slow 706 dial - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

JAMESBALDWIN · 23rd Jan 2008, 4:52 pm

Can anyone tell me how to adjust the dial speed of a 706.I've just bought one and it;s very stiff on dialing and slow to return.
Any websites you could suggest for the repair of 700 series phones would be very helpful many thanks

Nickthedentist · 23rd Jan 2008, 6:36 pm

Hi James,

It's not that simple

There's a thread on this problem on the forum already, you should be able to use the search facility to find it.

My choice would be to replace the whole dial mechanism with one from another 706 or 746 phone, transferring the finger plate if it's an original colour-matched one. They're all interchangable. You should be able to pick up a tatty and unloved (grey/brown) 746 for virtually nothing.

Nick.

Dave Moll · 23rd Jan 2008, 8:37 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nickthedentist

There's a thread on this problem on the forum already, you should be able to use the search facility to find it.

Presumably, you mean this one.

Nickthedentist · 23rd Jan 2008, 8:40 pm

Thanks Dave, that's it!

arjoll · 25th Jan 2008, 10:46 am

Back 'in the day' I used to speed up the dials of NZPO type 100 phones (look identical to the 706/746) by squeezing the brass governor together a bit. I'm not sure if this was the 'right' way to do things but it certainly sped things up!

davidw · 25th Jan 2008, 6:09 pm

James, when I used to fix phones for the good old GPO, dials could be cleaned with CLEAN White Spirit(in fact White Spirit was the only approved solvent in those days!) Try cleaning all the moving bearing parts,but if this is your first go I would advise not dismantling,as it can be tricky, but not impossible, to get the govenor endfloat tension right and the worm drive to mesh properly.A VERY light oil can be applied to the bearing points.We used to use very small artist paint brushes (brushes lubricating No1) The speed can be adjusted,if neccessary, after you are sure everything runs smoothly by
VERY slight adjustment of the govenor weights,inwards for faster out for slower. Try speaking out loud "one thousand one hundred and one" as a rough guide to the dial return time! For best effect this should be done in front of a customer! We did have fun in the good old days. Good luck.
David...

JAMESBALDWIN · 26th Jan 2008, 5:31 pm

Many Thanks.tried The Oil And Its Much Smoother Now

bakelite_gal · 29th Jan 2008, 12:22 am

I can repair old dials for 706 and 746 telephones. However unless the spring has gone you can perform a little DIY work yourself. Use a piece of tape to pull off the clear plastic dial cover. Remove the paper number. Remove the single screw. Remove the finger dial. Release the dial number plate by removing the circlip. Apply WD40 to a cotton bud and wipe the inside of the governer cap, and the exposed gear teeth. Reassemble and test. If you dial a zero and release it "say 1001 slowly" and the dial should reach its return stop as you finish saying "one thousand and one". All the best Karen.

Majicou · 4th Feb 2008, 10:15 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by bakelite_gal

SNIP Apply WD40 to a cotton bud and wipe the inside of the governer cap, and the exposed gear teeth. Reassemble and test. If you dial a zero and release it "say 1001 slowly" and the dial should reach its return stop as you finish saying "one thousand and one". All the best Karen.SNIP

I would strongly urge NOT to use WD40. A very light sewing machine oil applied very sparingly ( use the tip of a paper clip or similar ) to add a tiny drop to the places mention. WD40 will in the end collect dust and fluff etc and jam it up even more. I can reapir any GPO dial if you find and probs

Regards

Andy

23rd Jan 2008, 4:52 pm	#1
JAMESBALDWIN Retired Dormant Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: saltburn Posts: 2	slow 706 dial Can anyone tell me how to adjust the dial speed of a 706.I've just bought one and it;s very stiff on dialing and slow to return. Any websites you could suggest for the repair of 700 series phones would be very helpful many thanks

23rd Jan 2008, 6:36 pm	#2
Nickthedentist Dekatron Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Oxford, UK. Posts: 17,853	Re: slow 706 dial Hi James, It's not that simple There's a thread on this problem on the forum already, you should be able to use the search facility to find it. My choice would be to replace the whole dial mechanism with one from another 706 or 746 phone, transferring the finger plate if it's an original colour-matched one. They're all interchangable. You should be able to pick up a tatty and unloved (grey/brown) 746 for virtually nothing. Nick.

23rd Jan 2008, 8:40 pm	#4
Nickthedentist Dekatron Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Oxford, UK. Posts: 17,853	Re: slow 706 dial Thanks Dave, that's it!

25th Jan 2008, 10:46 am	#5
arjoll Dekatron Join Date: May 2006 Location: Invercargill, New Zealand Posts: 3,458	Re: slow 706 dial Back 'in the day' I used to speed up the dials of NZPO type 100 phones (look identical to the 706/746) by squeezing the brass governor together a bit. I'm not sure if this was the 'right' way to do things but it certainly sped things up!

25th Jan 2008, 6:09 pm	#6
davidw Heptode Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Woodbridge, Suffolk, UK. Posts: 643	Re: slow 706 dial James, when I used to fix phones for the good old GPO, dials could be cleaned with CLEAN White Spirit(in fact White Spirit was the only approved solvent in those days!) Try cleaning all the moving bearing parts,but if this is your first go I would advise not dismantling,as it can be tricky, but not impossible, to get the govenor endfloat tension right and the worm drive to mesh properly.A VERY light oil can be applied to the bearing points.We used to use very small artist paint brushes (brushes lubricating No1) The speed can be adjusted,if neccessary, after you are sure everything runs smoothly by VERY slight adjustment of the govenor weights,inwards for faster out for slower. Try speaking out loud "one thousand one hundred and one" as a rough guide to the dial return time! For best effect this should be done in front of a customer! We did have fun in the good old days. Good luck. David...

26th Jan 2008, 5:31 pm	#7
JAMESBALDWIN Retired Dormant Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: saltburn Posts: 2	Re: slow 706 dial Many Thanks.tried The Oil And Its Much Smoother Now

29th Jan 2008, 12:22 am	#8
bakelite_gal Retired Dormant Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Barnsley Posts: 3	Re: slow 706 dial I can repair old dials for 706 and 746 telephones. However unless the spring has gone you can perform a little DIY work yourself. Use a piece of tape to pull off the clear plastic dial cover. Remove the paper number. Remove the single screw. Remove the finger dial. Release the dial number plate by removing the circlip. Apply WD40 to a cotton bud and wipe the inside of the governer cap, and the exposed gear teeth. Reassemble and test. If you dial a zero and release it "say 1001 slowly" and the dial should reach its return stop as you finish saying "one thousand and one". All the best Karen.