We found this at the sales today, I had a similar one when I was a kid. Another $5 find and its in super nice shape...
Fun 50's Thermostat Fan
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Love the Automatic!
And the motors look like bullets with the GE logo on the back...
scott55405
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That's beautiful! Glad you got to it! Vintage fans are "big business."
aldspinboy
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Fantastic Robert ! The blades are just beautiful.
Darren k
Darren k
reversajet
Well-known member
Factory fresh!
That is the finest example of the '58 "Twin Fan Ventilator" I've ever seen... Flexible rubber handle still present, worth its weight in gold. Keep the center blade hubs treated with a liquid preserver to prevent shrinkage and you're good for another 50 years. This was the premium model; economy model had no chrome whatsoever. Only thing missing: each blade "orifice" was encircled with a "chrome" band (like the door edge on a car). You can probably purchase the plastic strips at an auto accessory store and give your fan the crowning touch. What a lucky find.
That is the finest example of the '58 "Twin Fan Ventilator" I've ever seen... Flexible rubber handle still present, worth its weight in gold. Keep the center blade hubs treated with a liquid preserver to prevent shrinkage and you're good for another 50 years. This was the premium model; economy model had no chrome whatsoever. Only thing missing: each blade "orifice" was encircled with a "chrome" band (like the door edge on a car). You can probably purchase the plastic strips at an auto accessory store and give your fan the crowning touch. What a lucky find.
Does it have electric reverse or do you just have to turn the unit around?
Hi Terry, this one goes only one direction, I believe the reversing ones came a bit later.
Mike thank you for that information and ad! Actually I do have those bands, I just forgot to put them back on after I cleaned it, lol I would guessed at 1956, so its good to know that its a '58.
Hi Terry, this one goes only one direction, I believe the reversing ones came a bit later.
Mike thank you for that information and ad! Actually I do have those bands, I just forgot to put them back on after I cleaned it, lol I would guessed at 1956, so its good to know that its a '58.
GE boob glamour shot...
They are boobs!
What a fun find. I haven't ever seen a GE fan like this - just oscillating single boobs.
What a fun find. I haven't ever seen a GE fan like this - just oscillating single boobs.
Well...
...if progress was truly their most important product, then one can only assume that some double-Ds came along later
...if progress was truly their most important product, then one can only assume that some double-Ds came along later
frontaloadotmy
Well-known member
Very Nice Gentlemen!
I have the "next" version of that unit called the "twindow"
fan that allows the fans to be rotated for intake or exhaust.
Would that mine had only cost $5, and be in such beautiful
condition ; I think I paid $30 for it back in the late 80's
or early 90's. It looks very much like your "Automatic".
I have the "next" version of that unit called the "twindow"
fan that allows the fans to be rotated for intake or exhaust.
Would that mine had only cost $5, and be in such beautiful
condition ; I think I paid $30 for it back in the late 80's
or early 90's. It looks very much like your "Automatic".
reversajet
Well-known member
How's this for appreciation?
The "reversible" twin fan was actually introduced in 1949! It remained available for almost 10 years, when Robert's "lightweight" version appeared! I don't know what's behind this auction but I'd take really good care of yours after this!
The "reversible" twin fan was actually introduced in 1949! It remained available for almost 10 years, when Robert's "lightweight" version appeared! I don't know what's behind this auction but I'd take really good care of yours after this!
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O.M.G.!!! 700 bucks!!!!!!!!!
my aunt had one indentical to the one in that e bay auction! we used it for years and years until we finally got an airconditioner in the 70's!
i cannot believe that fan sold for 700 bucks! i could buy 3 or 4 kitchenaids for that price! oh well, i guess someone out there wanted that fan as badly as i have wanted some of my stuff!
love the "boobs" on robert's fan too! complete with little G.E. pasties!
my aunt had one indentical to the one in that e bay auction! we used it for years and years until we finally got an airconditioner in the 70's!
i cannot believe that fan sold for 700 bucks! i could buy 3 or 4 kitchenaids for that price! oh well, i guess someone out there wanted that fan as badly as i have wanted some of my stuff!
love the "boobs" on robert's fan too! complete with little G.E. pasties!
autowasherfreak
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Looks like someone took very good care of it. My grandmother had a turquoise all metal Westinghouse fan it was one of the best fans we ever had, those 3 large metal blades could sure move some air.
toggleswitch2
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Fabulous! And better quality fans (as shown) have the veturi ring that forms a circle around the fan blades. Helps direct air as wanted.
The one in the auction...
I have one of these (Thanks Pat!). It works, but it is not the highest quality or most effective fan marketed in GE's history. My question is how do I lubricate it? I use it a LOT but I need to know how to maintain the fan so I don't ruin the bearings. One is already noticeably more worn then the other. My fan has the same boobie motors as Robert's very nice example.
Thanks,
Dave
(I'm used to GE's older fans with oil cups with wicks)
I have one of these (Thanks Pat!). It works, but it is not the highest quality or most effective fan marketed in GE's history. My question is how do I lubricate it? I use it a LOT but I need to know how to maintain the fan so I don't ruin the bearings. One is already noticeably more worn then the other. My fan has the same boobie motors as Robert's very nice example.
Thanks,
Dave
(I'm used to GE's older fans with oil cups with wicks)
reversajet
Well-known member
Oil's well that ends well
This is a great thread which probably has been addressed on the AFCA website ad nauseum but, there is no easy way to oil a permanently lubed GE motor such as those used in the "twin," box, window, hassock or desk fans from that era. When the "single bearing" motor was implemented way back in '49, an internal reservoir and wick system was filled with a spoonful of oil, which theoretically should've last a lifetime (5 years to you and me). The "GE pastie" rear emblem as described is actually a "plug" which, when pried or drilled off (not easy or safe) would expose the shaft with retaining clip as well as an oily felt washer. In probably 95% of those units existing since 1949, the original oil has leaked out or dried up. Those still in use are coasting on what remains of factory lube. Many owners have pried off the rear disk and drilled into the reservoir to add more oil. This is unfortunately the only efficient way to accomplish this task. Dripping or squirting oil at the motor front would serve only to soak the windings and rotor (not good) but most likely never reach the rear bearing anyway. Another great engineering idea which caused owners to trash their fans too soon, yet it was used until GE's last fan lineup in 1975.
This is a great thread which probably has been addressed on the AFCA website ad nauseum but, there is no easy way to oil a permanently lubed GE motor such as those used in the "twin," box, window, hassock or desk fans from that era. When the "single bearing" motor was implemented way back in '49, an internal reservoir and wick system was filled with a spoonful of oil, which theoretically should've last a lifetime (5 years to you and me). The "GE pastie" rear emblem as described is actually a "plug" which, when pried or drilled off (not easy or safe) would expose the shaft with retaining clip as well as an oily felt washer. In probably 95% of those units existing since 1949, the original oil has leaked out or dried up. Those still in use are coasting on what remains of factory lube. Many owners have pried off the rear disk and drilled into the reservoir to add more oil. This is unfortunately the only efficient way to accomplish this task. Dripping or squirting oil at the motor front would serve only to soak the windings and rotor (not good) but most likely never reach the rear bearing anyway. Another great engineering idea which caused owners to trash their fans too soon, yet it was used until GE's last fan lineup in 1975.
