The Love of Fans

Out of the blue

2010-11-19T13:27:00.000-08:00

I get lots of emails from people who are looking to sell their fans or asking value of fans. Usually I figure our that the fan is not something I want. Well that is not always the case.

A few weeks ago, A gentleman emails me discussing some fans that he has come into possession of. He inquires if I'd be interested. Generally people are very vague so I ask for pictures but he was very descriptive. He said magic words to me. I have a 32volt DC Emerson. I wanted to email him back and say, "YES SIR I'LL TAKE IT RIGHT NOW!!! HOW MUCH YOU WANT?" but you see my grandmother and grandfather taught me better than that. I said, "I don't know, send me some pictures and I will see..." When I got the photos, I was glad that I didn't overreact. The fan had some pretty serious damage. The cage had multiple broken welds, the oscillator collar (which is made of pot metal) was broken and the paint was in terrible condition. I threw him out a number and we went back and forth a couple times then we reached a decision. Then I got to worrying about his packaging abilities and wondering if the fan would survive a brush with United Parcel Smashers (borrowed that term) if it was inadequately packaged.

LIGHT BULB!!! I remembered a buddy of mine lived quite near there so I figured to myself, "Self, I bet ole buddy ole pal can do a hare better joba packing then that other fella." So I called up my friend and he said sure. I gave him my best instructions, repeating over and over, "pack it tight so it cannot move inside the box....."

So I wait and I wait and I wait and I track online... Then the day comes and since it is UPS I know it will be an evening delivery. I continue my life with it brewing on my mind, catching a glance of my watch and the clock now and again. Then I hear the truck rumbling to a stop and the screeching brakes as I look out the living room window I can see the silhouette of the truck with the lights shining. I burst out the door and meet the driver at the truck. (I really don't care if they think I am eager) When she finally turns around she is startled. I forgot that I hadn't said anything. I immediately help here with the box because I can tell this was not packaged well at all. The bottom of the box was about open... UGGGG!!! I ran inside with it shouting, "Have a nice evening!!!!"

Once in my basement, I ripped into it. Revealing the same fan in the photos. Much to my relief, there was no more damage than before. I grabbed some oil, cut the cord and applied some temporary wiring to my D.C. Outlet. I check the brushes(check) Then I turned my variac to 32volts and cranked it up. Oh what a rush... Runs like new.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iY9x9FISGlQ

Tribute Fan

2009-09-26T14:08:00.000-07:00

Earlier this year I received an email from Dick Boswell about a lady who was trying to sell her father's fan collection. His name was Ken Grable. He was a member of the AFCA a few years ago. Ken had lung cancer. His daughter, Heather was wanting to sell the remainder of his collection. She wanted help posting them on the BST forum and Dick wanted to know if I'd help. I posted the pictures and contact information and they did not sell.Last month my wife and I had the opportunity visit some family that lives in Jefferson City, MO. I mentioned to my wife that I wanted to go by and see this collection in person on our way home. I made arrangements with Heather to have someone meet us there. I also mentioned to her that I would like to buy a couple of fans in the pictures and she said that would be fine. So we drove to Camdenton Sunday morning and met a family friend named Joe. He took us to a mini-storage shed that Ken had owned and opened the roll-up door to reveal the fans. Once inside, I quickly located the two fans that I wanted, this Emerson 21666 was one of them. Upon examination, I noticed that the front of the motor housing was not attached and there was no oscillator housing or oscillator shaft/gear. I knew there was no cage or struts but this was a surprise. I decided to take the fan anyway in the hopes that I could find the parts and revive it.

By the time we were able to visit, Ken had passed away.

I took the fans home and began to tinker, as my usual routine goes. I was curious to see if any of the fans I had bought that weekend actually ran, especially the Emerson. I grabbed some bolts and tightened down the motor housing, then screwed the blade down tight because it had worked loose... Then with a little power and a flick of the switch the fan came right on. It did have one other problem, it ran backwards. As anyone with Emerson experience knows this just means the wires are not connected correctly. It was then that it dawned on me, that apparently Ken was in the process of doing something with this fan when he got too sick to continue. So I made it my goal then and there to start the restoration of this fan. So I tore it down and separated the parts. Then I got on the Internet and put a call out for parts that I needed: cage, struts, oscillator gearbox, oscillator shaft, rubber feet, wire, leather washer...

Before long I had willing volunteers with the parts I needed. Dick Boswell came through with the cage, struts, gearbox and shaft. Steve Sherwood sent me a care package of fiber washers, leather washer and rubber feet. I placed an order for new wire from sundial for the appropriate cord. Then I set about the ritual of paint prep... I have always used basically the same method of wire brushing and chemical stripper followed with a dip in M.E.K. for a day or so. Then I use Rustoleum bare metal primer and paint. This time I decided to try a Rustoleum Appliance Epoxy. Much to my surprise it was easier to apply than lacquer and less susceptible to the environment.

After finishing the paint and receiving all the necessary parts, I had to spend some time with the brass to bring it back to a shine that matched the gloss of the paint. (I respect the purist's idea of preservation, but for me the rule is simple, if the fan is in bad enough shape, it needs a full resto then let time return a patina. Nuff said...) Anywho, this weekend I had time to work on it since my kids had the flu. So last night I polished the brass cage and badge, attached one end of the headwire to the re insulated stator and put it back in the motor housing... Then I put the feet on and put it all back together except the switch and and lower end of the headwire and cord.

This morning after I had my grits I started to work again. I grabbed the rubber gloves, steel wool, and toilet bowl cleaner and headed to the backyard. After scrubbing the blades to remove all the crud, I installed a fresh buffing pad on the grinder and slung some rouge. Apparently everywhere because my kids were laughing at me later because I had a green moustache. Since the hub was all jacked due to the toilet bowl cleaner, I hand painted it and used a little brasso to finish the shine.

Forgive the length of the story and mind numbing detail, but I felt it necessary to explain the process for those who'd ask, "How'd you do that?"

Were in the homestretch now. I grabbed my colored tester wires with clips on them and my wire labels. I wrote down the first combination of color to number for the headwire test. Apparently I am getting really good, because I nailed it first shot. What are the odds...Oh never mind. REASSEMBLE, WIPE DOWN, BOW TO APPLAUSE....

Ladies and Gentlemen I give you... the Ken Grable tribute fan...

Neglect of the Hobby

2009-05-03T19:12:00.001-07:00

I know what you're thinking... "So you think you can just blog on here like nothing ever happened!!!" Please forgive me. I know it has been a while, but I have had a few other things going on and I just haven't had the time. I have been fanning though. Take for instance this little beauty. Guess what this is... Oh come on try real hard. Look closely. Okay it is an Emerson 29048. That's right a 29-oh-48. For those of you who don't know. That means direct current only. Cool huh.

History

This fan came into my possession as a parts fan for another one that I was working on. No blade or switch. Just a beat up stump and bent and broken cage. Enter the AFCA and good fan friends. I had my welder buddy at work wave his artistic Miller wand and repair the breaks. This I reshaped and cleaned up the welds. Coat or two of lacquer and presto. I cleaned the original paint on the motor housing and repaint the base. I didn't have a blade, brushes or the little o-rings that go inside the brush housings. I got these items from some great fan folk.

Keeping the story brief. I pulled everything together and it runs very sweetly. I love it when an old piece destined for the heap bypasses it with glory, don't you?

I will try to keep posting more as I have a lot to catch up on. Hang with me. AFCA members don't forget Pig Picking coming up soon.

Ask And Ye Shall Receive

2008-11-30T19:38:00.000-08:00

Just the other day on a "nothing better to do" day. I was combing through some antique stores looking for goodies. I found myself day dreaming about a fan I had seen in another store many miles away that I had avoided because the cost was too high... I thought, "Boy, I sure would like to get a nice brown 16 inch Emerson." Well this is the part where you're gonna say, "you are making this up..." I swear it is true. I had been through nearly the entire store and was coming back downstairs and around a corner when I saw it. If it had been a snake.... or something link that. I knelt beside it thinking, "I couldn't be so lucky." I worried the price would be too high or some part might be missing.

I looked at the tag and it was a little different than any I'd seen before 77648-SG. Color scheme is the same as the AS model. Price was almost half the fan in my dream. So I picked up the beast and bounded to the cash register to request my normal 10% off.

I asked if I could test it which they always let me do. The fan came to life like a proud Emerson should.

I paid for the fan and went about our normal shopping before making the trip home. Once back at the ponderosa, I unloaded the cargo including several pounds of ancient wind mover which quickly went into the workshop for servicing. The fan needed new felt, which it got. It got a new cord and plug, fresh oil, blade balancing, and a wipe down followed by a wax job. The original paint is nearly mint. Such a joy to watch these fans operate on low speed. What a find.

TTFN,
LH

Revival

2008-10-27T01:47:00.000-07:00

Lately, I have just not had much time for fanning of any sort... Ironically yesterday morning at church two different individuals brought the subject up separately. One was telling me a story about his visit to the big apple and a guy he saw with a fan sticking out of his backpack on the subway... I guess that is better than the alternative considering our ever-present terroristic concerns these days. "SAY YES TO FANS AND NO TO BOMBS"

The other fellow was my coworker in the audio/visual room that morning and we were just catching up on both our interests. I had ask him about an airshow that he had recently attended which I guess prompted him to ask me if I'd made any purchases lately. I thought real hard and couldn't immediately come up with anything. These to fellows managed to get me thinking fans. Coincidentally we were going to one of my favorite antiquing towns just that afternoon. I hatched my plan... he he...

As always I have a mental awareness of fans in my proximity and this 12 vorty (i.e. General Electric Vortalex) was where my focus fell. This fan was probably the newest addition to the circuit and it was priced way too high. My goal you see was contingent, if I could somehow get the right deal I have the fan and if not I could easily walk away fanless and unscathed by the wifey-poo.

As I had mentioned I knew this fan existed and had stopped to check it out on several occasions. One thing that I had noticed was that it seemed to be relatively frozen. The blades turned about 1/2 rotation back and forth but they would freeze again, so I decided this was my reason for the "low-ball" offer.

I had to find the attendant to instigate the conversation that I rightly assumed would lead to a phone call (thank the Lord for cell phones). She called the booth owner and I recognized his name when she called it as a guy I had bought several fans from. I could tell that he must have been busy on the phone because her conversation was hurried sounding. She asked me question obviously prompted by him like: Does it have brass blades... Typical antique dealer mentality, not realizing there is much more to it than that. I happily answered "NO". She walked away from the counter toward the booth and the fan. I didn't follow but could still here her discussion with him. Then the slight murmur ended with an, "okay thanks". She emerged from a mountain of furniture with the fan in hand. Bullseye!!! You know sometimes you just know when it's your lucky day...

So I get the fan and take my verbal abuse happily from my wife who likes to equate my hobby to a lack of respect for her. I threw it in the back of our vehicle and we decide to walk around since it was a nice day.

Later that evening after getting some chores done, I decided to try to get that play out of the new vorty. I grabbed my Royal Purple, (Good Stuff) and went to work on it. I squirted everything I could find that moved on it. I rotated the cage because someone had turned it so that the label and everything was crooked. Then, even though the cord was pretty cracked, I decided to hook it up. I figured if I could get it to turn on its own it would work out the freeze a little faster than I could by hand.

After a slow start the hum turned into movement... Then faster, faster, Faster, FASTER!!!!!! WooHoo! I was alive and lubed. Everything worked great, oscillator, switch. It even has the original felt in-tact on the bottom... Talk about a good fan day.

Later,
Larry "Up at 3:30 with reflux from that tuna sub blogging" Hancock

Long Live King Northwind

2008-08-26T19:05:00.000-07:00

I love my family so much. One day I am surfing the web and I find this Northwind 44A available for a buy it now. I email the link to my wife. I wasn't thinking anything about it after that because I really just did it to irritate her... Plus we were getting ready to go on vacation so we had much more on our minds.

We get to the beach and go through the routines of swimming, beach walking, sand castles etc... and we are sitting together in the condo one night and my wife calls me over to the laptop along with my children. Then she turns the computer around to reveal a successful auction page and she says, "Happy Father's Day" in unison with the kids.

There are no fans like the fans that come from your biggest fans, family and friends...

Kidney Surgery...

2008-08-23T19:50:00.000-07:00

One night at church a friend, who knows my fan addiction, says, "Hey Larry, I have a fan for you." I said, "Oh yeah?, Keep talking." He goes on to explain that it belonged to his wife's grandmother. He said, "It is a GE!" I am thinking in the back of my mind. It is probably a teal blue GE quiet blade with the cursed rubber grommet. None the less it will be a fan. So I inform Jeff that I will be at his house after church.

As usual when I go anywhere, my son Griffin wants to go, but I am glad to have him so we take off over to Jeff's house across town. Upon arriving and ascending the stairs to his porch I notice a cardboard box on the railing of his porch. So my curiosity gets the best of me before I even knock on the door. Folks, in this box is a totally disassembled GE Kidney oscillator (minus the Kidney my luck.) All the parts were there in Ziploc bags. It was a morbid scene for a fan collector.

I knock on the door. Jeff comes out to visit and talk about the fan. Then his wife comes out and begins to tell me about the nights she spent at her Grandmother's house with this fan lulling them to sleep. When I inquired as to why it was such a basket case now, they didn't know. Just that it was found in the barn when they were cleaning after she had passed away. I told them that eventually I would have this fan running again.

After getting the fan home and surveying the damage closely I could determine that I needed a new top strut, stator, worm gear for the oscillator, and of course the kidney and its gears. I put the call out on the AFCA forum. Kim Frank sent me the top strut, stator, and another rotor with the back side cut off for use as a stationary fan till a donor can be located. Thanks Mr. Frank. Then Darryl Hudson came through with a worm gear for the original rotor. Thank you Mr. Hudson.

After spending some more time with the fan getting the three wire head wire attached to the proper places, the fan came to life. I reattached the cage and installed the switch and since we don't have a kidney still. I have a decent little GE on dialysis. If you know of a donor fan. Lemme know. It would be a beautiful end to a story.

My First Fan

2008-07-28T19:20:00.001-07:00

I am Caroline Hancock. I am Larry's daughter. I hope to be a fan collector. This is my first and only fan. I got it when we went to Cape Girardeau. In this antique store. We walked in and a little Montgomery Ward fan was in the window. My dad asked how much for the fan. I got it. I came home from Cape. We worked on it. IT is the best and will bring the best memories and stories.

The Elusive Western Electric

2008-06-30T19:18:00.000-07:00

This fan is a Western Electric 7404. It is stationary. It has brass blades. Someone painted the motor and base red. It looks really good for its age. The fan was manufactured by Robbins & Meyer for Western Electric around 1922. I have three R&M 3804's that are exactely the same but are oscillators. This photo is how it looked as I found it. Now for a little history.

In my hunt for fans I ran across this fan about 3 years ago in an antique store/mall located in a smaller town. The fan was marked extremely high no doubt due to the brass blades and an uneducated antique dealer. I saw it a couple more times over the years but always passed on it due to its high price. Then one day while passing through noticed the fan was gone.

