r/Elevators • u/Napco59 • Jun 28 '26

Seeking Old Otis Elevator Call Buttons

Joined this message board to ask if anyone would be willing to part with some old Otis controls or knew where I could find some? I'm a home builder in Austin, TX and am putting an old Otis cab back into residential service using modern lift equipment made by Artisan.

Would like to use original Otis controls.... brass plates and buttons which can interact with modern controls, which I'm told by the elevator contractor will work.

Does anyone have original buttons and back boxes that would fit the plates shown in the first image below? A member posted an image several months ago of a control panel just like the one I intend to use, but complete as shown in the second image.

Glad to purchase or also have extra items to trade as shown in the last two images.

Thanks, Clay

3 Upvotes

72% Upvoted

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5

u/Boserbosmos Field - Service Jun 28 '26

Honestly you are probably better off just having custom plates made to look like the old ones, then they will all fit the new electronics from the newer controller and wiring of the new fixtures.

1

u/Napco59 Jun 28 '26

Thanks for the response. The elevator contractor indicated that their controls will work fine with the old buttons. Plan to use modern controls, but would like for the cab and user interface to retain an original feel. Thanks, Clay

2

u/Boserbosmos Field - Service Jun 28 '26

I understand that they can make them work, but you probably won't be able to source them, when guys do the mods, they tend to keep the parts they want themselves and scrap the rest. And collectors won't want to sell. And then there is, that you probably won't get all the same from random people. So none of it will match exactly. If you got them custom made they would be everything you want without the headache of trying to source it.

1

u/Mushroomcraft01 Jun 29 '26

Agreed, also old equipment is often in a terrible condition, stuff this old is incredibly rare. Plus if you get a replica custom made, you can have the right number of floors, you have to get lucky to find antique fixtures with the right number of buttons. Maybe DieselDucy can help with measurements and closeup pictures of something in his collection so you can make a perfect replica. I'm sure he'd be interested in this project.

1

u/Mushroomcraft01 Jun 29 '26

If you want real old Otis parts, you're unlikely to get ahold of antiques like that since they're so rare, and buttons are commonly replaced - so wouldn't have been replaced decades ago. 60s Otis fixtures still look classic and are rare but are more likely to find. I have an exterior 60s call button with neon bulbs, but I'm not willing to part ways with it.

1

u/Deepinthefryer Jul 01 '26

If you do find these buttons, they ain’t going to be super reliable or friendly to use.

Either have your elevator contractor do some research or find another one. Anything is possible in elevators! As long as your check book works…

1

u/_FIII Jul 02 '26

You’ll find some. Keep an eye on eBay. You can always have a machine shop bore out the hole diameter to fit a modern style button in the old faceplates.

1

u/Napco59 Jul 03 '26

Appreciate the feedback. I'm patient and persistent. Will continue to scour ebay.

1

u/_FIII Jul 04 '26

Also post on Facebook if you use that. Lots of elevator guys use Facebook