Bell system

[Shelbylex]

I was going through Garage Sale thread and noticed that there were some members interested in Bell System tools. I knew it sounded familiar and decided to pull couple of tools I remembered.
...I know, Stanley-Bell System screwdriver needs to be cleaned one day...

ADDENDUM

Bell System Thread Reference Library

Bell System hand tools collectors may want to use the following links to access historical Bell System manuals for their research.

The Telecom Archive

The Telecom Archive

From the Parent Directory, see...
Plant Series BSPs: 074, 075, 076, 080, and 081
Pre-1960 Series BSPs: G80, G90
Bell System X-Specs: X-65518-01

The Telephone Collectors International Library

Check our website for upcoming telephone shows

Telephone Collectors International - The goal of the organization is "to educate the public, as well as the members of the Corporation, regarding the history of telephony, the value of old telephones and related items, their collectability and preservation; to research telephone history and...

telephonecollectors.info

 

[jeffmoss26]

I have a box full of Bell system stuff. Will get some pics this weekend!

 

[bonneyman]

I have a box full of Bell system stuff. Will get some pics this weekend!

Would love to see your phone tools!

Had a friend come over and do some quick maintenance for me - his tool pouch was full of odd looking things!

 

[d42jeep]

I did a quick check and found that I have these Bell System marked tools. From top to bottom Channellock, Klein and Bridgeport.
-Don

 

[Private Lugnutz]

I think I've picked up a few over the years, but these are the handiest for photos right now... Goggles are marked on the black mesh shield near the rim of the maroon eyecup.

 

[Richard Cranium]

Wow, lug, I had never seen goggles from the bell system before.
Thanks for the education.

 

[Shelbylex]

These are awesome looking googles, Private Lugnutz! Never saw anything like this!

 

[Miss the Pontiacs]

I have never seen or even heard of Bell System Tools. Who manufactured them? I worked in the telco industry and Klein was the tool of choice.
We did however use the BSPs or Bell Standard Practices. It covered everything from soup to nuts. You could actually pull a practice on how to load your tacker. Joke was it took 4 pages to describe the procedure. Monthly you would get the changes on the current BSP. Every department or area had at least one set. As time went on these practices were either cut back or eliminated. If there was a piece of equipment there would be a BSP for that particular piece.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

I did a quick check and found that I have these Bell System marked tools. From top to bottom Channellock, Klein and Bridgeport.

If my memory still serves me well, you also have a BELL SYSTEM file cleaner made by Newark Brush & Scraper.

Wow, lug, I had never seen goggles from the bell system before.
Thanks for education.

These are awesome looking googles, Private Lugnutz! Never saw anything like this!

Thanks, guys. Found separately, I should point out, and I have nothing to substantiate they go together. I've had the empty goggles case (made of tin as I am sure you can see) for a while. When I found the goggles, very recently, and discovered the marking, it was needless to say a perfect match and a moment we get to enjoy all too rarely in this hobby. So they're going to stay together, right or wrong.

I have never seen or even heard of Bell System Tools. Who manufactured them?

Everyone. If you read the thread from the top, you'll see that BELL SYSTEM tools from Utica, Stanley, Klein, Bridgeport, and Channellock have already been shown. I know that Crescent also made BELL SYSTEM tools. Ma Bell was like the military to the tool industry - a huge, constant customer. The vintage tools from the 40's and the 50's are considered collectibles. There was an A and B kit that came in their own cases, also marked BELL SYSTEM, (if GJ member tin medic is reading, I know he has them not sure what vintage), and there are websites out there somewhere with lists and reference material.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

Here is a pair of 1951 BELL SYSTEM pole climbers and a 1952 BELL SYSTEM belt. The climbers are Buckingham and the belt is a Klein. Both supplied the same exact equipment to the US Army Signal Corps, just marked differently.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

For the longest time the axe in the pioneer kit (also came with a shovel) on the side of my 1943 Willys MB jeep was a Kelly Works BELL SYSTEM-A axe. It was an exact match for the US Army Ordnance Dept specs (#4 Dayton pattern), and the way the axe was installed in the holder, the marking was facing the body of the jeep, so nobody was ever the wiser. I am certain that it came out of a pioneer kit on one of Ma Bell lineman's trucks - perhaps even a Willys CJ-2 or -3 in certain parts of the country!

