Fix for Slow Chrome dials on a Bakelite Telephones

Chrome "type 12" dials used on 200 series and 300 series bakelite telephones can run slow over time. The instructions below explain how to safely take the dial apart to clean/lubricate the governor and gears to fix this problem. You can do this without removing the dial from the bakelite case of the telephone (we have only removed it for clarity of the photographs).


1) Firstly NEVER EVER Spray WD40 or other oil directly into these old dials. The backing to the dial number plate (seen on photographs below) is similar to emulsion paint and is VERY porous. WD40 or other lubricants will soak into this, badly discolouring it and most likely destroying part of the numbers. We see more dials badly damaged by people doing this than any other cause.

2) Using a very small flat bladed screwdriver carefully prise out the metal circlip that holds the paper dial label insert in place (usually covered with a plastic clear label cover).

3) Remove the clear cover and dial lable to expose the centre screw.

4) Next remove the CENTRE screw (and only the centre screw) with a flat bladed screwdriver, and lift it off the chrome finger dial.

5) Carefully remove the larger circlip holding the number plate in position (looks like piano wire). I do this with a compass point, and I think this is the fiddliest part of the procedure.

6) At this point the dial number plate can be lifted out exposing the inner workings of the chrome dial.

7) Notice in the next photograph (below) the back of the dial number plate, which is the porous backing that WD40 or other lubricants will absorb into, and permanently decolour and damage. Be VERY careful not to get any oil near this part.

8) Use a cotton bud to apply (very sparingly) a small amount of watch makers lubricating oil or graphite to the inside of the governor cap (see below).

9) Next use a cotton bud to apply (very sparingly) a small amount of watch makers lubricating oil or graphite to the gear teeth (see picture below).

10) Reassemble the dial in the reverse order.

11) If you have been successful you should be able to dial a “0” and in the time it takes to say (at a steady pace) “one thousand one hundred and one” the dial should return to its rest position.

Fix for 332 earpiece quite problem

An old GPO engineers maintenance trick for fixing the problem of the earpiece being quite on an early Bakelite 332 telephone is as follows:

1) Unscrew the bakelite earpiece (anticlockwise)

2) Slide the metal diaphragm (thin metal disk) sideways off the earpiece magnets (make a note of which way round it is)

3) Make sure the two screws either side of the magnet are tight.

4) Spray the metal diaphragm (both sides) with a small amount of WD40 and wipe off with a piece of paper kitchen towel.
5) Replace the metal diaphragm (the opposite side up to the way it was removed) by sliding it sideways back onto the magnetic coils.
6) Screw the bakelite earpiece back on.

Then try the telephone again and see if this improves the sound (works about 50% of the time).

Fix for Slow dial on 746 Telephones

Old 746 telephone dials and 706 telephone dials can run slow over time. The instructions below explain how to clean/lubricate the govener to fix this problem.


1) Place a piece of sticky tape over the clear centre dial cover, and pull if off quickly to remove the clear plastic centre dial cover as in the picture below:

2) Remove the paper label and then unscrew the screw in the centre, to remove the clear plastic (with a flat blade screwdriver).

3) Remove the small wire retaining clip, this is easily removed with your fingers (see below)

4) Lift out the number plate backing (using a piece of sticky tape).

5) The inside of the dial will look very similar to the phograph below. However although the inside parts will be the same shape they will be different colours. Some parts may be plastic others brass.

6) Apply a small amount of watchmaker’s oil onto a cotton bud and use the cotton bud to clean out the governor cap.

7) Move the cotton bud from side to side to get to the complete insides of the cup (see above and below).

8) Replace the Number dial backing (see below).

9) Replace the small wire retaining clip (see below).

10) Replace the clear plastic finger dial and centre screw and tighten the screw (see below).

11) Test the dial rotates OK (to make sure the procedure has worked) and then finally replace the paper label and push fit the plastic centre cover. Then test the dial again.