Fast forward at least 1.5 to 2 years.>>>>

Then last Sunday I was antiquing in a town that I hadn't been to in a while and in the last store I turned the corner and almost walked right by when I noticed this familiar fan sitting there on the floor of this booth. I rushed it to check the price (happy to see the fan again) and notice that the price was nearly half the previous. So I went to the desk to inquire about the fan and the lady said well I can give you 10% off... Well I know that... I asked her to call for the B.D. (bottom dollar) she tried but didn't get anywhere. I left my cellphone number and asked her to call but she never did.

I recently realized that I am a hunter of a different kind of animal with the same feeling of conquest as compulsion. Besides the fact that I love just working on them... Oiling, cleaning replacing the cords, refreshing the oil cups, balancing the blades. Okay I am off subject... Sorry

Last weekend, we went to the same town that the fan was in for a little family time. Eating shopping etc... We didn't get to the antiques but that was where my mind was. Then the next day my wife and daughter went off to church camp so me and my son were home alone after Church. We messed around at the house for a while and played hide and seek. My neck was hurting terribly because I slept wrong or something, but all the while I was thinking you know I really need to hunt. So my thoughts fell to this Western Electric because though it was made by R&M I don't actually own a Western Electric and I wanted it. I decided that I would take my son with me and we'd go try to negotiate for that fan.

We drove the several miles to the town and directly to the antique shop where the fan was. I didn't have much time and I was feeling lucky. We went in and walked directly to the back then located a different lady and asked her for the discount. She grabbed the phone right away and a few moments later she said their BD was X, I said "NO, call them back and tell them Y. She hesitated as if to suggest that they'd be put off by this request, but relented and called again. Much to my joy she came back with an approval and a comment that I was lucky because earlier that day they'd made a really good sell so they were willing to loose some money. Yeah right.

Anyway, my son and I celebrated with a drink from McAllister's. We stopped at the river park to look at the rising river and walk and talk a while before returning home.

Tonight I decided to work on the fan. In it's found condition, it looked as if it had been dropped. The cage was pretty bad shape for steel. One of the struts was bent very badly, but that happens with R&M struts. They have a pretty weak point that can bend easily. So I get my cage straightening piece of wood and clamp it in my vice and go to work. Done. Then I re felt the base plate. Done. Re wick and oil the cups. Straighten the blades. Put a lighter cord on it. Rotate the motor 180 degrees. Then we are in business. The paint is not original I am sure and it is old. It is flaking pretty bad, but I like it's look as is plus it just runs cherry. Here is a cell phone picture of it after I cleaned it up.

I am really pleased to add this to the collection. It is a great example of the great fun in antiquing. Have a great day!!!

Century Fun Part 1

2008-05-30T22:39:00.000-07:00

Geez where to start.... Well, first I am sorry for not blogging more but I have been stupid busy. Excuses excuses. No one reads this anyway.

Dear Diary.... Right? Okay, so I went to Pig Pickin though I didn't stay for the pig part... On the way down I decided to enjoy the drive and hit the antique stores. I have already decided that all the good fans are gone, but I will keep on looking for some reason. I stopped in at one store and there is some nice stuff, but over priced. A 16 inch Century for 95. A Red badged Junior oscillator for 125. Come on guy they won't sell for that. This was an upscale antique store thought, the kind the folks think their stuff is gold at.

Next joint I passed but turned around to go to... Before I could even get through the door I saw it. A stinkin Century Skeletal. 12 inch S3 model. I almost missed it because it was under a tarp hanging off a folding table on the porch of this place. Now I know a lot of you guys don't think much of these but to us blue collar collectors. This is a find even if the switch is gone. I dreamt about fans like this... Little did I know what else was lacking on this fan.

Later on at another store I found a great little Vornado. I never figured I would want one, but when I saw it, I couldn't resist. It was a good deal and it runs great, but this post is about Century's.

Went on to PP. Took the thing to the shop and had a couple guys look it over. I learned that they won't start without a switch and speed coil, so the Doc hooked me up with a fairly reasonably priced stump for parts. Then we determined that the blade was incorrect. Not brass, but rather steel... Que the Doc one more time, If I wasn't paying him for the parts, I'd feel like a mooch, but for some more cash he remedied my blade issue. Now I have a fan...

This fan quickly became known as the cursed fan. But I will tell you more about that later. I want to thank everyone for their contribution to this fan's reincarnate state. Thanks Jay Bernard, Bill Fanum, Tim Trahan, Paul Graves, Larry Mong, John McComas, Geoff Dunaway, and other fellas whose names I don't quite know yet. I know many of you probably wish I hadn't showed up with this fan. You'll see me holding it in the next issue of The Fan Collector, if Tom Newcity gets my picture in there. I am going to conclude cause I am tired. But more will come later.

Century Fan Fan Larry

Milestones

2008-03-31T18:20:00.000-07:00

I recently reached a milestone. I don't know if it is a milestone personally or if other collectors feel the same. There was a time though when I just couldn't bear the idea of selling a fan. Recently though as if by some divine at peace with the universe feeling I was able to let a few go. I shipped the first one today. I felt kind of good. I felt like I was sharing my blessings. Anyway it was notable enough to me to blog.

Most of my entries are about acquisition. So it was good to tell about letting go. How many more will go? Not sure yet, but one thing is for sure, more will follow. Hang on my children, there are many good deals to be had yet. I want the young collector to have some actual antiques.

Till next time, this is crazy fan guy saying, "fans are pretty...I like fans..."

Going Postal

2008-03-19T19:11:00.001-07:00

I've been assisting in a class that helps encourage and develop leadership qualities in men. As an assistant one of my responsibilities is to give a sample speech now and again. A couple of weeks ago I had to give one where I talked about something that interested me. Well, you can guess what my topic was... Teehee...

I prepared my spill about how my instinctive interest in fans just appeared and grew throughout my life... Part of the speech required a display or an exhibit which I was more than glad to do.

I spent the better part of Wednesday evening polishing some brass and practicing my speech. Then I hauled my fans to the class and set the fans up for display. For affect I decided to cover the fans and unveil them at just the right moment for drama.

When it came time to give the speech I tore off the covering so all the students could feast their eyes upon the glimmering brass. "OOOOOoooo AAAahhhhh!!!" After I finished speaking, I received the typical questions of value and age... Then I took my seat.

The class continued on for a little while longer as we discussed our plans for the following week. We then concluded. As is the usual situation, some gents hang around and chat. This night I was approached by several individuals who asked me many more questions. One fella brought to my attention that he worked for a post office in a nearby town. He proceeded to tell me that this building was very old and was due for renovation. In some of the "junk" he said there were two fans that he was looking to get rid of. (The two above) He told me that he was glad that he had found them a home. I told him, that was what I did. I ran a retirement home for fans.

The next Sunday morning before church services began, he came to me and told me to come with him. We walked to his car and he opened his trunk to reveal the twins you see above. These two fans are obviously both Emerson 16 inch fans. They are 79648 AK's. The interesting part is the cages and the fact that they are non bullet backs. The oil spout has a spring loaded door like a 73648. The other interesting thing is that the badges have the newer artwork. The blades are the newer Parker Blades just like my 79648 AP-G (Government issue) except these are the standard Emerson Screw-on types. The fans themselves look identical to the 73648's I have, except the differences I mentioned above. The only thing that I can conclude is that Emerson was trying to use up old parts while in a transition phase. If anyone has any explanation other than this, let me know.

Thanks to Ron Hicks for the fans. Your compassion for fans is appreciated.

Fan Deformities

2008-02-24T20:12:00.001-08:00

I have a short list of antique stores that I frequent in different towns. I know nearly every fan in each one that I have not yet purchased. After all, I have to have something to look at when I go through. It is kinda like seeing dogs in the pound. Some are just too poor to consider. Okay poor analogy... Sad part is they all have a story behind them and there they set waiting for someone to take them home.

You might recall a few blog posts back I had a very disturbing disagreement with a Westinghouse fan trying to remove the stator to replace the head wire. End result, I destroyed that fan, but I kept the carcass for parts, thinking, "you never know..."

A few weeks back I went to one of my favorite antiquing towns and one of my favorite shops. I have bought lots of fans in this shop... You might recall the Peerless and Emerson mega find. That same booth held a similar Westinghouse with micarta blades (early brittle plastic) except one of these blades was broken. I immediately thought of my spare blade laying motorless at home. The price read 25 so I asked the proprietor for a discount which much to my disappointment was rejected. With my feelings hurt and no fan added to my collection, I left the store and town dragging my pathetic lip.

This past weekend my wife said that it was mandatory that we go back to this town to shop for our daughter a new dress... Since I really offer no profitable services in the dress shopping department, I mentally arranged my alternate plans.

We took another couple along so I had one of my good friends in tow on this fan expedition. We dropped our wives and children at the mall and downtown we went. It was a cold day and the wind chill off the river just made the store hopping nearly unbearable. Store by store I found what I expected, really nothing to speak of. Last but not least, the home of the Three Winged Westy...

I combed the store for any new finds and quickly determined that there were none to be found. Having visited the Broke Blade Oscillator just briefly to make sure it was still there, I returned to take it to my buddy the shop owner for a motor test. After another failed attempt at a discount, he showed me that I did in fact run so I ended up with it for 26 and some change.

I brought the filthy child home and took it to "the cave". I figured I'd leave it overnight to give me something to look forward to. Today I cleaned it up real good and transplanted the new blade like a surgeon does a donated organ. Finally that idle blades of the cursed westy have wind in them again. Now the other little fans can't make fun of the fan anymore.

It was a good weekend.

Good Timing Part 2

2008-01-08T17:51:00.000-08:00

A few days after the ebay adventure, I was driving through the most pleasant part of Kentucky, returning from a bid opening when my cell phone rang. It was my brother in antique arms, Jerr. He had had some correspondence with the seller. The seller wanted do discuss an issue with the fan and left his cell number. I wrote down the number and thanked Jerr again for his trouble. I really do love this guy.

I had this feeling of nervousness come over me. Was this guy going to tell me something that he "forgot to mention" in the auction... I was just sick, so I hastily dialed the guys number. He answered real quick and explained that he had sold this fan once before and the buyer didn't realize that it was this small so he refunded their money. He went on to say that there was a screw missing from the plug where the wire was to attach. I thought, "no problem!" and said, "oh really..." He went on to say, "I wanted to offer you a $5 refund for it." I said, "That would be fine." I also asked him where the fan came from. He told me it was his grandmother's and she had lived in upstate NY. I forget the town. I was a weird Indian type name. I know that really narrows it down.

After many days of waiting for Jerry to get the fan it finally came. He called me last Friday and said, "Laaarrrryyyy, it's heeeerrrreee..." I told him I'd be there after work. I ran by, opened it and checked it out and hurried home.

A couple night later I set about testing it out in my shop. I replaced the plug with one with two screws. I plugged it up and it ran fine. Then I stopped and grabbed my oil. After a good oiling, I tried it again and nothing... Oh that stinkin, sinkin feeling. My mind raced with possible problems ranging from drastic to simple. I naturally assumed the worst. I took the motor apart and checked all the internal wiring before reassembling and checking the wire inside the base. There I found that the insulation was dry and cracked very near the motor. I grabbed my wire strippers, some heat shrink, and the heat gun. I cut out the broken part and spliced it back together better than before. I crossed my fingers and plugged it up. Yippee!!! It was alive again. It is a real runner!

Good Timing

2007-12-31T10:45:00.000-08:00

I usually try to blog once a month at least and today is my last chance for December 07. I sent my check to the AFCA today too... I don't have a picture for this story yet, but I will add it later.

The other day I was checking ebay as I always do and when I sorted by newly added items, I saw a "buy it now" on the cutest little Polar Cub Type G. A little six inch fan. The price was unbelievable, so I figured there must be something wrong with it. I looked it over real good. Then I remembered that my wife had switched our checking account from my paypal to hers...

I racked my brains then thought, "Jerr!!!" I called his house... no answer, then his cell... ring... ring... ring... I was thinking, "oh great, voice mail..." Just then he answered. I was so relieved.

I said, "Jerry, do you trust me?" He said, "why yeah..." He told me he was in the middle of Wal-Mart. I said I need you user name and password for ebay... He asked why, and I gave him the briefest of explanations.

After repeating the scenario with paypal the deal was done. I told him thanks and hung up.

Fast forward two days... (To be continued...)

A Very Sad Story

2007-11-30T18:35:00.000-08:00

For over a week now I have been eyeing this little beaut. I love Northwinds, and the little colored ones don't come along real often. I had the plan all laid out. I thought I had bid number high enough to stave off all other bids. Boy was wrong. Ebay can be so cruel. Tonight I got down my lonely little Type 55 from its perch above all my neatly arranged Northwinds and plugged it in. I said, sorry little guy I couldn't bring your little brother home :( Perhaps it wasn't meant to be...

Later,
Crazy fan person...

Dumpster Doom

2007-10-05T20:25:00.001-07:00

Many many moons ago my friend Jerr, whom I get many fans and fan tip offs from, had me over for something or other. He lives in this fantastic old Victorian home. He collects a great many wonderfully historic items. We were visiting and were about to leave to come back to my house when he said, "hey, I wanted to see if you wanted this old fan..." See if I wanted it... as my children say, "Duh!" He told me that he was just going to through it away.

I know it looks decent now, but picture it solid rust and covered in cobwebs, dust, and grease. It was missing its oscillator arm. I asked him if it ran and he said, "I don't know, I was afraid to plug it up." "I am not afraid," I said as I grinned from ear to ear. Something about this cheaply made, undesirable fan that appealed to me.

I took the fan home and Jerr and I took it to my work shop to plug it up. It ran great.

The fan was dismantled that night and I made a promise to it to clean it up and restore it.

As with many of my projects, I start them and then they sit on my workbench until I get back around to it. My break lasted probably more than a year this time. I usually think of colors and necessary repairs during this period.

One day I caught the fever to paint and so I talked colors with the wife. She said, "Red and Black..." I was thinking Dark Green... You can see who won. I went to the store looking for paint. I have several folks talk about using enamels, but never had. So I bought a couple cans of Rustoleum Enamel Red.

I was really pleased with the ease of application. It really flows smoothly and delivers a great gloss finish. A couple coats of white primer, a couple coats of red, and a coat of clear. Bought all new hardware. Fabbed a new oscillator arm from one off another fan. Drilled a new whole and shortened it... I made the new badge using a computer generated image I got from a fellow fan collector, Todd Mann. I changed the colors on the computer to match my fan colors and printed it on a sticky ups label. Then I cut it out by hand and stuck it on the badge. Then I painted over it with several coats of clear.

Finally reassembly. The little fan that was almost no more, now has new life.

LH

Green With Envy

2007-09-16T19:48:00.001-07:00

I should have posted this awhile back but I have been just too busy. Last weekend, we were just getting out of the house and everyone was feeling that relief. There was a lighthearted aire in the mini-van as we drove north in search of a recreation. As we approached the exit that leads to some of my favorite antique malls, I felt the mixture of excitement and nervousness as I tried to decide whether I wanted to ask my wife if she'd care to stop or not... Sometimes she growls, other times she just smiles and says, "that's fine..." She knows what I have up my sleeve.

