I have a few nice old ones from the teens and 20s. I'd hate to even consider what this would cost. Given the fact it has "Western Electric" tacked on.
(http://www.hudsonscustommachining.com/HB.WE.front.jpg)
(http://www.hudsonscustommachining.com/HB.WE.back.jpg)
(http://www.hudsonscustommachining.com/HB.WE.tag.jpg)
Web site
http://www.hudsonscustommachining.com/
Gee, pretty. And with that magic label it would bring a penny or two methinks.
BDM;
Let me put my shades on to protect my eyes from the glare.
Umm, no expert here, but considering that it says Western Electric, and you are asking the right crowd, I would say in the $2-3k range.
There's something very cool about old fans, no pun intended.
I don't collect them, per se, but have a few.
My first one was an Emmerson Electric model. I found it in dear old Aunt Martha's basement, on the shelf right next to my first old telephone, an AE40. I'd guess this one to be from the '50s some time. At one time, she and her husband, an electrical engineer for the L&N, lived in a camp car at Cincinnatti Union Station. The fan and the phone, along with a few other items I have, were part of the furnishings issued to them by the L&N.
The second is a GE 12" from I don't know when. I picked it up out of someone's garbage about a year ago. It works great, and the price was right.
Both of these are in pretty regular use. They move as much air as most of the 18"-24" pedestal fans you can buy, while being virtually silent as compared to the awful racket that the newer fans make. The only downside is that they can take a finger off if you're not careful.
Ben:
I like your kind of prices. ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D
Here's an example of a late teens early 20s Westinghouse, on my messy work desk. It's about a 10" model, very quiet, and moves air like a tornado! It's no exaggeration.
That Westinghouse sure is nice. I have an old fan at my brother's house that I'm working on. I can't recall the make of it at the moment. I'm planning on picking up one or two more old fans though, to replace the Chinese crap that I have now. Like BDM says, they move lots of air, plus they're built to last and most are pretty stylish.
One note of caution. I'm sure this has occurred to most when observing these fans. It's real easy for a child or house pet to put a limb/hand/paw where it doesn't belong. Some of these are fairly low torque motors, added with bakelite blades they're not as dangerous as you may suspect. BUT...........But..............The larger ones, especially the brass bladed variety are extremely dangerous to small hands. I have a GE 16" AO brass blade fan that could probably remove a small finger, or severely damage a small hand or paw. Please keep this in mind should you start playing with these :-X
I collect old fans. I only have a few so far.
My favorite is a late 30's GE 12" fan with aluminum blades.
Recently won an 8" Emerson from early 40's from ebay.
Have a weird 30's 16" industrial strenghth rated at 15 Amps, 240 volts.
Also have another 115 volt 16" late 30's fan.
I love these old fans.
Bill Cahill
I don't collect them----yet, but I do have a couple and use them both when needed. One is a small oscillating GE from the '50's and the other is this Eskimo 45R. I don't know when it was made but it's heavy and pushes some air. It is also an oscillating fan. I bought it at a flea market for $10 a couple of summers ago. It was a consolation purchase after finding no old phones worthy of taking home. I have cleaned it up a bit but it could use some new paint. Maybe refurbishing old fans will be my next passion.
I remember we have also antique fan when I was a kid but my father sold it to a junk collector
"Eskimo" eh? Optimistic name considering the time period. I recall visiting familia back in Oklahoma before they had AC in the summers, and for this California kid it was shockingly miserable. Some of them had evaporative coolers which served up even more humidity, as if the usual amount was not enough. We'd sleep in front of fans, and sweat all night.
I've been on the hunt for a while for a "Polar Cub" brand fan, made by the A.C. Gilbert company. Although I don't collect fans per se, any AC Gilbert product has a place in one of my various collections.
Quote from: BDM on July 05, 2009, 03:05:28 PM
I have a few nice old ones from the teens and 20s. I'd hate to even consider what this would cost. Given the fact it has "Western Electric" tacked on.
Now look what you've gone and done, sent me searching for fans! Wadaya think of this one, should I grab it? I could use a small fan in my bedroom:
http://seattle.craigslist.org/see/fuo/1262664866.html (http://seattle.craigslist.org/see/fuo/1262664866.html)
Hell yeah you should grab it.
Quote from: Brinybay on July 14, 2009, 03:28:17 AM
Quote from: BDM on July 05, 2009, 03:05:28 PM
I have a few nice old ones from the teens and 20s. I'd hate to even consider what this would cost. Given the fact it has "Western Electric" tacked on.
Now look what you've gone and done, sent me searching for fans! Wadaya think of this one, should I grab it? I could use a small fan in my bedroom:
http://seattle.craigslist.org/see/fuo/1262664866.html (http://seattle.craigslist.org/see/fuo/1262664866.html)
Grab it. Clean it up real nice. If you do, don't start off by taking it completely apart. Go here first
http://afca.mywowbb.com/
Talk with the folks about what you have before proceeding. This way you can avoid mistakes. You'd be surprised at the things that could go wrong. Some of those motors are hard to get apart. They call them stamped steel motors... Read the archives and see what I mean. Most won't need taking apart anyhow, if your motor headwire is good. Just a good blow out cleaning.
