What Diameter is a B1 Base?

[George Knighton]

I was able to purchase recently a little phone desk of the 1900-1910 era that I'd been watching for a while.

But I don't own any phones for which it was designed, and I have a dumb question, the answer for which I've been having difficulty finding on the Web.

The desk has a movable stand for some kind of phone.  It is felt covered and seems to be designed to hold a device with a round base and a diameter in the 5 1/2 to 5 3/4 inch range.

What's it designed for? 

What's the diameter of a 51AL, or a B1 ?

Thanks very much for any help you can provide.

[George Knighton]

Here is a view showing the adjustable, felt covered base.

.

[LarryInMichigan]

The diameters of WE candlestick and B1 bases are about 5 3/8"

Larry

[Sargeguy]

Those were designed with candlesticks in mind.  Since you usually needed two hands to operate a desk stand (unless you wanted to lean into it or had it on a shelf level with your mouth), this set-up would enable you to keep one hand free while talking so that you could write, etc.  The arm would swing the phone over so you could talk and swing out of the way when done.  With a B-1 and other desk sets, you only need one hand so there is less reason to move the phone's base since you are talking into the handset.

[cihensley@aol.com]

George - looks like a nice piece of furniture.

Chuck

[George Knighton]

Thank you, friends.

And now the search begins for my first candlestick....  :-)

[southernphoneman]

good luck to george knighton on his candlestick phone search,sooner or later i will begin my search for one, when i have the budget for one.

[LarryInMichigan]

If you are not particular, non-dial Kellogg candlesticks tend to be the least expensive.  Some have inductor coils in the base.  I have one which I was able to turn into a working F118 (without a ringer) with the addition of a capacitor from Radio Shack (which easily fit into the base).


Larry

[George Knighton]

If you are not particular, non-dial Kellogg candlesticks tend to be the least expensive.  Some have inductor coils in the base.  I have one which I was able to turn into a working F118 (without a ringer) with the addition of a capacitor from Radio Shack (which easily fit into the base).


Larry

... non-dial Kellogg candlesticks tend to be the least expensive. 

I have a feeling that "least expensive" is not in the cards for this.  :-(

This is my first foray into candlestick territory, but so far I'd say it's likely I'll be out a pretty penny to get what I want.

I think I want a fully functional and good looking 51AL that works the way it's supposed to work, i.e., with a subset, whether the subset is OEM or a covered 302 I don't care.

But...I'm just learning about them right now and don't know a darned thing.

[poplar1]

George, a desk stand marked 151AL will work better with a 302 base or other anti-sidetone subset.

[Sargeguy]

What's you budget?  Manual sticks can be had for about 1/2 what a dial stick sells for.  If you want a Western Electric you will want to look for a 20-AL or 20-PC, they are the entry level models.  I prefer the nickel finished 20-PC, finding a 20-AL that has original paint in good condition can be surprisingly difficult, and painting them is a pain.

[LarryInMichigan]

This might be a good time to mention the old warning about fakes.  Many of the "WE" candlesticks for sale are Asian-made replicas.

Larry

[southernphoneman]

very good point larry,those fakes or repros as they are called,are one of my biggest pet peeves.

[George Knighton]

What's you budget? 

I'm not sure there is a budget.  It depends on what the item is.  I want something that can actually be used, and I want something that works the way that it was designed, with a subset network and ringer, even if the transmitter has been replaced for better clarity, and even if it's just a 302 subset instead of the original.  I have 302 bases all over, so it'd be perfectly acceptable to get one that is in great shape except for needing a subset, of course.

I bid on this and lost by $10.00, if that helps:  http://tinyurl.com/blr9emv

I was surprised it went for that much, and the seller's presentation of the sale probably had a lot to do with it.  Whoever's selling it did a really good job with the advertising.

[poplar1]

If paying $200 or more, it should at least have a #2A dial. This one does not.