Does anyone know if the 656/657 key strips for the Call Director can be disassembled to extract buttons and button collars for cleaning, These are slightly newer than 598/599 strips but with the same "older style" clear buttons, not the large buttons of newer Call Directors with plastic caps on them.

Structurally 656 look the same as 599, except wide use of plastic in the body - the whole metal part with button mechanics (cast metal on 598/599) is replaced with white plastic piece which looks a single piece with the upper part of lamp and button holder. And there are no corresponding screws holding the two together.

I was not able to find a way to extract the buttons and collars for cleaning. However, they should have been installed there somehow during the assembly?

Or how in this case discussed special service color buttons (green, blue, amber and purple) would be installed there? Probably Arthur would know how they installed I-hold on such. Or was it a separate key strip with factory pre-installed buttons. I have not found those in any of BSPs.

Both Reagan and older Bush used the white older style call directors throughout 80s. And they did have color buttons installed in different positions. I doubt they have been provided with refurbished production from 60s-early 70s, since I never saw 599/598 newer than those - I suppose they were replaced in MFG by 656/657 and later with 635-type strips.

Also what was expected for cracked buttons/collars? To replace the whole strip?

656 Key Strip

Can you attached a pic of the key strips? If I'm thinking of the ley strips that you are talking about you can take them apart..

It is attached as a link at the end of my original message. Not sure why it shows as a link not picture here.

Yes you can take them apart, you can take the metal housing/bracket can be taken off by using a small screw driver and undoing a small tab at both ends of the key strip. Let me know if you need a photo of that.

Well. I have just tried once again to disassemble - with the same result. I was able to get to the back of the strip with all internal mechanics, springs and shafts. But not to the outer frame holding the buttons with collars.

Aren't you mixing up with the 599/598 strips, where indeed undoing the 2 screws on both sides of strip released the plastic lamp & button holder part from the cast metal housing of the mechanical part?

Again it is different on 656/657 - the lamp & button holder and the housing are both plastic, And appear to be pressed into each other - there is no visible joint line between those two parts, no movement when you try to apply some pressure between them and not single screw, tab or latch which would maintain mechanical connection between two parts.

Please send the pictures if you were able to disassemble one. Again NOT the 599/598 strips in metal housing.

Do you know where the part number is on the keystrip and I will take a look and get back with you.

I opened up my Call Director phone and its a 598 key strip, could you send a close up of your key strip?

This is what I suspected: the 598/599 strips you can disassemble and assemble with no issue. 656/657 are different model. No need to make a close up: I just extract the part of the previous picture:

I'm wondering if you could take a small screw driver and open then up unless the plastic is molded as one piece. Cant tell from the photo. ... But one of the 1a2 guys could tell you for sure..... Could you post a side photo?

It is molded. I have already tried the screwdriver and the pieces are not moving from each other.

RedBul:

Keep trying to call me, please. The last few times I could not take your call. Anytime up to 2300 hrs Eastern Standard Time. I'm not avoiding you. LOL.