 

[woody 73]

If you are needing a little more information today:

https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=270609&highlight=bell+system

 

[454ragtop]

I have a couple pieces I can think of off the top of my head, a black handled straight blade screwdriver, excellent quality, like new, and some sort of number stamp gizmo.

 

[Shelbylex]

Thank you, Woody!

I found another tool going through my boxes today:

Bell System KS-19192LI by Stanley
At the end the hexagonal metal extension has a center hole - probably some type of security measure limiting access.

 

[d42jeep]

If my memory still serves me well, you also have a BELL SYSTEM file cleaner made by Newark Brush & Scraper.


Everyone. If you read the thread from the top, you'll see that BELL SYSTEM tools from Utica, Stanley, Klein, Bridgeport, and Channellock have already been shown. I know that Crescent also made BELL SYSTEM tools. Ma Bell was like the military to the tool industry - a huge, constant customer. The vintage tools from the 40's and the 50's are considered collectibles. There was an A and B kit that came in their own cases, also marked BELL SYSTEM, (if GJ member tin medic is reading, I know he has them not sure what vintage), and there are websites out there somewhere with lists and reference material.

Lugz,
I seem to remember that file cleaner going to someone on G503. I couldn’t remember for sure but I sure didn’t find it in the garage. Very impressive that you remember it.
Today’s Bell System find is this little tool that looks like some sort of wire stripper.
-Don

 

[Snaparxon]

Here's my Bell System D box, 8 1/2 x 2 1/2 x 1 5/8 in dimensions. Nicely made box, I'd love to have several in different sizes of this type and quality. I got a real nice metal box with a top till this week. I'm planning to put together a box for my car; I think I'll put a snap on set of sockets and a t72 or midget and extensions in this little box and put it in the bigger box. It'd be better if it had a socket tray built into it, but it'll still work nicely.

Dave, I've got a Bell System box like that if you want it. LMK

 

[Snaparxon]

If your going to be around tomorrow, I'll meet up with you.

 

[Roberts210]

Not Bell System exactly, but National Telephone Supply.

 

[southalabama]

Dad retired from AT&T long lines division. I siphon off bell system tools from his shop and put them in a box. As a kid he brought us pocket protectors and pocket screwdrivers.

Back when he worked for them they were a monopoly. As a kid I recall going into their stockroom. I still dream about having a shop with a stockroom like that.

The googles were a new one on me.

 

[lilredex]

Found a Bell Tel. drill box last year. See here for further details.

https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=272670&page=4 (#146)

 

[Private Lugnutz]

The googles were a new one on me.

When did your dad retire? Those goggles are from the 1940's - at the latest.

 

[NYBODYMAN]

My dad retired from Verizon (formerly New York Telephone, NYNEX, Bell Atlantic) after working there for 34+ years from 1970-2004. I have many Bell System stamped tools. A lot are Klein, Stanley, etc. I never realized it was a brand per se. I always just thought it was them marking their property. I'll ask him about it.

 

[southalabama]

Dad retired early 90's but the building he worked in was built in the late 50's and stocked then. It looked like some things dated to the opening of the building.

 

[3baygarage]

Bell System tools are commonly seen at sales around Buffalo. I’ve seen just about every marked hand tool, also wood handle bench brushes and I think a push broom

Though I sold most that I accumulated, thought you guys might like to see this dolly. Purchased at an estate sale probably over a decade ago. I remember almost not buying it because it looked old and I wasn’t sure it would hold air. An old timer shopping there reassured me, and this turned out to be one of my better purchases. Used it many times. It has Goodyear USA tires btw.

There is a Bell System sticker wrapped around the bar. Not sure if it came out of there or just a sticker.

 

[notlob]

My dad retired from AT&T Technologies (formerly Western Electric) in the 1980's after 30 yrs+ as a plant (manufacturing) engineer. Over the years he traveled to Buffalo frequently for various projects including the relocation of phone cable production machinery from the Buffalo Western Electric plant to other locations.

As result, the main clock in my garage/shop originated from the Buffalo Western Electric plant. It's a bakelite GE Telechron which synchronizes with the 60 hz US AC frequency to maintain accuracy. I believe it dates from the 1940's. Looks just like this one (maybe not quite so pristine):

I have a bunch of Bell System tools that I'll try to get posted.

 

[notlob]

I have many Bell System stamped tools. A lot are Klein, Stanley, etc. I never realized it was a brand per se. I always just thought it was them marking their property. I'll ask him about it.

I believe the Bell System marked tools were purchased in large lots from various manufacturers and stamped with "Bell System" by the manufacturer.

