Living in a trailer now with 50-60 phones, I just discovered a great method of storing and organizing all the cute little critters. Some folks here may already be using this method, but it works great for me so I wanted to share this tip.
I just ordered 50 free phone sized boxes from the post office. The post office even delivers the boxes in very convenient neatly folded stacks. I just put each phone in it's own box, label the box for quick reference, and eventually I'll probably put all the info for each phone on a database for really convenient reference.
Then I just sort the boxes by type and model, and simply stack them up, either along a wall, in a closet, or on shelves, etc. (And just so that I don't feel too guilty about getting all the free boxes from my nice mailman, I will eventual use a lot of them for shipping the phones too, as sales or gifts.)
So that's my current method. What's yours? :)
Here are the boxes. You can choose the box sizes that are best for you:
http://preview.tinyurl.com/Boxes-for-Telephones
Oh, it's so nice to get organized. 8)
-Matt
I have a bunch of those boxes, and a bunch of phones scattered all over the place. I never thought about storing them this way, but it looks like I'm gonna get organized, too!
Effective, but no fun! You can't sit on your couch and look at them then!!
Quote from: AtomicEraTom
Effective, but no fun! You can't sit on your couch and look at them then!!
Not at all, Tom ol' pal. There is a seven foot shelf above the window above my desk right at the front of the trailer where I can display some of my favorite phones that can be viewed quite well.
Ya gotta remember that I'm livin' in a trailer with 60 resident phones. Right now for example, before my boxes arrive, I have 20 lineal feet of shelving in my upper kitchen cabinets, which is really valuable storage space for my small scale living abode, and all those shelves are currently full of 1950s WE 500s, set tightly side by side. When they are in boxes, they can be neatly stacked in my back utility room and take up much less valuable space. 8)
I understand your dilema. I am in a 14x16 room about, with a bedroom set, TV, old radios, lamps and other furnishings, and 20 some phones. I feel your pain!
I also use the priority boxes, they stack very well.
I have plenty of room here, so box them up and ship them to: D/P's phone storage Wherehouse. WHERE, because once you send them to me, I won't tell you WHERE they are.
D/P
It's no wonder the Postal Service is losing a billion dollars a year. Believe me I love getting "free" boxes and use Priority Mail 99% of the time. I save what they now call Medium Flat Rate boxes for just that purpose. They make a great storage box for phones not on display.
Those on the left in this photo are my soft plastic 554's that I have yet to display. I have indicated on the end of the box what's inside, a general description and approximate value (at the time I stored them). That way my heirs don't sell them in a garage sale for a dollar. :)
Dennis, can you give GPS coordinates for that shed, please? :P
It's interesting that we've all felt pangs of guilt for using the post office's boxes--I have, too. But like the rest of you, I do ship by USPS Priority, which lessens those feelings a bit.
What do you all use for packing inside the boxes (if any)?
Darrin, that shed is actually a cupboard in my work shop. It's floor to ceiling and raised at the bottom in case of a flood (little flood). So it's indoors where temperature and humidity are not a factor. It is heated and I use a dehumidifier in the summer.
I did read where someone on the ATCA talked about storage methods and the cardboard boxes was one way they mentioned NOT to store them. I don't recall exactly why. I actually like them better than plastic containers that do not allow for the release of gasses---I guess a bit of air gets into the boxes. Because when I put these phones in the boxes my mind was saying it would only be temporary. For that reason I have not packaged them too tightly. I do put one layer of bubble wrap and kind of wrap one end around the handset (the 554's) to separate it from the body of the phone. I don't like plastic against plastic for too long though as I'm concerned the two plastics may cause harm---somewhat like the cords do when a phone sits atop one for long periods of time. In an ideal situation, I wrap the phone body and handset with tissue paper before putting on the layer of bubble wrap. Remember, it's only temporary...... :)
The GPS coordinates are my house. Protected by an attack cat..............and my .40 cal Glock. The one the P.D. gave me when I retired. :)
EXCELLENT! idea. i am going to get busy tomorrow, organizing all my "extra phones" :)
finally, i know bingster's name ;)
i think the room is dennis' basement is actually a hermetically sealed vault :o
Dennis (and all),
Your photo of your boxes of phones stacked like cordwood in the cupboard of your workshop made me smile with familiarity.
So I'm posting these few modest pictures from my cluttered trailer this evening, just to illustrate with some humor why I love the little cardboard boxes so much.
Please keep in mind that I just moved into my trailer, so nothing is at all organized yet, and none of the boxes o' phones will remain where they are just this week. I just quickly stuck them where they fit for right now. They are all going into the back room in my trailer once they are properly boxed and labeled. I love getting organized in winter.
I agree with using tissue paper, or perhaps just minimum paper towels, then bubble wrap, loosely, to let things breath, and boxes that also breath. No tape of course. Tape is used only in shipping, not storage. I climate control naturally, because I live with my phones, in a bigger box, called my trailer.
Depicted Photos:
"Attack of the Killer Boxes O' Phones"
Plot: Boxes in the closet, boxes under the bed, and those pesky worthless varmints, the dreaded ubiquitous 1950s black WE 500s, on the loose yet again, without boxes yet, invading the kitchen cabinets like rats.
Everything gets wrapped, boxed and labeled and goes into the little back room.
Anyway, I love the boxes. When the usps mailman delivered them to me this morning he simply said "for the phones?" I said "yep". We smiled.
Notice how I ingeniously put the phone boxes upside down, but the phones inside are of course right side up. That way I know that they are in storage/process, and all the colorful usps text and graphics printed on the box doesn't distract my meager mind, and I can read my own small simple label of basic info.
Anyway, I'm getting there. :)
Great description, Matt. You're well organized.....and afflicted like the rest of us. :)
For long term storage I like to wrap in acid-free tissue, then bubble wrap. You can get acid-free tissue paper cheap from dry cleaning stores, they use it to wrap wedding dresses. A local dry cleaner charged me $5.00 for a 3" stack of 2'x3' sheets. They were amused when I told them I wanted it to wrap collectable telephones.
Current short term storage is bubble wrap and file style "Bankers boxes". I buy mine at Sam's club for $15-20/ 10 lot . The current boxes withstand 650# without crushing. They are strong and sturdy, and I stack them 6 high short term, longer term I stack them 3-4 high.
I used to create custom "platform"shelves for the boxes out of 2x4" and 2' x 8'' OSB. a cheap and easy shelf system. I could store 42 boxes on 1 sheet of OSB and 7 -2x4. (around $20 at the time).
The secret to organized boxing is to use boxes all the same size. once you select your standard box you can build shelves to match.
"free" mismatched boxes waste space and make for unstable stacks.
For individual boxing the priority boxes work best. (and are priced right)
For bulk boxing I like "quality" banker's boxes
Jim S.
Rather than write all detail on the box itself, to save the box for future shipping, I made the list below, and mark the box and sheet accordingly.
I fill out the blank sheet, and keep it in a loose leaf folder. When I need a particular phone or part, I can look at my lists, and find the exact box the item or phone is in.
D/P
Great idea, Dan. Sort of a Dewey decimal system for phones.
This is why I'm glad I'm moving into that big apartment by myself, it has some built-ins and there's practically no windows (it's a downtown building), so I will have lots of wall space for shelves and curio cabinets for my phones!! However, there is a big storage room about 30x30 I'd say that comes with the apt and I am going to employ this method with my more 'boring' phones I think.
Quote from: AtomicEraTom on December 30, 2009, 01:11:09 AM
This is why I'm glad I'm moving into that big apartment by myself, it has some built-ins and there's practically no windows (it's a downtown building), so I will have lots of wall space for shelves and curio cabinets for my phones!! However, there is a big storage room about 30x30 I'd say that comes with the apt and I am going to employ this method with my more 'boring' phones I think.
30x30 storage is a good start.
Jim S.
That little room was a blessing. Dad wanted to have it for the store, but I convinced him that with a basement there, a 3 car garage at our house, and 2 sheds, and 2 1 car garages at their other house, they could spare that garage size room upstairs for this guy!!!
I'm probably not the best to respond on this, but space issues are space issues; no matter how much space you have to display. When a new one comes into my phone room, an existing phone has to leave. If its not on my shelves, its on its way to someones shelf. I have zero phones in storage. Either I enjoy them or someone else does.. ...Kidphone
i have quite a few "project" phones. those are the ones in storage. the "good" ones are on display or in use around the house(s). ;)
Kidphone;
Do you restore phones or display them as you get them ?
D/P
btw, d/p...i'm gonna steal your logsheet idea 8)
Hey great way to store telephones. And of course you can use them to ship such as the AE40 I am gonna buy from you in the coming months! ;D
D/P, great idea with the logsheet.
Quote from: Dan/Panther on December 30, 2009, 06:31:35 PM
Kidphone;
Do you restore phones or display them as you get them ?
D/P
D/P....when I find a new phone, I make a decision right away. Is it for my collection, is it for resale or is it for parts. At that time, I will refurb it or part it out. Nothing goes on my shelves unless it looks "Like New." What I mean by like new is sitting on my shelf, you would think its a new phone. This year finally I found my Thermoplastic Red 302. From the front, sitting on my shelf it looks brand new. From the back there is a chip out of it the size of a quarter. Tough phone to find and its probably the best I can do as I refuse to pay the astronomical prices for tough phones. I will always try to make a phone work, but I will not sacrifice the integrity of the phone as it is just going to sit on a shelf. Example of this would be a WE 102. It was produced with either a #2 or a #4 dial. I would never add a #5 or #6 dial to make it work. It losses its authenticity. If I was selling it, I would make it work and note the changes. WE102s came with a seamless bullet E1. Most are found with a seamed E1 or even a F1. If its found that way, I will advertised it in as found condition. For my collection, I want it real, even if it is not functional.Collectors want a phone with all dates matching and everything original. Someone who wants a 302 in their living room, wants it to work and hear that wonderful Ring!...Great question, sorry for the long winded answer....Kidphone
I guess that I really do feel guilty about having to store my phones at all, instead of having them immediately restored and polished and displayed and functional and enjoyed.
I'm starting to think that maybe I really should just pack them all up and ship them on a palette to D/P.
Or NOT. ;)
Matt;
I'm a short 4 hours away, I can help pack.
Bwanna;
I have a slight licensing fee for the concept of the log sheet
I've since updated the log sheet to include some obviously missing items..
D/P
why certainly, d/p.....the check is in the mail ;)...trust me ;D
What originally got me going on the log sheet idea, was getting sick and tired of knowing I had something and not knowing what I did with it.
The way it's set up now, If I need a specific item, I sit at my desk, and thumb through my sheets until I find what I want, then just go get the box. Remember to update the sheet if you remove an item from a box. You can also inventory parts this way with a list of items in a box and not the log sheet. Say for instance all of your coiled handset cords in a box, and list them by color and date. If you need a specific color or date of cord, it's right at your fingertips, and you don't have TO OPEN A DOZEN BOXES TO FIND IT.
D/P
One more thing,.....
When you go to the big phone booth in the sky, your family won't have to go through a million boxes to know what's in them.
You can even puts notes as to what the value of an item is, or maybe if you want a specific person to have a specific item. And to My Dear Sweet Niece Esmerelda (LN ;)), I leave the contents of Box Number 41.
The neat thing about this system, is it doesn't matter what order you stack your boxes. Just organize your sheets by category, then when you need an item, it doesn't matter if it's with other completely different items, you just want the specific box. You can organize all, of your stored items, and not worry about putting all like items together, so long as your sheets are cataloged in sections of all the same type items.
D/P
Although this is a great way of documenting one's telephones, not only for the convenience of finding parts, dates, etc., but for insurance purposes too, if there were a computer guru in the house it would be nice to come up with a data base for this type of documentation.
Perhaps a spreadsheet that can be searched. Fill in the data on a new page and save it. Then when one needs a transmitter with a certain date, punch in the date and boom, it tells you what box it is located. You could still label each box but instead of a piece of paper that has to be hand written on, you'd have it on the computer. File saved, file backed up, ability to e-mail, turn into a pdf, maybe attach a photo or two.
I have seen programs for documenting household property for insurance purposes that are similar to this.
Come on, there must be a computer wizard out there than create this! :)
Just a thought..............
I used to have a program years ago, DOS based that would allow you to Alphabetize, sort by several different means, print selected lists, but as computer progressed, it seems to have gotten way to complicated to use, or just doesn't exist.
I used to be able to type in a long list of words, and push Alphabetize, and the list would automatically Alphabetize. Don't they have anything like that anymore.
I could type in a color, and everything of that color would display.
D/P
I'm sure in today's computer age that there is a program that could be adapted for this use. I'll have to check with a buddy of mine who is on top of the latest and greatest and see if he knows of such a program.
I have kept files on each phone in my collection, simply by making a folder for each phone and putting photos in the folder. But that's as far as I've gone. A book keeping program such as your filing method would be nice.
Dennis, I asked my step son, Ken, (a very advanced computer pro,) about the best database programs we might use. I told him the kinds of things some of us might like to try doing with a database to keep track of the phones. I wont be using a data base myself, at least for a long time, but I'm going to quote Ken's recent response to me here. Believe me, when Ken talks about software, I listen:
"Matt,
I highly recommend "OpenOffice Base" database management software.
It's free, extremely powerful (if needed), and uses open standards
(can easily move your database to other programs). http://www.openoffice.org/
The learning curve can be steep if you want more advanced features, but
the "Database Wizard" should get you up and running. My guess is that
the "Asset" "sample table" in the "Use Wizard to Create Table" is what
you need.
It might take a little bit of reading to get the hang of it, but once
you do, everything you learn can be used with any other database.
The only potentially tricky part is setting up
the tables (it's like a template). After that, it should be nearly as
easy as using any other spreadsheet application.
I also hear good things about Kexi ( http://www.kexi-project.org/ ),
even though it is targeting web application development.
-Ken"
Personally I'll use D/P's method of using paper forms in a single binder, and that's the the same info (I would guess) that could be put into a database/spreadsheet later.
-Matt
Thanks Matt to you and your step-son. When the dust settles from the holidays I'll slow down at take a look at those.
thx matt (&ken). i use open office spreadsheet to keep track of my antique biz inventory & sales. that gives you an idea of how easy it is to use, if i can figure it out ;D
i think for the phone stuff, i will use dan's log book idea. i can keep the book right with all the inventory.
I'm at that awkward age in human life when one still thinks one has the blindingly fast total memory recall of youth, but in reality the cogs of the mind have started to slip. :)
So my current phone catalog system is in me head, cuz' I can remember it all.
"That's the black 51', or wait, was it 53', no, I'm sure it's the 51' and I'll just turn it over and, huh, well it's a 55', didn't know I had a 55', hmmm"
Gotta start writing it all down.
I started re-boxing today. It was really fun, with some good surprises. Right now all I'm doing is a quick overall gander at each phone and re-boxing them from all kinds of cruddy old different sized boxes. I only open up the phones for a quick look inside if they are of some special interest.
I just write a brief line in pencil on each new box for each phone with basic info for now, such as:
"WE 500 6-54 Good Cond." or "K 1000 Redbar, Nice!" or "WE 302 12-37 w/'42 ringer, Very Nice!" I got twenty phones nicely re-boxed tonight this way.
One thing I fear now though. I've been saying that I have about 50 phones. Now I think I may have more than that.
It's going really well though. Now that I've got my routine going for this simple first but very important step, it's going really smoothly. And each time I open an old box is a new surprise. It feels like Xmas.
kudos on a productive start on the new year, hobie. :)
i just love that "christmas" excitement when sorting thru boxes ;)
Thanks Bwanna; I boxed yet another twenty phones this evening. I'm getting it down to both a fun routine and a fine art. I worked very calmly and carefully tonight and just for fun I timed myself. On average I'm doing one phone every five minutes.
Working and living in the long trailer (32 foot) in the Pullman style is certainly proving to be very convenient, efficient, and enjoyable. I felt like I was working in a postal railroad car while processing the phones.
A lot of collectors store phones in "telephone" boxes. This makes a lot of sense since the boxes are designed to hold a telephone, somewhat, safely and in the least space possible.
You can make a custom sticky lable for the end, You can also tape a plastic sleeve on the end and change the lable as needed.
The only way to get these boxes in bulk is to order them, As with any new box, the price ea. always seems a little high. If you think of it as a reusable box that protects a phone, then you can justify the price, basically with a little care, youcan use the box for your forever.
I do know a collector who bought a bunch of these boxes for his collection..
If anyone is interested I can try to get the info for the company and pricing info.
I don't currently use phone boxes, an d I won't anytime soon. But they are nice for a lot of storage situations.
Just a thought,
Jim S.
Jim S.
Most of my collection for the time being is boxed and in my new abode's attic. Today was the first "warm" day (64F) we've had in Seattle for a while. I was up in the attic during the warmest part of the day and noticed it was quite warm and stifling, at least 15-20 degrees warmer than outside. Believe it or not, Seattle area does get hot during the summer, sometimes into the 80s or even 90s. This wasn't a problem when I had them stored in a closet in my small apt, and it didn't seem a problem when I first stored them in the attic in cooler weather, but now I'm wondering if I should try to find some other place in this house to store them. I'm talking about 60-70 phones stored two to a box. Space is really cramped here, I don't have many options unless they will be OK enduring probably upwards of 90-100 degrees for several months.
Yeah, yeah, I know, just ship them to y'all and you'll take good care of them, but I would get very lonely w/o my collection and would probably have to come and live with you. Anita wouldn't like that.
Yeah I don't think real hot or real cold for extended time frame is very good for plastic. We stored plastic dolls in the attic for too long and they were not in good shape afterwards.
We had a half decent weekend and day today in Vancouver as well. It has been a damp, cold, windy winter....
Terry
I would worry that the plastic might warp in a hot place.
Larry
I would also be concerned about moisture up there. While moisture is usually vented in attics it is not as "controlled" as it is in the house, might be a rust and corrosion issue.
Although we do not have such things here in South Florida I would not store my phones in an attic or basement due to heat & humidity.
I purchased a couple phones from a collector that lived only a couple miles from me. Saw his item on ebay, one thing led to another and found out he was only around the corner from me. He was a retired Bell Telephone man, and had stored his complete collection of 302 phones - all the colors - in his attic for safe keeping. He pulled them down a couple years later, and mice had eaten all the colored cords off the phones. Sadly, he still stores in his attic, but now he puts his phones in heavy sealed plastic containers.
Fortunately, we don't have a rodent problem, that's the first thing I looked for in the attic when I first went up there. There's only one or two ghosts, but they're pretty quiet and don't bother anything (it's a walk-in type attic and kinda spooky). It's also dry. The s/o has had stuff up there for a good 20 years, no damage in that way. But yeah, it's going to get frigging hot up there, so I guess the verdict is move at least the plastic ones (which is most of them) down to more climate-controlled area. That in turn means something's got to give downstairs. I may have to sacrifice my little work bench for now, that's the only available space I can see right now.
Quote from: Brinybay on April 03, 2012, 12:18:57 PM
There's only one or two ghosts, but they're pretty quiet and don't bother anything (it's a walk-in type attic and kinda spooky).
Unless they start making calls with the phones you have stored up there. Could run up quite a bill...
Another concern that I would have about keeping phones in a hot place is about rubber cords and other rubber parts. I would expect that high temperatures could cause rubber to become dry and brittle.
Larry
I'm glad I have the room in my basement to keep my phones out. I can't imagine having to pack all of my nice phones in boxes and store them away.
Quote from: canuckphoneguy on April 04, 2012, 06:52:17 PM
I'm glad I have the room in my basement to keep my phones out. I can't imagine having to pack all of my nice phones in boxes and store them away.
We're actually considering an addition to the house. Not really just for my phones, it's something she wanted anyway, but if all goes as planned, I'll have a whole room to do what I want with. The phones are safe and sound now down in the lower part of the house in the office next to my desk, where I can view my (boxed) collection. I was off today and did some rearranging while she was at work.
I wanted to arrange them like this, but Anita wouldn't let me.
Quote from: Brinybay on April 06, 2012, 12:17:12 AM
I wanted to arrange them like this, but Anita wouldn't let me.
I don't think I'd be allowed to arrange my phones like that either ;D
Quote from: Brinybay on April 06, 2012, 12:17:12 AM
I wanted to arrange them like this, but Anita wouldn't let me.
Have Anita talk to Janet ??? It is perfect phone storage setup in my humble opinion. I don't think you will miss the card board, but dusting can be a (expletive deleted) ..Doug
QuoteI don't think you will miss the card board, but dusting can be a (expletive deleted) ..Doug
Just turn on the Westinghouse fan and blow all of the dust away :)
Larry
Larry....if is was that easy! Its a Western Electric Fan and it does work. It is not a breeze, more like a wind tunnel as it's high level. Still oscilates and is as quiet as it should be! I picked it up on CL about five years ago from people cleaning out the basement. They needed $10 for it. Who was I to complain! I couldn't drive there fast enough. ...Doug
I guess that my fan identification skills are still a bit weak. The Westinghouse fans rotated counter-clockwise while most others rotated clockwise. Yours appears to be a counter-clockwise rotation. I believe that WE fans were manufactured by Robbins and Myers. WE later changed the brand name to Graybar. I have a c 1930 Graybar fan waiting for me in my mother's basement. I spotted it several weeks ago on CL, not far from her house, and she bought it for me.
Larry
Quote from: Doug Rose on April 06, 2012, 09:25:48 AM
Quote from: Brinybay on April 06, 2012, 12:17:12 AM
I wanted to arrange them like this, but Anita wouldn't let me.
Have Anita talk to Janet ??? It is perfect phone storage setup in my humble opinion. I don't think you will miss the card board, but dusting can be a (expletive deleted) ..Doug
First, I'll have to get her more used to old-fashioned phones ringing. Up until now, she was the type that turned off the electronic ringer on her cordless phone. However, she does like the idea of an intercom system when I told her how the Panasonic 308 works.
AE 50's ? You have a box full of AE 50's? Nice looking collection there, BOTH collections!
Litemorn:
Who's comment are you referring to about a box full of AE 50's? I can't see anything about that in any posts. I have boxes of AE 40's and 50's but don't think it was me who said anything about it here?
Terry
Terry,
I was referring to the picture of your boxed phones , on one of your boxes the description is AE 50's as in plural (3rd row from the left, on the bottom). I just thought WOW, a box full of AE 50's (my favorite wall phone).
Ed
Oh I get it now. Actually they are BrinyBay's boxes of phones. I can't help myself either, I read "box of AE 50's" and I have to know where, who, when, why....
AE 50's are one of my fav wall phones too. Another is the AE 183 Space Saver. AE got it right in many instances.
Terry
I remember when Briny had a grand total of TWO old phones. Now look at him!
http://www.classicrotaryphones.com/forum/index.php?topic=669.msg7787#msg7787
Quote from: bingster on April 12, 2012, 04:08:42 AM
I remember when Briny had a grand total of TWO old phones. Now look at him!
http://www.classicrotaryphones.com/forum/index.php?topic=669.msg7787#msg7787
Funny, I was looking at that thread just yesterday! I'm up to around 65 phones now. Here's that 500 now:
It is at least 2 ways of thinking:
Should you have the perfect phone, just like it came from the maker. Put it up to display, and please don't touch!
