Payphone enclosure

[romano75018]

Hello,

I am currently working on an art project that has been very meaningful to me for several years. As part of this project, I am gathering metal enclosures from abandoned payphones located throughout Los Angeles.

I am seeking assistance in removing just the metal enclosure from these payphones. If anyone is able to provide a tutorial on this process or knows of a company that could assist me, it would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you kindly.

[Contempra]

First , welcome on the forum Romano . secondly , you will find experts for 'payphone' here, which unfortunately I am not.

[romano75018]

Thank you. I am looking forward to the replies.

[romano75018]

Here is the payphone that I would like to remove the enclosure.  Please help.

[FABphones]

Although seemingly abandoned (no longer in use) payphones/enclosures do have a proprietor.

Please note: a phone booth may appear to be in a poor state of condition, but they did have power running to them - including to any signage lighting - which may still be live.

[HarrySmith]

It does appear to still be connected to power. Is there a business next to it? Have you asked about it? You would need to be sure the power is disconnected before attempting removal. I believe the mounting bolts are located behind the backboard the payphone was on.

[G-Man]

Just to clarify, the photos show that the payphone has already been removed and only the enclosure remains.

Using a hex security driver, remove the screws from the sheetmetal that conceals the base.

Here are a couple of examples of the primary tool that you will need:

•   https://www.ebay.com/itm/234803699070 
• https://www.ebay.com/itm/394442594741

Then remove the nuts from the bolts that are set in the concrete.

However, there are caveats:

• You will need to receive permission from owner of the enclosure or if abandoned, the property owner. Otherwise, even though you are performing a community service, you risk subjecting yourself to possibly being criminally charged for theft.
• As has already been pointed out, you will need to disconnect the power that illuminated the signage or in some cases, the payphone itself.
• After disconnecting the power, the wire need to be removed or at least concealed inside of an electrical box if one is present.
• Next, you will need to remove the bolts from the concrete. If someone happens to trip or fall on them and are injured, you can open yourself up to possible civil or criminal prosecution.

Perhaps I'm being overly cautious but personally I would be beside myself if a child or anyone else fell on them and pierced a vital part of their body.

[romano75018]

What about if I dont want the stand, do I still have to drill it?

[G-Man]

What about if I dont want the stand, do I still have to drill it?

Personally I would not leave the remnants behind in someone else's neighborhood and make an already bad situation even worse. If I were the property owner I would tell whomever wanted it that it is an "all or nothing" proposition. But of course you are free to do as you please.

[FABphones]

What about if I dont want the stand...

As per the above:
Have you established ownership and received permissions (preferably in writing) to remove the booth?
Have you received confirmation there is absolutely no live power running to the booth?

[Contempra]

As per the above:
Have you established ownership and received permissions (preferably in writing) to remove the booth?
Have you received confirmation there is absolutely no live power running to the booth?

These are the real questions to ask yourself .... you must at least have permission indeed. Nothing less.

[romano75018]

I totally understand, I tried to send emails to the city but I didn't get any answer. Otherwise I need to find a place in Los Angeles where they dispose them. I am just getting a bit anxious as I see the case of the payphone being removed

[Contempra]

I totally understand, I tried to send emails to the city but I didn't get any answer. Otherwise I need to find a place in Los Angeles where they dispose them. I am just getting a bit anxious as I see the case of the payphone being removed

I know it's not easy ( Obvious ) , and Los Angeles is a very big city, so I understand your anxiety . But you could go to the city hall or better, if you know the company that installed these "phone-booths", you can ask their permission.

[romano75018]

I did, they all sold them to individual and city doesn't really know.

[romano75018]

WOuld love some help, please!!

thank you