Same ole routine. Griff goes in with me. Teaching him right. He wants to climb on all the little metal tractors, and I am continually saying come on son, don't touch that son, and get off that son... All in fun.

I usually start off this process with little optimism. I doubt there will be many fans, and even if they are, they'll be too high priced. The first mall proved my suspicions correct. Nothing, nodda, zilch... Still I am looking forward to the one up the road.

I like the smell of this one for some reason. This day there was great old piano music playing. It really set the mood for anitques. I just assumed it was a cd playing over some speakers. Then as I walked down the first aisle I noticed it was getting louder. After about 6 or 7 fanless booths I noticed the music was coming from a player piano. I watched in awe since I had never seen one in action. Then it occurred to me that Griffin must have truly been amazed so I looked in his direction. I couldn't help but laugh. He had the most horrified look on his little face. He said, "Daddy, who is playing that piano?" I looked at him with love and care in my heart and said, "It is a ghost..." He grabbed my leg and we went on shopping.

There are only two aisles in this store, and I was starting to think there would be nothing. Then just as we were about out of booths, there sat this little cutie. A G.E. Cat No. 27X840. I think the label says 1931. There was no cord and the price was a little too high. I was about to walk away. I had a feeling that this was one of those instances where some antique dealer or someone tried to fix it and ended up screwing up something internally and decided to removed the cord so no one could test it. Then they'd be forced to by it as is... It happens.

As I was about to head out the door, I decided to ask. The lady seemed nice enough. I said, "Do you know if the dealer of this booth will take $x for that fan back there since it doesn't have a cord?" She said, "We don't normally call for items this cheap." I guess she liked me cause she did it anyway. She wasn't on the phone long and I just thought for sure that it was going to be a no, judging by the sound of the conversation. Then she looked at me and said, "Okay, he said he'd do $x."

We went on to the next town and did our shopping before returning home that Sunday afternoon. I ran downstairs as always and got out my tools. I tore into the fan. Happily, I found two lead wires intact. I cut a piece of cord and some heat shrink. Remade some connections. Realigned the motor housing pieces. I put the blade on without the cage just in case I had to do more. I grabbed a Bakelite plug from my stash threw it on the end of the cord. I plugged it in and it came to life. Oh what a feeling! It is my drug.

Later, after church I came back to put the cage on. When the cage first came off it was on there real tight. It was just about as hard to get back on. The screws that hold the cage on go through to the motor. Keep that in mind. After putting the cage back on, I wanted to run it again. This time it didn't want to start. Censor!!!!! "Okay Larry, what is going on," I thought. It worked fine before the cage. Hypothesis: the cage is putting tension on the screws and then the motor is out of whack. So I remove the cage. Still no go. So I repeated the steps that brought me to success in the first place, without replacing the cord again of course. Thenreassembled. It worked fine again. This time I decided to adjust the cage so the holes lined up without being forced. Then I took a sec to align the blades by hand. Attached the cage and magic happened. Another happy ending.

Dreams really do come true.

LH

A Good....No Great Day!!!!

2007-08-06T20:11:00.000-07:00

Wow, what a day... My kids are gone with the in-laws and I have the day off from work. Couldn't get much better huh??? Well hold on to you seat.

I had promised my wife that I'd take her shopping one day, and today ended up being the day. I asked her where she wanted to go, but she could not decide between the few towns we frequent. I took it up myself to decide. I decided to go to a town where there might, just might, be some antiques. Needless to say I did not announce my reasons... he he.

Anyway we were off for the hour drive to our destination. Once there we sat about our normal routine; this store, then that one, then lunch... It was during lunch that I asked where she wanted to go next. She said, "home I guess." I said, "No way, I didn't take of work for this alone. We have to do something else." She said, "You just want to go downtown and look at antiques..." To which I replied, "You know... That is a great idea!" I was a little sarcastic...

She agreed to go and much to my surprise she actually wanted to get out of the car and go with me... (I do love her sometimes. It is all about the little things...) Back to the point. We hit the usual places. Old multi-story brick downtownish type buildings. Store by store. One of which had gone out of business. We perused them quickly. Then I, nearing the end of the block noticed that only one store remained. My first vague recollection was that it didn't have much in good antiques, it was also a sports card shop and memorabilia store. Then just as I was about to do an about face and head back to the car, I decided to go on in.

I entered the establishment, wife in tow, and remembered the three stories of antiques and how I'd purchased a GE Vortalex here a few years ago. We casually wondered around eyeing carefully every nook and cranny of every booth. I saw a small GE, steel blades, and remembered my recent promise to myself, that I wasn't buying anymore fans unless they were exceptional and decently priced, so I kept on walking.

I made if up the stairs and surveyed the familiar layout almost missing a closet-like indention in the back wall. I carefully avoided tripping over the objects in the floor that littered my path as I walked back toward the area that I had just noticed. I was thinking all the while that there would be nothing worthwhile in there. Probably a bunch of crafts or some type of antique object that is furthest from my relm of interest.

I think I actually looked and started to turn away when my feet froze on the spot... I thought to myself, "Larry, there I think there was some brass in there..." I whirled around and sure enough I saw several fans in the this little, nearly invisible, area.

There was a mixture of fans in there some really interesting and some not so... I first noticed an Emerson 28645 and then glanced to see a small Peerless too. Then I started flicking tags. I couldn't believe my eyes. I had to sit there and stare at them for a while. Not only were they nice fans, but the price couldn't have been lower.

I got up and walked away, trying to recover from the shock. I grabbed my cell phone and gave my wife a ring. I said, "Honey, I..." She said, "I know, you found some fans..." I sheepishly replied, "uh yeah, I gotta have em."

After my heart started working again I ran back to them and picked up the two beauties below and ran down the stairs to the check out. I haggled with the guy and got 5 bucks knocked off the price. Always haggle, that's the fun part!

Emerson 28645

Peerless 230510

Well I got the finds home and gave them some oil, straightened their cages a little, and tightened their bolts. They came right to life.

Post hunt info: We got home and still being childless we went to eat dinner with some friends at a fabulous Italian restaurant. Then we went with them to our local rodeo and watched a few events there. (See, I told you I would blog about you Ginger.)

The day turned out to be a great blessing. Great fan finds, quality time with my wife, and good times with great friends. It was a great day!

The Business Trip

2007-07-06T21:11:00.003-07:00

About two weeks ago I had to deliver a sealed bid to a bid opening. I was going to a town that I had never been to before and it was a pretty fur piece off, as my grandma says. Anytime I go on these trips I keep an eye peeled for antique stores. We'll the weather was not real nice and I had to take a detour way out of the way one time because of an accident on the interstate, but old Eagle Eye Hancock was on the job. I spotted two billboards on the way that boasted 200 plus booths. I thought to myself, "Self you're gonna have to check these out."

I went on about my rat killin' as dear old mom says. I met a client for lunch, delivered my bid, went to the bid opening, and visited with a sub-contractor. Soon after all this hoopla I was back on the interstate.

I don't remember what exit it was, I wouldn't tell even if I did, but I whipped the car off the road and pulled onto this service road leading to a large white building. I was getting excited just thinking about the potential inside.

When I got inside, I could tell this was a great antique store. It was not your typical antique/crafts store, it was pure antiques. There was a lot of things like old signs, telephones, furniture, toys, and yes fans!!!! There were several.

I followed my normal game-plan. I browsed the entire store aisle by aisle, taking mental note of all the goodies and their prices. When I saw the fan above, I thought well you don't see many of these around... It is a Delco fan and I understand it was manufactured by the General Motors company. I always was a Chevy man. I think this fan was manufactured around 1935...

I decided on it after my tour, and backtracked until I finally found it again. I went up to the lady at the front and asked her if she'd consider taking less for it, since I didn't have enough cash left to pay the sticker price. It was deal or no deal... She had her husband bring it up and she got on the phone with the booth owner. She stepped in the back as if it was wrong to for me to listen to the conversation. A few minutes later she returned with a smile and said, "okay."

I thanked them for their time and for a great antiquing experience and headed out for Sikeston. When I finally got home, I brought it in and plugged it up (fingers and toes crossed). It worked great and oscillates great. Good Fan Day!

Later,
LH

Fandamonium

2007-06-27T19:23:00.000-07:00

My fan world was rocked the other day. I was informed that I would be the new webmaster of the AFCA. I have been wanting to help with the site for years. We'll here I am, I have my wish. To those who made it possible, thanks! To all the AFCA members, I hope I can serve you well. To all fan fans everywhere, Enjoy the hobby and Join the club. The magazines alone are awesome. To my cohort Rod, thanks for your vote of confidence.

I will be back here real soon to tell you about a cool Westinghouse I picked up the other day... BTW, if you're reading the BST forum, send me a strut... Come on.

Party on party people!
LH

Have You Ever Been There?

2007-06-14T10:49:00.000-07:00

I found myself wondering recently, as I looked at the multitude of fans on ebay, what fans interest me? Well we all know Northwinds do, but I am also a bit of a tightwad. So I have to find an interest first then be able to get a good deal. I just cannot bring myself to pay big bucks for a fan when cheaper and just as satisfying fans are available. For instance, this little 8" Star-Rite fan. I watched it dutifully for a week. Then I threw out a bid I felt comfortable with and bada bing, it's mine.

This little jewel came from California. The guy said he bought it along with 18 other fans from a friend who traveled the world in search of antiques. He is supposed to be getting some more information for me.

Anyway, the fan came in Tuesday night. It was packed very well. I plugged it up and it ran remarkably. I didn't realize that it was an AC/DC motor until I received it and saw the cute little brush caps on the back. Anyway, here it is straight from some guys attic in Salida, CA. Click the photo to enlarge.

Later,
LH

My First Pig Pickin

2007-06-13T10:43:00.001-07:00

Well I finally got to go. I have wanted to make the journey for two years now. I wanted to see the legendary collection, yes, but mostly, I wanted to meet some of the folks in the AFCA and shake some hands. To me some of these individuals were just faces in magazines and text on a message board. Now I can say otherwise. It is easy to read people wrong when all you do is correspond via email and message boards. I will say for the most part, everyone was friendly, and they welcomed me in to their midst. I was labeled "that guy with the web page..." Which I am used to. In high school I was "that guy with the cool Monte Carlo." It's okay. You have to start somewhere.

Fans, fans, and more fans!!! They were everywhere. Everyone, knowing that it was my first time visiting, kept saying, "what do you think?, kinda overwhelming isn't it?" I would smile and say yes. I spent much of my time walking around looking at the vast collection. I actually made a video and took several photos. I am in the process of converting it to a DVD with music. While I was strolling one time, I found a pile of old Fan Collector magazines. I decided to sit down and skim through a couple. Wouldn't you know that fate would lead me to an article on the Dr. I think it was in one of the 98 issues. Anyway I decided to read it. It talked about how he started and mentioned his influences, but one comment that stuck out in my mind, was he said something like, "I originally intended to get around to restoring each fan, but I quickly acquired more than I could do in a lifetime." It really got me to thinking about the future and my priorities. Fans are great, to me, but I don't want to become obsessed to the point of neglecting my family. Thanks for the lesson, Doc.

Where To Start...

2007-06-13T06:26:00.000-07:00

As usual I take little breaks from blogging due to the goings-on in life. This past intermission was made of several little distractions.

First May, is always a busy month. I usually get roped into producing a video/slideshow for our churches graduating seniors. This year was no different. My son had preschool graduation this year also. To top it all off I decided to go to my first Pig Pickin. I must say for those of you who haven't gone it was fun. It blew my mind that one person could own so many fans. All I could think was these are fans I will never have the chance to find. I met a lot of great people. I watched guys work on fans in the workshop. I even brought home a few fans all from the free pile. This ties directly into another story, but first the fans. I got a Northwind 450, Westinghouse Power-Aire pedestal, and two little 8” Zero fans. All free!!!!

My friend Russell had actually pulled this Power-Aire from the free pile and started working on it. I said, I can’t believe that came from that pile and he said you want it? I said sure and threw it in the back of the Honda. I brought it home and drug my new fans to the cave. One night my kids went to spend some time with their grandparents so I decided to take a look at the ped. I started cleaning and dismantling it. I got the bright idea to cut some wires out of the switch housing. What tool do I use instead of wire cutters???? A pocket knife…. That was real sharp… I cut my middle finger to the bone! Mind you this was ten at night on Sunday before Memorial Day. We rushed to the ER and 4 hours later I got 4 stitches and a nice bill. Stupid!!!

Then about three days later my wife has a hysterectomy. So that gave us four days in the hospital. Another nice bill, but we’ll survive. It has been two weeks since her surgery and you can’t really tell anything changed except she can’t drive or lift anything.

Well that’s my story and I’m stickin to it. I have some things to share, but that will come a little later. More on pig pickin and other things.

The Gift

2007-05-11T10:11:00.000-07:00

I know what you are thinking, Larry you hate those fans... Well, that's not true you see, I hate working on the motors of those fans. I had one bad experience. That experience taught me something though. So all in all it was a good experience.

Anyway, the other day a guy emails me about the value of this fan. I told him that these fans weren't worth a lot because there are so many of them. I was on my business trip to New Orleans at the time so I didn't hear back for a while. When I finally did, the guy, much to my surprise offer to sell me the fan for the cost of shipping. I have never had such a generous offer. I was touched and I want to tell you why.

Some of you already know I have a somewhat sappy attitude toward fans. My collection is not just a collection, but retirement home for fans of sorts. Really it is more like fan heaven. They come here and rest. They are cleaned up and given a place of respect among their peers. Now, I am not crazy, I just pretend like it. It gives this boring world a little spice. I don't talk to them...much... I digress. I also keep a spreadsheet with information about each fan. Age, where it came from, who owned it if possible, etc... (I hope to have the information available to you when I finish my updates to my website.)

That is why this fan means so much to me. The fellow who gave me the fan, told me it had belonged to his parents and grandparents before. He was taking care of business that we all have to take care of at one point in our lives, handling our families estate. It is sad, but there are little rays of sunlight that shine through from time to time. I was touched one such ray, and am thankful that Tom and I crossed cyber paths. I love fans, but I also love the history of them. This little Westy is rich with it. So I wanted to say thanks Tom for sharing!

LH

A Second Look

2007-04-26T19:16:00.000-07:00

I bought this little fan a long time ago. I took it downstairs like I do all my fans for testing. This particular fan did not run. Boy I can tell you I was mad! Anyway, I bought this beast before I learned about AC DC motors and brushes. So I gave up and put it on the shelf. For a couple years I would just walk by and look at it and groan.

The fan is A Star/Fitzgerald 1200. It was manufactured in Torrington, CT.

After my Northwind experiences I learned a lot about AC DC motors. So the other day it occurred to me that maybe I could take a second look. So I did. I notice that I had no brush spring or cap on onside of the motor. Duh... I rummaged around in my shop and found a leftover spring that fit and a piece of metal which I bent to fit over the brush housing. I oiled it and applied power. AHHHH!!!! It really is an unequalled feeling. Success.