It wasn't just tools that were marked. Growing up, there were Bell System-marked items throughout our house, including pencils, mechanical pencils, pens, scotch and masking tape, etc., and, IIRC, also a Bell System marked slide rule.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

I never realized it was a brand per se. I always just thought it was them marking their property.

Absolutely correct. It was a proprietary marking. But the vintage kits, especially those that came in boxes, cases, and bags with multiple pockets, are definitely considered to be collectible. EDIT: It may seem inscrutable, but it has an appeal like the Army or Ford or old tractor tools do to some people.

I have a bunch of Bell System tools that I'll try to get posted.

Looking forward to it.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

I see vintage Bell System stuff here in NJ from time to time. I leave it behind more often than not, unless it's something special (e.g., the goggles, pole climbers and belt), and sometimes it's just too pricey. I distinctly remember wanting this box - probably 1940's, but the guy wouldn't come down.

 

[jeffmoss26]

As promised!

 

[southalabama]

Dad had an old fiberboard briefcase type tool box. It was a junker from work - marked Bell System. It had a latch that was iffy. He used it for years and years. I asked him about it last year. He had trashed it. Arghh.

It was a brief case type tool box with an insert similar to those metal HF boxes except this was a black leathery outside.

 

[Stuart in MN]

I suppose the ultimate, once you've collected all the tools, would be to find an old truck with a Bell Systems body on the back.

 

[Shelbylex]

Time to start collecting trucks!

 

[Username already in use]

I try and grab all the Bell System stuff when I see it, but that's not very often. I've got 4 so far.
Stanley cabinet tip driver
Utica and Klein needle nose/side cutting
Crescent slip joint

 

[454ragtop]

Well, I stumbled across a goggle case I forgot I even had, so took some pics. The safety glasses in the case are yellowed with age, don't know if they're Bell issue or not. Says something on the sides, not Bell System, can't really make it out, tiny.
The number stamper in the badly deteriorated pouch is pretty cool.
The screwdriver is actually a Stanley.

 

[d42jeep]

Here is a drill bit set that I forgot I had. I previously posted it on the drill index thread.
-Don

 

[unknownroad]

Dad had an old fiberboard briefcase type tool box. It was a junker from work - marked Bell System. It had a latch that was iffy. He used it for years and years. I asked him about it last year. He had trashed it. Arghh.

It was a brief case type tool box with an insert similar to those metal HF boxes except this was a black leathery outside.

My father had a few of those- he went from Bell>AT&T>Lucent>Avaya from the 70's through 2000's. At one point I had a very utilitarian brown leather-clad one, and a really shiny faux-crocodile one. They had the tool inserts but none of the tools by the time they got to me.

I had to go look through the tools I inherited/acquired from him because I thought a bunch of them were marked with Bell System- I remember all our pliers and screwdrivers having those markings growing up, but I only found a pair of Crescent needle-nose. Even his old lineman's belt had some kind of serial number on it but no manufacturer markings at all.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

Stuart: That truck is sweet!

Dad had an old fiberboard briefcase type tool box. It was a junker from work - marked Bell System. It had a latch that was iffy. He used it for years and years. I asked him about it last year. He had trashed it. Arghh. It was a brief case type tool box with an insert similar to those metal HF boxes except this was a black leathery outside.

Like this BELL SYSTEM B one? These are the kind I normally see at my flea markets. Black fiberboard with OD green inserts. This one was at my flea market this morning. $10. I didn't buy it. (I have too many boxes as it is - and the last thing I need is another collecting niche!) Knowing me, it will still be there tomorrow and I will cave in.

 

[southalabama]

Lugz.

That's it. Identical

 

[d42jeep]

I found a rusty screwdriver that looked familiar at an estate sale on Thursday. Sure enough when I cleaned it up it was another Bridgeport marked Bell System.
-Don

 

[Cooter Brown]

My grandfather worked for Western Electric starting in the 20s. and retired in 1962. My father started with Western in 1954, moved to Bell a few years later, and retired at the time of divestiture in 1984. Western and Bell were so closely aligned during that period that his time at Western accrued to his time at Bell and counted toward retirement.

I have a bit of Bell and Western stuff, and will try to add pictures to the thread.

Western Electric did not generally have tools stamped in the way that Bell tools are. An electric pen was used to engrave a property number. In my experience that number always starts with an "R".

Here's a Plomb hinge handle from about 1957, along with a closeup of the property number: