#5H Dial

[bigdaddylove]

Currently, I have three different WE phones. All of them have a 5H dial, but all three sound different.

The 302 is the most quiet and I know it has the plastic cam. It is from around 1948.

The 211 is louder and is from around 1941.

The D1 is the very loudest. In fact, I thought it was a #4 at first since it is pretty clickity-clackity. But once I got the phone taken apart, I noticed it was a 5H built in 1935 but refurbed in 1950.

Is it normal to have the same model dial make three different sounds? I am taking into consideration that they are housed differently. However, that should not make such a difference.

Thanks!

[Stephen Furley]

I can't speak for WE No. 5 dials because I don't have one, but I've got two No. 4 which sound somewhat different.  there seems to be less difference between AE ones of the same model.  On my GPO 'phones there is a huge difference between dials of the same type, mainly on the later models as used in the 706, less so with the No. 10 and 12 used in candlesticks and Bakelite models.

[Bill]

In at least some of thos phones, the dial was originally mounted on a rubber gasket, probably to make it quieter. It is common for this gasket to be missing. It is also possible that the mounting screws have been torqued down so tightly that the rubber is highly compressed and no longer dampens the sound. Don't know if that is the full answer, but maybe part of it.

Bill

[Sargeguy]

I have a few that sound different even out of the phone.  I think older ones tend to be louder.

[Doug Rose]

Currently, I have three different WE phones. All of them have a 5H dial, but all three sound different.

The 302 is the most quiet and I know it has the plastic cam. It is from around 1948.

The 211 is louder and is from around 1941.

The D1 is the very loudest. In fact, I thought it was a #4 at first since it is pretty clickity-clackity. But once I got the phone taken apart, I noticed it was a 5H built in 1935 but refurbed in 1950.

Is it normal to have the same model dial make three different sounds? I am taking into consideration that they are housed differently. However, that should not make such a difference.

Thanks!

Please post a picture of the 1935 5H. I always thought the 5H was made in the beginning of 1937. The early '37 302s came with a 4H later to be replace with the early 37 5H. A '35 5H would be a real nice find....Doug

[rdelius]

I think I have seen an early #5 dial that had the same gearing as a #4 .It did not sound like a#5
Robby

[bigdaddylove]

 rdelius, I think that is what I have. Although it is a 5H, the back looks more like a 4 than a 5. The big difference is that this 5 doesn't have the "matchstick" (that's what I call it) ratchet thingy.

I

[Doug Rose]

Currently, I have three different WE phones. All of them have a 5H dial, but all three sound different.

The 302 is the most quiet and I know it has the plastic cam. It is from around 1948.

The 211 is louder and is from around 1941.

The D1 is the very loudest. In fact, I thought it was a #4 at first since it is pretty clickity-clackity. But once I got the phone taken apart, I noticed it was a 5H built in 1935 but refurbed in 1950.

Is it normal to have the same model dial make three different sounds? I am taking into consideration that they are housed differently. However, that should not make such a difference.

Thanks!

Please post a picture of the 1935 5H. I always thought the 5H was made in the beginning of 1937. The early '37 302s came with a 4H later to be replace with the early 37 5H. A '35 5H would be a real nice find....Doug

Any chance you could post a picture of the 1935 5H dial? I would appreciate it..Doug

[bigdaddylove]

Here ya go...

[bigdaddylove]

Here is a .wav file (should be able to play on most computers) of two different 5H dials.

http://tinyurl.com/3testyr

The first is a 1941 WE 211; the second is a 1937 D1.

BDL

[Dennis Markham]

That second one sure sounds like a #4 dial....much different than the first.  I don't think I've ever run across a #5 that sounded like that.

[Wallphone]

It looks like you will need to straighten both pulse springs/contacts. They should be normally closed when at rest. Thanks for the pics.
Doug Pav

[bigdaddylove]

I noticed that as well and at times it would short out. I am planning to send the dial to Steve in TX for a refurb since I didn't want to muck with it and make matters worse.
I am finally learning that lesson after 40 some odd years. 

Thanks!

[Doug Rose]

Here ya go...

its is a third quarter 1937 and will sound like a 4H. Unfortunately not from 1935. This were on the first runs of the 302s after the 4Hs. Real nice dial..Doug

[bigdaddylove]

At first, I didn't understand why people were assuming my 5H was from '35.  Then, I noticed that in my original post I said it was from '35.  I meant to say the D1 body was from '35.  Sorry about the confusion.