All should now be OK and you should now repaired on of the UK's nostalgic 746 Telephones.

Safely Removing a Bakelite Mouthpiece

To safely remove the mouthpiece from a British Bakelite telephone handset (Type 164) used on both 200 series and 300 series bakelite telephones, follow the following instructions.

1) Carefully insert a fine pointed instrument such as a compass point or probe from a multimeter (as shown below) into the release hole of the bakelite mouthpiece. Be very careful not to damage the bakelite.

2) Applying gentle pressure to the release spring inside the mouthpiece rotate the bakelite mouthpiece anticlockwise by 1/2 an inch (as shown below).

3) At this point the bakelite mouthpiece should just lift clear of the main telephone handset.

4) The carbon granule microphone is now exposed.

5) Replacement of the mouthpiece is simple, just put the bakelite mouthpiece on and rotate it 1/2 clockwise (if adjusted correctly it will lock onto the telephone handset).

Converting a British 332 Telephone

Several people have asked me for more detailed instructions about how to convert a British 332 bakelite telephone (with a picture). 90% of the "converted telephone" are NOT converted correctly so here is the correct way to perform this conversion:

1) Remove the base plate of the telephone (using the 4 screws in the corners)
2) Remove all existing wire straps
3) Insert strap between T1 and T2
4) Insert strap between T8 and T9 (as seen on the diagram below)
5) Connect the white wire of the line cord to terminal T1
6) Connect the red wire of the line cord to terminal T9
7) Connect the blue (bell) wire of the line cord to terminal T11
8) Connect the spare green wire of the line cord to terminal T3
9) Insert a 3K resistor between terminals T11 and T12.

Hopefully the diagram should make this conversion a little easier :-)

Good luck

Cleaning Bakelite Telehones (and plastic phones)

After years of practice I believe the best way to clean Bakelite and plastic Telephones is as follows:

Carefully dismantle the telephone as much as possible. Then

1. Clean the Bakelite with a good non abrasive chrome cleaner such as autochrome. Working the cleaner into the telephone in a circular motion.
2. The next stage and most important stage is to use "paste polishing number 5" from greygate chemical products specifically designed for cleaning Bakelite telephones.
3. Finish with a good quality "carnauda" car wax (that containing no silicones)

At each stage use plenty of elbow grease and patience. For the final polish use a clean cotton duster

Please let me know if you ever find a better way to clean bakelite phones. or have any useful information about old British telephones.

GPO Phones Blog

I have created a new Antique Bakelite Telephone blog dedicated to Antique Telephones.




So if you just want to read about GPO phones please feel free to visit this old GPO phone blog site. Dedicated to nostalgic British Telephones

Profiles and groups for Old Phones

Looking arround its good to see that there are a lot of Old Phone profiles arround relating to Bakelite Telephones and vintage old phones . People are starting to see that Old telephones are THE classic icon of the early 1900's

Which old (British) telephones are best

A few thoughts about British Antique Telephones.

The British (1930's -1940's) era older 1/232 (pyramid phones) are rarer, but they were designed without an internal bell, which is fine as an antique, but they don't have that lovely bell sound (unless you buy a separate bell). However I love the shape. Separate bells range between £25 and £75 (depending upon type).

Because they have an internal bell and because of TV programs like "deal no deal" all the later black (1940's-1950's) 300 series telephones are very popular. Amongst the 300 series I prefer (and the most sought after is) the 312 (or 314 even rarer 3 button) with draw.

My personal favourite amongst all the working series telephones with an internal bell is the ivory 312 or 332.

In summary I believe all UK based bakelite telephones made before the late 60's are classic and collectable.

The main thing to avoid is ITI (India Telephone Industries) 300 style telephones, these are hard to spot until you get up close, but they are VERY VERY poorly constructed and I believe are nearly worthless.

I also recommend you have at least one modern (tone dialling) phone because when you are used to bush button phones the rotary phones appear to take ages to dial the number (particularly long distance calls).