jeffmoss26
Well-known member
National Telephone Supply (Nicopress) is alive and well here in Cleveland!
Bell system
- Thread starter Shelbylex
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Miss the Pontiacs
Well-known member
Jeff You should introduce yourself and see what they have for samples. Get them to send everyone on this thread some hardware. Who knows maybe you can tie them in with Epstein’s since you have pull there.
Miss the Pontiacs
Well-known member
Here are a few terminating tools I dug out recently.
The ivory one is a Bixs Tool made by the now defunct Nortel formerly Northern Electric. This tool is probably still in use for voice cable. Me and a buddy were the first in our area to use The Bix system in our newly built University Engineering Building, around 1986 I believe . We installed miles of 25 pr, cable for the Automatic Electric 186 type sets, and the Northern Telecom Logic 10s. Bx was used in the tel closets as if we were to use the old 66 blocks the closets would have to be enlarged for the additional block space that would have been used. At the set end we terminated into Amphenols. For key systems we installed 3-4 550 units, 3 540 units and a couple of 530s. Some telcos called them A Packs, B Packs and so on. One 25 pr. Cable run per phone. We were there for months and did have additional help when available.
The Blue terminating tool is called a SAC (Subscriber Access Cabinet) Tool this was used for doing a cross connect between the cable from the telephone building to the cable that goes down the back lane to your home or office. These are likely still being used.
The bottom 2 are 66 block tools, which is the prerunner to the Bix system. The black one is much older than the Siemon punch. Prior to the 66 block was a multi washer with a nut to tighten the connection. I tore a few of these out and have a vast quantity of brass washers and nuts. Sometimes I even find a use for them.
The ivory one is a Bixs Tool made by the now defunct Nortel formerly Northern Electric. This tool is probably still in use for voice cable. Me and a buddy were the first in our area to use The Bix system in our newly built University Engineering Building, around 1986 I believe . We installed miles of 25 pr, cable for the Automatic Electric 186 type sets, and the Northern Telecom Logic 10s. Bx was used in the tel closets as if we were to use the old 66 blocks the closets would have to be enlarged for the additional block space that would have been used. At the set end we terminated into Amphenols. For key systems we installed 3-4 550 units, 3 540 units and a couple of 530s. Some telcos called them A Packs, B Packs and so on. One 25 pr. Cable run per phone. We were there for months and did have additional help when available.
The Blue terminating tool is called a SAC (Subscriber Access Cabinet) Tool this was used for doing a cross connect between the cable from the telephone building to the cable that goes down the back lane to your home or office. These are likely still being used.
The bottom 2 are 66 block tools, which is the prerunner to the Bix system. The black one is much older than the Siemon punch. Prior to the 66 block was a multi washer with a nut to tighten the connection. I tore a few of these out and have a vast quantity of brass washers and nuts. Sometimes I even find a use for them.
jeffmoss26
Well-known member
66 and 110 are still used every day here! Don’t see much Krone or BIX in the states.Here are a few terminating tools I dug out recently.
The ivory one is a Bixs Tool made by the now defunct Nortel formerly Northern Electric. This tool is probably still in use for voice cable. Me and a buddy were the first in our area to use The Bix system in our newly built University Engineering Building, around 1986 I believe . We installed miles of 25 pr, cable for the Automatic Electric 186 type sets, and the Northern Telecom Logic 10s. Bx was used in the tel closets as if we were to use the old 66 blocks the closets would have to be enlarged for the additional block space that would have been used. At the set end we terminated into Amphenols. For key systems we installed 3-4 550 units, 3 540 units and a couple of 530s. Some telcos called them A Packs, B Packs and so on. One 25 pr. Cable run per phone. We were there for months and did have additional help when available.
The Blue terminating tool is called a SAC (Subscriber Access Cabinet) Tool this was used for doing a cross connect between the cable from the telephone building to the cable that goes down the back lane to your home or office. These are likely still being used.
The bottom 2 are 66 block tools, which is the prerunner to the Bix system. The black one is much older than the Siemon punch. Prior to the 66 block was a multi washer with a nut to tighten the connection. I tore a few of these out and have a vast quantity of brass washers and nuts. Sometimes I even find a use for them.
