I have new cloth-covered cordage for the incoming line and the receiver, a new receiver and a nicely-rebuilt dial. There's a network, bell, hookswitch and condenser inside the phone, condition unknown. Dirt appears to be the biggest issue. (That's a genuine Bell System screwdriver next to it, which fits the front panel screw that holds the phone closed like it was...made for it? Hey, how about that!)
Step One, careful removal of the Inner Workings (with photos), followed by a little paint & body work.Does anyone out there have any tips for removing the old schematic intact? Still glued in two spots. Distilled water on a cotton swab didn't help.
You might try a bit of alcohol or acetone to see if that will loosen the glue.
ReplyDeleteIs that Bakelite? Not sure what acetone or even alcohol might do to it, so try it sparingly, and be careful, m'dear!
ReplyDeleteIt's painted metal, as was typical of these "hotel phones," which were also common in apartments and some homes. It's not quite painted, but is a thick baked coating known as japanning. While it is possible to do that on a home scale, it's tricky and I would have to strip the case to bare metal first to be sure of getting a good result. Modern gloss black spray paint will do, after cleaning and feathering the chips, maybe even some filler. Once the paint dries, an automotive rubbing compound kills the gloss and a coat of wax should make it look almost as it did new.
ReplyDeleteThat's the hope, anyway.
Moisten the spot that is glued down with some distilled water, then use a heatgun and a sharp, flat object. Repeat as necessary.
ReplyDeleteAt least that's what worked on my Stromberg Carlson...
Do you know if the phone has a frequency (party-line) ringer or a straight line?
It appears to be connected as a plain ringer -- most of the older party-line phones used tip or ring to ground instead of across the line.
ReplyDeleteIn a small house with even one 300-series phone connected already, additional ringers are a bonus but not strictly necessary.
That's the truth on not really needing another ringer. I've got a couple of early 500 sets and a 302 installed in my place and when the phone rings my better half grabs her head and shrieks.
ReplyDeleteWhich number dial are sticking in it? I think a #2 or #4 would probably be correct.
Damn, now I want to get a hotel phone to go with my 302 and 354s.
I'm not sure what model the dial is -- it's probably an AE. Metal fingerwheel and stop.
ReplyDeleteIs that an AE set? I don't know from hotel phones and assumed that it was a WE because of its somewhat utilitarian lines.
ReplyDeleteIt's a Kellogg! It'll end up with an AE dial, though. The internal schematic lists a couple of AE dials, in fact. I finally freed up that drawing with a razor blade and made copies.
ReplyDelete