Vintage Fan Thread
- Thread starter jmm63
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Those models were indeed to be used as "swamp coolers". You hooked a moisture wicking pad up to the back and presto, cool air. That's why those units are made mostly out of wood for water+electric+metal= electrocution purposes, but I still don't know how smart it was. They are much more popular in the SouthWest and drier climates, probably not a very good seller in the humid states.
Kenmore
This thread motivated me to get out my old Kenmore fan that also is a portable heater. When you move the switch from COOLING to HEAT the fan speed slows down and the star shaped heat coil comes on. I have no idea how old it is but it still works pretty well. This fan really moves the air.
This thread motivated me to get out my old Kenmore fan that also is a portable heater. When you move the switch from COOLING to HEAT the fan speed slows down and the star shaped heat coil comes on. I have no idea how old it is but it still works pretty well. This fan really moves the air.
polkanut
Well-known member
Time to resurrect this thread.
<span style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms', geneva;">I found this cute little single speed Zero oscillating fan at the only estate sale happening in town this weekend. Not bad for $5.00 if I do say so myself. Gave it a couple of drops of oil, and she runs beautifully! McGraw Electric Co. merged with Thomas A. Edison, Inc. in 1957 to form McGraw-Edison, so this fan would most likely be pre-1957.</span>
<span style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms', geneva;">I found this cute little single speed Zero oscillating fan at the only estate sale happening in town this weekend. Not bad for $5.00 if I do say so myself. Gave it a couple of drops of oil, and she runs beautifully! McGraw Electric Co. merged with Thomas A. Edison, Inc. in 1957 to form McGraw-Edison, so this fan would most likely be pre-1957.</span>
I know where my love of fans came from: my dad, who is on these boards! He keeps talking about the great folks here so I thought I would share a few. I restore them when they're too far gone. I love all fans, but my favorites are the atomic age fans from the 50's like Vornados, Kenmore's, Mimar's etc. These are just a few of my collection including a few restos. Great place here!
cfz2882
Well-known member
vornado
I have a vornado similar to pic#1,mine is kinda beat up-snatched it at the dump~20 years ago,but works good.I also recently got a ~1950 fan with 4 brown rubber blades and no guard-will look to see what brand that one is.
I have a vornado similar to pic#1,mine is kinda beat up-snatched it at the dump~20 years ago,but works good.I also recently got a ~1950 fan with 4 brown rubber blades and no guard-will look to see what brand that one is.
Kanticoy
cool fans, whats that one in #5 ? I love the giant ring around it !
cool fans, whats that one in #5 ? I love the giant ring around it !
polkanut
Well-known member
Office scene from Bullitt.
I would love to find a desk fan like the one in the background in the scene in the architect's office where Bullitt's girlfriend works. I think the spiral design on the blades is so hypnotic. You can see it beginning at 5:49 into the clip.
http://https//www.youtube.com/watch?v=oKI9CmIHmoc
I would love to find a desk fan like the one in the background in the scene in the architect's office where Bullitt's girlfriend works. I think the spiral design on the blades is so hypnotic. You can see it beginning at 5:49 into the clip.
http://https//www.youtube.com/watch?v=oKI9CmIHmoc
philr
Well-known member
I'd like to find another R&M hunter tripod fan as I have one that hit the floor too many times during the few years it did belong to my uncle!
It still works but it's missing pieces of it's plastic housing... When I was a kid, I was fascinated by this fan, which at that time, was in my bedroom in my grandparent's house.
It still works but it's missing pieces of it's plastic housing... When I was a kid, I was fascinated by this fan, which at that time, was in my bedroom in my grandparent's house.
philr
Well-known member
I had to buy one after I checked again on eBay. Not the tripod version but my tripod is good... I just hope it will not be damaged in the shipping!
http://www.ebay.com/itm/391145961041?_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649
http://www.ebay.com/itm/391145961041?_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649
As an eBay Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.
philr
Well-known member
Here's the one I currently have, I have patched it with fiberglass, it still works but it's ugly! A few weeks ago, I was wondering if I should just throw it away. I'm glad I resisted as I'll reuse the tripod from this one. It's the same model number as the other one.
blackstone
Well-known member
1906 GE Pancake Fan
Just finished restoring this old fan; GE with the flat "pancake" motor. One interesting feature about this fan is the exposed live wires on the back of the motor. 5-speed fan with all-brass cage and blades. One "before" picture shown.
Just finished restoring this old fan; GE with the flat "pancake" motor. One interesting feature about this fan is the exposed live wires on the back of the motor. 5-speed fan with all-brass cage and blades. One "before" picture shown.
philr
Well-known member
That's a really nice fan Fred, I was quite impressed when I saw it in person!
ovrphil
Well-known member
Fred - nice job on this old GE fan. Did the five speeds work already when you bought it or did that feature need attention to work properly?
blackstone
Well-known member
As you can imagine, the wiring on the fan was in sad shape. I put on a new cord, and similar wire from the base of the fan to the back of the motor. I used a cloth-covered cord intended for a flat iron. The wire connects to terminals on the back of the motor, which are exposed to whoever wants to touch them. At top speed, there is 110v; at low speed, it's about 70v.
I did have to fix one connection inside the base. I forget what it's called, but inside the base is a circular coil, off of which is tapped 5 wires, for the 5 speeds. Only 1 of these connections was broken.
The most work went into polishing the brass.
I did have to fix one connection inside the base. I forget what it's called, but inside the base is a circular coil, off of which is tapped 5 wires, for the 5 speeds. Only 1 of these connections was broken.
The most work went into polishing the brass.
Well....
I only have 1 vintage fan..A vintage Emerson Electric. I have no idea how old it is. I bought it at a gsale, and cleaned it up, oiled the motor and such. Is is a one speed DC with no switch. I think I am going to buy one of those lamp type cord swiches for it
I only have 1 vintage fan..A vintage Emerson Electric. I have no idea how old it is. I bought it at a gsale, and cleaned it up, oiled the motor and such. Is is a one speed DC with no switch. I think I am going to buy one of those lamp type cord swiches for it
ovrphil
Well-known member
Reply #77
wow, Frid - those open wires are daunting. Hopefully no one or thing will accidentally reach behind and get a little wakeup call.
wow, Frid - those open wires are daunting. Hopefully no one or thing will accidentally reach behind and get a little wakeup call.