Moral: Sometimes when you get frustrated, just set it up on a shelf for a while and come back later. Time just has a way.

At Long Last...

2007-04-14T19:58:00.000-07:00

I have been after this fan for sometime, but the prices on ebay have been through the roof. You maybe saying, "Larry don't you already have a few of those?" Hold on a sec.

The price on ebay have been a little erratic lately. Some fans will go crazy others slip in under the radar. Like this one. This was a case of a seller not know what he had, or maybe he did. Anyway... The photo on ebay showed the oscillator (fuzzy). It was like looking at photos of UFO's. I was like, "is it? yeah, squeak for joy, I think it is." Now your asking what. True I do have 3 Northwind 450's, but not one like this....

That is a Ball Detent oscillator. Emerson Northwind Type 450A. The first 450 model.

The ups and downs. I could see in the photo that the head wire was blown. It happens on these. The seller did describe the item as nonworking so I was taking a chance that nothing else was wrong. This seller was not real prompt in returning email. They did however ship it quickly, which poses a question. Riddle me this...does a plastic sack and shredded paper constitute proper packaging materials. The answer is no. The cage was pretty warped. Fortunately no irreparable damage.

I stayed up pretty late last night working on this fan. Straightening the cage and blades, greasing the gears in the oscillator, oiling the shaft and oscillator, Oooo here's a tip you may have known that my Maintenance friend James told me about... sanding the edges of your carbon brushes back down to flat then clean the commutator with the white stick he gave me. Then I replaced the head wire with my signature green and yellow cloth. Moment of truth... Remember this is a 1917 universal motor... Well, I will just say I was impressed and scared at the same time. Impressed with my skills and scared by the haunting perfection with which this fan performed. The RPM's oooo the sound of those blades whirling at that speed.

YeeHaw!!!!

Westinghouse Flashbacks

2007-04-09T18:47:00.000-07:00

As most of you recall, I had a bout of serious frustration with a Westinghouse fan a while back. Well, I still have that fan on my workbench, but I would have to give the victory on that one to the nut jobs that worked at Westinghouse during that era. That stator was not intended to come out easily.

I have a list of antique stores that I try to go to often. Two are just off the interstate on the route to our favorite shopping and dining town. Usually I run in there and do quick once over and then split. These establishments are just next door to one another and are competitors. One is a little older than the other, but neither are more than five years old.

Right after the first one opened I went in and found a Westinghouse like the cursed beast that plagued me for month, except this one ran great. There were several fan including the one pictured in the upper left hand corner, another Westinghouse. This fan had brass blades, as you probably can tell. I passed this fan by on many of my visits to this store due to the fact that I didn't know if the blades were correct.

One day on a visit to this store I noticed that this fan was gone and I lamented that it had gone the way of so many antiques... schuffled from booth to booth as the owner tried to hard to make a quick buck...

A few weeks later I noticed that a new store had opened next door and stopped by to survey their goods. I found many less desirable fans mixed in amongst the other rusty items. Then there it was and I must admit my relief to see that the little fan that was missing was found again. Still doubting its originality, I passed on the fan once more.

Keep in mind that this has all been more than two years ago.

About a month ago we set off on our little ritualistic journey and we stopped into look for new prospects. That day, as I was headed out the door, the fella behind the counter asked me if there was anything particular I was looking for and I almost said nah, but I said yeah I have a question. "Is that old Westinghouse fan back there in working condition?" He replied, "Why yes it is, but let's check." We went to get the fan and brought it to the counter. He hooked it up and flicked the switch...Nothing. He checked the surge protector and it was on. He said, "Well it used to..." Finally after looking real frustrated he said,"will you give ten for it?" I told him I lived just down the road and I'd think about it.

Last Saturday my family and I decided to "make a run". I told the wife about this guy's offer and that I thought I would stop by and see if he would still have it. As I walked through the store I became increasingly concerned as I couldn't find the fan anywhere and was about to walk out when I decided to just inquire. The same guy was in behind the counter with a bunch of folks who were joining him in some fast food. I looked at him and said,. "you don't remember me but I was in here the other day..." He said, "oh yeah the fan..." I asked him if he knew what happened to that fan and I braced to hear the expected, "I chucked it..." Much to my surprise he said, "it's under the counter right there." I asked it he would still take ten and we had a deal.

I threw the fan in the van and went on our trip. Later that night I visited the Fan Cave and broke out my surgical instruments. (I have learned that seldom are good fans unfixable or at least that was my hope for this little 10 dollar piece) After removing the base I quickly surmised that a wire to the switch had simply come unsoldered. A little fresh solder and the fan was working again. It runs really smooth and puts out good air.

This fan made the long journey and I almost missed it several times. For ten bucks I don't even care if the blades are original. It also offers me some appeasement toward Westinghouses. Later y'all.

LH

Friends and Fans

2007-03-27T17:29:00.000-07:00

Today was just like any other day in regards to normal activities. I took the kids to school then took myself to work. As usual, I thought about fans as I worked. I reviewed eBay during lunch... I longed to come home.

I had to come home early today to meet with our heat and air guy. He had installed a monitor in our home to measure particulates. Not good news there.

My daughter's ninth birthday is coming up so mom and her were delivering party invitations. Just so happens one of my friend's daughter is friends with my daughter so there were stopping by his house.

After the HVAC guy and I were well into our meeting the other half of my family returned home. My daughter came in and announced that Mr. Chris (my friend) had given me a fan. I whirled around in my seat to see what the fan in the above picture. I called to thank him for this generous gift. One reason I consider this fan so special in my collection is that this fan belonged to Chris' Grandfather (Paul Eakins). I know how much Chris' Grandfather meant to him...

Mr Eakins was known for his collection of band-organs in Sikeston. He had one of the largest collection if not the largest collection ever know to exist in one place. Later in life he sold most of his collection to Disney.

As you can tell it is a GE. More specifically it is an F126047, Form-AE2, Type-AOU Spec.-272148-1, Cat. 75423. It is a 3 speed 16inch. Great running fan.

I just wanted to share it.

LH

This Lumber Jack Is Hungry For A Pancake

2007-03-26T19:05:00.000-07:00

For the longest time I have been pinning away for a GE Pancake. I am not sure if I even care what kind. Trunion, stick mount, etc...

Then the other day it occurred to me to post a WTB add. Duh, I am a little slow.

Anyway this is it. If you have a Pancake you want to sell let me see them.

email me at: lhcompserv@charter.net or larryh@stewardsteel.com (work).

Later,

LH

The Little Eskimo

2007-03-13T18:48:00.000-07:00

Just the other day. I was surfing the Northwinds and I noticed this little jewel amongst the overpriced brass. Somehow it ended up on my watched list. The morning of the bid close I just happened to make my morning review. So I put a reminder in my Microsoft Outlook to aide my feeble mind.

Later that day we were called into a sales meeting. Just about twenty minutes before the auction was to end. Doh! We went through our normal stuff and then, the man got a call. Seeing that it would not end soon, I excused myself for a moment and ran down the hall to my office. Jumping on I saw I had six minutes. I thought to myself, self do you really want this fan? Okay lets do the minimum bid test. If it flies it flies. I threw my bid in and ran back to the meeting.

Time seemed to drag as we slowly concluded our proceedings. I couldn't help but wonder if the little eskimo would be changing climates. After returning to my office, I jumped on my email and saw the email that told me I had scored. I hurriedly filled out the paypal info and closed the Internet Explorer.

Fast Forward....Yesterday (Monday) the fan came in. True to Eskimo fashion, froze up! The cord was badly broken. Cage on upside down. I swear some folks cannot see or something. I got to the Fan Cave late that night after a quick trip to Lowe's to acquire some heat shrink and a new switch. I took a couple before shots. Then I cut the old wiring out and removed the old switch. I removed the cage and grabbed my ruler and adjusted the blades.

After the new wire switch and oil, the little eskimo came to life strong.

I am starting to pride myself in finding those little inexpensive but neat fans. It can be done. You don't have to be rich or stupid to be a fan collector.

Later Y'all,
LH

Promised Photos...

2007-03-13T18:30:00.000-07:00

Here are the pics I promised from my unexpectedly perky Saturday. First the 73648:

Next a Junior 2560-C:

Now I know I am the greatest photographer in the world and I don't have a great camera, but you get the idea. I have read the articles in the Fan Collector and am working on getting my "three dollar shade".

The 73648 needed the blades adjusted to resolve some wobble. It also needed the cage straightened a bit and the struts needed tightening.

The Junior needed blades adjusted some too. Also missing the oscillator screw. Then there was the matter of the missing power cord. Little oil and Abra Cadabra!!!

Lets face it, the hobby would be no fun if they were already perfect. Thanks Jer.

A Day Unexpected

2007-03-03T20:05:00.000-08:00

We'll let me tell you about today. Saturday morning... so naturally I am trying to sleep in. My wife had already informed me that she and her mother were going shopping, so I did not expect the day to be very eventful. Besides the fact that I had fan hunting fever so bad because I had just read the most recent issue of fan collector where Darryl and Dick were both showing off their latest jewels...

So I finally roll out of bed around 8:30, I wonder into the kitchen , warm a doughnut, and grab a Dr. Pepper from the fridge. Next, To the recliner! Remote in hand I surf the channel guide to find that King Kong was just coming on one of our movie channels. (1st unexpected perk)

Then during King Kong, my friend calls. He is telling me that his new boss has this computer that he wants to see if I can help with. (This is the same friend that you've read about that works in the antique store.) He goes on to tell me about how this guy brought in 3 fans for sale and he thinks one is a junior... This gets my attention and I'm thinking I may have to make a trip to check these babies out. He asks if I want him to bring the computer over and I say yeah since I have the kids and all.

He brings the "puter" over and I work on it for a few hours. When I see that the solution is close at hand, he mentions that he might take care of getting that junior for me since I had been so kind. (2nd unexpected perk)

Then he asks if I have any old monitors and I say yeah and show him this great old 17 inch CRT that was in my basement closet. He likes it so I mention something about a trade for another of the fans... He smirks and agrees. (3rd not-so-unexpected perk)

He is going to work tomorrow and will bring the fan or fans back to me. I am a big fan of anticipation and especially fan related anticipation... I will post photos when they arrived. Today turned out to be a great day after all.

Later Yall

LH

A Long Time Coming

2007-02-26T18:06:00.000-08:00

Gather round children for yet another fan story.

You may recall my post about my brother and how he seemed to show an early spark of interest in antique fans. He went on a fan buying spree and bought me an old Hunter and Emerson. Well back then is where this story begins.

On one of my brothers hunts he recalled "a fan called a Northwind". He passed this fan up for two reasons. One was the fact that the cage was "bent bad outta shape". Two, the fan was way too expensive. I am going somewhere with this story.

The antique store that this fan was waiting for me in was owned by a family friend that my brother and I had known all our lives. So even though my brother continued to assure me that he still wouldn't come down on the price, I held out hope.

Months went by, I made several trips to Arkansas and drove by the store many times. I never forgot this fan. I didn't know what model number it was, but that didn't really matter.

Finally weekend before last my family decided to make the trip once again. This time the same brother was getting married and I had the duty of best man. (beside the point) We decided to leave early Friday afternoon. The trip was about 1.5 hours, so we arrived in my hometown around 4:45. The store was still opened so I told the wife, "I'm gonna stop in here real quick." The eyes began to roll.

After searching around the store a little while I finally gave up and called my brother on the cell phone. He quickly led me over to the booth where heaven's light was shining down on a little mangled 444B. I couldn't believe my eyes. I had just been sure it would be a 44 or a 450 as there seems to be more of those. After looking at the price and the shape of it (wondering if I could reshape the cage or not) I decided to pass too. We walked around the store and were about to leave when I saw my old friend who owned the store. We exchanged small talk a moment and I told him about my brother's wedding etc... Toward the end of the conversation, I thought, "what the heck, I'll give it a shot." I said, "I have a question about an old fan you have." I asked him what his bottom dollar was. He looked at me and then the tag and said, "for you, I'll take half." My eyes lit up I just know it. I looked at the wife and she said, "okay..."

Needless to say, I was elated at the thought of rescuing yet another little fan. My only fear was did it run and could I reshape the cage and blades.

When we stay at my Grandmother's house there isn't much to do because she lives way out in the country. Saturday morning I woke up early, ate my breakfast, and started thinking about that fan. I decided to start working on it. I went to my late grandfather's toolbox and grabbed what I needed. I sat down by the old woodburning stove in her house and began to disassemble the fan. Once I had it apart, I started pushing and pulling gingerly. Before I knew it, the cage was perfect again. I picked up some pliers and started working on the blades. Then the moment of truth. I plugged it in and switched it on. I came right on, smooth as silk. A smile spread across my face and I felt that feeling. That feeling makes it all worth it.

My grandmother was looking over my shoulder then she turned to look at my wife and said, "same ole Larry."

Stop the Insanity

2007-02-13T09:37:00.000-08:00

This fan is a Northwind 450B. It is a 32Volt DC motor. Sold on ebay for 90+. People... Do you have a fever? I like them too but come on...

Let me know what you think...

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ih=005&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWA%3AIT&viewitem=&item=150088635946&rd=1&rd=1

Behold the King!!!!

2007-01-21T19:04:00.000-08:00

For the longest time I have felt this interest in Emerson's "less desirable" fans know as the Northwind Line. This line has all steel blades. Most of the motors are AC/DC universal. Near as I can tell Emerson began making these little monsters around 1916 (based on AFCA info) then I don't know how long.

The first Northwind I ever bought one of the first line know as the Type 44's. I understand from a source that the very first was a Type 44A, then B, then C, etc... Mine happens to be a "C". I bought it off ebay from a lady in Washington I think. Some northern state... Anyway, when I got the fan, one of the brush housings was broken and the spring was missing. The fan sat on my shelf for a long time as I waited to get to it in restoration. I had considered having a friend machine some new ones for me, and in fact we did one. Then the strangest thing happened, our maintenance guy showed up in my office one day with some brushes from some old motors. Guess what...perfect fit. yes they were not period correct technology, but they fan runs great now...

Then one day a friend of mine gave me two Emerson Northwind 450's. One was actually a 450J and it was in terrible condition. From these two fans I learned about rewiring and repairing switches made with nichrome resistance wire. Not nearly as complicated as it sounds... I have an AutoCAD blueprint if your interested... My wife also bought me a Northwind 450 for our 10th Anniversay. It was this 450 that really drew my interest to the Northwinds. Something about the speed and the sound of these fans really impressed me.

Sorry this is so long. I watch ebay just as many of you do, and I had seen a Northwind labeled 444A and 444B before. There is also one in the AFCA gallery. I thought to myself, "Self, you need one of those." Somehow I never got around to buying one. They one day when I felt like my fan buying had slumped, I saw something that made my eyes bug out. An Emerson Northwind Type 55. I couldn't believe it. I looked like one of the first Seabreezes, 8" and beige. This leads me to believe it would made around the same time... People work with me on this!!! I got this fan in oiled it up, and it ran great. Even has that faint smell of burnt carbon that I had come to appreciate in the Northwinds.

