Classic Rotary Phones Forum

Telephone Talk => Auction Talk => Topic started by: TelePlay on April 16, 2016, 07:11:17 PM

Title: Conn. Tel. & Elec. Corp. TA-168/U Wall Toaster?
Post by: TelePlay on April 16, 2016, 07:11:17 PM
Just listed today on eBay, I've never seen one of these. Doesn't mean it's rare rare but it is unusual. This phone is also Auction Contest 207 so guess on the selling price, if it sells, can be placed at this link.

http://www.classicrotaryphones.com/forum/index.php?topic=16072.0

This topic will be the place to post any comments and/or discussion about this phone. More images of the phone can be found at the eBay link

http://www.ebay.com/itm/111971422400

or Auction Contest link.
Title: Re: Conn. Tel. & Elec. Corp. TA-168/U Wall Toaster?
Post by: unbeldi on April 16, 2016, 07:52:20 PM
We have seen a few of these on the forum here:

http://www.classicrotaryphones.com/forum/index.php?topic=9900.0
http://www.classicrotaryphones.com/forum/index.php?topic=1262.0


But in that condition, I am not expecting that auction to go all that much higher.
Title: Re: Conn. Tel. & Elec. Corp. TA-168/U Wall Toaster?
Post by: TelePlay on April 16, 2016, 08:07:56 PM
unbeldi,

Thanks. Great notes on you part helped here.

Yes, in that condition it won't fetch what Old Phone Works wants for their Chromed version ($500 plus shipping as pictured below) but if two people want it, one never knows where it will end, if it sells at all.

I got the photo from a link posted within the second forum link you provided. Photo is from OPW at this link

http://www.oldphoneworks.com/wall-phone-chrome.html

and OPW describes it there as "A sturdy wall phone, built to military specifications, with a striking finish. Here is a freshly chrome plated wall phone, built by Connecticut. It is the wall companion to the TP-6. The phone is all original, with the exception of the cords which have been replaced. This phone is extremely unique as it looks just as good on the desk as it does on the wall. It is fully functional in capacities. The phone features and internal ringer and is wired for use on today's modern phone systems."
Title: Re: Conn. Tel. & Elec. Corp. TA-168/U Wall Toaster?
Post by: unbeldi on April 16, 2016, 08:10:06 PM
TM11-468 describes the TA-166 as follows:

5. Combination Wall- and Desk-Type Telephone
Set, Telephone TA-166/U
Telephone TA-1 66/U consists of Telephone
TP-6-A with the base plate and cradle modified
to permit the telephone set to be used as a walltype
or a desk-type telephone. The telephone set
may be used in either manner with no additional
modification of the equipment. In addition, provision
is made for automatically depressing the
hookswitch plungers when the base plate is opened
and the dial mounting plate is raised. This permits
signaling of the telephone undergoing repair;
it is not necessary to disconnect the Ieads at the
connecting block. Figure 22 shows the front view
of Telephone TA- 166/U; figure 23 shows the location
of parts with the base plate open.


Title: Re: Conn. Tel. & Elec. Corp. TA-168/U Wall Toaster?
Post by: paul-f on April 16, 2016, 09:02:13 PM
I would really like to see a vintage photo of one of these mounted as a wall phone.  The angle of the dial would make the top of the dial closer to the user than the bottom -- making it hard to dial if the phone is mounted right to a vertical wall and at normal height.

The overhaul stamp on the bottom is interesting.  I worked for Bendix many years ago, and they had a lot of Air Force contracts. Several NASA-funded projects I worked on were installed at the Rome Air Development Center at Griffiss AFB, just outside of Rome, N.Y.
Title: Re: Conn. Tel. & Elec. Corp. TA-168/U Wall Toaster?
Post by: unbeldi on April 16, 2016, 10:04:26 PM
Here is some history (http://www.bendixradiofoundation.com/hist_early.htm) on Bendix Radio.

Its relationship with the Signal Corps is described as follows:

Bendix Radio was one of the few firms in the entire country which had for many years specialized in military and commercial aviation communications equipment and as a consequence it was able almost immediately to make an exceedingly significant contribution to the war effort.  Other firms were spared the necessity of long months of research which they would have faced were it not for the fact that we had done the research and were in a position to turn over all of our results and designs.
Title: Re: Conn. Tel. & Elec. Corp. TA-168/U Wall Toaster?
Post by: paul-f on April 16, 2016, 10:56:07 PM
These were in my collection for many years.
Title: Re: Conn. Tel. & Elec. Corp. TA-168/U Wall Toaster?
Post by: Greg G. on April 16, 2016, 11:37:22 PM
Didn't know there was a wall version of the toaster phone, that's a nice looking phone!  This one in particular though, is in rough shape and overpriced.  I wouldn't pay $83 $73 with shipping for it.  $40 overall is more like it.
Title: Re: Conn. Tel. & Elec. Corp. TA-168/U Wall Toaster?
Post by: LarryInMichigan on April 17, 2016, 07:13:31 AM
I bought one of these a few years ago: forum link (http://www.classicrotaryphones.com/forum/index.php?topic=9900).  Mine is in pretty nice condition.  It looks impressive sitting on the desk.

Larry
Title: Re: Conn. Tel. & Elec. Corp. TA-168/U Wall Toaster?
Post by: TelePlay on April 17, 2016, 10:19:03 AM
Quote from: Brinybay on April 16, 2016, 11:37:22 PM
Didn't know there was a wall version of the toaster phone, that's a nice looking phone!  This one in particular though, is in rough shape and overpriced.  I wouldn't pay $83 with shipping for it.  $40 overall is more like it.

