Tool for crimping chamber cap on T1 microphone

[Charles]

Does anyone know what kind of tool was used to crimp on the chamber cap for a T1 microphone?
The chamber cap is the little button on the back of the T1 the holds in the carbon granules.
I pulled one off to breakup the carbon granules and when I put it back on it is loose. I can see that it was originally crimped.

Thanks

Charles

[TelePlay]

From my days in an analytical lab sealing glass vials for GS/MS or GC use, I remember a hand held vial crimper that did what WE once did on the capsules. I doubt the old crimper for those capsules still exists and it probably was a stand mounted automated machine, and costly.

I also don't know if a modern "scientific" vial crimper would work or could be found in a size that fits the transmitter capsule. There are a variety of sizes available.

You can google vial crimpers. This is one link to the type I remember using to make an air tight seal on a small glass vial, with a rubber center septum for needle insertion using a GC/MS or a GC system.

http://tinyurl.com/7atombf

You'll have to do the measuring and searching. I'm just saying this is about what would work if one could be found to match the transmitter cap. I also suppose they are not cheap.

If you find one, let us know.

[Phonesrfun]

Charles:

The T-1 microphone was all made at the factory and was never serviced in the field.  Not even at refurb shops as far as I know.  I think you are on you own as far as ingenuity is concerned for putting the cap back on and getting it sealed.

Good luck.

[poplar1]

I believe that Western Electric did "recharge" transmitters at the  23 distributing houses (later called service centers). This is where they took back the phones leased by the Bell companies and remanufactured them so that Bell could lease them to a new customer.

[DavePEI]

I believe that Western Electric did "recharge" transmitters at the  23 distributing houses (later called service centers). This is where they took back the phones leased by the Bell companies and remanufactured them so that Bell could lease them to a new customer.

Just an idea which might work. Look for a metric or imperial socket only very slightly smaller than the cap. Try forcing it gently over the cap with a small hammer, just cupping the transmitter in your hand to prevent a lot of shock to it. With luck, it will crimp in the edges enough to make it hold. 8 or 16 point sockets would probably do the best job.

You might try putting a very thin later of epoxy on the lip before crimping it on - that will prevent any migration of moisture to the carbon, and perhaps give a firmer grip.

Dave

[Charles]

Thanks for the replies.

I think that the tool that teleplay pictured looks like what would have done it in the field. I will try to find some way of doing it by improvising. If I find a way to do it I will post back.