AECo "Monophone Tool"

[AE_Collector]

So the book  "A History of GTE" implies that the "American Electric" company was put together by Theodore Gary in 1926. Does anyone have any information that shows that American Electric existed before then?

Ken: Is there a date on that American Electric bulletin? I would assume that the "Monophone Tool" wasn't designed until around 1926 or later as there wasn't a phone that had any use for it until then that I can think of. The AE 1A (1926) was the first to use the type 38 handset and probably the first use of that type of plunger switch as well.

Terry

[stub]

Terry,
         The one I have here is from 1929. Is this the same Am. Electric Telephone Co. that Telephone Archives made a note that was formed in 1894 ?  I'm lost as a goose here!   stub

[AE_Collector]

I'm not sure Ken. What did Telephone Archives have to say? I would assume that there was only one American Electric.

Maybe the wording in the GTE History book wasn't as good as it could have been. Possibly the Gary Group bought it up rather than "putting it together".

Terry

[stub]

Terry,   
         I meant to put the link in but forgot- -  http://tinyurl.com/8594lo3
I don't know where they got this info.
                                                           stub

[AE_Collector]

That certainly looks like a Candlestick that would predate 1926. Ed Gerson contributed the picture so maybe he supplied the American Electric info as well. I would say that it appears that American Electric existed before AECo bought it.

Terry

[DavePEI]

AE Co. Monophone Tool

This tool provides the same function as the original AE tool and is used to remove the nut holding the Monophone name plate in position on the cradle of many Monophone models.  The tool can also be used for loosening the bushing in the Type 38 Monophone handset for the purpose of changing the angle of the receiver cap.  The original tool can also be used as a gauge when adjusting the springs of the switch with the collapsible plunger, but just how this is accomplished is not evident.

In case you want to acquire this item for the reduced TCI members only price of only $29.95 please send an e-mail to gdgoff@gmail.com.
Non Member price: $34.95

Non Members of TCI may order at:
http://www.telephonecollectors.org/store/store.htm

Dave

[Doug Rose]

Ain't Nothin' like the real thing. It is useful but not the real deal. I collect all the old tools as I have been a tech for over 35 years.  I wish it was made more like the original....Doug

[DavePEI]

Ain't Nothin' like the real thing. It is useful but not the real deal. I collect all the old tools as I have been a tech for over 35 years.  I wish it was made more like the original....Doug

I have to agree with you  - I am fortunate enough to have eventually found an original. But they are as scarce as Hens Teeth, and this will do the job.

The thing is, I have been told by several machinists, as I was looking into getting exact originals made, the cost of manufacture of original style tools could cost 5 times as much as making these.

That is why the compromise design.

Meanwhile, these will do everything the originals would.

Dave

[teka-bb]

Yes, Dave is right. Making it look like the original would have been way too expensive and no one would probably buy it.

Over half of the 12 are already sold so order one now!

[teka-bb]

Just learned that there are only 2 available while I write this...

[kleenax]

Ain't Nothin' like the real thing. It is useful but not the real deal. I collect all the old tools as I have been a tech for over 35 years.  I wish it was made more like the original....Doug

I have to agree with you  - I am fortunate enough to have eventually found an original. But they are as scarce as Hens Teeth, and this will do the job.

The thing is, I have been told by several machinists, as I was looking into getting exact originals made, the cost of manufacture of original style tools could cost 5 times as much as making these.

That is why the compromise design.

Meanwhile, these will do everything the originals would.

Dave

I don't agree with you guys at all    I REALLY like the "new style" that GGoff had made. You can get a lot more torque on the new tool with much less effort than with the original, and the new design is a lot easier to hold onto.

[DavePEI]

I don't agree with you guys at all    I REALLY like the "new style" that GGoff had made. You can get a lot more torque on the new tool with much less effort than with the original, and the new design is a lot easier to hold onto.

I never said they wouldn't work just as well as the originals - in fact, I backed up the fact they would work just as well.

However, being a tool collector, to me, there is a value to having an original. But for someone who just needs it to use, these will do perfectly.

Dave

[teka-bb]

BTW they are SOLD OUT!!!

We may order another batch. We will let you know.

[DavePEI]

BTW they are SOLD OUT!!!

We may order another batch. We will let you know.

Figured they wouldn't last long! Proves how much in demand they are!

Dave

[teka-bb]

In case you weren't lucky enough to be able to buy one of these:

We will be ordering more of them.

Please contact Gary or me in case you would like one so we can get an idea about how many to reorder.