Lastly, Monday of last week my latest addition came in. A Northwind Type 444B. (see photo above) It was in pretty bad shape. The brush cap was missing and so was the spring. (Still haven't decided on the proper feedback for this fella). I had some parts laying around so I grabbed them and threw them together with a little love and oil and spare parts (new wire "Hancock Green", new plug) the fan ran for the first time in 20 years I bet. Judging from the rust. Welcome to the family little guy.

Yeah I know some of you are convinced I have lost my mind (Oh BTW, thanks for the little 12-step comment... you know who you are... ;)) Just in case you aren't convinced, I have decided to do a research project for the Northwinds. I don't know how in depth I can even go, but it will be fun just to see. If you have any information start sending it. See my post on the AFCA's site, they must think I'm crazy too, only one person has responded. Thanks for the encouraging words Darryl.

Later yall.
LH

Balancing Blades

2007-01-14T07:00:00.000-08:00

I had a question sent me the other day. "How do you balance blades?"

First let me say, there are better ways of doing this than my way, but I don't own a strobe light nor do I know how to use one. That being said, here goes....

I have a couple fans that when they came to my "Fan Family" (I like that better than collection) they would run okay, but they were so out of balance that they would walk across the floor on their own. After applying my method they work really well.

First thing you will need to do is remove the cage. Second, find some point on the motor that you can measure from. (I usually use the handle if there is one.) Then you rotate the blades, measure each one in relationship to the stationary point. This will give you some idea of which one is off. (usually there will be one critter that is straying distinctly bad) Once you have located the offender mark it with a sharpie or something with a little mark that is discrete. Then, and this is the difficult part, I use my hands, vise, or channel locks (depending on the blade/hub) cautiously to bend the blade slowly back into place ****VERY IMPORTANT**** Don't bend the blade itself. This is how blades are broken or creased, as you often see them. YOU MUST TRY TO BEND AT THE HUB.

This information is blade specific. If you have a cast iron hub, don't try this, it will break. If your fan's blades are brass, be very careful, brass is very easily bent.

This is the best I have for info on this topic. If you are still unsure of your abilities. I would suggest getting more information first or seeking a professional for assistance. There is nothing worse than destroying a fan with your own hands... GOOD LUCK!

Collections

2006-12-13T19:34:00.000-08:00

I wanted to post on this subject for a while, but just haven't had the time to devote to it. So I decided to give myself a little Internet time tonight and get it done.

I love antique fans, duh... I like collecting them, but I don't like just collecting them, I like restoring them, watching them run, and talking about them. Pretty much anything to do with them I like.

I read a post on the AFCA Fan Forum the other day that asked, something to the effect of, "How Many In Your Collection????" I was naturally drawn to it out of curiosity, but after reading the many posts and looking at the photos I was reminded of something that I don't like. I don't like the fact some people think because they don't have many fans they aren't as important. I also don't like people thinking that because they don't own a gyro or pre 1900's pancake that they are not "elite".

I have talked to folks and I know these feelings exist. I can see how some would get to feeling that way. There aren't that many who have collections like Dr. G. I know that the feeling can be harmful to others interested in the hobby that perhaps cannot afford the harder to find fans. Let's be careful to not show favoritism to anyone on the forum or otherwise. Careful with the course joking, text can misrepresent feelings and intentions. I'd also like to say that if you are prone to the feelings, give people a second chance they can be misunderstood.

I want to go on record as saying I am not accusing anyone, but I want us all to monitor ourselves and lets try to be nice.

Collections aren't near as much fun unless they are shared.

Later,
LH

Deco Sucker Punch

2006-11-26T18:55:00.000-08:00

Okay, here is (or was) my general opinion on all fans Deco. Excluding Silver Swans and GE Quiet Blades, I hated them. I couldn't understand why anyone would like them. Example Freshn'd Aires ,Zephyrs (?sp), etc... They just don't have the character. They don't speak to me. That was until yesterday...

Yesterday, Saturday of a long holiday weekend. Overexposure to poultry, inlaws, and the local shopping mall. The family decided to go shopping and some how it was arranged so that I could go to the downtown historic district to look for antiques. Color me ecstatic. Now I have combed the stores on several occasions and knew nearly all the fans that they had, but I am always hopeful that something new will crop up.

This trip started like many others. I start on one street and work my way toward the river. The first store I go in I see a new one. It was one that I had either never seen or never really paid attention to. A Westinghouse Just like the one in the picture except it was all black. I fell in love with it. In fact I decided that if I didn't find anything better I would come back for this. So I went through the rest of the store, and I found one just like it except it would in better condition. I found a nice 77648 AS too. Through the rest of the trip I found the same ole stuff except for a reasonably price Mathes. I may go back for that some day soon.

So I decided to go back and get the Westinghouse. Now let me explain what intrigued me so about this fan. I have one like it but it is a 16 inch model and I never knew they made them in anything less than 12. Being a fan of smaller fans, I found it to be less overbearing in the deco department. Not so gaudy and baroque, if I can forcibly apply that term. Check out the pictures. Runs like a charm.

My wife called me whilst I was shopping and told me I could not buy any fans. I hung up and thought to myself..."Yeah, Okay..."

My Fan Speed Is On Low

2006-11-14T19:15:00.000-08:00

Over the past several weeks some things have changed a little in my life. First we have had terrible Internet service. This has hindered my ability to blog and to search for fans on eBay. These are two of my main things. Second we renewed some old friendships and that has taken away from our already low supply of free time. This has diminished my fan time somewhat also. Finally that same ole story, the family. It seems like things are increasingly demanding. The children and wife are the norm, but problems with my mom and brother are taking their emotional toll.

I wanted to give a shout out to the fan gods (joke) and my fan fans who visit from time to time. Keep stopping by. Keep emailing me with your pictures and so on.

I am toying with an idea for a blog topic. It is called The AFCA, A Love/Hate Relationship...

Let me know your thoughts.

LH

Flirting With Disaster

2006-10-26T18:37:00.000-07:00

I have been into Northwinds for a while now (as some of you know from reading my blog.) I thought I knew all about them. I knew there was a Type 44, Type 444, and Type 450. They are not fancy high-end fans. There is no brass on them, well not counting the badge... I am not sure what draws me to them. I think it is the fact that they are not extremely desirable to others that draws me to them. They also run like the dickens. We are talking crazy rpms.

Anyway, Like I was saying, I thought I knew all there was to know about them. The other day I was surfing eBay. I was going through the new listings, and what should I happen upon, but a Type 55. What are you talking about??? I couldn't believe my eyes. Into the watch list it went with six days to go.

Fast forward to the last day. It just happen to fall on a Sunday afternoon. Keep in mind I had been watching this diligently for days. The auction ended right in the middle of a play we had tickets for. Now I feel like a lucky guy, but not lucky enough to tell my wife I can't go to a play because of a fan auction. So I waited as long as I could and placed a bid just a few minutes before leaving. There was another bidder, but I passed he/she right up. I figured they would probably wait to the last minute and out bid me.

So here I am watching the Sikeston Little Theatre's production of The Beverly Hillbillies, and all I can think about is, yes you guessed it, this little beauty. After the play was over my wife informed me that we all had to go to the grocery store together. Arrrggghhhh! She really knows how to hurt me. Finally, after what seemed like forever, we arrived at the homestead. I brought all the groceries in, then quietly slinked off to the basement. I nervously punched in my eBay password and clicked on the my eBay button. I rejoiced when I saw the notice informing that I had 1 item that I had to pay for. Yes!!!! Victory!

Now, if you are a knowledgeable person on Northwinds and you know of another Type # that I have not mentioned here, be nice, email me and tell me or send me a photo...

Later,
LH

I love you honey!

2006-10-17T17:25:00.000-07:00

Some of my fan friends have had a similar problem in their fan collecting hobby... their wives. The other day, I was combing through my ebay desirables and I had a couple on my watched list that were ending that day just a few hours apart. One was this little Eskimo that you see on the right and the other was an A.C. Gilbert Polar Cub.

The Polar Cub was ending first. It was actually ending in the middle of the afternoon of the workday. I had to get on to check it! The price was right so I bid. Immediately outbid, so I rebid a little more. Immediately outbid again! I am getting very frustrated at this time cause I was within the last thirty seconds. "Last one!", I think to myself as I enter the numbers of my final maximum bid. "You are the current high bidder!" Success!!!!! Well I was happy even though I paid more than I intended to. I went to brag to some friends at work about my newest acquisition.

Later that day at the house I logged on and started watching this Eskimo fan. It had one bidder. I really had written off the possibility of getting this one, because I figured I was going to be in enough trouble over the Polar Cub. Anyway I kept on sitting there drooling over it. As the auction end time neared I talked myself into entering one bid that was like the minimum increment. Thinking to myself, "I'll never get this one." Well... I was wrong. I anxiously entered the minimum bid. Then to my shock I saw that all too familiar phase in green writing. "You are the current high bidder" I was dead.

I let it go. I decided not worry about it. I figured that I would just think about a way to explain it. I went over to a friend's house later to help him set up his Xbox Live account and when I returned, I returned to a frustrated wife asking if I had something to tell her. I just looked at her and honestly said, "I love you!" I lived to bid again.

LH

My First Polar Cub

2006-10-03T19:17:00.000-07:00

Say what you will about eBay, but I have to say one thing in it's defense... It provides guys like me that don't get the opportunity to buy fans that often a better chance. Take for example this little AC Gilbert Polar Cub. I got on ebay the other day and saw it. I have seen many Polar Cubs pass my way, but none (save the occasional Mysto) ever jumped out at me. This little jewel found it's way on my watch list along with another I will tell you about later. I had a reminder on my outlook to check back closer to bid time.

Time rolled around, I logged in and noticed no significant increase in price since initial contact so I bid. My bid ended unchallenged! Cue adrenaline!!!! YET ANOTHER VICTORY FOR BARGAIN HUNTING FAN COLLECTORS EVERYWHERE! Well it was for me anyway. It just goes to show you that if you won't be stupid and pay those ridiculous prices for fans the prices will come down. People who are in it just for the money will lose interest and the true fan loving collectors can roam freely in their native land once again.

The fan came in yesterday. My wife and kids just loved how tiny it was, you would have thought I was holding a puppy. I had to do some work on it though. First the motor was mounted on the base backward. The cord hole was in the front of the base, "WRONG, WRONG, WRONG!!!!" The eBay seller said something about the hole being for a switch... I knew better. Perhaps that is one reason not many folks bid on the fan thinking it was missing a part. I switched that around. I fed the cord through top of the base and the hole at the bottom like it was originally intended to be. Finally the cage was on sideways. I rotated it 90 degrees counter-clockwise. Boom Baby! Peace, Harmony, and Love for the universe.

Thanks for reading my junk. Let me hear from you.

Fanning With Family

2006-09-22T21:52:00.000-07:00

My dearest brother came to visit last weekend and brought a couple fans up for me. One was an Emerson 77648 TE and the other was this little 10 inch Hunter that you see on the left.

He had been leary to plug either of them in, but I am always willing (if there is no bare spots in the cords and sometimes even then...) So after establishing that they both "worked", we sized up the quality.

First the Emerson, the blades were so out of balance that the thing literally jumped across my carport floor. Next the Hunter, this fan ran as quiet as I have come to expect Hunters to. However, I did find that there is something internally wrong with the oscillator. No matter how we adjusted the tension control, it would stop oscillating at the same point.

We took the fans down into the "Fan Cave". I really wanted to give them both a little attention to see if we could make them better. My brother told me that he had fully intended on restoring the Hunter. I was a little shocked. He had helped me work on a Hunter of mine once, so I have been gradually excited as he expressed more and more interest in the hobby. So I told him to start taking the Hunter apart, keeping up with all the screws and internal parts. Once he had disassembled the fan, I gave him further instruction on prepping the parts for paint the next day. While he followed my instructions, I set about balancing the 648's blades. I grabbed my Sharpie and my channel locks and I went at it. About two hours later, I had the thing running as smooth as I could without a stobe. My brother had the parts ready for paint.

The next day we found the paint we wanted to use at Auto Zone. He finished the painting in one afternoon. I think our patience level proves our relation. I told him the more time your spend on the details, the better it will look. He pointed out something very true, that this was not an extremely rare fan so it was not worth a tremendous effort. Wise Dave!

Having said all this, I will say some more. The hobby of fans is more fun when you have someone else who likes it to share it with. I know what you are thinking, that is the whole premise of the AFCA... Yes except in my case, I cannot afford to travel to some of the regionals. Most are too far away. I hope to visit the "Barn" in November. Maybe Dave will go with me.

Anyway, I digress. Here are some photos of the finished Hunter that we "finished" in under two days.

My Family

2006-09-11T19:36:00.000-07:00

My little brother recently moved back home after a six year commitment in the Air Force. I have thoroughly enjoyed having him home. We talk on the telephone almost every day. We have been spending quite a bit of time together on the weekends too.

Over Labor Day weekend he came to visit. At some point he got into my blog and started reading some posts. He made several positive comments. The idea of him developing an interest in fans was very exciting to me.

This past weekend I get a call from him. He's like, "Guess what!" I'm like, "What???" He says, "I bought a fan today!" I smiled a little. He say, "It's a Hunter..." After a few moments of talking about this fan, he had to go so we got off the phone.

Later that same day, he call again. He say,"I've struck again." I said, "What do you mean?" He says, "I bought an Emerson this time." I told him that I was excited that he was getting into this. It was then he said, "I like it for the history." I told him that I understood exactly what he meant.

Tonight we talked for nearly an hour about a couple fans he had seen in a shop and he described them. I told him to go back an try to get them.

So long story short... I have someone that seems honestly interested in talking about fans. Someone that isn't on a message board and halfway rude when you try to talk to them. Someone that you can talk to without paying for an expensive hotel and event fees while doing so. Don't get me wrong people, if I had the money, I'd be at Fan Fair.

I wish there were more people interested in talking fans. Seriously just talking fans. I am toying with the idea of hosting a regional for people to come to in Sikeston. We could go to Lamberts and have throwed rolls.

One idea would be nice if more folks in the AFCA would signup for msn messenger or yahoo messenger where they could instant message each other. There seems to be a lot of folks that want to instant message each other, but they won't do this. I don't understand.

Later,
LH

Westinghouse Whirlwind

2006-08-27T18:16:00.000-07:00

Sometimes in my "eBay time" I run across a fan that just speaks to me.

Take this one for example. Just a little over a couple weeks ago, I was surfing and I almost passed it by. It screamed at me, "LARRY! HELP ME!" I replied, "Okay little fan. I will do what I can." Long story even longer... I bought it and the dutiful postal service sent it my way.

After I won the auction, I noticed that the seller did not accept PayPal. Bummer... I had our bank runner at work go get me a money order. No biggie, I just hate the wait.

Yesterday my daughter came in from playing with her friend and she was carrying this little jewel. I impatiently opened it up. I pulled it out and thought, "Man! This guy wasn't kidding when he said it needed a new cord." I thought I would be brave and plug it in anyway. Mistake! POP!!!! It reminded me of the time I blew a headwire on one of my Northwinds.

Later... In the fan cave...