Miss the Pontiacs
Well-known member
Bixs is all that we have used since the later 80s. I imagine pretty well everything here now is minimum Cat 5. The twisted wire has been used for the last 20 years which offers a version of cable TV. All the telco delivered tv is on twisted wire, minimum Cat 5. In all our cities we have fibre to every subscriber. At the lake we have twisted pair delivering our television needs. But we are adjacent to a village that has the streaming capability. Otherwise we would be on Coax or Satellite in the urban areas or strictly satellite in the rural/lake areas. Mind you again since we are close to a village coax is also available.
jeffmoss26
Well-known member
I have a box of nordx CDT jacks and faceplates in the basement. My dad’s work (telecom interconnect) was an installer in the mid 2000s and I got to help on jobs during breaks from school.
Miss the Pontiacs
Well-known member
Here is one other termination tool. A Scotch Lock Pliers. These haven’t been used for a considerable length of time. One problem with them is some guys used their lineman pliers and made a poor connection. Then once the tv application was available you were to cut the pair clean so any problems further down the cable wouldn’t affect the service. The outside plant or cable was getting chopped to bits. Then fibre was installed to your home and the copper was less of a problem. This was after my time as I have been retired close to 15 years now.
For awhile the picabond was the replacement of the Scotchlock. But placing a SL was tuff enough when it was 40 below and the cable was fiddle string tight.
For awhile the picabond was the replacement of the Scotchlock. But placing a SL was tuff enough when it was 40 below and the cable was fiddle string tight.
Miss the Pontiacs
Well-known member
After I retired I started a Cabling business probably similar to you Dad’s. I also hired my kids and some of their friends. You knew they were good helpers and getting along was never a problem.
You are one of the only individuals on the board that I have run into before. You were on a telco based board. I have lost touch with this particular board and my buddy wanted the net address. Could you please supply it so I can pass it on. There might have been more than one but I can’t remember.
Very cool stuff. I remember in the 80's and early 90's building SKU's on the living room floor with my dad getting ready to install for jobs he had. This was after he left the phone company. Still have so much stuff in the attic, connectors, blocks, etc.... I don't know the names as I never went down his path after I got out of school.
Miss the Pontiacs
Well-known member
Thanks for the PM. @jeffmoss26
Miss the Pontiacs
Well-known member
Not exactly Bell related but definitely telephone related. Kind of going through some old items I’ve collected. Came up with a couple of old protectors. The wood fuse protector needs a little paint stripper but should be pretty cool once I strip off the paint.Miss the Pontiacs: Your missing the carbon blocks in the round one. LOL
Private Lugnutz
Well-known member
I was excited to find another Bell System Numberall this morning at the flea. The first one came with that big Bell System B toolset I bought back in 2020 (see page 7 and scroll). As bad luck would have it, it's a duplicate size (3/16"). There was so much in that box I didn't pay too much attention to it the first time. This is a nice tool. Well built. And the finish and knurling are handsome. The first patent (1,289,539, Powers) is from 1918 and was unassigned. He may have tried to make a go of it on his own, but eventually he got bought out and he was an assignor for the Numberall Stamp and Tool Company, who are still around. The second patent is from 1931. They sold these to the military, too.
The figures go from 0 to 9 with a hyphen and an X.
The figures go from 0 to 9 with a hyphen and an X.
jeffmoss26
Well-known member
Miss the Pontiacs
Well-known member
When I was doing residential I&R we were instructed to replace that model and anything older with the new protector.So if you seen one on a repair or adding sets it was replaced.
Miss the Pontiacs: Here is one with the carbon blocks. Had BANKS of these fuse cartridges and carbon blocks on outside cable. Had to replace the fuse cartridges and take the carbon blocks out and clean the blocks by lightly sanding inside of blocks. Reinstall and good till the next lightning storm. LOL. All of this on paper insulated lead covered cable. 
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Private Lugnutz: I've never seen the "Numberall". Now I have to find one. LOL.
Private Lugnutz
Well-known member
They do! On the 2019 Garage Sale thread @454ragtop found a vintage Numberall set that came in a wooden box. It had an intact label under the lid and three punches inside. I am guessing one with 0-9, -, and X, like these, and two others covering the alphabet. I guess A-K, and L-Z less the X, which is already on the number figures punch.
EDIT: Found the pic.
Later, they made larger punches with a bunch of wheels so you could line up a whole part number (e.g., X1-783510) and punch it at once. And when I was researching the company name on Google Books a whole bunch of ads came up for accessories, such as a stabilizing plate that you would set the punch in to prevent crooked mis-stamps, and an advanced form of that with a large base and arm, bigger punches with arbors and entire machines. The company is still in business, moving on to all kinds of engraving and CNC machines etc.
PM me if you're interested. Generally, I'm not the kind of collector who sees the point in keeping more than one of the same exact thing, and this is a duplicate. When I found it at the flea market I was hoping the other one I had, which has its own vinyl case and has never been used (see Pic), was a different size, but it's not. I am sure we can work something out.