Or
Should you just clean and repair to a nice condition, having a phone "telling" a story about use, and misuse during a loooong life, and still survived.
dsk
Quote from: d_s_k on September 29, 2012, 04:20:08 AM
It is at least 2 ways of thinking:
Should you have the perfect phone, just like it came from the maker. Put it up to display, and please don't touch!
Or
Should you just clean and repair to a nice condition, having a phone "telling" a story about use, and misuse during a loooong life, and still survived.
dsk
I'm in the second category. I'll clean them up as well as I can, and prefer them to be functioning if at all possible. The most I ever did to a phone to bring it back to life was that 5302 I got for $5 at a yard sale a couple years ago. (http://www.classicrotaryphones.com/forum/index.php?topic=3039.0 (http://www.classicrotaryphones.com/forum/index.php?topic=3039.0))
There are a few that I have that are display only due to their fragility or some other reason, e.g. my avatar for one. The brown 500 will eventually be in a display only mode, simply because of it's rarity, but for now it's ok to use.
My thoughts are, because of the difficulty in establishing ALL ORIGINAL, I fix my phones up with, matching year components, and make them as close to new, as I possibly can. I keep a log of sorts to document components that need to be up[dated because a transmitter may be the wrong date, then if I obtain the proper parts I change it. I keep all of my project phones, in Priority mail boxes, number them, and keep that box number and it's contents detailed in the log. So at any time if I'm looking for a particular item, I can pretty much find it. I will log all of the particulars for that phone. Below is an example of my systems log sheet. I made them up myself.
Example, Say I need to find a C2A Ringer for a 5-52 500, I go to my log book, Photo 1. Then go to my storage area, and get box #28, Photo 2. It took some time, but boy it sure saves more time.
D/P
Briny I am with you on having multiple projects going on at once! Still trying to finish up my green 500 with a turquoise and red 500 next to it in pieces. In addition, I have a couple RCA 75X series radios (one of which is featured in Dial M for Murder). Also, I have 2 princess phones in pieces. And lastly, I have a Telechron Cathedral clock in pieces...
By the way your mahogany 500 looks great!
Quote from: AE40FAN on September 29, 2012, 02:27:42 PM
...
By the way your mahogany 500 looks great!
All I did was use Doug's favorite polish, Avon SSS. It works great on plastic too. I was just going to wipe off the thick coating of dust with a dry rag, but the Avon was sitting right there, so I just put a dab on a micro-fiber cloth and wiped it down. I have to say I like the result.
I have a similar system to Dan/Panther's, only my priority mail boxes are scattered all over the place (or in transit) and I do not keep a log. ::)
I think there is a common thread here.....
Quote from: K1WI on September 30, 2012, 01:36:10 PM
I think there is a common thread here.....
What's that - no wonder USPS is going bankrupt? :)
SACRILEDGE!!!! >:(
I can hear them screaming
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xEvxKlDsp_E
Well hopefully most are recycled USPS boxes rather than new boxes. I've even had the USPS lady complain at me for reusing priority boxes to ship items but it doesn't deter me from reusing and recycling.
Terry
Terry ,
Thanks for pointing that out , mine are all recycled boxes. I too was informed that USPS issued boxes should not be reused as there is a chance previous labels , tape ,etc could cause a problem.
Andy F K1WI
For what it's worth, I use 10x8x6 corrugated cardboard boxes that I buy locally at $0.39 each in quantities of 25 (or $19.50 for 50) for storage only.
Great for 500s and 302s Princess, Trimline and even 554s if laid on edge. Too small for phones with subsets.
I've found this size box is big enough for the phone with the handset wrapped separately, in a clean cotton cloth, and placed next to the phone. The box is small so it takes up less room but it's strong enough so they can be stacked 6 to 8 high without any crushing of the bottom boxes.
http://www.browncor.com/product/B14488.htm - and there is probably an equivalent source in every city.
They are rated for up to 65 pounds and have an edge crush rating of 32 pounds per inch.
I wouldn't use them for shipping (too small) but they are great for storage.
And the best part, I don't have to enter a USPS office, ever. A duty when I absolutely must I find highly disturbing. No exceptions, ever. Grumpy, if not hostile, counter people all of the time. And too few of them, every time
I do keep the USPS boxes that are shipped to me but use them only when I have to, usually for wire and parts storage. I can get away with this because I am not an eBay seller, yet.
The boxes I have been using were HMR entrees that I used to buy by the case locally, and also retrieved some boxes out of their recycle bin. I no longer eat those and the place that sold them shut down. They would hold two 500-type phones wrapped in bubble wrap if I placed them on their side.
Based on input here, I tried a couple of recycled large flat rate USPS boxes as I was boxing some up. They work much better because I can place two phones side-by-side flat. Anita had some old pillow cases she was going to take to Goodwill, so I fetched a couple and found that they have enough material to put the phone inside and wrap the excess around the handset.
