Bell system

[d42jeep]

I found this screwdriver with only Bell System and Made in USA on it. I wonder who the manufacturer was?
-Don

 

[Username already in use]

I wonder who the manufacturer was?

It's Stanley.

 

[d42jeep]

Thanks, Username. Kind of unique shape to those handles.
-Don

 

[Tarnished]

I happened across this auction for a Bell System pressure gauge and thought of you guys. https://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-Be...q-In-U-S-Gauge-22150-3-with-case/132834085521 No idea what it was used for, though.

Stuart, Back in the day, telephone cables were made by wrapping copper wires in paper, and then wrapping multiple wires in more paper and then covering the whole thing in a lead sheath. When hung on poles and subject to wind, weather and squirrels, the outer lead would crack and develop leaks causing shorting and phone outages. To reduce the amount of leaks, these lead cables were pressurized with nitrogen. Theory was "pressure in cable kept water out". Bell actually had "Gas Crews" who's job was to maintain these pressurized cables.
Your gauge was more than likely used to test the pressure at different points along the cable to ensure that there was sufficient pressure at different locations along the cable to keep moisture out. Pretty common back in the day and around here there are still a few lead cables in use, though seldom hanging on poles.

 

[Capt. Spaulding]

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.

I just bought the same box complete with tools from a guy who worked for Bell Systems. I’ll post pictures when I get a chance.

 

[d42jeep]

I found this interesting roll at the estate sale of a retired telephone lineman. It was a family sale as the gentleman had recently passed on at the age of 103. I was told that he received a deferment during WW2 because he was doing essential work on the coast to coast telephone line. The wrenches are mostly made by Armstrong but one of the larger ones is missing. I found an eBay sold listing for the identical complete set. It seems that the company was owned by Bell Systems. The last shot is a screenshot of the sold eBay listing.
-Don

 

[jeffmoss26]

Got these from the ReStore a few weekends ago:

 

[oak_park]

Saw this at an estate sale, not sure if its from an old phone booth or what. Another one listed one ebay says its a piano light?

 

[Private Lugnutz]

That's a sweet find. I'd have to find a place in the shop for that.

 

[Two Sheds]

Those lights were intended to be installed over a directory shelf at the end of a bank of booths.

 

[Robertel1]

Those lights were intended to be installed over a directory shelf at the end of a bank of booths.

You are exactly correct. In fact at more popular locations depending on how many booths there were, you may have seen two or more directory shelf’s.

I remember seeing multiple shelf’s at Union Train Station Los Angeles, CA.
Looked neat amongst all the Art Deco decor. This was in the early 1950’s.

Thanks for posting,
Bob

 

[Capt. Spaulding]

Just hit a mini honey hole for Bell System tools at a estate sale today. I’ll post up pictures when I get home.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

Sweet. What vintage?

 

[Capt. Spaulding]

Sweet. What vintage?

Not sure. I’ll post them up and have you take a look if you don’t mind. The guy must of worked for them as he had a variety of different Bell System stuff.

 

[jeffmoss26]

can't wait!

 

[Capt. Spaulding]

Here is the Bell System stuff I came home with today.




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[Capt. Spaulding]

More.




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[Private Lugnutz]

That's a neat stapler. Never seen one before. Also a little mysterious. Heller the famous file and saw maker operated out of Newark, NJ, and then Newcomserstown, Ohio, which is down by Columbus. Changed their name from Heller Brothers to just Heller at some point, but again, not in Cleveland. Maybe a second plant. Or just a completely different Heller.

 

[bonneyman]

Love the logo on the needle nose of a guy hanging on a pole. You don't see that every day.

 

[Lassen Forge]

Love the logo on the needle nose of a guy hanging on a pole. You don't see that every day.

Klein tools - they knew where their bread was buttered...

Dad and some of his old buds worked for Bell, his best friend ad a couple other friends for Western, it was like a family. And all of us had tools with that same logo...

 

[Private Lugnutz]

Klein has had three different versions of that logo, which are helpful - along with BELL SYSTEM's alphabetic (e.g.,"A", "B", "C" etc) model numbering system, in dating the tools. I am pretty sure the logo on Capt. Spaulding's pliers are the 1950 trademark. Here is a bag (where I keep some of my Bell System stuff, including belt, climbers, and basic tools) with the 1974 trademark logo. I think I have something with the first logo - or there may be an example on this thread, but I'd have to dig.

