Bell system

[NYBODYMAN]

Possibly. That's likely what I will be using it for.

 

[LesserSon]

B.T.C. = Bell Telephone Co?

I saw this 1/4dr socket set on eBay, advertised as Bonney, but the ratchet looks Snappy to me, and the red box doesn’t have much identifying it. The CV wrench is a seller add-in. It puzzled me enough to not bid, so whoever did got it for a reasonable cost.

 

[Supra88T]

Found this in my tool box yesterday. Must have gotten it from my father. I asked him what it was used for and he said "Wire brush, used to clean cable and clean lead sleeves which we used for wiping. " Alrighty then.

That's correct...I used them all the time when I worked on lead cable. They were called "carding brushes" out in the field. You would use them to clean the lead when prepping to solder it back together if you opened up a sleeve.

Sent from my SM-G950W using Tapatalk

 

[NYBODYMAN]

He didn't mention the name carding brushes but I'll try to find out what they were called here in NYC.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

Known as a "File Card" in vintage catalogs at least as late as the 40's. Here's a 1941 Nicolson excerpt. A file card was part of the US Army GMTK from 1938 to 1942, so it's a popular (and quite common) item for WWII GMTK collectors to look for. It is depicted in the 1938 manual as just a simple file card. In other manuals for other kits it is depicted as a file card with a brush on the flip side and a scorer. Some have the wires embedded in a swatch of leather (EDIT: See Pic 2). Others used a heavy cloth, duck or canvas, such as NYBODYMAN's.

 

[Shelbylex]

There had been a long delay, but I finally got some time to clean up couple of tools from my last purchase including Bell System Pliers
Before, after and next to a Klein G3 219-9NE pliers. It's a shame that all the tools were covered by water - you can see the pitting after the restoration on top of them. Surprisingly, the ridges and inside of Kleins were probably protected by rust film inside - the ridges/inside pattern is as new, not a single dent...

 

[Private Lugnutz]

I picked up a pair of "BELL-SYSTEM" bit brace type 4-point socket wrenches at the flea market today, 1/4 and 5/16, made by A.W. MACK in Poughkeepsie, NY. Also spotted (and did not buy...) an unaffordable toy truck. EDIT: It's a Hubley but way older than the 1940's era one I posted upthread (post #218, page 11). Wheels have been replaced, but still cool.

 

[NYBODYMAN]

Those are awesome, bother because they are Bell System and that they are from Poughkeepsie which is about 30 minutes north of me.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

Thanks, NYBODYMAN. Nice area. I grew up in the Poconos, but we ventured upstate NY quite often.

 

[jeffmoss26]

got this today, keyed differently than my other two.

 

[Outlawmws]

got this today, keyed differently than my other two.

But you can fix that, right?

 

[jeffmoss26]

Yep

 

[toplessHO]

seeing something in the first few posts about "pioneer"tools

I remember pioneer days at some of the C.O.s I worked at.
people would bring in all kinds of old stuff.
Wasnt AT&T and Bell Systems the largest employer in world for a while?

 

[jeffmoss26]

Yep! I have a book from the 70s titled “The Biggest Company in the World?”

 

[d42jeep]

Known as a "File Card" in vintage catalogs at least as late as the 40's. Here's a 1941 Nicolson excerpt. A file card was part of the US Army GMTK from 1938 to 1942, so it's a popular (and quite common) item for WWII GMTK collectors to look for. It is depicted in the 1938 manual as just a simple file card. In other manuals for other kits it is depicted as a file card with a brush on the flip side and a scorer. Some have the wires embedded in a swatch of leather (EDIT: See Pic 2). Others used a heavy cloth, duck or canvas, such as NYBODYMAN's.

Here is a Bell marked file card I had in 2017 made by Newark Brush and Scraper Co.
-Don

 

[tin medic]

Found this at a retired Bell System Executive's house. Someone else took the other part of the knob and wouldn't sell it to me. He wanted it for parts and the other knob was just a regular brass end without the logo.

 

[jeffmoss26]

oooohh

 

[tin medic]

It would make a great cap for a walking stick.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

It would make a great doorknob on the door between the main gallery and the Bell System room in the Lugzsonian.

 

[DD T/A]

....or I woulda just thrown it at the guy who bought the rest and wouldn't give it up.

 

[bonneyman]

I picked up a pair of "BELL-SYSTEM" bit brace type 4-point socket wrenches at the flea market today, 1/4 and 5/16, made by A.W. MACK in Poughkeepsie, NY. Also spotted (and did not buy...) an unaffordable toy truck. EDIT: It's a Hubley but way older than the 1940's era one I posted upthread (post #218, page 11). Wheels have been replaced, but still cool.

Now, those are cool!

 

[Private Lugnutz]

Now, those are cool!

Thank you, sir!

Today I added to my collection with this pair of S-226 pliers from Utica, found at the flea market.