BTW, looks like a Westinghouse "Power-Aire" model. Good fan.
http://www.fancollectors.org/gallnew.htm
Like BDM said, taking them apart can mean trouble. It's like anything you've never done before. Sometimes you learn how things go together after it's too late. I did take apart my GE fan and was able to reassemble but I learned a lot about how it works by doing so. I actually have two and made one good one out of two. I found that the grease inside the gearbox gets solid and slows them down. My GE model needs some help to get started but once the grease loosens, or warms up it works great. I'd need to consult that site and determine what is the best grease to use inside the box. Anyone have an idea?
Quote from: Dennis Markham on July 14, 2009, 11:31:48 AM
Like BDM said, taking them apart can mean trouble. It's like anything you've never done before. Sometimes you learn how things go together after it's too late. I did take apart my GE fan and was able to reassemble but I learned a lot about how it works by doing so. I actually have two and made one good one out of two. I found that the grease inside the gearbox gets solid and slows them down. My GE model needs some help to get started but once the grease loosens, or warms up it works great. I'd need to consult that site and determine what is the best grease to use inside the box. Anyone have an idea?
Light weight synthetic axle grease is fine for the gear boxes. They do not need to be packed so to say. Just well greased. For oil, only use a non detergent 20 weight. Such as 3 in 1 in the blue bottle (not the red bottle). The older fans have bearing cup oilers with wicks in them. Only use the latter oil mentioned. The wicks should be replaced. NEVER use grease in these parts of the fan. They have oil return holes that easily plug.
Thanks Brian.
Dennis, make sure you clean out all that old waxy grease.
grab it! grab it! I'd like to own one too, my fan is too bulky for my office
Quote from: BDM on July 14, 2009, 08:25:08 AM
Grab it. Clean it up real nice. If you do, don't start off by taking it completely apart. Go here first
http://afca.mywowbb.com/
Talk with the folks about what you have before proceeding. This way you can avoid mistakes. You'd be surprised at the things that could go wrong. Some of those motors are hard to get apart. They call them stamped steel motors... Read the archives and see what I mean. Most won't need taking apart anyhow, if your motor headwire is good. Just a good blow out cleaning.
BTW, looks like a Westinghouse "Power-Aire" model. Good fan.
http://www.fancollectors.org/gallnew.htm
Not to worry, my handy-man skills are limited, so as long as it works, I'm not tempted to fix it. Cleaning and polishing the exterior is as far as I care to go.
Quote from: Brinybay on July 15, 2009, 12:16:09 AM
Quote from: BDM on July 14, 2009, 08:25:08 AM
Grab it. Clean it up real nice. If you do, don't start off by taking it completely apart. Go here first
http://afca.mywowbb.com/
Talk with the folks about what you have before proceeding. This way you can avoid mistakes. You'd be surprised at the things that could go wrong. Some of those motors are hard to get apart. They call them stamped steel motors... Read the archives and see what I mean. Most won't need taking apart anyhow, if your motor headwire is good. Just a good blow out cleaning.
BTW, looks like a Westinghouse "Power-Aire" model. Good fan.
http://www.fancollectors.org/gallnew.htm
Not to worry, my handy-man skills are limited, so as long as it works, I'm not tempted to fix it. Cleaning and polishing the exterior is as far as I care to go.
Most of the time, the main power cord will need replacing. 6 out of 10 times the head wire to the motor may need replacing. Also, proper oiling is a must! Or it will suffer a bearing failure in short oder.
Ok fan experts, vas ist das? Vintage or junk? The plug looks easy enough to fix:
http://seattle.craigslist.org/see/for/1316807200.html (http://seattle.craigslist.org/see/for/1316807200.html) ( dead link 04-19-21 )
Das ist ein Fan.
Doesn't look all that old, but I know absolutely nothing about fans, except that this is the time of year to use them.
The plug is a piece of cake to replace.
Cheap Late 1960's.
Bill Cahill :) ;)
still looks neat, for 10$ you can't buy a new fan.
off topic, but this seller uses another term i despise.... "shabby chic" uggghhh
I bet you wouldn't be able to live without it if the seller had put "LQQK!" in the title.
Interesting that I just came across this thread. I am currently in the process of soaking the wick assembly and cup for my GE Vortalux fan that I'm guessing is from +/- 1940. I'm using 91% isopropyl alcohol. A friend was over and advised me about the wick situation, and I had honestly never done anything with it. As soon as I turned the fan on and it made some noise, this guy nodded his head and advised that the fan definitely needed oil.
This same guy said I should only use turbine oil. The alternative if I couldn't find it would be the non-detergent 3-in-1 in the blue and white can. My trusty ACE Hardware had paraffin-based, non-detergent turbine oil so I got some of that and am ready to go once the wick assembly is cleaned up. I've been advised on where to find new wicks on line and will probably buy some, although the old wick doesn't seem to be all that deteriorated.
I'm looking forward to enjoying the silence once the wick is back in place. Currently the fan makes noise on the two lower speeds but runs fine on high speed. It can really move some air.
Ralph
While it will work, I'd prefere and use non paraffin-based oils. Wax build up is never a good things when temps will never allow it to melt away, so to say. The 3-1 blue can oil should be easy to find. My local ACE, Home Depot and Lowe's all carry it.
I found "Zoom" turbine oil for my fan. I've heard yes and no about it. So far it's helped. The wick is sending the oil into the bearings. I ran the fan all day for a couple of days and then topped off the oil cup.
