Painting a room at a friend's new/used house. The thermostat in the picture 
linked below will be replaced within 6-8 weeks, but needs to remain in use 
until then. Otherwise, I'd just wreck the thing to remove it. The entire 
thing including large circular back plate have to come off during painting.

http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c197/ancientangler/Therm01.jpg?t=1240020999

Seems obvious that at least two of the three flat head screws need to come 
out, but I'd rather not have the thermostat fall to pieces. Anyone have the 
answer? 

JoeSpareBedroom wrote:
> Painting a room at a friend's new/used house. The thermostat in the picture 
> linked below will be replaced within 6-8 weeks, but needs to remain in use 
> until then. Otherwise, I'd just wreck the thing to remove it. The entire 
> thing including large circular back plate have to come off during painting.
> 
> http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c197/ancientangler/Therm01.jpg?t=1240020999
> 
> Seems obvious that at least two of the three flat head screws need to come 
> out, but I'd rather not have the thermostat fall to pieces. Anyone have the 
> answer? 
> 
> 

I am remembering back about 25 years, but I think you twist the outer 
ring and it comes off.

JoeSpareBedroom wrote:
> Painting a room at a friend's new/used house. The thermostat in the picture 
> linked below will be replaced within 6-8 weeks, but needs to remain in use 
> until then. Otherwise, I'd just wreck the thing to remove it. The entire 
> thing including large circular back plate have to come off during painting.
> 
> http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c197/ancientangler/Therm01.jpg?t=1240020999
> 
> Seems obvious that at least two of the three flat head screws need to come 
> out, but I'd rather not have the thermostat fall to pieces. Anyone have the 
> answer?

The flat head screws separate the thermostat (as one assembly) from the 
base plate where the wires are connected.  There you will find the 
screws that actually go into the wall.

There is also a larger back plate that is intended to cover up holes 
from a previous installation.  Depending on what's under it, you may not 
need to reinstall it after painting.

"Bob" <R...@YAH0O.COM> wrote in message 
news:CSbGl.29321$Z...@nlpi067.nbdc.sbc.com...
> JoeSpareBedroom wrote:
>> Painting a room at a friend's new/used house. The thermostat in the 
>> picture linked below will be replaced within 6-8 weeks, but needs to 
>> remain in use until then. Otherwise, I'd just wreck the thing to remove 
>> it. The entire thing including large circular back plate have to come off 
>> during painting.
>>
>> http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c197/ancientangler/Therm01.jpg?t=1240020999
>>
>> Seems obvious that at least two of the three flat head screws need to 
>> come out, but I'd rather not have the thermostat fall to pieces. Anyone 
>> have the answer?
>
> The flat head screws separate the thermostat (as one assembly) from the 
> base plate where the wires are connected.  There you will find the screws 
> that actually go into the wall.
>
> There is also a larger back plate that is intended to cover up holes from 
> a previous installation.  Depending on what's under it, you may not need 
> to reinstall it after painting.
>


Thank you. Like the previous respondent, I hadn't touched one of these 
antiques in 25 years. Didn't feel like guessing this time. 

"JoeSpareBedroom" <n...@frontiernet.net> wrote in message 
news:s9bGl.59840$0%2...@newsfe22.iad...
> Painting a room at a friend's new/used house. The thermostat in the 
> picture linked below will be replaced within 6-8 weeks, but needs to 
> remain in use until then. Otherwise, I'd just wreck the thing to remove 
> it. The entire thing including large circular back plate have to come off 
> during painting.
>
> http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c197/ancientangler/Therm01.jpg?t=1240020999
>
> Seems obvious that at least two of the three flat head screws need to come 
> out, but I'd rather not have the thermostat fall to pieces. Anyone have 
> the answer?
>

Loosen the screws at 2:30, 6:30 and 8:45 as shown in the photo.  The main 
body lifts off and then there will be two screws holding the sub-base to the 
wall.  Note which wire goes where as it is important to reconnect them the 
same way.


