That moment a customer showed me their 50 year old junction box still working

I was swapping out a panel for a lady in Portland last Tuesday, and she pulled me aside to show me something in her basement. It was this old cloth wrapped junction box her dad installed in the 1970s, still wired up perfect with no corrosion or loose connections. She said 'Dad always said to leave extra slack and never skimp on the wire nuts.' I've been in the trade 15 years and that simple reminder about taking your time on the little stuff actually made me slow down on my own projects at home. Has anyone else run into old work that just refuses to fail?

2 comments

2 Comments

gibson.seth10d ago

Dad always said to leave extra slack and never skimp on the wire nuts." That line hit me way harder than it should have. I've seen the exact opposite more times than I can count, so finding one that still looks brand new after 50 years sounds almost like a fairy tale.

miab1610d ago

Man, that hit me hard too @gibson.seth. It's crazy how something so simple sticks with you, right? I really feel for that lady losing her dad, but man, what a legacy to leave behind. Just a solid junction box that won't quit. It's like that little piece of him is still there doing its job, you know? I honestly get a little choked up thinking about stuff like that.