Western Electric call box won't open

[rixtrix1]

Cleaning out a retired service vehicle at work, I found a discarded Western Electric Fire Dept/Warden call box, not old enough to be vintage, that appears to have a pushbutton on the side to open it, but the button won't budge. I've tried a little gentle persuasion, but don't want to damage it. Hoping to use it for a neat phone container in the garage. Does anyone know how these work?

 

[Chukster]

Well, you've found out that Bell was good at designing things to stop a majority of simpleminded vandals.

What other holes, entries, keyways & such are on this?

Good luck, sounds like a fun challenge.

 

[dogdog]

maybe check with a shim / hack saw blade and make sure that button area have some sort of mechanism.. and check if it is magnetic of sort. They do have these "Stop lock" or "Rev-A-Shelf" magnetic locks.. Might be those... but cool box / find.

https://www.alzstore.com/invisible-cabinet-lock-p/0114.htm

 

[beelsr]

Those definitely used a magnet to hold the door closed. I'm not saying use a prybar but if you just try to pull the door open without the button, what happens? Because I don't remember them having a latch (we're going back to the 80s for this, so...). I think the button was just to operate a little lever to pop the door off the magnet...

 

[rixtrix1]

Well, you've found out that Bell was good at designing things to stop a majority of simpleminded vandals.

What other holes, entries, keyways & such are on this?

Good luck, sounds like a fun challenge.

Chukster, the only holes in the box are a threaded hole in the top for conduit, in front of some screened holes for ventingand 4 t-slot mounting holes in the back

maybe check with a shim / hack saw blade and make sure that button area have some sort of mechanism.. and check if it is magnetic of sort. They do have these "Stop lock" or "Rev-A-Shelf" magnetic locks.. Might be those... but cool box / find.

https://www.alzstore.com/invisible-cabinet-lock-p/0114.htm

dogdog, Ii tried using various strength magnets to no avail.

Those definitely used a magnet to hold the door closed. I'm not saying use a prybar but if you just try to pull the door open without the button, what happens? Because I don't remember them having a latch (we're going back to the 80s for this, so...). I think the button was just to operate a little lever to pop the door off the magnet...

beelsr, you have the "key" knowledge.

I attached some allen headed bolts through the mounting slots, put the box in a vise and started applying upward pressure to the lid with a 24" prybar. After considerable pressure the lid came open revealing a red handset inside. I then lubed the hinges with some dry silicone spray and it comes open fairly easily with finger pressure. The button may just be a plug for some kind of lock.

I may try to put some kind of bluetooth device in the box to use in conjunction with my cell. Maybe a sign stating" Call someone who gives a $#!? here!"

 

[beelsr]

woo-hoo....

That's exactly how I remember them looking on the inside.

 

[driftpin]

A good job on getting it open w/o destroying it.

I have a few things from my career as a firefighter/paramedic, now retired. I don't have a communications-box like that. I do have a vintage fire bell, it came out of an old Miami-Dade County (FL) public school. I got it from an acquaintance who is an draftsman, and a project manager for a company which does a lot of public school renovations. He pulled this and a couple others out of the dumpster.

I mounted it in-between my garage doors, and I have-to lift-up my little grandsons to pull the striker actuator (the red metal strap hanging vertically from the right-lower corner of the bell). I call it the "Pizza Bell." When the grandsons want pizza, they ask to ring the bell. It takes a healthy pull and release, but that results in a satisfying, "clang!" Pizza-time!

The manufacturer is Bevin Brothers. I suspect that it may be pre-WW II. I assume it's been re-painted at some point, I've left it as I got it.

 

[dogdog]

..........


beelsr, you have the "key" knowledge.

I attached some allen headed bolts through the mounting slots, put the box in a vise and started applying upward pressure to the lid with a 24" prybar. After considerable pressure the lid came open revealing a red handset inside. I then lubed the hinges with some dry silicone spray and it comes open fairly easily with finger pressure. The button may just be a plug for some kind of lock.

I may try to put some kind of bluetooth device in the box to use in conjunction with my cell. Maybe a sign stating" Call someone who gives a $#!? here!"

Nice, can you take pic of that mechanism ? looks unique.

 

[rixtrix1]

woo-hoo....

That's exactly how I remember them looking on the inside.

beelsr, this one came out of a prison in Florence AZ.

A good job on getting it open w/o destroying it.

s. He pulled this and a couple others out of the dumpster.

I mounted it in-between my garage doors, and I have-to lift-up my little grandsons to pull the striker actuator (the red metal strap hanging vertically from the right-lower corner of the bell). I call it the "Pizza Bell." When the grandsons want pizza, they ask to ring the bell. It takes a healthy pull and release, but that results in a satisfying, "clang!" Pizza-time!

The manufacturer is Bevin Brothers. I suspect that it may be pre-WW II. I assume it's been re-painted at some point, I've left it as I got it.

Driftpin, I really like your re-use of the bell for your grandsons! It's a cool piece.

Nice, can you take pic of that mechanism ? looks unique.

dogdog, it just is a magnet in the base and a steel plate in the cover. There is a "ring" around each hinge pin with tabs that act as a stop so the cover only opens so far and are offset allow the door to move away from the base while still overlapping it when closed to seal off the inside.

 

[jeffmoss26]

sweeeet

 

[beelsr]

beelsr, this one came out of a prison in Florence AZ.

Not the only prison they were used at, I'm sure.

I remember them from Uni...