-- 
Colbyt
Please come visit  www.househomerepair.com 

Colbyt  wrote:
> "JoeSpareBedroom" <n...@frontiernet.net> wrote in message
> news:s9bGl.59840$0%2...@newsfe22.iad...
> > Painting a room at a friend's new/used house. The thermostat in the
> > picture linked below will be replaced within 6-8 weeks, but needs to
> > remain in use until then. Otherwise, I'd just wreck the thing to
> > remove it. The entire thing including large circular back plate
> > have to come off during painting.
> >
> > http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c197/ancientangler/Therm01.jpg?t=1240020999
> >
> > Seems obvious that at least two of the three flat head screws need
> > to come out, but I'd rather not have the thermostat fall to pieces.
> > Anyone have the answer?
> >
>
> Loosen the screws at 2:30, 6:30 and 8:45 as shown in the photo.  The
> main body lifts off and then there will be two screws holding the
> sub-base to the wall.  Note which wire goes where as it is important
> to reconnect them the same way.

Also, it is most likely a mercury thermostat, using a mercury switch on the 
end of a bi-metalic coil. You can't just let it hang from the wires if you 
still want it in use. They must be installed on a firm surface and leveled 
accurately. It may be better just to temporarily replace it with a cheapie 
thermostat - one that doesn't use mercury and need to be perfectly level - 
and let it hang from the wires while you paint behind it. Then install the 
permanent thermostat when you are finished. Don't smash it nor toss the old 
one away, take it to a recycling depot that can accept liquid mercury. 

EXT wrote:
> Colbyt  wrote:
>> "JoeSpareBedroom" <n...@frontiernet.net> wrote in message
>> news:s9bGl.59840$0%2...@newsfe22.iad...
>> > Painting a room at a friend's new/used house. The thermostat in the
>> > picture linked below will be replaced within 6-8 weeks, but needs to
>> > remain in use until then. Otherwise, I'd just wreck the thing to
>> > remove it. The entire thing including large circular back plate
>> > have to come off during painting.
>> >
>> > 
>> http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c197/ancientangler/Therm01.jpg?t=1240020999 
>>
>> >
>> > Seems obvious that at least two of the three flat head screws need
>> > to come out, but I'd rather not have the thermostat fall to pieces.
>> > Anyone have the answer?
>> >
>>
>> Loosen the screws at 2:30, 6:30 and 8:45 as shown in the photo.  The
>> main body lifts off and then there will be two screws holding the
>> sub-base to the wall.  Note which wire goes where as it is important
>> to reconnect them the same way.
> 
> Also, it is most likely a mercury thermostat, using a mercury switch on 
> the end of a bi-metalic coil. You can't just let it hang from the wires 
> if you still want it in use. They must be installed on a firm surface 
> and leveled accurately. It may be better just to temporarily replace it 
> with a cheapie thermostat - one that doesn't use mercury and need to be 
> perfectly level - and let it hang from the wires while you paint behind 
> it. Then install the permanent thermostat when you are finished. Don't 
> smash it nor toss the old one away, take it to a recycling depot that 
> can accept liquid mercury.

Johnstone Supply sells construction/dry out thermostats. The things
are encapsulated in plastic.

http://tinyurl.com/dhuhp7

TDD

Colbyt wrote:
s

snip

>>
> 
> Loosen the screws at 2:30, 6:30 and 8:45 as shown in the photo.  The main 
> body lifts off and then there will be two screws holding the sub-base to the 
> wall.  Note which wire goes where as it is important to reconnect them the 
> same way.
> 
> 

Are those times AM or PM, and do you really have to wait 6 hours and 
15 minutes from start to finish ;-)