The fiber washers on the armature shaft are fairly well worn. I could only find nylon washers as replacements locally, but will be ordering all new fiber ones from Darryl Hudson. I was told nylon may not withstand heat well. For the time being, I have a mixed bag of nylon and fiber washers in place and I have to say the fan is operating smoother and better than ever. When I change speeds, it's very responsive and bumps right up or down. Before, it was slowly whining its way to a higher or lower speed. I kind of hate to think of taking it apart again when the fiber replacements arrive. I have this feeling it'll never be operating as good as I've got it now.
I also need to change out the grease in the oscillator gearbox. I don't know what type it takes but presume it has to have some heat tolerance. After doing some research on line I've found that my model FM12V1 is from 1946-48. I really like this fan and have found that there are a lot of Vortalex afficionados out there. I'm going to be keeping my eye out for more Vorties.
Ralph
I have an old fan that I redid. My mom gave it to me, it's an old one from the fifties that was in the factory where she works. I took it all apart and polished it and repainted it. I will have to take a pic and post it, it turned out very nice.
So, where's the picture?
Bill Cahill ::)
Well, after two days of operating for about 8 hours and running beautifully, on the third day my fan stopped oscillating. I'm sure rotor tolerances are off due to the nylon washers. I'm putting together a list for Darryl and will wait for new washers from him before pulling everything apart again.
Maybe I'll hit the right washer configuration on this thing in time for next summer . . .
The bigger question is where's my camera.
Quote from: Bill Cahill on October 26, 2009, 10:35:47 PM
So, where's the picture?
Bill Cahill ::)
Well I gotta post my two favorites. I have like 30 fans... ok maybe 40. ::) First one is the Emerson 16" oscillator in my avatar. Still has to have the black felt put on the bottom of it. The second has a retro flare that I think a lot of you all will appreciate. It is a Dayton circular floor fan. Took many hours to shine it out to what it is now. Lots of spot corrosion on the grills, not a bit now. It has an industrial motor in it (20" fan). This thing will blow the covers up on you :o.
Anyhow enough of my wind, here's the fans. The first pic is before, the second is after.
Craig;
Nice fans, I can't afford another collection....
D/P :o :o
Wow! Super nice fans! And you polished that grill by hand and removed all the spot corrosion??? That's dedication.
The Dayton took me 15 hours. The Emerson took me 25!. Neither are done. The Emerson fan needs an hour, the Dayton 2-3. :P Another labor of love. I am slimming them down right now. I would like to keep 6 of them for now.
You do nice work Craig. I like both of those, especially the Emerson. I only have an old Diehl which is on my list of stuff to repair/refurb. I should have in done in about 40 years or so.
Quote from: foots on November 02, 2009, 03:45:26 AM
You do nice work Craig. I like both of those, especially the Emerson. I only have an old Diehl which is on my list of stuff to repair/refurb. I should have in done in about 40 years or so.
:D I know the feeling, I have an arm's length list of things like that to clean or fix. Of course that never stops me from buying another project ;D. I am as much a salesman as a collector, so at least some of it comes and goes, WHEW!
I thought I'd dust off this topic and post a few photos of a fan I picked up today at the flea market. Of course I was searching for telephones and did spot a couple. I even picked up (off the table) a 302 and set it back down again. It was not cracked, had a #5 dial and a nice original exchange card. Seller wanted $35. I thought I'd return later and make an offer.
Out of the corner of my eye I spotted a nice looking GE fan. I already own three other GE fans from the mid to late 1950's, but nothing like this one. It is a Vortalex. This blue-green colored fan is from the early part of the 50's decade. The blade has four wings and this one has is a three speed. The seller wanted $15 and didn't want to budge on the price. I figured it is worth all of that and but more importantly a cool oscillating fan (no pun intended) that I'll enjoy using. So I paid the $15 and lugged it to the car. It weighs a ton.
After I got home I spent the next six to seven hours taking it apart and cleaning it. I did a pretty thorough job on it without removing the motor covers. I did remove the grille and blade and also removed the top part from the stand. It has some minor corrosion but overall turned out nice. The bottom has a nice felt pad. I think even the cord is original.
So I took a break from phones today and worked on the General Electric Vortalex. Now I have a total of six old fans. I need to find some more room.
By the way, I never returned for the 302. If it's still there on Tuesday I may try and drag that home too.
The first picture is the dirty "before" photo.
The wire cage has been repaired at the top where someone welded it. It has a flat appearance as a result.
That is cool (pun intended). Nice job Dennis, you seem to have the magic touch with everything you do.
Dougpav
Thanks Doug, but I don't know about EVERYTHING! I do like cleaning up old stuff and using it again.
Excellent job, Dennis. It seems no matter what you turn your hand to, it turns out looking like new again.
That particular base and motor design were virtually unchanged from the big fans GE made in the 1920s. I have a 1930-ish GE with the same base and motor, and it's still in continuous use. In my old apartment, the air conditioning flow in the bedroom was weak, so that fan ran 24 hours a day for several months during the summer, without a break and with no problems whatsoever. They're brilliant fans.
Thanks, Darrin. They really amazing. Similar to phones. Here sixty years later it's working like day one. This one pushes a lot of air and is really quiet. It didn't take a lot of abuse over its lifetime. From the couple of fan forums I've visited there are some people out there with some very nice fans. Some of them bring big bucks too. Especially the old Western Electrics.