Dr Larry carefully disassembles the little Whirlwind. I surveyed the damage and got all my tools and wiring accessories out. After a few minutes I had the fan reassembled and ready to plug in. Tension builds, Moment of truth. It did whril, but it made a terrible racket. Nurse! Oil! A few drops and the beaut was stealth. Well, not quite, but much better.

Then looked at the bottom. The original felt was long gone. So I got out some of my green felt and a sharpie. I trace around the base, cut it out, and with a little spray adhesive, we were in business.

Well little fan, you're home. Take you place.

Later,
LH

Strange Happenings

2006-08-24T20:21:00.000-07:00

The other day I watched an auction end where an 8" Seabreeze went for 76 or 78 dollars. I know we have all speculated on the reasons for such things. I just wish the people that in the hobby for money would go somewhere else. I wish there was somewhere for a group of people to buy fans that you had to be a collector and you could get a good deal on a fan.

There is no reason for a fan to cost as much as some do. In the end it is still a pile of metals that God will eventually reclaim.

Sure, I'd like to own a Feathervane, but my fans are just as nice to me. Plus they didn't cost near as much.

Just a little rant.

Doctor Fan

2006-08-08T19:52:00.000-07:00

I NEED THERAPY!!!! I know what some of you are saying. "You can say that again..." Well you see, to me when life gets tough, I can just turn on a fan. It literally blows my troubles away. (Spare me the airhead jokes).

Anyway, this is a photo of one of my R&M 3804's. I traded some Hunter/R&M ceiling fan to Adrian Parrado for it. I going to perform some maintenance on it. It runs kinda slow. I think there is a short in the wiring. May just need some oil too. I love these fans. I have two others that you may have seen photos of. One 4 blade and one six blader. I read in some book that dealers used to switch blades out to make a sale, as six bladers were more desirable. Just like today apparently.

Thanks to all my readers. I am sorry that I don't blog more often, but I hope I have a good enough backlog to keep you entertained for a while. I noticed that there was a spike in traffic today. That is encouraging.

Peace out,
LH

Forging Through

2006-07-28T05:30:00.000-07:00

After my Westinghouse Disaster, I have been fighting to get back on the fan horse. I have gained perspective from others in the club and learned that these fans are just difficult. Chalk it up to a learning experience.

Some very important things that I have learned in fan work (restoration and maintenance):
1. Know what portions of your project are pot metal ahead of time. Pot metal is very fragile at this age especially.
2. Always consult an expert on your potential project before you begin to learn the pitfalls and how to avoid them.
3. Take your time! Don't rush because you will make mistakes that you cannot undo.

I have decided to do a rewire on a fan I am more familiar with. An R&M 3804. I will post a pictures when I get finished.

Thanks to all you folks for reading my blog! The numbers are encouraging. Tell your friends and feel free to ask questions or leave comments here.

Later,
LH

Westinghouse Blues

2006-07-18T19:58:00.000-07:00

Not since my 646 have I met such frustration. Like that guy Stanley Johnson said, "Somebody help me."

I wrestled with the stator. Finally removed it. Rewired it. Reinstalled it then the rotor. Now I can't get the rotor to turn freely. Thoughts? Anyone?

Man, I'll tell ya, I am ready to pitch this sucker.

Emerson Northwind 450

2006-07-12T19:04:00.000-07:00

They're multiplying! I can't get enough of these fans. I think I like them cause they run like a scalded dog. That plus they oscillate so quickly, that is impressive to me too. Examining the innards of the motors, I noticed that the windings are held in with what appear to be finishing nails. I am sorry, I get tickled when I think about it. I like watching and listening to them they sound like little airplanes.

I now have three of these little boogers. I would like to try to get A through whatever.

I Can't Believe I Did It...

2006-07-09T19:08:00.000-07:00

Well the story starts out positive. Last night my wife and I celebrated our 10th anniversary. She surprised me as always. She made a call and secured an Emerson Northwind 45o for me a gift. She gave it to me and I was overjoyed because you see, these fans are quickly becoming my favorite. There is just something that I love about them.

Anyway, We came home and I started messing with the fan. The first thing I always do check the cord for bare spots and then plug it in to see if it works. The fan started to turn then stopped suddenly. I quickly turned it off. Then my mind started to survey the evidence: Blades were free then stiff. First thought is the oscillator is bound up? Then I think maybe the motor tilt is too steep, causing the oscillator to jamb against the base. So I grab the wingnut and give a twist (just slightly). Thats when it happened. Half of the top of the neck just snapped off. My blood ran cold. I had killed a Northwind with my barehands. Forgive me oh fan god! Forgive me dear wife.

NEVER SAY DIE!!!! Even when it comes to potmetal... I scooped up the pieces of the broken Northwind. It was one clean break. I took it to my Fan ER. Nurse, Super Glue. I put on some gloves and set about setting the broken piece. After attempting to set it perfectly I finally did. Left it all night and all day today.

Today, after church, I ran by Lowes and grabbed some new glue called Gorilla glue because honestly, I thought the super glue would not hold long. Went home and began to reassemble the fan. The threads were very resistant and I knew the glue was just going to give way with the next twist as the tension grew(in me and on the bolt). Finally the fan was together and I had detached the oscillator arm. Someone had put a screw in there that was completely tightened down. I fired the fan up and it whirled to life. PARTY ON!!!

I like a challenge.

Project Hunter Completed

2006-07-03T10:38:00.000-07:00

Here are some photos of my latest restoration. Thanks to Ken Bartlett, a fabricator at our shop, for welding the wires on the cage. Thanks to Kim Frank and Darryl Hudson for helpling and encouraging me. Thanks to my brother David for helping finish the project this weekend. While my painting isn't perfect, I can see it progressing.

I have had this fan longer than any besides my 646 that I recently restored. I learned a lot from this project. It was the first time I had attempted a tag restoration. It came out relatively well. I bought some NOS plugs off eBay and I used one of those for this job too. Thanks again to all involved.

Below are a few more pics. Some before and some after. Thanks for following the progress.

Western Electric Auction Ends.

2006-07-01T20:52:00.000-07:00

Well, 4th of July is coming very soon and there are sure to be plenty fireworks ready to be enjoyed by all. However nothing can compare with the frenzied display during the last few minutes of the auction of the Western Electric bipolar fan. The fan seemed to quickly reach just over a thousand then leveled off for a few days. Cue all the snipers! Wow, I got to hand it to you fellas, that was quite a jump.

For those of you that missed it, the fan sold for $4,101.98. Tidy little sum for a rusted old machine that just blows air. (Hold on while I punish myself with a good hard pinch...OUCH!!!) Anyway someone out there is a lucky person. (Aside from being out 4k) Congrats whoever you are.

Oh!, and sorry Ron...

LH

Fan Envy

2006-06-29T20:46:00.000-07:00

Recently, two fans popped onto the fan scene. These fans are the stuff of legend in collector circles. At first glance, my jaw dropped and I started to envy the owner of one and question the sanity of the other. You see one guy bought a fan and the other is selling a fan.

Let's make this short. First Darryl Hudson found a C&C bipolar fan. Below is a picture of the fan.

Next some antique radio collector is selling this next fan on eBay. (Crazy IMHO) This fan is another bipolar fan, but the brand name is Western Electric.

Both of these fans represent very early fan technology. The fact that they still exist is amazing, but still running... WOW.

The title of my post is Fan Envy. I labeled it that because these two fans taught me something. That is that you can't own them all and you should just be happy with what you have. That sounds like my wife talking. Help, she got in my head.

Later,
LH

The Hunter Project (Painting Stage)

2006-06-26T20:01:00.000-07:00

I have been working on The Hunter Project for several days now. I have stripped, cleaned, and primed. I have also sprayed on several layers of black and wet-sanded the pieces.

Sometimes I just hate painting. I am not a patient person. I tend to want to hurry and get finished on everything I do. Fortunately, I have a smidge of perfectionist in me and strike a fair balance. That is good because when you are painting it pays to take your time.

I guess in some ways I feel like if I don't hurry up, I'll forget how the fan goes back together. Maybe, I am afraid that I will loose a part. Perhaps most of all I think I enjoy reflecting on the hard work after it is over and looking at a job well done.

My brother is coming this weekend to visit, and I plan on asking him to work on this project with me. I think It'd be neat to say this is a fan my brother and I worked on together.

Hopefully tomorrow I can get final paint on so the parts can start curing. Next on to cleaning the brass and prepping the base for it's new felt. I'm so excited!

Later Y'all,
LH

A Good Woman

2006-06-17T20:54:00.000-07:00

I wanted to tell you about my wonderful, but deceptive, wife.

Background:

Last week my friend told me about some nice fans that happened into his antique store. Since his shop is 30 miles away, I couldn't just take off and drive up to look at them, so I waited and wondered about them.

Today, my family and I drove to this town and spent some time together. I asked my wife if she would mind letting me run by and see the fans. She snarled at me just like she always does when I mention fans. She says I have too many already. I just laugh and say, "No honey, that isn't possible." Anyway she consented so off we went. When we got there she said, "I am just going to stay in the car." I ran in and my friend was working so he took me over to a booth. I was very excited to see three Emersons. One 29645, one Emerson B Jr, and one Northwind 450. My friend asked which one I liked the best and I told him the 29645. I returned to my car and my wife she said, "Well?" I told her I liked them. She said you need to sell some before you buy anymore. I said okay. I assumed that was the end of it and we left with me broken hearted.

We headed back to Sikeston. When we arrived we went over to my "Out-laws". We started watching TV when my wife says, "I have to go to the store." She asks my brother-in-law's girlfriend to go with her. I am thinking this is weird, why now? Anyway back to TV... A few minutes later, the front door squeaks open in the kitchen and I hear rustling around then in walks my daughter with that 29645. She says in her little eight year old voice, "Happy Father's Day Daddy". I could have melted. My wife had planned the whole thing for a week. I looked at my wife who was standing a few feet behind with this smile on her face. I said, "I love you."

She had me go up there so my buddy could know which one I wanted and she called him on the cell phone later and arranged to pick the fan up. She is really good with surprises.

Anywho, I just wanted to share with you guys and gals.

Happy Father's Day

LH

Hunter No F13352

2006-06-15T20:00:00.000-07:00

I have had this little fan for several years now. My Stepfather gave it to me for Christmas one year. It was the second fan in my official collection. When I first acquired it I couldn't even tell if the blades were brass. In fact I even tried once before I bought my bench grinder, to clean the blades off and finally gave up.

My fan collection started really growing three or four years ago. Since this fan I have added a few more to my collection. As my collection has grown, so have my skills for restoring and the arsenal of tools that I use.

With new zeal for restoration I have decided to tackle this fan. I want to put great care and detail into this restoration. I am hoping to take my skills to a new height.

I already have it apart and in varying states of readiness for paint. Some parts need further cleaning and some are already in primer. I have decided to use standard black lacquer and polish the brass. I plan on using the yellow and green braided wire that I have for the cord and headwire. I think that Lowes has the grommets and retro plug I will need. I will have to go looking for a good green felt though because all I have currently is Burgundy and Black. I will post some pics of the broken down fan soon.

TTFN
LH

Emerson Northwind Type 44C

2006-06-10T09:02:00.000-07:00

Here is a picture of the Northwind I have been bugging everyone about. Thanks to Stan Adams for the lead on paint and encouragement to paint without removing the stator. Thanks to James Harrelson, my employer's maintenance guy, for the brushes and brush housings. They are a perfect fit replacement and more modern in design.

I reused the original cord and plug and head-wire they were in great shape. I also reused the original grommets they survived removal and re-installation. I used Odd's n Ends enamel paint from WalMart per Stans recommendation and I used a Clear Rustoleum lacquer for the top coat. I was pleased with the results of both. That Rustoleum is a really good lacquer.

I learned a great deal about the DC motor on this project. Thanks to all, including Darryl Hudson for the time he spent via email explaining things to me.

Life After Disney

2006-06-03T09:46:00.000-07:00

Well I am finally back from Disney and I can say it was worse than I expected it would be. It even forced my wife to admit something that she never admits... That I was right. Since this is my fan blog I will get on to the fan related material.

While at Disney I kept noticing that they spare no expense on props and decorations for everything including rides and gift shops. While waiting in lines and shopping I started to notice fans and I realized my purpose in being there. I was obviously there to report fan sightings.

First let me say that I couldn't get close enough to get any serial numbers or anything, but I will do my best to describe them for each of you.

First, In the Animal Kingdom. I was walking down the Pangani Forest Exploration Trail and we went into the "Research House". On a high shelf was a GE Vortalex. It was the aqua blue 4 blade to give you some idea.

Second, In the Animal Kingdom. We stopped to eat at an in-park McDonald's labeled Restaurantasarus in Dinosaur land. The dining area was called "Vehicle Maintenance". On yet another shelf was an Emerson 77646. I couldn't get close enough to read the tag or tell anything else.

Third, Also the Animal Kingdom. In line for the new ride "Expedition Everest". I saw an Emerson 79648. It was in pretty bad shape, but it added to the scene well.

That was all for the Animal Kingdom park. The next day we went to MGM Studios.

First, Waiting in line for the Tower of Terror ride, I saw what I believed to be an Emerson 73648 on a desk. There are two lines that form just before you enter the ride and it was on the far line, around the corner.

Second, Just after the completion of the Tower of Terror ride, at the photo review station, I saw and Emerson 12" with 4 brass blades. It had a badge with the two fan blades above and below the label, but it wasn't the embossed badge. That should help some of you identify. I looked in the gallery but couldn't find one in there.

Third, In one of the many gift shops, high on a shelf was an 8" Command Air. It was perched on top of a small suitcase.

Forth, Just down the way from that gift shop was another shop with an old-fashioned movie ticket booth on the front. It had an old polar cub in it. It had Polar Cub in raised letters on the badge. It was painted solid flat black, as I recall.

That is the extent of what I saw. I just didn't have the time to explore like I wanted. I am sure there are more there. If any of you go check these out.

The Magic Stinkin Kingdom

2006-05-24T17:52:00.000-07:00

Well fan lovers, I'm off to the Magic Kingdom tomorrow. I already regret my absence at the Pig Pickin Fan Regional at Geoff's. I hope to see many great photos on the Fan Forum. That ought to really make me sick.

Well its all for the family. I have to keep telling myself that. I'm sure most of you can relate to my struggle. Have fun!

LH

Emerson Northwind Type 44C

2006-05-19T20:53:00.000-07:00

I have decided to restore my Emerson Northwind 44C next. Many of you may already know this from the amount of posts that I have made on the AFCA website regarding questions. I decided to do this one because it does not function properly, so it will be a repair as well as a restore. I am excited. This fan is an eight inch from somewhere around 1917 (give or take a couple years). It is a AC/DC motor.

When I bought it on eBay the seller said everything was fine. When I opened it up the brush housing was broken and one of the springs were missing. The lady did refund me $10.00.

So this little fan has set on my shelf for sometime just waiting on me to get it ready. I have a friend that does some machine work and he is going to try to recreate a brush housing for me. I told him I want all the measurements so I can create a AutoCAD drawing for others to use. (When I get that I hope to post it on my website.)