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Wow that three piece set in the wooden box is gorgeous. I was more referring to a Bell System lettered Numberall (not sure if the one you are showing is a Bell System or not). My dad told me they only used numbered ones hence why I only have those in Bell System.
I just checked ebay and there's a few Numberall sets but they're bringing some $$$. Not looking to spend $200+ on these lol. I'll have to keep an eye out.
I just checked ebay and there's a few Numberall sets but they're bringing some $$$. Not looking to spend $200+ on these lol. I'll have to keep an eye out.
Private Lugnutz
Well-known member
Mine are. I don't know about the wood box set. Probably not.
I saw that. Don't blame you. @Tarnished better break your piggy bank open! Kidding.
Well I was putzing around in the garage today and decided to pull out all the Bell System stuff I got from my father. Here it is in all it's glory. He has A LOT more at his house that he acquired over his 35 year career there. Every time I visit I try to acquire something to bring home Not everything is marked Bell System but all are from the job. Not sure why some were never labeled as such.
Not everything is marked Bell System but all are from the job. Not sure why some were never labeled as such. Miss the Pontiacs
Well-known member
Yes mine are missing. My buddy who passed away gave me some items this was one. Don’t know why they are missing, I’ll check the box it came in maybe the carbons are there But I doubt it.Miss the Pontiacs: Here is one with the carbon blocks. Had BANKS of these fuse cartridges and carbon blocks on outside cable. Had to replace the fuse cartridges and take the carbon blocks out and clean the blocks by lightly sanding inside of blocks. Reinstall and good till the next lightning storm. LOL. All of this on paper insulated lead covered cable.
Miss the Pontiacs
Well-known member
Thought this would work here!
Miss the Pontiacs
Well-known member
@NYBODYMAN Was your Dad a Cableman? Some of those tools might have been used in making lead sleeves. Ask him what the brush and woof shaper were used for? Those cable scissors are amazing. I have a couple here somewhere.
@NYBODYMAN: Defiantly outside cable guy there. Those are lead working tools for sure. Hammers, chipping knife, lead dresser and scraper were all used before plastic coated cable. Old School cool!
Scissors have notches in them for stripping paper off the conductors. Use the scissors around shop ALL the time.He worked underground in Manhattan from 1970-2004. He started with cables and then finished up as a fiber optic splicer. The brush was for cleaning the cable area in preparation for lead and the wood ******* was for dressing/shaping the lead (If I remember correctly).
I found this VOM (in Ukraine colors, no less) at the local ReStore this past weekend. It had been put out the same day, so I was lucky to get it. The vinyl carrying case was destroyed, but the VIM was in excellent condition. I cleaned it up, tweaked the meter face and needle because they were binding, and replaced one burned out resistor (for the ohms X1 scale, as somebody probably tried to measure the resistance of a battery).
Date codes inside suggest manufacture in the first half of 1982.
Date codes inside suggest manufacture in the first half of 1982.
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d42jeep
Well-known member
I picked up another Irwin made Bell System marked screwdriver at an estate sale yesterday.
-Don
-Don
Really liked RTM's Telcom Archives links.
I found this one in Wisconsin last week and tried to look it up in there just for fun - no luck.
It's good sized (10"). Anyone know what this would have been used for?
This one was made by Armstrong, there are no markings on the back side. Openings are 1-3/16", 1-1/8" and 11/16".
I found this one in Wisconsin last week and tried to look it up in there just for fun - no luck.
It's good sized (10"). Anyone know what this would have been used for?
This one was made by Armstrong, there are no markings on the back side. Openings are 1-3/16", 1-1/8" and 11/16".
I grabbed this Bell System First Aid Kit at a thrift shop today for $5. I couldn't resist. We had q few of these in my house growing up and always had Bell System bandages and anti septic so this was a trip down memory lane for me.
Miss the Pontiacs
Well-known member
Some ephemera I came across.
From January 1911
From January 1911
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Just what I needed with this headache I have, , an upside down picture! 
Outlawmws
Well-known member
I get an error for that pic..
Miss the Pontiacs
Well-known member
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Miss the Pontiacs
Well-known member
All the info you require to build a rural telephone line is in this book.
A letter
A letter
Miss the Pontiacs
Well-known member
Couple of old phone books.
I have a couple more items I’ll post later.
I have a couple more items I’ll post later.
Miss the Pontiacs
Well-known member
Private Lugnutz
Well-known member
Loving all the literature, Miss the Pontiacs!