I have two Western Electric fans. Both are in working condition, one is a small black fan that was used on switchboards. The second is this beauty that I found on Craig's List 5 years ago for $10.....Doug
ah...the luxury of retirement, to have a entire day to spend sale-ing & refurbing your find! seriously, dennis, beautiful work, as always. :)
Thanks, Donna. Believe me I had more important things to do....but once I got started I didn't want to stop until it was "finished".....for once.
Doug, awesome fan. One of these days I hope to stumble upon something like yours. It looks to be in great shape.
Dennis...it was in pile with a dozen other fans. No respect at all! I was certainly surprised when I got it home and polished it up that is was in like new condtion. Anyone who has polished a fan knows that this is not an easy job. My hands had little slices everywhere. ......Doug
Doug, You are supposed to turn them off before you clean them. :D Is that a Gecophone in the background on the wall? I have only seen two of them in the last five years on eBay. Luckily, I got one of them. They have such a nice design to them.
Dougpav
It is a Ge co phone. I was fortunate to find a US seller on eBay a few years go selling this. Shipping from Europe, before the Priority flat box was always cost prohibitive. They are a tough find with their really cool design.
Even turned off; the fans, unlike me, are really sharp....Doug
Look out fan world... here he comes! 8) Excellent fan Dennis, the headwire looks to be in great shape too.
Craig, you mean look out fan world?? :) Thanks.
Dennis, have you had the chance to run it for an extended period yet? I like the blade shape on the Vortys too. I run a 1930s Signal in the office all day and it hardly gets warm.
Geez, I missed the part about 6 fans now, looks like I need to catch up! :)
Fantastic as always Doug, do you get to run it much?
I did run it much of the day and it is warm to the touch on the top of the motor. That prompted me to decide to remove the housing and try and lubricate the bearing. You know the old saying? If it ain't broke, don't fix it.
I thought I messed it up when a little spacer fell out as I pulled the main shaft out. :) I put some lube on the axis points and managed to get it back together but I was holding my breath. It's been running about an hour or more now and is very quiet and smooth...but still warm to the touch on the top of the motor housing. Perhaps it's the nature of the beast. It's been running on low which really pushes the air.
Mine are warm to the touch, too, when run for an extended time. They're completely clean and are kept lubricated, so I vote for "nature of the beast," too.
Quote from: Wallphone on August 16, 2010, 08:39:59 AM
Doug, You are supposed to turn them off before you clean them. :D Is that a Gecophone in the background on the wall? I have only seen two of them in the last five years on eBay. Luckily, I got one of them. They have such a nice design to them.
Dougpav
I've reviewed the posted pictures several times, looking for the Gecophone in the background. Is it a chameleon gecophone? Have the pictures been modified? Is it in the two pictures posted by Doug (Kidphone) earlier today?
I CAN'T FIND IT....which page?
Terry
Here is the phone....Doug
Terry, I thought it was just me. I didn't see a phone in the photo Doug posted of his fan either. I see it in the new reply just posted but not the one mentioned earlier. Perhaps Briny was commenting to a different post in this post??
For some reason Doug edited his posting and removed the pictures.
Dougpav
Okay, that's what I thought a GECophone was..comes from GEC, the manufacturer. GPO never bothered to adopt them as a new wall phone since they had lots of wall phones available when everyone was switching over to desk phones. Therefore the GECophone isn't seen very often, especially in North America.
I have several of these available, another retirement project to check that they work and sell them. They are a very unique bakelite wall phone.
Terry
Quote from: Doug Rose on August 16, 2010, 07:42:29 AM
I have two Western Electric fans. Both are in working condition, one is a small black fan that was used on switchboards. The second is this beauty that I found on Craig's List 5 years ago for $10.....Doug
Doug, Just to let you know, your Western Electric was manufactured by Westinghouse about 1912-1915.
Quote from: Dennis Markham on August 15, 2010, 10:51:32 PM
I thought I'd dust off this topic and post a few photos of a fan I picked up today at the flea market. Of course I was searching for telephones and did spot a couple. I even picked up (off the table) a 302 and set it back down again. It was not cracked, had a #5 dial and a nice original exchange card. Seller wanted $35. I thought I'd return later and make an offer.
Out of the corner of my eye I spotted a nice looking GE fan. I already own three other GE fans from the mid to late 1950's, but nothing like this one. It is a Vortalex. This blue-green colored fan is from the early part of the 50's decade. The blade has four wings and this one has is a three speed. The seller wanted $15 and didn't want to budge on the price. I figured it is worth all of that and but more importantly a cool oscillating fan (no pun intended) that I'll enjoy using. So I paid the $15 and lugged it to the car. It weighs a ton.
After I got home I spent the next six to seven hours taking it apart and cleaning it. I did a pretty thorough job on it without removing the motor covers. I did remove the grille and blade and also removed the top part from the stand. It has some minor corrosion but overall turned out nice. The bottom has a nice felt pad. I think even the cord is original.
So I took a break from phones today and worked on the General Electric Vortalex. Now I have a total of six old fans. I need to find some more room.
By the way, I never returned for the 302. If it's still there on Tuesday I may try and drag that home too.
The first picture is the dirty "before" photo.
The wire cage has been repaired at the top where someone welded it. It has a flat appearance as a result.
Well Dennis, I thought at one time that I was able to email you but must have been mistaken. So, I'll post the photos here that I mentioned in the PM in hopes that you see them.