I don't go to the extent of documenting all the parts, I'm not that concerned about it, but I make a note or two on the box itself if need be, e.g. my Beehive phone is labeled "Busted Beehive".
When I worked installing Payphones I kept lots of the heavy duty double wall cardboard boxes that they came in. They are extra strong and have good handles cut into each end. They hold quite a number of phones so they mainly have my duplicates in them sorted by type.
Terry
Good Afternoon!
I have followed this thread with great interest, since we all have this issue to contend with, at some level.
I wanted to replicate Dan / Panther's Phone Collection Log Sheet, not just for myself, but for anybody on the CRPF that is interested in a higher level of organizing.
Dan / Panther's kindly given me his permission, and assistance in the form of a .jpg, so here is the prototype for your consideration. I saved it in Rich Text File, which is a fairly universal format, opened readily by most word processors.
If anybody can't open it as a .rtf, please let me know. I have also saved it in MS Office / Word (.doc), and .pdf. formats as well. Just didn't want to post them until you all had a look at it, and any needed revision was done.
Constructive feedback is welcomed.
Best regards!
Hey, another list (and form) guy on the forum! I never work on my phones cause I'm too busy working on lists! Looks good.
The blank line disappeared between Xmitter cap date and Xmitter date. The fourth rcvr cap item is probably supposed to be just receiver (capsule) date not Rcvr Cap Date. Just fine tuning stuff.
Terry
Quote from: HobieSport on December 29, 2009, 11:21:05 AM
Quote from: AtomicEraTom
Effective, but no fun! You can't sit on your couch and look at them then!!
Not at all, Tom ol' pal. There is a seven foot shelf above the window above my desk right at the front of the trailer where I can display some of my favorite phones that can be viewed quite well.
Ya gotta remember that I'm livin' in a trailer with 60 resident phones. Right now for example, before my boxes arrive, I have 20 lineal feet of shelving in my upper kitchen cabinets, which is really valuable storage space for my small scale living abode, and all those shelves are currently full of 1950s WE 500s, set tightly side by side. When they are in boxes, they can be neatly stacked in my back utility room and take up much less valuable space. 8)
I'm sure you could pick up a old second trailer cheep. Then it would be a retro place to put your retro phones.
Ben
Quote from: AE_Collector on January 06, 2013, 02:49:51 PM
Hey, another list (and form) guy on the forum! I never work on my phones cause I'm too busy working on lists! Looks good.
The blank line disappeared between Xmitter cap date and Xmitter date. The fourth rcvr cap item is probably supposed to be just receiver (capsule) date not Rcvr Cap Date. Just fine tuning stuff.
Terry
Terry,
Thanks for both the kind words of encouragement, and assisting with a pair of additional eyes. I must have fat-fingered something between V.1.00.00, and .01.
Despite being able to type at 50-60 wpm, the H&P of creating a document, or editing graphics sometimes seems to slay my accuracy. ;)
Based upon your observations, the revised version has been posted, prior to this response. As D/P told me, I just wanted this to help others, so please keep the input coming, and I'll keep the fine-tuning going on.
Best regards!
Form designing is always fun (PITA!) Now on my computer opening it with MSWord the "Dial Number/Color Code" has rolled to the next line and near the bottom where obtained has developed a space rolling it over a line!
Another Rum & Coke and it should be good! Keep up the good work.
Terry
Terry,
Thanks, once again!
Fascinating. Maybe if I had a Rum and Coke, it would help! ::). Let me take a look, and see what I can do. I'm using Open Office 3.xx, so it might be a formatting difference there between the two.
Hope all is as warm as possible there in BC. 37F here, and sunny;rare for this time of year.
Best regards!
Terrence
Terry,
Here's what my WP shows, via screen capture:
What version of MS Word do you have? It might be a difference between the two, best guess.
Now, where did I put that Rum? ???
Terry,
Here's the other end of the document: Like you said...PITA...
The only thing that might be more fun than that, is cross-platform form design! ;)
Keep up the good work, and thanks for your help.
Terrence
I am using Word 2010 but who knows what goes on inside the computer. Click on the P of Price and do a backspace. There is something there throwing a space like a tab in that spot. Do the same at the "D" in "Dial #/Color Code" but it is probably just a single space too wide there.
Terry
Terry,
Thanks for the help. I did as you advised, here is the updated version: (.03). Let me know how that works for you.
I appreciate your being my field tester. My guess is that it is simply a difference between the default margin / tab settings... I haven't changed mine since installation, and perhaps you either. Somebody decided where they should be. Two different somebodies, perhaps. ;)
Best regards!
Terrence
Perfect, that fixed everything up. Who knows if it will work properly for other people but it looks good here using MS Word 2010.
