Classic Rotary Phones Forum

Telephone Talk => Candlestick Phones => Topic started by: RB on March 13, 2018, 08:44:26 AM

Title: WE 40-AL Sidetone Candlestick - need a base and info
Post by: RB on March 13, 2018, 08:44:26 AM
Hi
I got this candle on ebay.
got the rec from oldphoneworks
Replaced the transmitter with a T1. old one was toast.
Connected to a 315H. I hope they will be compatible.
It works, but volume is low in rec.
Question: is there anybody that sells the base plate for WE candles?
Or even a used one, home made one, not a problem, this is kludged together anyway.
But, it is a candle!
mouth piece is coming, almost there...i can feel it!
can anyone tell me why it has a chrome xmitter, and the rest is black?
Thanks
Title: Re: AE -40 sidetone candle. need a base, and info
Post by: LarryInMichigan on March 13, 2018, 12:01:24 PM
There are many repro bases which are made to fit this and other models around.  One should not be especially difficult to find, but I don't have any spares.

Larry
Title: Re: AE -40 sidetone candle. need a base, and info
Post by: RB on March 13, 2018, 01:50:40 PM
Thanks for the reply Larry!
will keep an eye out for one.
Title: Re: AE -40 sidetone candle. need a base, and info
Post by: Sargeguy on March 13, 2018, 02:52:50 PM
An original base plate should not be too hard to find.  The bigger problem appears to be your base itself looks like it is dented.
Title: Re: AE -40 sidetone candle. need a base, and info
Post by: RB on March 13, 2018, 03:13:21 PM
Yup...dented, bented, and lemented...
I found an original, for $40. :(
I think I can make one for about $4... ;)
gonna go that rout.
Title: Re: AE -40 sidetone candle. need a base, and info
Post by: Sargeguy on March 13, 2018, 04:44:34 PM
I have extra bases if you need one, I don't think I have any base plates to spare. I can check. 
Title: Re: AE -40 sidetone candle. need a base, and info
Post by: poplar1 on March 13, 2018, 06:41:53 PM
This is WE (Western Electric), not AE (Automatic Electric). What is the part number on the transmitter? Some early 20-ALs were black with nickel plated transmitters.

This looks like a 40-AL (1915 patent dates) that has been repainted black. It should have the Bower-Barf finish on the base and shaft.
Title: Re: AE -40 sidetone candle. need a base, and info
Post by: Doug Rose on March 13, 2018, 07:29:05 PM
this will fit your WE stick....Doug


https://boston.craigslist.org/bmw/atq/d/western-electric-manual/6529752827.html ( dead link 04-22-21 )
Title: Re: AE -40 sidetone candle. need a base, and info
Post by: Sargeguy on March 13, 2018, 11:34:34 PM
The 40 must refer to 40-AL and a look at the patent dates shows that to be the case.  This phone has been repainted and would have had the Bower-Barf finish originally.
Title: Re: AE -40 sidetone candle. need a base, and info
Post by: RB on March 14, 2018, 09:13:46 AM
HI poplar1 and sargeguy.
you are right about it being WE not AE, my bad. relying on my...uh??? memory... ???
Should not do that...
it is a 40AL, stamped on perch. that's what threw me.
what was a "Barf" finish? sounds weird.
it has been painted/repainted/touched up.
has some rust under the black on base. tough thing, heavy too.
The transmitter is chrome. don't know if orig or not??
The hook switch, and the housing is all that was usable. I had to replace/create the rest.
I will get the correct numbers off xmitter etc tonite.
Doug, thanks for the link
Title: Re: AE -40 sidetone candle. need a base, and info
Post by: poplar1 on March 14, 2018, 03:39:04 PM
I can probably furnish a baseplate if you still need one.
Title: Re: AE -40 sidetone candle. need a base, and info
Post by: HarrySmith on March 14, 2018, 04:31:32 PM
The original finish on these candlesticks was called Bower-Barf. It was a toxic substance that has since been banned. It contained asphalt and other nasty stuff. Google can give you more info if desired.
Title: Re: AE -40 sidetone candle. need a base, and info
Post by: RB on March 14, 2018, 04:47:55 PM
Quote from: HarrySmith on March 14, 2018, 04:31:32 PM
The original finish on these candlesticks was called Bower-Barf. It was a toxic substance that has since been banned. It contained asphalt and other nasty stuff. Google can give you more info if desired.
Nice! will my hair fall out if I lick it?
Maybe that splains the "BARF" part? lol
Title: Re: AE -40 sidetone candle. need a base, and info
Post by: Haf on March 14, 2018, 06:45:36 PM
Found on the net:

Bower-Barf is a black rust-resisting finish applied to steel and iron only and is not applicable to non-ferrous metals. It is named after two men, Mr. Bower and Mr. Barf, who originally developed the process.

Iron or steel items to be finished are heated in special furnaces to approximately 1700 degrees Fahrenheit, at which temperature they are cherry red in color. While at this temperature, live steam and volatile hydrocarbon liquids are injected in to the furnace for a period of several minutes. The chemical action of the heat, water-vapor and hydrocarbon gases on the iron and steel is such that the surface of the items being treated become oxidized and carbonized. The surface becomes covered and impregnated with a hard, non-porous, grayish-blackish coating. The surface with this treatment practically becomes impervious to moisture. After parts are removed they are dipped in a special oil and wiped off. The finish becomes a dead black and is extremely beautiful and very practical for interior use.

Well, some names are quite annoying but you can't choose ;)

Haf
Title: Re: AE -40 sidetone candle. need a base, and info
Post by: Doug Rose on March 14, 2018, 08:00:30 PM
Haf.....all the Bower-Barf finishes I have seen are grey. The 40AL is a steel base and shaft....Doug
Title: Re: AE -40 sidetone candle. need a base, and info
Post by: Haf on March 14, 2018, 08:05:38 PM
Doug

maybe if you skip the dipping in oil they remain grayish-blackish.

Haf
Title: Re: WE 40-AL Sidetone Candlestick - need a base and info
Post by: RB on March 15, 2018, 09:51:50 AM
The xmitter is...???...was a 323W originally.
thats what is on the banana plate.
And, I guess this thing is nickle.
but it looks like chrome. very shiny.
I got the mouth piece last nite! woo hoo, complete phone! happy dance...
it will not thread on to the xmitter :(
It appears, someplace in its life, this xmitter got the s#!t banged out of the threads.bummer.
need a new plan to attach the mouthpiece.
question:
were these 40al sticks supposed to be Common batt?
if so, I need to use it that way.
No prob...I have built a CB switchboard also. ;)
Title: Re: WE 40-AL Sidetone Candlestick - need a base and info
Post by: poplar1 on March 15, 2018, 11:45:17 AM
40-AL can be used with a sidetone common battery subset (295A, 534A, 584A, etc.); or a local battery subset (315H, 300K, etc.)
Title: Re: WE 40-AL Sidetone Candlestick - need a base and info
Post by: RB on March 15, 2018, 01:27:00 PM
too cool! I have it on a 315H
Only thing Is, with the mag config, you only get about 25-30 volts out of it.
and thats with crankin the dog s#!t out of it! lol.
I thot it was dead the first time i tried it.
my switchboard station relays trip at 24vac, I wonder what the application was for this one?
Thanks poplar1!