If you have any suggestions feel free to post the comments by clicking below. Also be sure to check back in for progress. Right now I have it apart and waiting for some time to take the original paint off.

Later,
LH

My Fan Prophecy

2006-05-07T19:48:00.000-07:00

I have lately whined to what I call big time collectors about how it seems that all the great fans cost a fortune and it seems like all of them are rich and can afford fans that cost more than my car. My natural instinct kicks in just like anyone that collects anything and when you think something is old and rare you want it too. I am no different... well maybe a little.

I have seen photographs of different collectors who have some "rare" fans. They have hundreds or even thousands and either have whole buildings devoted to the shrine or rooms crowded with shelves and tables full. All I can think about is if that were me, I would be wondering about who would care enough to have them when I die. My family is not going to want it. (chances are slim anyway) They might want the money they are worth but only if they were sold in the current peaking Ebay market. That is another subject.

Ebay provides people with strange desires a place to seek and sell the objects of our twisted lust. By doing so allowing more people to see the item being sold. Also by doing that you increase the apparent worth. I say apparent because you have people in an auction atmosphere fighting for the same objects. The price goes through the roof because someone has more money than brains and others see it and assume that fans are hot. Antique dealers see it and assume all fans with dust on them are hot and you see overprice Eskimos in shops for 50 bucks. It makes the second place bidder try harder to get the next one that just happens onto the Ebay scene.

Getting back to the prophecy part. A few years ago I collected Hotwheels. You know the little diecast cars from Mattel. Man I got into them about the time every other Tom, Dick, & Harry was into it. I even joined the Hotwheels collectors club. I think their dues were 40 dollars. Anyway... I paid 35 bucks for one and 40 for a VW Bus that was going for 100 on Ebay. Everybody wanted that bus. I ended up with two. One is on a shelf in my office. I am proud of it, but I couldn't get my money back now. It turned out to be a fad. The interest waned and the prices fell. The collecting scene was inflated with hype.

I said all that to say this... I believe that one day the interest in fans will do something similar. I know they cannot continue to go up forever. They might climb some, but not forever. When it does happen, and I hope it does, prices will fall. This will allow "true fan collectors" the opportunity to get some nice specimen for their collections without selling children. The value of fans doesn't mean anything to me. Yes I like the rare and unique fans, who wouldn't, but it is certainly not due to the high prices they fetch. I wouldn't sell them if I had them. Which would lead me to a quandary like the "big time" collectors I described earlier. You can't take it with you!

I have a meager collection. Some I bought on Ebay from all over the US. Some from local antique stores. The ones I cherish the most are the ones that I have received from family and friends. That means more because they have some love in them.

If you decide to read my pathetic blog and you are a collector, Please don't criticize my thoughts. They are just that my thoughts. They might be wrong but they might not too. Just wait and see.

Props to my peeps
LH

Harris Pharmacy

2006-05-02T19:05:00.000-07:00

A friend called me the other day and informed me about an auction that was going to take place at a local pharmacy that was closing after several years in business. I decided to take a look. After work that day I drove by the place to scope it out. The door was open so I decided to go on inside. I found an Emerson 73648. The next day my friend Keely went to the auction in my place and got the fan for me for a good price. Friends are great.

That weekend I sat looking at the fan sitting in my dining area. I was thinking about how it must have set in that pharmacy for years and probably since it was new. I thought about all the people that came in and went out of the store during it's tour of service in climate control. It means a lot to me to own a part of that portion of local history. I know that sounds silly to some, but it is awesome to me. Just wanted to share.

Ebay Victory

2006-04-22T11:01:00.000-07:00

I got on my wife's laptop this fine Saturday morning, as is my normal morning ritual, to peruse the selection of fans for sale on Ebay. To my surprise I found a nice little Emerson Seabreeze 8" Non Osc. There was only 3 hours and a few minutes to go till the auction ended and there were no bids. The starting bid price was only 5.99 so I though there might be something wrong here. I wondered could it be a huge packing charge or something? Maybe the fan is damaged and it is not clearly shown in the photo... I decided to shoot an email to the seller inquiring about this potential jewel. He responded quickly and gave me a reasonable shipping quote and assured me there was nothing wrong with this fan.

So I started watching it. I was sitting close to the computer anyway, so it was easy to reach over and hit refresh every once in a while. To my continued surprise there were no bidders. I figured these wonderful AFCA brethren of mine were poised and ready to snipe. I guess no one really wanted it cause I picked up the fan for less than 20 bucks including shipping. The guy's feedback says well packed on everything so I am confident that it will arrive undamaged. Stay tuned to see if that is in fact the case. Peace out!!!

Twin Northwinds

2006-02-20T09:04:00.000-08:00

Here are a couple of fans that I just love and I want to tell you why. First they were given to me by a good friend that I really appreciate. Second when I got them neither worked at all, so I had to spend some time with them to remedy that. I tackled the one on the right first. It is a Northwind Type 450. I removed the bottom plate and began to inspect the situation. Based on my uneducated opinion, I thought well everything seems okay then I notice that one of the power wires had come loose from the switch. I quickly reattached it. Next the plugged the beast in and oh the fireworks... There was a flash of fire from underneath followed by a loud pop when the headwire blew. It could have been the other way around, in the excitement I may have forgotten. Anyway, I now had a severed headwire and a blown speed coil. So I set about taking the monster apart. To condense this story down. I replaced the headwire from the field coil out. The wires in the field coil were pretty bad so I used so good ole heatshrink to reinsulate them. I put a whole new power cord on and salvaged the old plug. I hooked it up and it ran great on high only because as I told you before the speed coil was busted. At this time I knew nothing about speed coils so I thought that was it.

After some searching for information on the subject of speed coils, I learned from a respected electrical expert that speed coils are made of nichrome (resistance) wire. It is wrapped about a ceramic plate and it reduces the voltage to create distinctively different speeds. After discussing this with some other friends at work I mustered up the courage to try to rewind it on my own. Instead of trying it on the fan I knew worked okay, I drug up to the workbench my other Northwind another model 450J(the one on the left above). This one looked like it was in much worse condition. It did not have a power cord at all. The cage was bent so that the blade would touch. Anyway, for some odd reason, I started tearing this thing down Friday night and my work continued on until the early afternoon on Saturday (yes I slept, I do have priorities). I just thought the wiring was bad on the 450, this one looked like it had been on fire. I told some friends Saturday evening that it was like open heart bypass surgery. The wires to the brush caps had to be replaced also. So after repairing the main wiring I started the speed coil. I removed the old wiring from the ceramic plate (being careful not to break it as it does measure a whopping .0063" in dia.) I need two fairly long strands, one from high to med, the other from med to low. I carefully rewrapped the old nichrome (nickel chromium). I reattached the plate to the switch plate and soldered the leads to the contacts. Put the switch back in the fan and plugged it in. I went through the speeds holding my breath, low success - med success - high success. Yeah!! (I rule in my own weird way.)

Today I stayed home from work to be with the fam on presidents day. I decided to rewind that other one. It worked just as well. I guess you could say I am full of myself right now. You'd be right. Thanks for reading this.

77646 AS

2006-01-24T20:28:00.000-08:00

Well it is finished. I cannot tell you how happy I am. Some of you can relate I am sure. Let's recap. I used parts from two 646's and one 648 to accomplish this feat. Thanks to Bill Arfmann for the good stator. Thanks to Duane Burright who offered encouragement while we simultaneously tackled 646's. To John Fengel for encouragement with photos of fine work of his own. If I misspelled names guys I apologize, it is late as I type.

Technical info. As I thought about what kind of wiring to use, I decided I wanted cloth naturally and braided. I took some yellow and green braided wire I had and dyed it. I took shorter lengths and braided my own three wire headwire. I was pleased. I put a new capacitor from mouser.com, thanks for the lead and all the electrical advice Johnny Mac.

I struggled sometime with ideas for the color-scheme. John F provided lots of ideas as I mentioned earlier, he is a creative person. After talking with Duane a couple times on the phone, I decided to go black on the cage and blades. I painted to bolt heads all black and used black felt on the bottom. The handle is also black. The wiring all hand dyed as mentioned earlier. I Polished the badge and top plate and left them original as a reminder. The rest of the fan is painted using Dupli-Color Wheel coating to give it that metallic look then coated with clear lacquer. I am very pleased. I am going to replace the plug you see in this photo. It was all I had at the time. Thanks for the help everyone. This fan means a lot to me.

The Saga of the 646

2006-01-22T13:07:00.000-08:00

The paint is done and more than well cured. I tried using the original stator/field coil but it just would not work. Something is just wrong... So I sprung for a replacement. Now I am itching to finish. Come on USPS do your stuff. Thank you Bill for your patience. I hope this does the trick.

I am going to post some photos of the varying states of disarray this fan has endured. Keep in mind that I am farther along than this now but I want to give you some background before the unveiling.

In the first photo I show the motor tag that my daughter tried to polish for me. You can see she did the best a 7 year old could do. Photo 2 shows a few misc parts that laid out ready for cleaning and some paint. I had purchased a 16 inch 648 for parts but I didn't know then I needed a new field coil. Photo 3 is a shot of the base before cleaning. Finally photo 4 is a picture of that problematic field coil. Sasafrassen....stupid.... dumb.... thingy.

Anyway this is just an update to let you know what is going on in my fan world. I am starting to think about which of my fans to start next.

Joining AFCA

2006-01-12T19:42:00.000-08:00

I finally did something that I never thought I could. I broke down and joined the AFCA Antique Fan Collectors Association... We had a good year at work this year and we were awarded a bonus. I consulted with wife over the cost of joining the AFCA, and she lovingly said, "Go ahead, You deserve it." I could have just kissed her mouth for that. I have my dues on their way and am looking forward to reading The Fancollector. As well as the fellowship. Oh just the idea of talking with folks about fans without them thinking you are crazy.

Bit of old news. My brother in law bought me an old Westinghouse fan for Christmas. I was sooo moved by the gift. Thanks so much Chadd.

I haven't posted for awhile, but that is okay cause no one reads it anyway. So if someone is reading this post, don't be offended, I really appreciate it. Feel free to leave comments...

Later,
Larnz

GE Vortalex

2005-11-24T12:13:00.000-08:00

If you want to see this fan, click on the My Fan Site link to the right and go to view my collection. I went to Paducah KY back in the summer with some friends and spent the night. While we were there, we went to some antique stores down on the riverfront. I found several fans, but nothing extravagant. I found this little fan for 20 dollars. I had wanted one for some time. I remember my Aunt Callie had one very similar to this one. I remember my Aunt Callie would always have wild cherry Bubble Yum bubble gum at church on Sunday morning. She gave me and my brother and sister each a silver dollar and a two dollar bill. I still have those. It has been years since she passed away, but I will never forget her. Back to the fan before I start to weep.

When I got it home, I plugged it up and turned it on. It only ran on the low speed. This burdened me somewhat, but since the base seemed to be riveted on, I didn't want to try to work on it until I understood more about riveting. Many fans later I discussed this little ge with a friend and we talked about the rivets that were keeping from repairing this little jewel. He told me that it wouldn't be a big deal to put new ones in. So with newfound courage to tear into it, I went home and started tinkering. I found that they weren't really rivets at all, but a strange kind of pin that splits at the end and clamps the base cover on.

With the base off, I set about removing the toggle switch and the speed coil. I cleaned them thoroughly with contact cleaner and plugged the fan in with the switch in the high position. It still wouldn't work. Cuss cuss. Then I seeing how the toggle switch worked I thought maybe there was some corrosion on the contacts that was really stubborn. I grabbed my screwdriver and started to scrape. Shortly thereafter the fan came to life on high speed. SCORE! I returned the base cover to the fan and put the pins in and I felt good again.

Failure to blog

2005-11-24T11:57:00.000-08:00

I know that I have not posted in a while. Please forgive me. Know that I have not been idle in regard to fans. Here are some brief updates. I worked on my Vortalex and got the hi speed working again. I bought a red and black badge Emerson Junior oscillator. I have my eye on a couple new prospects. I am looking to acquire another parts fan to finish the 646.

Couple of requests. If you are part of my blogging audience, please leave comments. I think readers might enjoy your comments regarding these subjects also. Second request is, if you are a fan fan, mention to your friends of the fan persuasion about my site and blog. Give me some ideas on how I can further develop the site for your use.

Gotta Love That Junior

2005-11-05T20:22:00.000-08:00

Well you might recall from a previous post a story of when the wife and I went antiquing on a Saturday in a town about 30 miles from here. I gave you the laundry list of fans that found their way into my line of sight. One fan I mentioned was an Emerson Jr. It had been damaged severely.

Here is the reason I am bringing this up... I just couldn't get that fan out of my mind. I kept thinking about how I could have brought this fan home and fixed it and made it part of my collection. (Else it probably would have got a one way ticket to dumpster city.) That coupled with the desire I have always had for one of these red and black badged critters, I just had to have it.

It just so happens that I have a friend that works across the street from the shop where that little fan was. I broke down and asked him to get it for me next time he had to go to work. He agreed to do it. I waited patiently for an entire week for that little Jr to make it home. Friday came and I decided to give the guy a call. He said, "You didn't tell me to get it for sure..." I was thinking, "Yes I did." Oh well, I said, "Consider yourself authorized to purchase it." I had to wait another painful week. Finally the day came. Anticipation had me by the short hairs. I had to call. Just so happens my buddy took off early that day. He had stopped by Hobby Lobby. He said, "I got the fan." I said, "Yes!" He said, "Wagner, right?" I said, "$#%@ no!" After I explained his error, he told me that it might be difficult to switch, because dealers don't like to give refunds. He told me that he would try anyway. I waited what seemed like forever, before finally the phone rang and I answered to hear my squirrelly friend say, "score!" He said that it was in the same booth and was the same price so the guy didn't have a problem switching.

Later on I met up with him to give him some cash in trade for my prize. I threw it in the vehicle and drove home in a dash. That evening I brought the ugly duckling into my cave (workshop). I remove the cage and began to message it back to the shape it was meant to have. I got a pair of channel locks and gingerly reshaped the blades. Before I knew it, she was as straight as and arrow. A little oil and it was running great. Sweet!!!! Welcome Home.

Charlie Brown said it best...

2005-10-26T18:41:00.000-07:00

ARGGGHHH!!!!! I knew I shouldn't have started this crazy fan. It has been nothing but trouble. I am just gonna leave it alone for the time being.

Anyway. I have never had this much difficulty wiring a fan. I have sought help from several experts and I am thankful for all their advice and encouragement. I have tested everything I can think of as well as I know how. Yet the darned thing still wont start without a spin. Ironically this is the best painting I have ever done.

I got a personal invitation to an AFCA event the other day and I want to go so bad. I know if I take this cursed beast, they'll lay holy hands of fan restoration talent upon it and shed some educational light on my very frustrated mind. Again the irony, I want to go, but my family has other plans for me. God forbid I get to do something without a guilt-trip for once.

I know what you're thinking, quit whining and be patient. Good advice! I thinks that's what I will do.

