Another trip to the antique store

[MDK]

On today's trip I spied a few nice looking phones, but did not buy a thing, out of fear of spending too much on something I'd regret... and threats of bodily injury from my wife.

What I found:

1. A black WE554 with black metal dial. I looked like it was in very good shape except that the cord looked as if something had been chewing it. Price marked $15.

2. A PTT phone, kind of a boxy looking black phone, black dial, with a white button on the upper right just in front of the cradle. It was in very nice condition, however I thought the guy might have been asking too much... $65.

3.  A Stromberg Carlson with a blank face and a crank (1258?). Rather scraped up, the crank did not turn. $45.

4. A black WE500 with metal dial, good condition, except the cord was eaten. $29.

I'm still a phone newbie. Were any of these worth what the asking price is? I know the guy and I think he may be willing to cut me some slack, but decided against any purchases today.

[HarrySmith]

The metal fingerwheel on a WE indicates on older model. Cords are easily replaced. I would pay $15 $20 for any older WE.

[Kenny C]

I would have got the 554. I would of tried to get the price down on the 500.

[Sargeguy]

I already have an early black 554, so I am all set but $15 is a good price if you don't have one.  $20 would be pushing it.  Everything else sounds overpriced.  That PTT is worth about $5.

[MDK]

Went back to the antique store yesterday.  The black 554 was still there. I mentioned the cord was in poor shape, and bought it for 12 dollars.

It looks to be all original, but pretty filthy inside. The parts are mostly stamped 10-58, except I think the transmitter is stamped 9-58. I've been cleaning all day. The paint on the mounting plate came off fairly easily. The hook has a bit of corrosion on it, but it works well.

Here are "before" pics:





More pics when I get finished cleaning.

[MDK]

[MDK]

Thanks, y'all for the advice and encouragement!

[Dennis Markham]

MDK, looks like you did a great job cleaning up that phone.  I'd say you got your money's worth!  Congrats.

[HarrySmith]

Nice job, looks great!

[MDK]

Same antique store... I finally got this 302. I talked it down to 10 dollars. The finger wheel is slightly bent, a few cracks, lots of dings and scratches, and one cradle ear is broken off. It works fine.


Here is what it looks like after a bit of epoxy. I have not figured out exactly how to match the color with epoxy, so I'll probably end up painting the shell, but it's been fun to mess with.


I figure, if nothing else, it's worth at least ten dollars for the working parts.

[MDK]

I've decided not to repaint the shell, but to just paint the reconstructed epoxy ear and blend the paint. If you squint and stand back a ways (perhaps Texas) you can barely even tell the ear is not original. I sanded and painted the dial. I've also glued the corner cracks and may attempt to fill them eventually.

I was inspired by another post where someone rebuilt the missing ear on a 302, and wanted to see if I could do it. I'm happy to say it came out better than I had hoped. I also think I don't want to do it ever again. It's a major headache, but I learned a lot.

[Dennis Markham]

It looks very good.  Nice job!

[MDK]

Got it all back together, put on a black cloth cord and a new dial card which reads "PEnnsylvania-6 5000". Works like a dream, and it's the first phone in my newfound obsession that my wife actually likes.

[LarryInMichigan]

It looks really nice.  A year from now, you won't believe how many phones you have

Larry

[old_stuff_hound]

Got it all back together, put on a black cloth cord and a new dial card which reads "PEnnsylvania-6 5000". Works like a dream, and it's the first phone in my newfound obsession that my wife actually likes.

Looks great! I like that dial card! ;-)