Satisfying weekend vintage projects.

[northwesty]

Hi all, here are three little projects I tackled this weekend, some of which have been a long time waiting. First off, that Sunbeam T-35 Toaster, I bought about a year ago. It was in nearly perfect condition, but had been dropped so the bakelite base was broken. I had an older Sunbeam I picked up that was scrubbed with a brillow pad that was basically ruined so I put the two together to make one. Neither one worked but I was able to calibrate the newer one so now it works great.

The T-9 toaster I bought today and shined up, it works fine and I am glad to have it my collection. I have had many opportunities to get these but part of my hobby is to save them from the crusher at low cost.

That Vornado fan I got about 35 years ago, rewired and repainted and it worked great. But my father-in-law broke it about 15 years ago, so it hasn't had a fan blade. I have found it impossible to find a replacement but bought a newer Vornado that had a very similar blade and put that in. Unfortunately I found that in all this time it was froze up, and I had to completely dissassemble the motor to free it up. These things aren't meant to be taken apart to that level, I had to drill out rivits that I didn't even have screws small enought to replace. After much head scratching and improvisation, I was able to get it running. I will paint that blade black this summer to get it as close to stock as possible. Anyway I should be happy but I need a drink. Thanks for looking I know many of you have had similar experiences. - Northwesty.

 

[diesirae7]

nice!

Very nice indeed! They look great, glad the fan is going again, those are the best!

 

[rp2813]

Nice work!

I'd love to know what's involved with calibrating those Sunbeams.   I have two of them.  One has the knob adjustment and the other is the later type with the sliding lever. 

 

[northwesty]

On

this Sunbeam, it wouldn't turn off, and even the lifter went up and down by itself and turned on. With the adjustment knob off I was able to twirl the shaft while a piece of bread was in it until it clicked off. It was real close to being back to normal and with a half turn or so I put the knob back on after testing a few pieces of toast.

The impact of whatever broke the bakelite probably set it off. On the other hand the scratched one I discarded could not be fixed this way but had similar problems.

 

[circlew]

Nice Toasters,

and fan.

I have a Sunbeam T-9 that belonged to my dad's Uncle Fred & Aunt Hazel. It's one of the things I really wanted from the house after Uncle Fred passed away in '90.

 

[fan-of-fans]

Great job.

I find those Automatic Sunbeams interesting. I used to have an older Vornado as well, but it was a heater and fan. It needed a lot of work, so I gave it away. It had metal blades. I have a new one I bought last year that's green and has five black plastic blades. But it's made in China.

I can agree on the frustration of projects. I have several fan projects I need to finish, but can never seem to get the motivation in my spare time.

 

[dermacie]

I have been using a Sunbeam t-20 for nearly 20 years often more than once a day. I recently replaced its plug. The cord is not original. I got it at an antique store and ironically was not on display and the sales lady asked me if I was looking for anything and I said a toaster. She said she had one in the basement and bought it for fifteen dollars.

 

[northwesty]

Dermacie

I have another T-20 I bought 35 years ago that is still my favorite and works great. I have to tell you I bought it in San Bernadino at a thrift store for 50 cents! I will never forget that I couldn't figure out how it worked since it didn't have a lever to push it down. I plugged it in and was trying it with my wallet to see how the thing worked and it immediately ate my wallet and started to cook it! After a moment of being perplexed I figured that I should just unplug it. It was made in 1952 and I find it just astonishing that it is still going strong today.

 

[spacepig]

I love the matching table and chairs!

 

[Ultramatic]

 

 

Really nice projects! I have a T-20A that does not work at all. I plan to restore it during the winter. Found a great website on Sunbeam toasters:

Home Page

 

[ea56]

I have a T-35 that I bought at the Goodwill Thrift Store about 10 years ago for $5.99. It is the very best toaster I’ve ever owned! I always wanted one of these toasters because my maternal Grandma had a T-20.

She used to set up Grandpa’s breakfast the night before by putting two slices of white bread in the T-20 slots, the bacon in a frying pan, set over the pilot light on the gas cooktop, I know bad idea, the eggs cracked into a small dish set in the fridge and the GE potbelly percolator loaded with water and ground coffee, ready to plug in. She would get up, half awake, on auto pilot, plug in the perc, turn the burner on under the bacon, and when the bacon was done, slide the eggs into the bacon grease and gently lift the bread slice in the front slot of the T-20 and the bread would disappear into the slots. By the time it rose up again the eggs were done and Grandpa’s breakfast was ready. I remember the first time I watched her go through this process like she was sleep walking and I was in awe.
Eddie[this post was last edited: 11/29/2017-21:18]