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Beautiful AE34 - smashed in Shipping :(

Started by Dave F, October 22, 2010, 11:05:25 PM

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AE_Collector

#15
Quote from: Dave F on October 23, 2010, 02:47:02 PM

It might be possible to put the large pieces back together, but some sort of epoxy would be needed to fill in the misc gaps and cracks.  If so, then the case could be painted, and at least there would be some sort of evidence for this rare variety.  Don't worry, I'm not going to throw it into the trash!  I didn't realize that 34s were that uncommon. If you only have two, they can't be very easy to find.  Packed away somewhere I have one more AE34.  I haven't seen it in years but, as I recall, it is a non-dial set and is in pretty good condition.  Maybe I should try to dig it out and take some pictures.

Dave:

AE 34's were only made for about 5 years from 1934 to 1939 or so. But there almost always seems to be one on ebaY at any given time so they are not real difficult to find. However, the built in lift is pretty rare. I have always assumed that it was an idea they were playing with right at the time that the AE 40 replaced to 34. The inital AE 40's didn't have a lift bar either.

I have done VERY little restoration work but others have done all sorts of work with epoxies to fill cracks in bakelite. It probably wouldn't be perfect but miracles are possible. The missing pieces of the side vents would likely be the biggest problem.

That is a version of the AE 34 that I would like to have in my collection. I could trade you one of my two much less damaged 34's for it as is.

Terry

Dave F

Quote from: ae_collector on October 23, 2010, 03:01:36 PM
Dave:

That is a version of the AE 34 that I would like to have in my collection. I could trade you one of my two much less damaged 34's for it as is.

Terry

Terry,

I might think about trading it sometime down the line, but it could make a good experimental restoration project for me, so for now I will hang onto it.

Dave

Adam

And by the way, why does this phone have a button in the middle of the cradle?  Is that the switch hook?  If it is, why isn't the switch hook in either side of the cradle where it normally is?  There seem to be round button holes there but no buttons sticking up...
Adam Forrest
Los Angeles Telephone - A proud part of the global C*Net System
C*Net 1-383-4820

LarryInMichigan

Dave,

If you can restore this phone, you will be able restore anything, and we will all want to know how you did it or to restore our phones.  if you want to give up on it though, I could use an AE34 ringer, and condenser as well.


Masstel,

The hook switch plunger for the AE34 is in the middle of the cradle like it is for most of the 1930s phones.  Why there are round markings between each pair of cradle ears where one might expect plungers to be, I do not know.  On my AE34, those round marks are simple impressions in solid bakelite.  There are no holes for plungers there.  It could be that the molds were made to allow holes to be added at a later date.


Larry

Adam

Fascinating.  (As Mr. Spock would say, were he into vintage Terran communication instruments.)

Thanks.
Adam Forrest
Los Angeles Telephone - A proud part of the global C*Net System
C*Net 1-383-4820

Dave F

Quote from: LarryInMichigan on October 23, 2010, 10:14:40 PM
Dave,

If you can restore this phone, you will be able restore anything, and we will all want to know how you did it or to restore our phones.

Larry

I think it basically comes down to a little skill and a whole lot of time and determination (epoxy, sanding, more epoxy, more sanding...etc.)  When you see some of the amazing things that the movie prop people manage to put together, it seems that almost anything is possible.  I'll add this project to my to-do list.

Phonesrfun

You could always spend some money and pimp it out with a Ray Kotke cover.  No harm, no foul.  A new body, and a beautiful phone.  You can always re-do the broken one at your leisure.  (I don't work for or represent Ray in any way, but I have seen and used his reproduction covers, and they are good.)
-Bill G

Doug Rose

Dave...is is a darn shame to see a beautiful phone end up like this. I am curious, you received this, and Ivory 305 and what else? This looked like one hell of an auction. I do agree, have Ray make you a clear Cover and you will be thrilled. Just a thought....Doug
Kidphone

AE_Collector

I don't think that I have seen a 34 made by Ray yet. Or am I wrong?

I think it is a ton of work to make the molds so he has to plan on making quite a number of cases of a particular type to make it worth while.

Terry

paul-f

Quote from: ae_collector on October 24, 2010, 01:55:59 PM
I don't think that I have seen a 34 made by Ray yet. Or am I wrong?
Terry

I can't speak for whether you've seen one.  Check out his site to see photos.
  http://www.telephonecreations.com/
Visit: paul-f.com         WE  500  Design_Line

.

Phonesrfun

I thought he had done an AE 34.  I have never seen one of those, but I have a couple of subset covers made by Ray.  Oh well, if he doesn't do a 34 then I guess it's back to square one.  It seems like a 34 would be a great one for Ray to make.
-Bill G

LarryInMichigan

Ray has two pictures of AE34s on his webpage.

Larry

AE_Collector

Quote from: paul-f on October 24, 2010, 02:15:34 PM
I can't speak for whether you've seen one.  Check out his site to see photos.
  http://www.telephonecreations.com/

Yup, I stand corrected. I knew he had done AE 1A's, 40's and 50's but hadn't seen any 34's (or 35's).

Terry

phone-sweep

Hello, all - my first post here.

Very interesting phone you have here - it is tragic how some ebayers "pack".  Can't tell you how many times this has happened to me (or the other dealie where imperfections - cracks, chips, etc. - are not shown or conveniently left out of the listing pictures).

Would love to see a pic or two of the grab area in back.....

Something different about your ringer..  I believe the bells should be upside down, not "cup up".  The ringer in 34's was unusual in that it was kind of at a 45ยบ.  Like this:

http://www.planetcasemod.com/Phones/AE34/C/insides1.jpg

Like Terry suggested, use a strap wrench on the handset caps - preferrably rubber.  "Grab" the bands.... these are the parts that unscrew.  In the past, on tough ones,  I've had to put the handle in a vise (with blocks of wood in the jaws) so I could get a good grip.  If it still didn't want to budge, I've used a bit of penetrating oil in the crack between handle and band.  Let it soak in for a bit and try again.   Unfortunately, sometimes the spitcup is "welded" to the band and you end up breaking a small centering tab on the spitcup.  Not a major deal as the tab is internal and not visible and the spitcup can always be manually centered before tightening the next time.

I have some ideas for restoring your bakelite if you're interested but I'm a bit pressed for time at the moment.  Do you have all the little vent slots bars?   

Doug Rose

#29
Barry...welcome to the Forum. I watch your auctions all the time. You do positively outstanding work. Don't be a stranger, this is really a fun place....Doug
Kidphone