Vintage Westinghouse fan question...

[hooverwheelaway]

So, I found this fan at a sale this weekend, and I got it because it oscillates.  I have one like it that doesn't oscillate...I think these are the coolest looking fans, and they move so much air... and they're so quiet.  This one is in particularly nice condition.  A bit dirty, but it'll clean up.  So I went to plug it in tonight, and the fan runs, but it doesn't oscillate.  I can't figure out how to turn the oscillating on/off.  At a glance, Robert thinks a gear may be stripped?

 

Does anyone have any experience with these particular fans, and if so -- how big of a deal will this be?

 

Thanks!

 

Fred

 

[hooverwheelaway]

Another picture. 

 

[henry200]

All the old fans I've used have a thumb screw on the cam to control the oscillation.  Tighten the screw and the fan moves, loosen it and the fan stays stationary.  Cleaning out the gunk and regreasing the pivot points on the cam helps a lot.  I can't quite tell by the pic, but it almost looks like there's a piece missing.  Get that dust out of the way so I can see better!

 

[henry200]

By the way, that's a GREAT old fan!  My aunt and uncle had one almost identical.

 

[westingman123]

I have that very fan in blue. Does the big wheel turn on yours? If so, you should be good, just unscrew the thumb screw, and tighten when it is oscillating at your desired rotation--these things go from almost none to 180 degrees. Clear as mud? I don't think you are missing anything, though.

 

[washernoob]

Yay!!!! I have that exact same fan and I use it every night all night. It's a great quiet and powerful little sucker! Gotta love them.

Around 54 is the age.

 

[sambootoo]

I agree. These are great fans and if the wheel below the motor is turning, you should be OK. If it's not turning, go to the AFCA website(Antique fan collector's Assn.) and ask for advice--plenty of experts there to help you out.

 

[washernoob]

Opps ment to say 1954 is the age. Its a little older than 54.

 

[dustin92]

ok... I have a smaller versoin of that fan but the oscillating mechanism is the same. first start up the fan on its slowest speed and then loosen the nut on the oscillating mechanism, then slide the nut (which should also cause the fan head to move) out from the center until it stops. (the fan should now be oscillating) and tighten the nut. (you may be able to do this with the fan off, but i have always done it with the fan running)

 

[goatfarmer]

I have 2 of those, great fans!