GE 16" Voratlex and here's a late model Emerson I got crazy with.
Quote from: RDP on March 12, 2011, 11:35:21 AM
Quote from: Doug Rose on August 16, 2010, 07:42:29 AM
I have two Western Electric fans. Both are in working condition, one is a small black fan that was used on switchboards. The second is this beauty that I found on Craig's List 5 years ago for $10.....Doug
Doug, Just to let you know, your Western Electric was manufactured by Westinghouse about 1912-1915.
Ron....Really? I had no idea it was that old. It is in working condition....thanks....Doug
Yes sir, You stole it by the way. These go for a lot more even though they are stamped steel. Your second photo looks like it's a stationary fan but, the rear motor housing may be on upside down. The oiler should be on the bottom.
Very nice fans Ron. Beautiful paint jobs. Thank you for posting them.
My e-mail address is correct on my profile page. Don't know why you had trouble e-mailing me.
Quote from: Dennis Markham on March 12, 2011, 06:56:56 PM
Very nice fans Ron. Beautiful paint jobs. Thank you for posting them.
My e-mail address is correct on my profile page. Don't know why you had trouble e-mailing me.
Dennis...your email is hidden.
Ron outstanding paint on your fans, really quite cool. You should paint a few phones like that!! I'd love a 302 like the detailed black fan. Taking orders?...Doug
Doug, thanks. I guess I could always see it while I was logged on. I've modified it now. Sorry, I thought it was available all this time.
Thank you Dennis and Doug for your compliments, they are much appreciated.
Doug, Sorry I only do my own and what I sell on eBay. That way there are no over expectations of my work and what they see is what they get.
Sadly, I sold the Pearl Gold and Black Emerson and wish I hadn't so, I have to do one for myself now.
Oh! Dennis, your email is still not showing.
Quote from: RDP on March 12, 2011, 07:24:21 PM
Oh! Dennis, your email is still not showing.
Well I must not have hit the "save changes" button. I have done it again. Please let me know if it doesn't show this time.
Quote from: Dennis Markham on March 12, 2011, 08:08:16 PM
Quote from: RDP on March 12, 2011, 07:24:21 PM
Oh! Dennis, your email is still not showing.
Well I must not have hit the "save changes" button. I have done it again. Please let me know if it doesn't show this time.
Dennis, it worked this time!
I want an old fan (prefer oscillating) for my desk to match the WE302, old radio, etc to give it a period look.
I have seen them all over the map at the antiques show from $10 to 200.
I saw a Western Electric today that looked like the brass blades were painted, but it looked nice and was $95 but I passed because of the paint. I liked the WE logo on the front.
Any brands more desirable than others?
I like my late 40's GE Vortalex. It can really move some air. I have mine in the garage shop because it's not in perfectly pristine condition and because it's industrial strength with regard to how it's built and how it does its job. Some fan collectors say the Vortalex models are very quiet but depending on proximity, there is still the familiar whine of the GE motor to be heard.
By the way, I picked this fan up in the late 70's for $5 at a thrift store.
I have a few old fans. There is a good forum for fan collectors at: http://www.afcaforum.com/ (http://www.afcaforum.com/). Fan collecting is more complicated than phone collecting. There are many manufacturers and models, and the values range all over. From what little I have learned, old fans are often worth much less than one might think (or a flea market seller might want). You should be able to find a decent 1940s fan for much less than $95. Keep in mind though that restoring old fans is far messier than restoring old phones. Cleaning out the old oil and grease is quite a messy job.
Larry
My Vortalex isn't quite as old as Ralph's.....or in as good of condition....I believe this one is from 1950. I bought it at a flea market for $15 last year. I took it apart, changing the grease and I use it all the time. As Ralph said, it really moves the air. I also have a couple GE's that are a bit later that oscillate that work well. I use them often, even with he A/C on (to help circulate the air). I see them often at the flea market. I saw a Vortalex the other day but the seller wanted $25 for it and it wasn't in very good shape.
I don't think you can go wrong with GE or Westinghouse.
Here's a link I posted a while back when we were talking about fans. This is when I found my Vortalex.
http://www.classicrotaryphones.com/forum/index.php?topic=1239.msg42696#msg42696
I recently re-visited that fan forum and found that in order to participate, you now must join the association and pay dues.
I also found the webmaster's attitude regarding instructions for signing up to be a little on the snippy side, so I have hesitated to join as a result. Just gave me a bad impression about the site.
If I'm mistaken in my interpretation of the environment on those forums, please do advise, as I'd like to get information on repairing a recently acquired Mathes Cooler, pictured below.
I have an account on the forum even though I am not a paying member of the AFCA. They do restrict access to certain areas, like their picture gallery, to paying members, but I have had no problem posting questions. Overall, it is not as friendly and helpful as this forum, but it's not bad. I posted questions about a few fans which I was considering buying to get an idea of what they were worth before I wasted alot of money on something common, and I get some helpful advice.
Larry
Dennis, be careful with the wing bolt that adjusts the tilt on your Vortalex. The fork it holds in place appears to be pot metal or something soft, and the threads in mine have stripped. There's not much that can be done, so I fashioned a helicoil out of a small section of the soft metal covering for the cork and neck on a wine bottle, which is at least keeping the wing bolt tightly in place, but it can easily strip again if tightened too much.
