We are trying to hang a ceiling fan in our bedroom. We ran into some problems and had to put in a new electrical box causing us to cut some wires. We now have no way to connect these wires back up to complete connection. The wires are older and are the thick copper wires making the use of a wire nut impossible. Before we cut the wires there were like metal clamps holding the wires together. It looks like the metal clamp would slide over the ends of the wires, the clamp is open on both ends and then you would squeeze it will plyers to get it stay and wrap with electrical tape. Do you know do they still make things like these? Our house was built in 1951. Right now we have no power to our bedrooms. Please help if you can.

I think even the old knob and tube wiring was only 10-12 gauge. The oldest NM shouldn't be more than that. The easiest thing would be to check a hardware store for large enough wire nuts to fit the wires. If you have the cut off ends, take them to show what you need. Crimp fittings are still common now, but they may be available as a box of 100 at the electrical supply house and require a crimping tool too.

Simple jobs can turn into a mess. Many ceiling light fixtures are mounted on a box never meant to support the live weight of a fan.