"EXT" <n...@reply.in.this.group> wrote in message
news:49ea0bc9$0$35404$8...@auth.newsreader.octanews.com...
> Colbyt  wrote:
>> "JoeSpareBedroom" <n...@frontiernet.net> wrote in message
>> news:s9bGl.59840$0%2...@newsfe22.iad...
>> > Painting a room at a friend's new/used house. The thermostat in the
>> > picture linked below will be replaced within 6-8 weeks, but needs to
>> > remain in use until then. Otherwise, I'd just wreck the thing to
>> > remove it. The entire thing including large circular back plate
>> > have to come off during painting.
>> >
>> > http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c197/ancientangler/Therm01.jpg?t=1240020999
>> >
>> > Seems obvious that at least two of the three flat head screws need
>> > to come out, but I'd rather not have the thermostat fall to pieces.
>> > Anyone have the answer?
>> >
>>
>> Loosen the screws at 2:30, 6:30 and 8:45 as shown in the photo.  The
>> main body lifts off and then there will be two screws holding the
>> sub-base to the wall.  Note which wire goes where as it is important
>> to reconnect them the same way.
>
> Also, it is most likely a mercury thermostat, using a mercury switch on
> the end of a bi-metalic coil. You can't just let it hang from the wires if
> you still want it in use. They must be installed on a firm surface and
> leveled accurately. It may be better just to temporarily replace it with a
> cheapie thermostat - one that doesn't use mercury and need to be perfectly
> level - and let it hang from the wires while you paint behind it. Then
> install the permanent thermostat when you are finished. Don't smash it nor
> toss the old one away, take it to a recycling depot that can accept liquid
> mercury.


I removed it, and reinstalled it using a pair of 1-1/2" tubular metal
spacers & longer screws so it stands off from the wall. Nice & secure. I
knew there was a reason I've been saving spacers and assorted metal brackets
since 1973.

On Apr 18, 4:05=A0pm, "JoeSpareBedroom" 
wrote:
> "EXT"  wrote in message
>
> news:49ea0bc9$0$35404$8...@auth.newsreader.octanews.com...
>
>
>
>
>
> > Colbyt  wrote:
> >> "JoeSpareBedroom"  wrote in message
> >>news:s9bGl.59840$0%2...@newsfe22.iad...
> >> > Painting a room at a friend's new/used house. The thermostat in the
> >> > picture linked below will be replaced within 6-8 weeks, but needs to
> >> > remain in use until then. Otherwise, I'd just wreck the thing to
> >> > remove it. The entire thing including large circular back plate
> >> > have to come off during painting.
>
> >> >http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c197/ancientangler/Therm01.jpg?t=3D=
12...
>
> >> > Seems obvious that at least two of the three flat head screws need
> >> > to come out, but I'd rather not have the thermostat fall to pieces.
> >> > Anyone have the answer?
>
> >> Loosen the screws at 2:30, 6:30 and 8:45 as shown in the photo. =A0The
> >> main body lifts off and then there will be two screws holding the
> >> sub-base to the wall. =A0Note which wire goes where as it is important
> >> to reconnect them the same way.
>
> > Also, it is most likely a mercury thermostat, using a mercury switch on
> > the end of a bi-metalic coil. You can't just let it hang from the wires=
 if
> > you still want it in use. They must be installed on a firm surface and
> > leveled accurately. It may be better just to temporarily replace it wit=
h a
> > cheapie thermostat - one that doesn't use mercury and need to be perfec=
tly
> > level - and let it hang from the wires while you paint behind it. Then
> > install the permanent thermostat when you are finished. Don't smash it =
nor
> > toss the old one away, take it to a recycling depot that can accept liq=
uid
> > mercury.
>
> I removed it, and reinstalled it using a pair of 1-1/2" tubular metal
> spacers & longer screws so it stands off from the wall. Nice & secure. I
> knew there was a reason I've been saving spacers and assorted metal brack=
ets
> since 1973.- Hide quoted text -
>
> - Show quoted text -

That's a great idea, too bad none of the rest of us thouught of it.