can contact us by phone, mail or email about the magazines including becoming a contributor, submitting reader's letters or making queries about articles. You can also get in touch about this website, advertising or other general issues.

Click THIS LINK for full contact details.

For subscription issues please see THIS LINK.

Digital Back Issues

Social Media online

'Like' us on Facebook
Follow us on Facebook

Follow us on Twitter
 Twitter Logo

Pin us on Pinterest

 

Donate

donate