Ralph, I just checked as I have an account on that forum as well.
http://www.afcaforum.com/
As Larry mentioned, I can still log into the Forum but cannot access other areas of the club's web site.
Dan here are a couple of photos of two more GE's that I have. I see these from time to time. The first two photos are of the smaller 10-inch blade (single speed) and the other a two-speed with a 12 inch blade.
Ralph, thanks for the heads-up on the wing bolt for adjusting the tilt.
Thanks Larry and Dennis. I will give the forum another look.
Dennis:
I can feel the breeze all the way here. ;D ;D ;D
Larry....Dennis is right, you can get some really nice fans fairly cheap. I had this beautiful bakelite GE fan that I couldn't give away last year. It don't even remember what happened to it, it must have gone in our yard sale of stuff that I couldn't unload on eBay....Doug
http://www.classicrotaryphones.com/forum/index.php?topic=3325.0
Thanks for the photos Dennis. I think the GE's look like the ones I will pursue.
I saw this fan in a museum in Kilby, BC, Canada while on vacation. I thought of youse fan folks and got a picture.
Greg, that look very much like one that I have. I believe the Eskimo brand was made in Canada. I posted a couple photos of mine back in 2009.
http://www.classicrotaryphones.com/forum/index.php?topic=1239.60
I am seeing those eskimos a lot myself as I figure out which one I an going to get.
I think that the fans which have blades which were stamped from a single sheet of thin metal are the cheap ones and are not considered so collectable. Also, they will tend to give more trouble. The "Eskimo" brand name was one of many names used by the Bersted Mfg Co which made low quality, cheap "drug store" appliances. I have read some very uncomplimentary things about them. I would suggest looking at the more reliable brands like Westinghouse, Emerson, etc..
Larry
I found a circa 1947 GE Vortalex in somewhat rough shape yesterday at the flea market for $20. It had obviously been dropped at some point because the cage was bent, there was a small gash in one of the blades, and the blades were unbalanced, so the fan shook from side to side when running. I did alot of cleaning, bending, and replacing the past two days, and the fan is now working. Here is a picture of it with its younger sibling (1949).
(http://i563.photobucket.com/albums/ss74/LarryinMichigan/GEFans.jpg)
Larry
Larry, that's a nice job you did on the Vortalex, and even with its problems you got it for a great price.
Balancing the blades on a Vortalex can be a real challenge. I spent a lot of time on mine and can barely feel any vibration at all from the cage when the fan is running now.
I just picked up a little Superior 10" one-speed oscillator from a friend and it made me realize just how much more effective the Vortalex is at moving air.
Ralph, thank you. I think that I have the Vortalex blades about as balances as I will ever have them. The fan barely shakes at all while running, but there is a small wobble visible in the blades while they are spinning. The fan sure blows well, but it is rather loud.
As a caution to fan collectors, I would strongly suggest inspecting the head wire, especially inside the motor housing near the entrance. Both of these GE fans had very badly worn insulation on the wires in that area with enough copper showing to make me plenty concerned. I don't particularly want flashes and smoke from the fans, so I replaced the head wires, which is a bit of a challenge.
Larry
I like almost anything made before my time. Im glad to see pics of things that can be repaired and enjoyed. I started collecting touch tip lighters and phones. http://ronsonrepair.com/ronson_lighters_for_sale.html
Yes I do! Got a few desk models and one ceiling fan.
Notice on the label is says "Hunter Fan and Motor Co" the company is still around today and the fans are still made, they are just ceiling fans though! I used to sell them and they are real nice fans!
I collect them. I have quite a few Emersons and GEs and also a few Westinghouses, Hunters and some of the Zero fans. I have fans ranging all the way back to the teens to 60s through modern day. For new ones I really like the Vornado metal reproduction fans.
I've been collecting off and on since my parents got me fans as a kid in the early 90s. Since 2007 I got back into it and got into the 1970s and prior fans and in last few years have been gotten the older brass bladed ones. I especially like six wing fans.
Fan atrocity :o
I have a few fans myself.
1915 GE 2 Star
1931 Emerson model 450 Northwind
1950's Robbins & Myers
1950's Sea-breeze
Love the early ones with the minimal guards. Clearly 'health and safety' wasn't such a thing then - you learnt the hard way why you don't stick your fingers in a moving fan!
;D
There was a time I had quite a few vintage /antique fans, restored and unrestored and some just conserved.
Here's a few I use to have, had to stop because my beck couldn't handle the weight anymore. Some of those large cast iron and brass fans weighed as much as 45 pounds. And sold many off just needing the bucks.
(https://i.imgur.com/nu3NWt8.jpg) (https://i.imgur.com/3mOQSgL.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/2gTkuX0.jpg) (https://i.imgur.com/yFGWLJf.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/GwnCEb7.jpg) (https://i.imgur.com/bVqdlGE.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/wGShIU5.jpg) (https://i.imgur.com/eUwUssf.jpg)
Quote from: RDP on March 12, 2011, 12:13:54 PMWell Dennis, I thought at one time that I was able to email you but must have been mistaken. So, I'll post the photos here that I mentioned in the PM in hopes that you see them.
GE 16" Voratlex and here's a late model Emerson I got crazy with.
Hmm! These fans look very familiar. I knew I was a member of a phone forum at one time but, couldn't remember which one.
Gees! I reckon I am getting old. Well,
I didn't collect fans but I picked one up today. I guess I still don't collect them unless I get 1 more. We'll see...
