Posted 8 years ago
SpiritBear
(813 items)
Here is a great little fan I've added to my antiques collection.
I'm thinking circa the 1940s (I tracked one patent to 1938, and their design changed in the mid '50s to something radically different). It works great.
I opened it up, cleaned it a bit, added some 3-in-1 oil, wiped it all down, treated the blades with Bar Keeper's Friend (after photos, I did a lot more cleaning to the blades/cage), rubbed them firmly, and put it back together a bit stronger than before.
Someone had over-oiled it, which had hardened into a black, hard mess that took a lot of scraping to get out of the motor housing.
Since the photos, which were done in its half-way point, I've done more cleaning. It really shines now and will be my personal fan once I silent the badge, which I determined is the loudest noise-maker in this little WW2-era Handybreeze.
I knew someone would make the pun. LOL.
Thanks, Nicefice.
My interest has definitely been fanned! *groan*
:-))))
*Chuckles.* Groan is right. LOL.
The 3-in-1 oil will give you the same problem you had to clean out eventually. Marvel Mystery Oil is the only thing found that works & stays clean.
I've not heard of Marvel.
Automotive parts stores & many hardware stores carry it.
Usually the bullet motor housing are used in the 1950s and the pan motors in the 40s. I have one Westinghouse with a bullet style motor housing from 1947. A maybe on 1940s for this one. Not coming up with anything definite for the Type ASUP. A similar 3909 H is from 1950.
Thank you both.
Fort Apache, I read that first part on a similar fan posted here.
It sounds like it's going to be late 1940s to early 1950s. Currently it's blowing cool air on me.
Sounds reasonable SpiritBear. I did see one with a similar TYPE something listed as 1940. Silex takes them over in 1953 I think. I have a blue Handybreeze I have been for which I have been trying to find a definite date but with no luck.
The cast iron base starts to disappear around 1950 and is replaced by the pressed sheet metal base.
Sounds like you're a big fan of these old Handy devices. LOL.
Those old solid fans will just about go forever if you keep them clean & lubed with the right oil. What burns out all fans, including new ones, is friction in the armature bearings (front & rear). If you can't find Marvel, I used Vaseline Intensive Care lotion with great success until introduced to Marvel. I think Marvel is better now. Also, keep the dust & lint build-up cleaned out as it insulates & causes heat around the fields & armature.
I blew out/picked out the lint/dust and added a few drops of the 3-in-One to the only place that appears to move. Next time I service it, I will clean it out more and find that Marvel Oil. The motor warms a little, but I expected that from the fan.
Any liquid I can use to remove the stuck-in lint? I cannot dismantle every piece to get the rest out.
S.B., people are afraid to wash electrical things. I live around maritime people & have had many tell me to simply wash out radios, TV's etc.. I had a tube TV back when a cat. 5 hurricane hit us & afterwards, I could see arcing & tracking all over the back of the screen because of the salty winds. I remembered the advice & took the back off & washed it out with a sprayer on a garden hose. Plugged it in 3-4 days later & it worked, & still working fine when I gave it away about 10 yrs. later ! Sometimes it pays to listen to experience. Soapy water works great. Just make sure it's completely dry before you plug it in.
Thank you, Blunderbuss.
I suppose that it's toast when the motor explodes into sparks and knocks power out momentarily in that outlet?
That would be a bad sign SB ! LOL !!