Goodbye Junior

2005-10-11T06:34:00.000-07:00

Most of my friends know that I am a fan nut, so last week one of my friends at work brought me a newspaper clipping advertising an estate auction. The estate belonged to one Charles (Junior) Dinkens. The ad said Lots of Fans. Yes!!! I made plans with another friend to attend. So Saturday, my friend and I headed to a rural area about 50 minutes from Sikeston to attend this estate auction. We arrived around 10 minutes before the auctions started. I set out to find the fans. I combed through trailers of junk, tables of glass figurines, and piles of junky furniture before I saw them, I whole stack of box fans. I ran over and saw probably 5 plastic bladed box fans. There was a metal bladed 20 box fan made by Kenmore and a larger metal bladed Superelectric window fan. I was interested in the two of these fans. We got our number from the clerk and patiently waited for the auction to begin. Then an overweight man in a cowboy hat grabbed the mic and proceeded to rock the place. It became apparent that these folks were in no hurry. We stayed for over an hour waiting, and my friend bought several items that caught his eye. I however was tired of standing there smelling mold and breathing the secondhand smoke from everyone. We left fanless, which is okay, I chalk it up to an experience and my respects to Mr Junior Dinkens.

Online Collection Updated

2005-10-06T13:04:00.000-07:00

After a bout with my own stupid mind, I figured out what I was doing wrong. I was uploading my files to a subfolder instead of the root/index. Duh... Anyway, I have finished updating my collection online. Please feel free to browse and comment via email or comments under this article on the blog. Registration is not necessary. I utilized a few new options on the web editing software to make the info pop up win you mouse over a thumbnail. I have a couple more fans not posted on there. It doesn't look like much when their all together like that. Yikes, I just realized my crown jewel isn't even on there. I will have to get right to that. Again, let me know what you think. Next on my agenda is a section to view old ads and info. If you have any suggestions for this site let me know. I am thinking about adding a schedule for topic discussion where different resto pros could host question and answer sessions. Let me know if that interests you. Use the comments below for suggestions.

A New Fan Friend

2005-10-04T14:20:00.000-07:00

I sat down to eat my supper last evening and the phone began to ring. My wife answers as always, its usually for her anyway, on the other end was one of my good friends who is a general contractor and goes to church where I do. I heard little bits of the conversation over the television and deduced that we would soon have a visitor, not knowing yet who it was. My wife got off the phone and said, "Cole is coming by. He has something to show you." I knew it must be fans, but I didn't want to sound like a nut so I played ignorant.
A few minutes later, just as expected he pulls in our driveway. He comes to the door and my wife goes to greet him, inviting him in. He makes his way into the living room, and says, "come on outside." I eagerly jump to my feet desiring to know what type of fan he has. Once out at his truck he displays a Sear & Roebuck fan and an Emerson 6250 D. He tells me that some old fella he was doing some work for gave them to him and told him they did not work. We talked about them for a little bit and he asked me what I thought they were worth, and I explained my philosophy on the value of fans all the way from ebay to your personal attachment. He made clear his intention of keeping them.
To conclude, I am thrilled that he has a total of three fans now, and seems genuinely enthused with them. Welcome to the hobby my friend. I look forward to many conversations that we can have regarding it.

Finally

2005-10-03T11:13:00.000-07:00

I finally got the correct parts fan on the way. The 646 resto's completion is in sight. I must however mention my unexpected appreciation of the 79648 AP-G. My daughter and I worked on it this weekend and cleaned it up and refelted the base. We cleaned some of the rust off the cage using SOS pads, and although it could use some more work, it really is a wonderful fan. I ran it last night and it operates with precision and force. I really like the black wrinkle finish too. I think I will have to post a picture of it later.

New Paint

2005-09-30T10:58:00.000-07:00

I took the advice of friend and checked into a brand of paint called Duplicolor. I found some at our local Autozone. I tried it last night. I am very pleased. It seems to apply easily and has a deep reflective quality. I am anticipating results on this project. I also got some info on the capacitor I will need for the fan. I am looking forward to getting this thing wired up and running. Now all I need is that worm gear and shaft.

Oh well

2005-09-29T06:36:00.000-07:00

I got my new Emerson in yesterday and took the oscillator housing off. I notice right away that it was not going to provide the parts needed for my 646. We'll that just adds another fan to the collection. I will find a junker one of these days. Keep me in mind if you come across one.

Success!!!

2005-09-27T13:38:00.000-07:00

I finally got an Emerson for parts. Kind of interesting too, that I won a 79648 AG-P. It is nearly the same model fan that my 77646 was setting next to when I got it originally. The funny part is that this fan runs, according to the seller, and I am gonna dismantel it. Stranger things have happened. It could be here as early as tomorrow. No rush though since I have so much to do on the paint and so forth. That's all for now.

Fan Shopping

2005-09-24T19:05:00.000-07:00

I went "junkin" today. I had a really good time. I love going to downtown antique stores, not knowing just what they'll hold. I go through them pretty quick because I think the smell of some makes me somewhat sick. I prowled today into the basement of a neat little antique mall. I found a nice little Jr. It was kinda cheap, but not cheap enough considering it looked like it had fallen on its face and smashed the blades backward. I could have fixed it but I wasn't ready to spend that kind of money for damaged goods. There was a few others that found their way into my path, but nothing very rare. Lets see, there was a Signal, an Emerson 2150, a 77646 (marked not for sale, oh the irony!), two larger overpriced Emersons from the 50's, varying models of GE's of the stamped sheet metal variety, a Coronado, an extremely overpriced 8 inch Emerson that I have eyeballed before. Finally, an odd little story, several weeks ago I journeyed to a small town near here to visit some antique shoppes that I hadn't been to in a while. When I was there I found a couple fans I was interested in. One was a 16in BB Century oscillator. My mean wife tried to hide it from me. I was marked reasonably in price then I noticed that it said, "motor just hums". No big... I have had them before. Anyway, due to the little spat with the dearest, I did not acquire the fan that day. Since that day I have thought about that fan and considered driving to pick it up. Well, today was interesting because the second shop we hit had several fans in it, like a westinghouse with BB but they didn't look like they belonged. It was too expensive anyway, but just before I exited this fine establishment, I saw it, the same Century that had haunted my mind all these weeks. Someone bought it and moved it to their display in another store. Same little note "motor just hums". Today, I passed on everthing I saw and got beat on an auction. Where's my pills!!

LH

Fear of the Bid

2005-09-23T14:08:00.000-07:00

As many of you know, Ebay is a large source of fans. I myself enjoy, just watching what goes through. Every once in a while there will come a fan that I must have. I determine my price and go for it. I usually have it restored in my mind before it is won. Fast forward>>>Here I am I won the bid. I am overcome with joy. Then just as fast as I got happy, I am riddled with fear. "How am I gonna break it to my wife?" "What is she gonna say?" I want her to be excited for me, or better yet that we have added another fan to our collection. She'll just say, "How many fans do you need?" She is right. I don't need any. I am starting to realize that it isn't about how many, but that part of the hobby is going after them. They are each a trophy. One that tells it's own story in my mind. They through restoration tell another story of endurance and a brush with the dumpster. There are all levels and reasoning for each collector. Some of you guys are wealthy and retired. That would be a good place to be for a fan collector. Some obsess about quantity. Some like me can't afford pancakes, gyros, and hurricanes. We just drewl over pictures of them, and settle for descent 20's and 30's models that are pretty beat up. Whatever stage your in, love the hobby, help others when your can, and enjoy the fellowship. Let's face it, some don't understand, but they don't know what their missing.

Peace out!

A dream

2005-09-22T06:17:00.000-07:00

Last night I dreamt about fans... I think that is a first. There is a factory here in Sikeston that closed down not long ago, Essex wire. I dreamt that they had an auction to get rid of junk, and I was there looking for fans, but could only find late model junk. Then, all of a sudden, I am in an old house, I believe that the owners were elderly and had passed away. Their children were selling things. I for some reason had given up on what they were displaying and was snooping around and found a really nice 6 blade Emerson in a back closet. Oh the rest is too horrible to tell, so I will spare you.

Anyway, I think I am getting out of control. My wife seems to think that I have an obsessive nature. I do talk a lot about fans. I did start a blog about them. Maybe it's time to find that little bit of self control that I have stashed away and utilize it. Just for a little while anyway.

For now, I will keep fanning the blog, or blogging the fans... Later ya'll,

Crazy Larry

Emerson 77646 AS

2005-09-19T11:17:00.000-07:00

Ahhh... My good old Emerson. Not that collectible, but still very special to me. This was the first fan in my official collection. I got it from my mother when she owned an antique store in Oak Grove, AR. (just north of Paragould) I went in there all the time, because my girlfriend was the secretary. One day I was in there just milling around as usual, and I saw two Emersons. One was a 79648 and then there was this one. It just screamed, "take me home!". Well, they had it priced $27.50, but my mother who always encouraged my hobby, told me I could have it. As I recall my Stepfather, was real upset about that. He would ask from time to time, when I was going to pay him for that fan. Oh well, they're divorced now. Let's see, that was probably ten years ago now. I have lugged this thing from place to place over these years and never did anything with it. Well I started on it this weekend. I took it apart and realized that it is missing the shaft and worm gear for the oscillator. So I am looking for those. Also I am trying to figure out the proper paint to use on this fan. I know that it looks kind of brownish, but also a little metallic. I am open to any suggestions. This fan will mean a lot when it is finished. My girlfriend, mentioned before, is now my wife of nearly ten years. It was like I said a gift from my mother, and my late father worked at Emerson Electric all his life. So, I can construe my tie to this fan in many ways. Stay tuned my fan restoration fans for more info as we go.

Century Restore Completed

2005-09-14T07:26:00.000-07:00

Well, I finally got it done. I have to admit, I was starting to worry. Anyway, it turned out fairly nice. I know things I wish I would have done differently, but they are minor. I utilized some of the new cord I bought here in town on this fan. I am pleased. This is the first time I used anything except black cord from Hudsons. I also used a repro plug that I bought from Lowes. I really like these plugs. The have that antique look, but have modern safety built in. JB Weld contributed to this fan's restoration. I learned to consider whether a fan is cast or steel. I will think long and hard before starting another restore of a cast fan. Oh yeah!!! That is my daughter giving the fan bunny ears. Isn't that funny...

Understanding Weirdness

2005-09-13T14:11:00.000-07:00

Many people ask me, why fans... One of my daughter's friends even looked me in the eye and said, "that's retarded!" Okay the way I see it... Yes it is a little strange, but I did not choose this hobby, it chose me. When you are a child and you put down a toy to spin the blades on fan, or you're playing in a barn with friends and you're stopped in your tracks because you've discovered a dust covered fan. Then you know it is natural. I worked on two box fans that my Aunt Nellie gave me. I cleaned repainted and rewired them. I did this at age 10. I remember my Grandpa Hancock had a fan called a Mathes. It had a wooded box. I remember that even though I was eight when he died. My Aunt Callie had a GE Vortalex. I didn't know what they were called then, but I remember those blades ever so vividly. My Grandpa Toler would give me refrigeration fans and motors out of old soda boxes that had gone south. These were some of my most treasured toys. I am much older now and there is a group of folks called the AFCA (The American Fan Collectors Association). I didn't discover them until four or five years ago. These folks are for the most part good folks, I only know a few, and they have helped me learn things to enhance my love for the hobby. As I have grown, I have decided to embrace my fascination as a hobby. I have learned to relish the history behind them. I have met one other friend that shares the love as I do, and I cherish that friendship very dearly. If you’re reading this. Thanks for listening.

R&M 3804 6-blade

2005-09-02T11:22:00.000-07:00

This is a particularly interesting story. I bought this fan off ebay from a fellow in MS. I had always wanted a 6 blade fan. I spotted this one and decided to go for it. It was already climbing in cost. I had done some computer work so I figured that I had some extra cash and thought it would be okay to go after it. We'll the final day to the bid came and I found myself at home during lunch hovering over my computer. I watched the battle for dominance increase and closing time neared. I became nervous, because I had determined that life simply would not continue if I were not victorious. So I ended up placeing a max bid of 100 dollars. I ended up with this fan for 88 plus shipping. To shorten the story somewhat... My wife was a little upset at the news that I had spent that much money on a fan. She doesn't understand, few do. The funny part is that when I got the fan the seller had improperly packaged the fan, and it was damaged. Parts were bent and I worried that it was irrepairable. I immediately contacted the seller and he told me to contact UPS. I did and they were very helpful. They ultimately refunded me the cost of the fan. I, after many hours, restored the fan to it's current condition. Excuse the poor photography, brass does not photograph well when flashed. I am going to load some photos of the resto process.

First, is the fan torn down and in rough paint coats. I have learned that for the best results, one must coat sand and recoat several times. It is a tough thing for an impatient person such as myself.
Second is a photo of the stator. I usually dread this part and I don't know why. Perhaps it is because it is so tedious. If you break those leads off, you are screwed, unless you can rewind stators... When you restore a stator, you first have to deagrease it and get the 100 years of dust and gunk out. I use an electrical degreaser that evaporates quickly and is expensive. It usually amounts to one can per stator. Once the stator dries the windings must be resealed. I use a red spray to seal them. I really like the contrast of red through the black vent holes of the motor housing (see finished photo). This fan turned out real nice. I still turn it on from time to time to watch it go.

Golden Jubilee

2005-08-25T13:43:00.000-07:00

I bought this fan on ebay also. The picture showed a fan with painted white blades. I had a feeling that it was a Golden Jubilee based off the poor quality picture alone. I got it in and was glad that it was in fact a GB. For those of you who don't know what the significance is, this is a commemorative edition fan for Emerson Electric. Anyway, I left it painted for some time and went on to other projects. Then one day I decided to take the blade off and strip that hidious white paint off. I applied a chemical striper and removed the paint easily. I took some rouge and buffed the blades with my grinder. After that a little brasso and elbow grease. The finished product a very nice and shiny blade. This is one of my favorite fans.

Century S2A-9 Restoration

2005-08-25T12:03:00.000-07:00

This is my current restoration project fan. I bought it off of ebay from a guy in Jackson, MO. I bought it cause I figured I could go get it and save any shipping. Turns out the guy traveled alot with his job and so he was willing to drop it by my office. Great deal for the money. The fan is a Century 9 inch oscillator. There was lots of dirt caked in this sucker and and it didn't work. I cleaned it and oiled it real good and then it came to life. The housing on the oscillator was made of "pot-metal" a brittle metal not meant to last. It was broken and marred. I used a little jbweld and some artistic nature and rebuilt the housing and I have a friend who is machineing and new cap for the housing. I cleaned it stripped the old paint and the thing is currently in primer. I went to lowes the other night with my kids to buy some stuff for the fan and they were out of spray black laquer. I did get some grommets though. I am taking my time with this one. I hope it comes out good. I will put some pics on soon to let you see how it is going.

Welcome to my Fan Blog

2005-08-25T11:41:00.000-07:00

I wanted to start this blog for two reasons. First, my brother in law has one and I think it is very interesting. Second, I wanted to provide a place for my fellow fan atics to converge and talk shop. Please feel free to visit and comment. I wil try to post updates on restorations as I go. Any advice will be appreciated.

LH