Somewhere in the recent past I saw a vintage fan on a pole that I had a use for but at a price I was not willing to pay at the time. But I ran into one today at a shop that was not in working order, The proprietor said that the previous owner told him it worked until a mouse chewed the cord and to make an offer. I offered, he scowled, we dickered, and agreed on 20 bucks.
I had never heard of this brand but apparently it was made by the Easy Washing Machine Company of Syracuse, NY (with a subsidiary in Toronto where this one was likely made) which shut down in 1963. From the seafoam green hammertone paint, I'd guess this was made in the 1950s or early 60s. I remember as a kid in that time frame having a fan with a similar finish on it.
I trimmed the cord to remove all the damaged parts and put a plug on it to test it out. It works fine including the oscillation. I will have to put a new cord on it because it's supposed to go down through the pole which extends to around 7 feet tall and out through a hole near the bottom of the cast iron base. The base is a little rusty so I'm going to keep my eye out for some hammertone paint in a similar colour. I don't think I'll attempt to restore the whole thing; just repaint the base to match as closely as I can. The rest of it has a few minor dings and chips but is not bad overall.
side.jpg
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QuoteI will have to put a new cord on it because it's supposed to go down through the pole which extends to around 7 feet tall and out through a hole near the bottom of the cast iron base.
How does that work when the power cord goes down the stand pipe and the stand pipe is adjustable?
Where does the extra cord to handle the extension go, or how does that work?
Quote from: TelePlay on May 07, 2022, 11:07:02 PMHow does that work when the power cord goes down the stand pipe and the stand pipe is adjustable?
Where does the extra cord to handle the extension go, or how does that work?
I suppose that you need to leave enough slack cord under the base to allow for that and make a knot on the inside so you can't accidentally pull the slack out. There is a hole in the side of the inner tube at the top and a hole exiting the base which leads me to that conclusion. I've found several pictures of these fans with ordinary pedestal bases but none so far with the extendable pole.
Quote from: NorthernElectric on May 07, 2022, 11:46:43 PMI suppose that you need to leave enough slack cord under the base to allow for that and make a knot on the inside so you can't accidentally pull the slack out. There is a hole in the side of the inner tube at the top and a hole exiting the base which leads me to that conclusion. I've found several pictures of these fans with ordinary pedestal bases but none so far with the extendable pole.
You found yourself a pretty nice pedestal fan sir and at a real cheap price.
Pedestal fans aren't the easiest to come by. Your right about the power cord and there
might just be a long spring inside the down rod to take up the slack of the cord.
I have a Westinghouse 10" pedestal fan from 1936 with a adjustable height and that's what it has.
But, depending on the maker as you know they don't all do things the same.
(https://i.imgur.com/WIKKWk4.jpg) (https://i.imgur.com/OkikxVx.jpg)
Lousy photos I know, I didn't have a photo of my fan so these were taken off the internet.
Theses are called the Darth Vader fan by collectors because of how the back of the motor
looks.
Thanks RDPipes.
I was thinking there must have been some sort of spring or at least a grommet at the top hole to provide strain/abrasion relief because it's larger than necessary to pass a cord through and there is a small threaded hole right beside it that I thought was there for a screw to retain whatever sort of device was used. I'm guessing the previous owner was planning on replacing the cord but never got around to it. The plug had been cut off and the cord pulled out. I will come up with something to protect the cord where it exits the pipe; at the very least a section of rubber hose to act as an extended grommet.
Your Westinghouse is awesome!
Quote from: NorthernElectric on May 08, 2022, 10:02:08 AMThanks RDPipes.
I was thinking there must have been some sort of spring or at least a grommet at the top hole to provide strain/abrasion relief because it's larger than necessary to pass a cord through and there is a small threaded hole right beside it that I thought was there for a screw to retain whatever sort of device was used. I'm guessing the previous owner was planning on replacing the cord but never got around to it. The plug had been cut off and the cord pulled out. I will come up with something to protect the cord where it exits the pipe; at the very least a section of rubber hose to act as an extended grommet.
Your Westinghouse is awesome!
Yes sir, there should certainly be a rubber grommet of sorts in the hole that the cord enters and exits the rod and base.
If memory serves me right and might I say I'm almost 70 so there's no guarantee it will, LOL!
But, I believe my has a spring that's about half as long as the down rod and the cord passes through it
and the spring is crimped to it at the top.
And thank you, it's the only pedestal fan I've ever had. Back when I was collecting these were quite expensive
compared to a lot of desk fans. As you get to the older brass blade and cage fans the prices start going up drastically.
I remember selling a 1906 GE desk fan for over $1000 restored (Pictured earlier) and there's fans out there that make that sound like pocket change. Keep you're fan properly oiled with Electric Motor oil, not the red and white container of 3 in 1 but the blue and white and make sure the oscillation gear box is properly lubed and you're fan should last for quite some time.
Well, I guess I am collecting fans now. I wanted 1 more (who am I kidding) but I bought 2 yesterday.
I have bid on a few fans in online auctions recently. 2 of them went for more than what I wanted to spend so I was outbid but I still had 1 outstanding when I visited a shop yesterday and found 1 that I wanted. The outstanding auction bid completed last night and I won that too.
