Conversions

Conversions and Repairs
To enable an old telephone to be plugged in to a telephone socket

Telephone conversions and repairs are carried out for personal callers only. I do not convert or repair telephones sent by post or carrier.
If the telephone cannot be converted or repaired "While you wait", or if it is inconvenient to return later, I can then post it back to you.

A spares price list is available for your inspection should any parts be required.

I have workshop facilities at Battlesbridge, and am often able to convert or repair your telephone while you wait. But please call me by telephone (see below) first.

It is essential that you call me first by telephone (see below) if you wish to have your telephone converted or repaired. Please have the telephone with you when you call, and if possible have a selection of small flat bladed screwdrivers.

I can convert most types of dial telephones (subject to inspection) to enable them to be plugged into a telephone socket both here in The UK and most other countries.

CONVERSION KITS......
I do not sell conversion kits, or give advice about "do it yourself" conversions or repairs.
The reason I do not sell a conversion kit is that often other parts of the telephone require attention (even the 300 series telephones are at least 40 to 70 years old now). To try to identify, and even harder to fix, problems at long range can be frustrating both for myself and for the customer.

I will not convert magneto "Crank handle" telephones. I refuse do do this on the grounds, that to do so, would entail heavily modifying the telephone. Many really early or interesting old telephones have been vandalised in this way.
My conversions are limited to doing just enough to enable the telephone to work satisfactorily. I may replace the receiver and microphone with later types. But it is always done in such a way that the telephone can be put back the way it was.

INDIAN TELEPHONES and REPRODUCTION TELEPHONES
I do not convert or repair reproduction telephones or any telephone originating from India.
Indian Bakelite 300 series can often be identified by checking the underside of the handset grip. It may have a heart shaped emblem enclosing the letters ITI. ITI stands for Indian Telephone Industries of Bangalore. There are other ways of identifying an Indian Telephone, but the easiest way is to call me by telephone (see below) . Please have the telephone with you.

Changes are taking place in Britain's telephone network that will affect the way old dial telephones work. This applies to all conventional dial telephones alike, including those bought from us and all others. Until recently all telephone lines allowed you to call using either a traditional dial telephone or a modern push-button tone-calling instrument.
Increasingly VIRGIN, and TALKTALK, lines accept tone dialing (such as a modern push button telephone) only. The Rotatone device could be the answer; see below.
SKY (which uses a BT line) is at present not affected.
I am not yet aware of any problem with a BT line.
if you are using an ancillary service such as SKY satellite box, there should not be a problem.

Rotatone

For those on a Virgin or TalkTalk line who wish to use the dial, or a * or # key, this could be the answer to your problem.
If you are on a BT or Sky line and wish to use a * or # key.

I can fit a Rotatone module to the telephone which will enable the telephone to be used normally.

Currently this service is available for most Candlestick, 200, 300 and 700, Belgian and Kirks series telephones, but I am actively investigating their use with other telephones.

See the Rotatone page for more information.

I can supply and fit a Rotatone unit to your telephone for £35.

This service is available for telephones bought by mail order and those in the shop.

I may be able to retrofit the Rotatone to your telephone (subject to inspection and at least 2 days notice ) in the shop while you wait.

It is now no longer possible to guarantee that our (or anyone else's) dial telephones, unless fitted with a tone converter such as a Rotatone module, will dial numbers correctly using a conventional dial telephone when used on a Virgin or TalkTalk line.
Nevertheless, the telephones will still ring and let you answer incoming calls.

Don't forget that with today's long telephone numbers and voice menus that ask you to press * and # buttons, most of my customers for practical reasons use an alternative push button telephones for their outgoing calls.

A dial telephone will ring correctly and not interfere with a modern push button telephone on the same line provided the extension sockets have been correctly wired to the 3 or 4 wire standard.

[ Telephones ] [ How to find me ] [ Conversions ] [ Information ] [ Links ] [ About Us ] [ Repairs ] [ Spares ] [ Buzby ] [ Guarantee ] [ What is in the Shop? ] [ Mail Order ] [ Frequently Asked Questions ] [ Rotatone ] [ Contact ]

Credit/Debit Cards are the preferred method of payment. I no longer accept cheques.

The Old Telephone Company respects your privacy, and will not divulge any information about you to a third party.
Copyright © 1996 to 2013 by The Old Telephone Company

[ Telephones ] [ How to find me ] [ Conversions ] [ Information ] [ Links ] [ About Us ] [ Repairs ] [ Spares ] [ Buzby ] [ Guarantee ] [ What is in the Shop? ] [ Mail Order ] [ Frequently Asked Questions ] [ Rotatone ] [ Contact ]

Credit/Debit Cards are the preferred method of payment. I no longer accept cheques.

The Old Telephone Company respects your privacy, and will not divulge any information about you to a third party. Copyright © 1996 to 2013 by The Old Telephone Company

The Old Telephone Company respects your privacy, and will not divulge any information about you to a third party.
Copyright © 1996 to 2013 by The Old Telephone Company