WE 500 finger wheel discussion

[Bird333]

Topic says it all. TIA

[poplar1]

Black 500s can have an aluminum finger wheel painted black (1950-1964) or a clear plastic one (1965-ca.1983).

Color 500s always had a clear plastic finger wheel: the "open center" type from 1953-1965 (part number P-19B524)  and the "closed center" type from 1965 - ca. 1983 (part number P11E007).

[Bird333]

Black 500s can have an aluminum finger wheel painted black (1950-1964) or a clear plastic one (1965-ca.1983).

Color 500s always had a clear plastic finger wheel: the "open center" type from 1953-1965 (part number P-19B524)  and the "closed center" type from 1965 - ca. 1983 (part number P11E007).

Is that a #6 wheel?  Also how does the clear 'number label' attach to a metal finger wheel?  Sorry for the newb questions but I am a newb. 

[poplar1]

Type 6A (#6)  and Type 7D dials (for black 500s) both use the same metal finger wheel. The wider card holder tab is inserted in the lower opening of the finger wheel. Then the upper tab is placed in the upper opening.

From Bell System Practice, Section 501-150-100, Issue 6, May 1978  (in TCI Library)

[Bird333]

Type 6A (#6)  and Type 7D dials (for black 500s) both use the same metal finger wheel. The wider card holder tab is inserted in the lower opening of the finger wheel. Then the upper tab is placed in the upper opening.

From Bell System Practice, Section 501-150-100, Issue 6, May 1978  (in TCI Library)

Ok.  Just so I'm totally clear, you can't swap out the clear plastic finger wheel for a metal one without the additional parts you mentioned above correct?

[TelePlay]

Two totally different finger wheels.

Plastic finger wheels are held on by a self locking spider holder.

Metal finger wheels are held on by center threaded post, lock washer and nut.

I've never tried swapping them out.

[TelePlay]

They are not (universally) interchangeable.

The (pre #6 dial's) center post's keyed box on the metal finger wheel dials is smaller and positioned near vertically at rest.

The (#6 and newer dial's)center post's keyed box that holds the spider for a plastic finger wheel is larger and positioned near horizontal at rest.

Below is a #5 and a post #5 dial for center post keyed box comparison.

[Bird333]

They are not interchangeable.

The center post's keyed box on the metal finger wheel dials is smaller and positioned near vertically at rest.

The center post's keyed box that holds the spider for a plastic finger wheel is larger and positioned near horizontal at rest.

Thanks for the confirmation.  Can you put the entire metal 'dial' mechanism inside a modern/modular WE500?

[poplar1]

They are not interchangeable.

The center post's keyed box on the metal finger wheel dials is smaller and positioned near vertically at rest.

The center post's keyed box that holds the spider for a plastic finger wheel is larger and positioned near horizontal at rest.

Your left photo shows a 5H dial. That finger wheel will not work on a 6A, 7A, 7C, 7D, 9C, or 9CA dial.

However, the finger wheel from a 6A dial *will* fit on a 7A, 7C, or 7D dial. On the beige 7C dial shown, you would remove the plastic finger wheel and the unpainted spider. Add the metal finger wheel with the horizontal hole from a 6A or 7D, then the existing lock washer and hex nut.

Black 500s that originally had 7D dials with aluminum finger wheels were often updated with plastic finger wheels by adding the unpainted "spider" to the 7D dial.

[poplar1]

Ok.  Just so I'm totally clear, you can't swap out the clear plastic finger wheel for a metal one without the additional parts you mentioned above correct?

There are two different metal finger wheels. You need the one with a horizontal hole in the center. With the correct one, just remove the plastic finger wheel and the "spider" that holds the plastic finger wheel. Place the metal finger wheel, then the lock washer, then the hex nut.

Photo on left: finger wheel for 6A or 7-type dial. Right: finger wheel for 5H dial (Pictures from Ebay).

[TelePlay]

Your left photo shows a 5H dial.

Yes, it is. My error.

Grabbed an existing image on the forum. #4 and #5 dials have a different finger wheel attachment set up than #6, #7 and #9 dials.

The image I posted in reply #5 is a #6 dial, exploded below, that as you said is interchangeable with a plastic finger wheel with the right attachment parts.

[MMikeJBenN27]

You can indeed swap a metal fingerwheel for a plastic one.  For plastic fingerwheels, you need the spider.  You can used either the Soft-center or the closed-center one on 6 and 7 series dials, but on 8 and 9 series dials, you can only used the closed-center style.  To put a plastic fingerwheel
on a 3, 4, or 5 series dials, you need a spider specifically for those dials.  There are three different Soft-center fingerwheels that can be used, so make sure you have the correct spider. Note that plastic fingerwheels were never originally used on 2 series dials, but it can be done.

Mike

[Bird333]

You can indeed swap a metal fingerwheel for a plastic one.  For plastic fingerwheels, you need the spider.  You can used either the Soft-center or the closed-center one on 6 and 7 series dials, but on 8 and 9 series dials, you can only used the closed-center style.  To put a plastic fingerwheel
on a 3, 4, or 5 series dials, you need a spider specifically for those dials.  There are three different Soft-center fingerwheels that can be used, so make sure you have the correct spider. Note that plastic fingerwheels were never originally used on 2 series dials, but it can be done.

Mike

Just to be clear I'm talking about replacing a plastic wheel with a metal one.  Besides the correct metal wheel what other parts do you need for the number card?

[poplar1]

6D dials have white cases and plastic finger wheels:

[poplar1]

Just to be clear I'm talking about replacing a plastic wheel with a metal one.  Besides the correct metal wheel what other parts do you need for the number card?

Number card holder shown below. (There is also a clear plastic window, not shown.)

Can you confirm that your dial is a 7-type (7A, 7C, or 7D). If it is a 9-type (9C or 9CA), you won't be able to install a metal finger wheel.