The one I picked up in the shop is a Robbins & Myers (Canada) List #1600 16" oscillator. It's in working order but needs a new power cord and cleaning/oiling.
front.jpg
side.jpg
base.jpg
I have tentatively IDed the auction win from the auctioneers low res photos as a Chapman & Walker Canadian import version of a Marelli Australe. It's clearly more of a project than the R&M. It might be incorrectly assembled and certainly needs wiring, cage, and fan blades straightened. I will know more when it arrives in the mail.
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2-2.jpg
I am known for not being a 'fan' ( ::) ) of these.
That last one in particular - was it ever issued with any form of safety guard/cage? :o
These are sooo dangerous. :(
Quote from: FABphones on May 19, 2022, 12:05:33 PMThat last one in particular - was it ever issued with any form of safety guard/cage? :o
Yes, but the cage is missing on this one. Here is an example of the Marelli Australe which I think mine is a Canadian version of.
(https://marellifan.files.wordpress.com/2018/09/asv12_1.jpg)
Quote from: NorthernElectric on May 19, 2022, 11:27:58 AM...The one I picked up in the shop is a Robbins & Myers (Canada) List #1600 16" oscillator. It's in working order but needs a new power cord and cleaning/oiling...
...I have tentatively IDed the auction win from the auctioneers low res photos as a Chapman & Walker Canadian import version of a Marelli Australe. It's clearly more of a project than the R&M. It might be incorrectly assembled and certainly needs wiring, cage, and fan blades straightened. I will know more when it arrives in the mail...
The R&M is what we call a stamped steel type housing and aren't one of the easiest to work on, I wish you luck sir.
As for the other one it did at conception have a cage, probably brass and might even been nickel plated.
Someone has certainly been inside the motor housing because they put the front motor cover on upside down. Oiler should
be at the bottom. If you don't already know you can get some real nice authentic looking replacement cordage at Sundial wire online https://sundialwire.com/ (https://sundialwire.com/)
Quote from: RDPipes on May 19, 2022, 12:28:18 PMSomeone has certainly been inside the motor housing because they put the front motor cover on upside down. Oiler should
be at the bottom.
From photos I have looked at it appears that some of the Marellis have oilers on the bottom, others, like the Australe, on the top. So I don't think the housing is upside down. I do think that the rotor might be in backwards though, because the blades appear like they might be at the wrong end. I will get some better photos after it arrives in the mail.
It's interesting that the R&M has a sticker saying that it was converted to 60 cycle power. Can you read the original frequency stamp that has been stamped over? When I was at the university, one of my electrical engineering professors was telling stories about how he was working in Ontario in the 1950s, converting the system from 25Hz to 60 Hz.
Quote from: SUnset2 on May 20, 2022, 01:37:29 AMIt's interesting that the R&M has a sticker saying that it was converted to 60 cycle power. Can you read the original frequency stamp that has been stamped over? When I was at the university, one of my electrical engineering professors was telling stories about how he was working in Ontario in the 1950s, converting the system from 25Hz to 60 Hz.
The '60' appears to have been stamped deeply and multiple times so as to obliterate what the original frequency was. But I suspect it was most likely 25 Hz originally which I think was prevalent in most of Ontario for decades.
While reading on the subject, I learned that the last 25Hz generating equipment was shut down just 13 years ago. It, and parts of the grid to distribute it, were maintained all those years to satisfy some large industrial customers that had large investments in 25Hz equipment,
Quote from: david@london on May 19, 2022, 01:19:40 PMQuote from: FABphones on May 19, 2022, 12:05:33 PMI am known for not being a 'fan' ( ::) ) of these.
These are sooo dangerous. :(
These fans are lovely antiques of course, but CJ is correct about the risks. Think I'd encase in extra-fine wire mesh if ever I had one in use.
I do intend to put a guard cage on it when/if I get it running. But if I wanted a fan with a fine wire mesh cage, I could pick up a crappy modern one at a yard sale for a buck or 2. What would be the point of owning a vintage item and then making it look like modern junk? I'm a mature adult and this fan will never be running with children or pets present. It will probably be extremely difficult to find an exact match for the original cage or at least the badge that was on it, but I should at least be able to get one that looks similar.
Quote...this fan will never be running with children or pets present...
Unfortunately such is the way of the World Wide Web - sometimes things need pointing out for those less knowing who may stumble across these pages...
:(
I recall seeing covers for old fans made of a fish net like material that was used if someone wanted extra safety.
My fan from the auction arrived yesterday and my ID was bang on, a Marelli Australe imported to Canada by Chapman & Walker. I cleaned it up a bit and straightened the blades out somewhat, but needs more work in both respects still. I also took the armature out and reinstalled it in the correct orientation so the blade attaches to the front. I was hoping I would be able to hook up a power cord, give it a little oil and try it out but that will have to wait. I couldn't tell from the poor quality auction photos that the brushes and brush holders are missing. :( Also missing: oiler caps, switch, base plate, and of course the cage and struts that I already knew about.
quartering-right.jpg
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Just to touch on a subject about fan cages here and my two cents. When I was a child about 60 some years ago parents kept fans and things of the sort out of a child's reach and we were all told about severed fingers if we would dare to stick them into a running fan. I reckon most parents actually kept an eye on their children back then and weren't too busy with their face buried in a cellphone or expected the school board to raise their children for them. I could go on about safety regulations and who and why there in place nowadays but, I'm stopping here. Just my two cents dear sirs.