 

[Capt. Spaulding]

I was going to ask about the different Bell System letters and what they mean.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

It's chronological, in alphabetic order, but I have never seen a precise breakdown, just that A is the oldest, then B, and so forth, and I think D may have been the 70's and 80's. If you look through the thread, you can probably get a pretty good idea just by looking at the types of tools.

 

[Tarnished]

More.



Capt., I believe that stapler was used for installing house cable, (quad, red green yellow black) for indoor runs. The head and shoe should be curved to fit over a small cable. Can't tell from pic. It should shoot a small round top staple. They also made larger staplers for larger 25pr multi line cable's. Same design. Really handy for running cables along floors and walls.

 

[bonneyman]

Klein tools - they knew where their bread was buttered...

Dad and some of his old buds worked for Bell, his best friend ad a couple other friends for Western, it was like a family. And all of us had tools with that same logo...

I guess so! That intricate of a stamped logo on a whole line of tools would stand out.

 

[Capt. Spaulding]

More.



Capt., I believe that stapler was used for installing house cable, (quad, red green yellow black) for indoor runs. The head and shoe should be curved to fit over a small cable. Can't tell from pic. It should shoot a small round top staple. They also made larger staplers for larger 25pr multi line cable's. Same design. Really handy for running cables along floors and walls.

Great info. Thank you!

 

[d42jeep]

I found a couple of Bell System tools on Saturday at estate sales.
-Don

 

[jeffmoss26]

Pics?

 

[bmwrd0]

More.



Capt., I believe that stapler was used for installing house cable, (quad, red green yellow black) for indoor runs. The head and shoe should be curved to fit over a small cable. Can't tell from pic. It should shoot a small round top staple. They also made larger staplers for larger 25pr multi line cable's. Same design. Really handy for running cables along floors and walls.

They still use staplers in the business. Different sizes for Coax, Cat, etc.

 

[Macduf]

Two new additions, what does the b mean after bell systems on pliers?

 

[Private Lugnutz]

The letter suffixes are chronological, Macduf, over the course of 100 years. The most modern tools were F or so. I've never seen a detailed timeline, but A was the earliest, obviously, and so forth. I think we may have guessed our way into some loose timeframes for the letters in this thread.

 

[Leviton]

Found a Bell System (E), Stanley slotted head screwdriver. Shank is pitted but screwdriver is otherwise good.

Always neat to have a piece of history.
-

 

[Old Radar]

The North Bros Yankee and Stanley bit brace from the 1920s are often
found with the "Bell System" stamp. To me, Bell is the mark of a quality
tool considering their suppliers of the era. My Yankee 2101 Bell brace is
one of my favorites.

I agree wholeheartedly! Since no one has posted a pic, here is mine that I picked up earlier this year. This one is post Stanley takeover of North Bros, so it dates from the late 40s to early 50s. I haven't started the resto yet.

For those interested in more info on these braces look here:
http://www.sydnassloot.com/brace/northb.htm

 

[Debcrow]

I guess this qualifies as a Tool. Our old Farm Ex bell System Beater home made Boom Truck:


I do not want to hijack this thread (I know we never WANDER all over the place in these threads!). I have a Western Union Item (Tool?) that I do not know its purpose. Perhaps someone who knows Bell System Tools will know what it is. I will start a new thread asking for ID of it.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

I will start a new thread asking for ID of it.

I replied on your query thread, Deb. (Cool truck.)

------------------------------------------------

I picked up these old BELL SYSTEM brace bits this morning at the bottom of a dollar bin at the flea market. The slot screwdriver bit is an IRWIN. The other one is a 5/16" square socket made by A.W. MACK in Poughkeepsie.

 

[h~moto]

Here is a pic of my Bell System multimeter.

 

[transam81]

Picked up this Klein plier that's also stamped Bell system, dated 1929. Jaw and cutter are pretty good shape still.

 

[319]

I knew someone who worked for Ma Bell from the early 60s into the 80s. In addition to below, my sons and I have several more hammers, push drills, canvas parts bags, wood step ladders, wood straight ladders, screwdrivers, pliers, pole saws, and a vacuum cleaner. I cringe when I think of the items that probably went to the curb when his widow passed. I had two complete sets of climbing belts and gaffs but sold those years ago. The screwdrivers pictured are Stanley and one is marked B, the other C.

 

[jeffmoss26]

Wooow

 

[MikeDoesDiesels]

Here’s my grandpa’s old bell system flashlight, still works, I’m curious if anyone would know what bulb I could use if I wanted to go LED?