I cut and pasted it in below and surprisingly it looks the same here on the forum other than the bottom few blank writing spaces
where the lines go crazy in length but that is typical as well. I think # of holes in cap and plunger Material are supposed to be two
seperate lines aren't they?
Terry
Phone Collection Log
Make of telephone_______________________________ Box #__________.
Model number._______________. Type: Desk, wall?___________________.
Base date.____________________. Network date_____________________.
Dial date.___________________. Dial Number/Color Code____________.
Finger wheel material._______________. Center style_________________.
Feet style_________ Riveted______ Screwed______ Material___________.
Case color___________.Case date___________. Case material___________.
Ringer type._____________________. Ringer date____________________.
Dial gasket, Yes_______. No_______. Color_________________________.
Handset model__________________. Handset color___________________.
Handset material_____________________.
Xmitter cap date.________________. Xmitter cap color________________.
Xmitter cap material_________________ Xmitter date_________________.
Receiver cap date_______________. Receiver cap color________________.
Receiver cap material.________________ Receiver date________________.
# holes in receiver cap___________.
Plunger material________________.
Hand cord type______________________.Length_____________________.
Color______________. Date______________. Condition_______________.
Line cord type_______________________. Length____________________.
Color_______________. Date_____________. Condition_______________.
Overall Condition_______________________________________________.
Where obtained__________________________________. Price_________.
Special notes __________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________.
Quote from: AE_Collector on January 06, 2013, 07:12:49 PM
Perfect, that fixed everything up. Who knows if it will work properly for other people but it looks good here using MS Word 2010.
I cut and pasted it in below and surprisingly it looks the same here on the forum other than the bottom few blank writing spaces
where the lines go crazy in length but that is typical as well. I think # of holes in cap and plunger Material are supposed to be two
seperate lines aren't they?
Terry
Terry,
Yes the two aforementioned fields are on separate lines, originally. I'm not sure why the lines after 'Special Notes' are going wonky..., could be that the default margin settings are yet again different for the Forum, but as long as it gives us a starting point here, I'm pleased.
There are some ideas / additional fields that I feel could be useful, and I will toss those out for consideration.
Once again, I want to thank Dan / Panther for not only the original idea, but his permission and cooperation on this project.
Best regards!
Terrence
I find that spaces or tabs / underscores don't seem to have any assigned width and when many are used like in this document to make a line, it always goes crazy! I have the same problem in my "AE base Code Survey" topic as well.
http://www.classicrotaryphones.com/forum/index.php?topic=5514.0
Terry
Terry,
Thanks, once again for your assistance, and encouragement!
I worked in actual lead-type, handset letterpress printing, and at that time, there was an 'm' space, 'n' space, 'i' space, and a multitude of shims and spacers. Nothing like proofreading upside down, and backwards, with a deadline, and your job on the line.
Then, set up the chase, blocking, tighten the quoins just so, shim the tympan for best press. Repeat as needed.
Best regards!
Terrence
By the way, I shall try to get off me arse, pop the top on my AE40, and contribute to your database-gathering.
First off, Dan thanks for the log idea. Second, USPS doesn't want you to reuse boxes? On every box they have they want you to recycle their boxes. Isn't that recycling? I guess they would really get upset if I used stamps on their boxes. Jim
Quote from: m1898 on December 10, 2013, 11:17:42 PM
First off, Dan thanks for the log idea. Second, USPS doesn't want you to reuse boxes? On every box they have they want you to recycle their boxes. Isn't that recycling? I guess they would really get upset if I used stamps on their boxes. Jim
I've reused various sizes of their boxes for shipping several times, they've never complained. I just make sure the labels and markings from the previous shipping are removed or covered up.
USPS doesn't know if you use them at your house, appartment or what ever . I don't understand why they are upset ! recyling them for many purposes, its okay. I already used some when I moved and by chance USPS was a neighbour and the truck driver saw me and said nothing probably Some are too much zeal
:D.
Quote from: Contempra on December 11, 2013, 09:09:19 AM
USPS doesn't know if you use them at your house, appartment or what ever . I don't understand why they are upset ! recyling them for many purposes, its okay. I already used some when I moved and by chance USPS was a neighbour and the truck driver saw me and said nothing probably Some are too much zeal
:D.
Quote from: K1WI on September 30, 2012, 04:18:00 PM
Terry ,
Thanks for pointing that out , mine are all recycled boxes. I too was informed that USPS issued boxes should not be reused as there is a chance previous labels , tape ,etc could cause a problem.
Andy F K1WI
Their concern is reusing them for shipping for the reasons Andy pointed out, but personally I don't hesitate to reuse them for shipping as long as they're clean and all the previous markings and labels are covered or removed. As far as using them for purposes other than intended (e.g. free storage boxes), there's nothing they can really do about that.
Exactly Brinybay.