Interesting. Shipping must be ZIP code dependent. My cost would be $50 plus $12 or $62 to my door. In any case, I would be surprised if it sells. The dial bezel is cracked in two places and as Doug Rose said, the phone is corroded so who knows what will happen. The contest and this topic were created to document the phone on the forum for posterity. While two others have one of these, purchased within the past 5 years, these are not common and who knows who may want to take on a project of this scale. At least we know have some good information, thanks to unbeldi, about this phone and it would be great if someone could find a photo of this phone in use while mounted to the wall. I have a feeling that the phone may have been wall mounted above eye level, to get it out of the way in the rooms in which it was mounted, IMHO. Time will tell on all accounts.
Title: Re: Conn. Tel. & Elec. Corp. TA-168/U Wall Toaster?
Post by: andre_janew on April 17, 2016, 03:32:01 PM
Most wall phones have keyhole slots in the base plate.  This one does not have such a thing.  Is it missing some sort of mounting bracket?  I can see it being used as a desk phone because it has feet like one.  I'm not sure how it would be hung on a wall.  Does anyone know how this would be done?
Title: Re: Conn. Tel. & Elec. Corp. TA-168/U Wall Toaster?
Post by: unbeldi on April 17, 2016, 03:42:46 PM
Quote from: andre_janew on April 17, 2016, 03:32:01 PM
Most wall phones have keyhole slots in the base plate.  This one does not have such a thing.  Is it missing some sort of mounting bracket?  I can see it being used as a desk phone because it has feet like one.  I'm not sure how it would be hung on a wall.  Does anyone know how this would be done?

Most desk set type telephones that are also capable of wall mounting have a center hole through the feet so screws can be inserted for holding on the back board or wall. The feet of these appear to be rubber or Neoprene, and they do appear to have a center hole visible from the inside view, that is still filled. I am sure it can be easily punctured with a screw.
Title: Re: Conn. Tel. & Elec. Corp. TA-168/U Wall Toaster?
Post by: rdelius on April 17, 2016, 04:00:25 PM
IF i remember correctly, the feet have holes for mounting them to the wall. These sets use microswitches in the hookswitch .Do not work well.If non dial,there is a dial bezel hidden under the dial blank.If this is missing or broken there is not a replacement.The hole is non standard size.The added dial would be a dial that fits the AE format such as a Telephonics .Use an arrow or blank plate.
If you plate these,you have to remove metal that is replaced with plating or they will not fit.Good luck finding a nice plastic Conn handset.
Title: Re: Conn. Tel. & Elec. Corp. TA-168/U Wall Toaster?
Post by: LarryInMichigan on April 17, 2016, 05:42:54 PM
One of the microswitches in mine stopped working, so I have to remove and open the switch to repair it.

Larry
Title: Re: Conn. Tel. & Elec. Corp. TA-168/U Wall Toaster?
Post by: Greg G. on April 17, 2016, 09:12:20 PM
Quote from: TelePlay on April 17, 2016, 10:19:03 AM
Interesting. Shipping must be ZIP code dependent. My cost would be $50 plus $12 or $62 to my door. In any case, I would be surprised if it sells.

I was off by $10, but the shipping says $23.15 for me, $73.15 total.
Title: Re: Conn. Tel. & Elec. Corp. TA-168/U Wall Toaster?
Post by: TelePlay on April 17, 2016, 09:27:43 PM
Quote from: Brinybay on April 17, 2016, 09:12:20 PM
I was off by $10, but the shipping says $23.15 for me, $73.15 total.

Seems Wisconsin is about $10 closer to the seller than you are way out there.   ;)
Title: Re: Conn. Tel. & Elec. Corp. TA-168/U Wall Toaster?
Post by: andre_janew on April 18, 2016, 12:39:45 PM
I see a shipping cost of $12.45.  Does anyone see anything less than $12.45?
Title: Re: Conn. Tel. & Elec. Corp. TA-168/U Wall Toaster?
Post by: poplar1 on April 18, 2016, 07:27:13 PM
Quote from: andre_janew on April 18, 2016, 12:39:45 PM
I see a shipping cost of $12.45.  Does anyone see anything less than $12.45?

Yes, I see $9.85, because I'm not that far from Tennessee.


         Shipping:
         $9.85 Expedited Shipping | See details

         Item location:
         Jasper, Tennessee, United States

Try clicking on "shipping details" then change the zip code from your own to 90210 or whatever, and you'll see differently as well.
Title: Re: Conn. Tel. & Elec. Corp. TA-168/U Wall Toaster?
Post by: TelePlay on April 18, 2016, 10:14:48 PM
Quote from: poplar1 on April 18, 2016, 07:27:13 PM
Yes, I see $9.85, because I'm not that far from Tennessee.


         Shipping:
         $9.85 Expedited Shipping | See details

         Item location:
         Jasper, Tennessee, United States

Try clicking on "shipping details" then change the zip code from your own to 90210 or whatever, and you'll see differently as well.

That's the lowest it will go. I put in the ZIP code for Jasper, TN (37347) and also got $9.85 and you can't get much closer to Jasper than to be in Jasper (I know, $0 for local pickup).
Title: Re: Conn. Tel. & Elec. Corp. TA-168/U Wall Toaster?
Post by: WEBellSystemChristian on April 19, 2016, 08:49:49 AM
Quote from: TelePlay on April 18, 2016, 10:14:48 PM
That's the lowest it will go. I put in the ZIP code for Jasper, TN (37347) and also got $9.85 and you can't get much closer to Jasper than to be in Jasper (I know, $0 for local pickup).

I guess you could live next door to the seller, and the seller could box it up and throw it through your window if it sells cheap! ;D