Restoring a WECo white 500U

HarrySmith · January 19, 2011, 06:09:29 PM

Yes, I have come across a few where everything else was fine except the corners, and I have also obseved the leather feet do not have that problem.

Craig T · January 19, 2011, 07:52:10 PM

Another beauty in the works, nice selection Chuck!

Dennis Markham · January 19, 2011, 08:03:37 PM

Chuck, if you were so inclined, I'll bet Dennis Hallworth could put leather feet on there for you. Although I believe the leather foot pads were discontinued about August of 1958 there may have still been some around in October of that year. You might have to send a donor base with this one so he has the necessary parts. You could remove the Neoprene pads before shipping it to him and clean the base up a bit.

I've had him recover leather pads on a 500 before and they turn out beautifully.

HarrySmith · January 19, 2011, 08:13:58 PM

I was thinking the same thing! I you have a scrap base with screw on leather feet simply send him the feet. While he is recovering them you can clean up the base.

Dennis Markham · January 19, 2011, 08:20:09 PM

Harry, you wouldn't want screw on leather feet. Those are for the 300 series phones. The 500 feet are riveted in place.

oldphon · January 20, 2011, 03:31:59 PM

I think the effects of the neoprene feet are also determined by moisture level in storage. I think they may actually harbor moisture, and not allow it to dry. I was looking at a set last weekend that had gotten damp, and it was now completely dry, except for the feet which seemed to be weeping a brown liquid.

cihensley@aol.com · January 20, 2011, 03:59:53 PM

The comments seem to indicate the rubber feet are causing a problem. I will Remove them from The 500U base. Using some tips from Jorge I will restore the base. Then I will send the base to Dennis with four leather feet from an old 500 base (I think I have one) for re-covering and riveting to the 500U base.

Chuck

cihensley@aol.com · January 21, 2011, 04:03:06 PM

Here is the base of the 500U with the rived rubber feet removed. The rust is more prevalent on the metal underneath where the feet were. This seems to match the contention of some Forum members that the rubber feet are the source of the rust. I found leather feet on the base of a 1-55 white 500 in my junk boxes. After I restore the 500U base I will send it with the leather feet to Dennis for re-covering and mounting.

Chuck

cihensley@aol.com · February 01, 2011, 01:51:28 PM

Here is the restored white 500U. Not fully white white as discussed in another thread. The feet were flawlessly recovered and riveted by Dennis (Decins).

Chuck

Doug Rose · February 01, 2011, 02:03:06 PM

WOW!!!! just WOW!!!!!

Adam · February 01, 2011, 03:00:57 PM

Excellent! You should be very proud!

Know what would be really cool yet totally contrary to the reason for the 500U? A 500U with a dial-blank! Anybody have one that they could put together just for a picture?

Tom B · February 01, 2011, 03:43:48 PM

It looks the business. Well done

jsowers · February 01, 2011, 03:56:52 PM

Chuck, you did a wonderful job on that 500U, and especially covering/removing the rusty spots on the bottom. How did you do that? I think it's plenty white enough.

Do you have a 4-conductor mounting cord for it? I bet that would be hard to find.

Dennis Markham · February 01, 2011, 05:00:23 PM

Beautiful phone, Chuck. The foot pads look great as does the bottom. I agree with Jonathan, it looks pretty white to me. Nice addition to your collection.

cihensley@aol.com · February 01, 2011, 05:37:42 PM

Thank you all. Jsowers - Jorge gave me some tips on how to refinish the base. I removed the rust with metal brush bits in a Dremel tool.

Chuck

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Restoring a WECo white 500U