SPENCER ORGOBLO JUNIOR pipe organ blower

This machine is actually a smallish example of its family, similar ones have been built for over a hundred years by the SPENCER TURBINE COMPANY of Hartford, CN (a firm remaining in business to this day) but the majority tend to be larger, often much larger, sometimes *crazy huge* chunks of equipment. This entire machine is in the 100lb range, I also have the motor alone from a more common size that easily weighs twice as much by itself... ;-)

But anyways. It is essentially a rotary fan operating inside a steel enclosure, designed to draw air into the 'snout' opposite the motor and exhaust it out the 'stack' on top -- the whole purpose of which is to provide the air pressure power required to operate the mechanisms of a pipe organ.

Pic 4 is its builder's nameplate showing it is machine #4148, rated to put out 4" (w.c.) pressure. The red/brass color scheme of the plate suggests the machine was built 1950's/earlier, as by the 60's they became red then black/aluminum instead. Pic 3 is the 1/3hp GENERAL ELECTRIC motor on the end.

While this machine is admittedly filthy dirty after having been recovered from a basement, where it likely hasn't been used for at least a couple of decades, I can happily report that it spun right up when tested (dislodging a healthy cloud of brick dust and dirt in the process?!) and then continued to seem to want to run just as smoothly as intended. With a good cleaning and fresh oil/grease for its bearings and maybe even some spray paint, there's little doubt it'll be ready to run strong for another ~75yrs?!!

MORE INFO HERE, with a previous showing of more SPENCER TURBINE CO. equipment:

https://www.collectorsweekly.com/stories/294909-the-spencer-turbine-company-orgoblo