 

[NYBODYMAN]

My old man was up this past weekend and brought me some of his old tools from working at NY Telephone/Bell Atlantic/NYNEX/Verizon for 35 years. This inspired me to pull all of my Bell System tools out and I'll be posting a pic soon. I'll probably be selling some as well.

 

[Outlawmws]

What is the wood widgit for?

 

[NYBODYMAN]

It's essentially for beating a large cable into a small enough radius to fit into a smaller fitting. I'll get the "official" name.

EDIT: He just told me it's called a wooden dresser for beating lead sleeves. I'm just glad my mother stuck to wooden spoons when I was a kid and he didn't bring this thing home then��

 

[jeffmoss26]

sweet stuff!

 

[NYBODYMAN]

Here's my other Bell System tools.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

I absconded with some "BELL SYSTEM PROPERTY" (see Pic 4) from the flea market this morning. Not a tool, per se, but an essential implement nonetheless. (Woe be the non-commissioned officer ever caught without one by the 1st Sergeant during my service...) In a box of mechanical pencils that originally held 100, I wish there were more than 3, but 3 is better than none!

I will probably do a little research when I have some time, but they look 60's to me, maybe 50's, but probably no earlier.

 

[Kevdynamitre]

i've worked at a few old bell labs sites in NJ and have family and know plenty of people that worked and retired there. the buildings are as beautiful and intricate as many of these old tools. i have a few needle/duck bill pliers i've found over the years. love all of this stuff!

 

[Leviton]

Found this hacksaw last weekend.

Anyone recognize the manufacturer?

 

[Private Lugnutz]

I picked up this 1950's era BELL SYSTEM B toolkit at the flea market this morning, guys, and it had a lot of vintage BELL SYSTEM treasures in it, which I have spent a good part of the day sorting an cleaning, so get ready for an onslaught of posts and photos!

 

[Private Lugnutz]

Here's the box all cleaned up. It's pressed fiberboard with leather and brass (painted black) corner reinforcements, a leather-clad handle, and brass clasps and hasp. Also some pics of the removeable top tray and contents.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

The alligator clip leads are all made by Mueller Electric in Cleveland. Some of the other more interesting pieces in the top shelf are the Stanley folding boxwood rule, the Utica gas and burner pliers, the Pipetite threading stick (dated 1954), and the Numberall punch (like a 10-pc figure punch set in one). I have no idea what the wooden stick (KS-6320) is. It tapers to flattened points on each end.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

The main compartment under the top tray also had a bunch of goodies! I can't identify the purpose of the three things with the knurled handles and the long hex nuts. They are marked BELL SYSTEM and M'FD. LIC. W.U.T.CO, which I think is a reference to the host of licensing agreements that Bell won in a lawsuit against Western Union and Telegraph Company in 1879! Does anybody know what they are? If not, would any of the couple guys on here with dads and grampses who worked for Bell please ask them?

 

[Private Lugnutz]

The soldering iron situation is kind of funny. He had a big old manual #4 marked BELL SYSTEM that had obviously seen a lot of work. And a brand new electrical Vulcan that had never been taken out of the box and the cosmoline wax paper it was wrapped in it at the factory!

 

[Private Lugnutz]

Here's the "cleaver". Heavy, for some serious chopping. Does it have a more proper name? Specific use? Marked BELL SYSTEM, made by Utica. Full tang. Leather handles, copper pins. The sheath was made by R.H. Buhrke Company.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

And here's what looks like a corner chipper or scraper to me, but it has very sharp edges, hence the sheath. Again, specific use? Marked BELL SYSTEM, made by BHM, like the nail/cleat puller I showed earlier. Sheath made by J.C. Decker. Note, heavy staples, not stitched.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

It had a pair of wire brushes, one of them marked BELL SYSTEM B, from Newark Brush. Don showed one up thread after NYBODYMAN started the mini-trend with his dad's. Both of them with their nifty protectors.

Also a little sleight-of-hand by me. The goggles that came in the box were flimsy green plastic things in a plastic bag (see Pic 3). I replaced them with a pair of vintage BELL SYSTEM marked goggles I have had for several years in a tin BELL SYSTEM goggle case.

I am going to stuff alot more of my collection in here as well, because it gets swallowed up in the lineman's bag.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

I saved my favorite two pieces for last. A Driver's Manual (dated 1958) and a little square copper-backed mirror. Honestly, I am not sure if the mirror was for personal use (akin to the mirrors on the lid of vintage machinists cases) or if it was for seeing behind things in nooks and crannies or working on something obstructed. But the book cracked me up. It was mainly text, but the figures provide the entertainment value.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

Lastly, you may have noticed that the center clasp is not closing all the way. That's because there's a cool little brass US Navy ("USN ELECTRIC") lock on it with no key! Corbin Cabinet Lock Company. Going to see if Jeff Moss, Locksmith Extraordinaire and Bell collector, can help me out. There's also a pad lock in the tray marked NEW YORK TERMINAL. Don't know the story there.