Clutch head screwdriver used in Fresh'nd-Aire fans?

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zzzzz

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Nov 28, 2004
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I recently acquired a 1950s-era Fresh'nd-Aire table fan (yes, one of those great classics with a two-blade airplane-style propeller and a very unsafe grille by today's strict standards). The motor needs a good disassembly and cleaning as the bearings are all gunked up and the prop won't spin freely. Alas, the motor housing is secured with clutch head screws, which I don't currently have a screwdriver for.

Does anyone know the exact screwdriver size these screws require? Buying clutch head bits or screwdrivers is no problem, but I'd like to avoid spending extra on a range of tool sizes to find out by trial and error. Thanks!
 
Why not bring the fan to the hardware/tool store to purchase the exact clutch head driver you need? If that's inconvenient, you could always measure the width of the clutch head recess with a suitable caliper, and match that up with a suitable driver.

In a pinch, you can use a suitably sized flat screwdriver on a clutch head screw. But of course it's not right.

By the way, thanks for bringing this up. I'd never heard of clutch head screws before - don't think I've ever seen one, either. But according to one web site, they were once very popular for electric motors and mobile homes.

Screw Drive Systems

Descriptions of heads used to turn screws and bolts, for example, Phillips and Torx.
www.sizes.com
 
Re: Clutch Head Screws and Drivers:

I'm not real sure if I've ever had any experience with Clucth Screws or the Driver's, but I've seen them before, however not being able to remember where or on what.

I think that actually I might have a Set, that was my Father's and from what I remember at least back then, they came as a combination Unit, where you would just take the Driver Head out of a Handle, turn it over and replace back into the Handle, for a different size Driver.

I've noticed on the info Link, being shared with us by sudsmaster, that according to the area discribbing the Screws and the Drivers, there shouldn't be that many pieces for a full Set.

I agree about taking the Fan with you, to a Home Depot, Lowe's, or some other Hardware Store near you, to locate the Driver's.

Peace and Fun Times with your great "Propeller" Fan, Steve
SactoTeddyBear...
 
Thanks for the replies, guys...I thought "take the fan with you" might be the answer.

What I did was rub off an impression of the screw with a pencil onto a Post-It note. I compared the bits at the store with the impression and determined it was most likely a 5/32", but possibly a 3/16". At about S1.25 a bit, I decided to hedge my bet and buy both. Turns out the 5/32" bit did the trick.

Now it's time to replace deteriorating fifty-year-old internal wiring.
 
I hope to see pictures of your fan soon. I love those Freshn'd Air fans as well as others with the airplane propeller blades. I currently own an Air Castle Fan that has the one piece, cast metal blade. Makes an awesome sound and stirs up a good breeze as well!
 
Good luck. You're lucky the fan actually has removable screws. The heater fan in my Wedgewood-Holly appears to be riveted together, with aluminum rivets, so I'll have to drill them out to service the bearings (they are a bit noisy), and then replace them with screws of suitable metal, length, and width.

I had one of those canary-killing finger-slicing fans back in the 80's (a previous tenant gave it to me). I gave it away when I moved out of that flat... although I later regretted parting with a genuine antique, I didn't mind leaving that particular saftey issue behind. It was solidly built, that's for sure.
 
Re: Rivited Fan Blade:

Hi! Sudsmaster, is it possible to get to the Bearings, without drilling the Rivits out? I was thinking if you can get to them, using Turbine Oil, the Plastic Bottle has a Straw, that pulls out of the Bottle, to pin-point getting to the item in need. I was just thinking that you might be able to safe your having to drill the Rivits out and retain the beauty of the Fan's original looks and operation.

Peace and Good Luck, Steve
SactoTeddyBear...
 
Luckily most of computer work requires a #2 Phillips. But beware: Laptops use #0 and #1's and some (like HP) use Torx screws. Usually all the drivers you need come in those cheap "PC Toolkit"s you get a Best Buy, etc.
 

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