When I was designing my shop space, I didn't want to use ceiling fans. Not only do they take up precious ceiling space, but most modern offerings leave a lot to be desire...
To read the rest of this blog entry from The Garage Journal, click here.
- Thread starter Ryan
- Start date
When I was designing my shop space, I didn't want to use ceiling fans. Not only do they take up precious ceiling space, but most modern offerings leave a lot to be desire...
To read the rest of this blog entry from The Garage Journal, click here.
JC23
Well-known member
Thanks, Boss. I have an old fan just like yours that doesn't work and thanks to you, I'm keeping' that baby for my next shop!
OP
Make sure the blade rotates smoothly without making too much noise. If so, rewire that sucker and be sure to test the switch to make sure it is cool... If everything is groovy, drop some oil in the fill hole and give it a shot. I'll bet it comes to life.
PsRumors
Well-known member
I love old fans. We have several running throughout the house including the kids rooms. I have a few in the shop as well.
Century Skeletal
Video of a vane oscillator
Westinghouse 8" all brass. Not only are the blades and cage brass but the motor housing and base are as well.
This was a fan I refurbished for my mother for Christmas
Century Skeletal
Video of a vane oscillator
Westinghouse 8" all brass. Not only are the blades and cage brass but the motor housing and base are as well.
This was a fan I refurbished for my mother for Christmas
PsRumors
Well-known member
This is the oil that should be used in any old fan.
JC23
Well-known member
I wuz gonna sell it as an antique but not any more. It's just sitting on the cabinet above the bench. If'n I remember right, it did turn freely. I did rattle can it to be gloss black again a number of years ago. WHEN, not if, I rework it it, it'll get new paint. Maybe it will get some pinstriping and a "Thanks, Ryan" on it.
Dumb question - are those single speeds?
Dumb question - are those single speeds?
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PsRumors
Well-known member
They came either single speed or multi speed (2, 3, 4, 5) just depends on what you get.
I believe the one Ryan has is 3.
The older you go the lower voltage these were designed to run on. Sometimes you can't tell a difference on the speeds unless you drop the voltage down to about 100v/
I believe the one Ryan has is 3.
The older you go the lower voltage these were designed to run on. Sometimes you can't tell a difference on the speeds unless you drop the voltage down to about 100v/
Shadowdog500
Well-known member
It was not planned but my ceiling fan wound up right over the front bumper of the car when I'm working on it. Standing right under the fan while working on my car is great!!!
Chris
Chris
db130
Well-known member
here's my GE fan that i rescued from a yard sale, had to bend the cage back into place so that the blades didn't touch while the fan was on, had to take everything apart and degrease everything by hand, then replaced the felt bottom. i call it the "Finger Slicer" and have had to keep it as my cubicle fan as it's not very childproof:
PsRumors
Well-known member
here's my GE fan that i rescued from a yard sale, had to bend the cage back into place so that the blades didn't touch while the fan was on, had to take everything apart and degrease everything by hand, then replaced the felt bottom. i call it the "Finger Slicer" and have had to keep it as my cubicle fan as it's not very childproof:
My son has a very similar fan in his room, has since he was 8. Just have to teach the kids to keep their fingers out. Those are GREAT fans.
Okie Pete
Well-known member
Very nice fans . I to have a fan fetish need to post pic's none of mine are as old as the ones shone.
Child proof? Its called learning common sense .
Child proof? Its called learning common sense .
PsRumors
Well-known member
Have you pulled it apart to investigate? These fans were meant to be worked on not be disposable.
dabuickman1
Member
I have an old GE fan. Its been in my mothers basement for many yrs. I dont know if it even works. Where do you get parts if needed?
If you want a really BIG-*** fan for a shop, there is an outfit called Big *** Fans that has some really big-*** fans for a large garage, shop, whatever. Cool-looking units! I'd sure like one in my shop...!
www.bigassfans.com
www.bigassfans.com
PsRumors
Well-known member
Some people are machining new parts others part out fans it's all in what you need.
Some of the old fans are worth some money.
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lonestarky
Well-known member
Fan looks awesome with the overall 'patina' of the shop Ryan. Nice work, as usual.
incurablescrounge
Well-known member
I have been picking up old fans for better than 25 years. I have probably 30-35 in my collection. My friends used to make fun of my "fan club". I hope they see this thread and rethink thier comments. My wife didn't want any of my old fans in the house until the girls got a little older. I agree that common sense is learned once you stick your fingers in one, from the front is better than in the backside of the cage! One of these days
incurablescrounge
Well-known member
Oops, Didn't quite finish that post! One of these days I will show pics of my shop once I get the wiring done and the walls up.
Weps
Well-known member
Some nice fans in the thread. Yes, there are collectors out there for rare and exotic models, but for me it's all about the volume of air and the noise level. Even with air conditioning, I still like the feel of a strong fan.
In the garage, I use a 22" Freshnd'aire that came from a jewelry shop in South Carolina. It ran there daily for 40 or 50 years I think. I cleaned it up, blew out the dust and it's been great. Three speeds, quiet, and I like the style.
Also have a couple of the mid-century GE Vortalex fans. They should pretty much last forever too.
In the garage, I use a 22" Freshnd'aire that came from a jewelry shop in South Carolina. It ran there daily for 40 or 50 years I think. I cleaned it up, blew out the dust and it's been great. Three speeds, quiet, and I like the style.
Also have a couple of the mid-century GE Vortalex fans. They should pretty much last forever too.
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twokidsnosleep
Well-known member
This is so true of most everything, it all seems disposable now.
We have burned through a half dozen fans at the office and home....just no way to repair them or it's cheaper to buy another.
Some gorgeous fans here, especially the copper bladed ones
PsRumors
Well-known member
I picked up my first Fresh'nd-Aire this past weekend, a 14" model. What a great fan! The wife is doing the bedroom in old soda bottles and DR Pepper memorabilia so it fits very nice with the decor.
We are now sleeping under this fan every night, it is quite and makes a very nice breeze.
Here is before and after. I can't get a good picture of the chrome to save my life, it is nearly 100% but the flash makes it look weird.
I have a couple of Westinghouse fans keeping me cool at the work bench.
I covered the older one on the pedestal with wire mesh cause it's a finger chopper for sure, easy to turn around into. The one on the left is an old window fan with the frame removed and hung from some aluminum strap.
Ryan, it's interesting that you said that fans take up "precious" ceiling space. That's curious to me. I would have considered the wall to be real estate that's more important to you being that you've probably got some cool stuff to hang on it. Admittedly, that fan is pretty freakin' cool too and it'll fit right in with everything else but I've got to wonder, what's your plan for the ceiling?
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JMcFly
Well-known member
I've got a nice old Westinghouse I need to pull apart and grease as well as install a new cord. Plus bend part of the guard but it looks nice the way it is. Nothing like real patina. I just wish it had brass blades.
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DRP6833
Well-known member
PsRumors
Well-known member
Quite a bit comes from the NE and MidWest. They are out there in estate auctions and yard sales. About once a month someone posts up getting a smoking deal on some rare fan for a pennies on the dollar at a swap meet, yard sale or what not. I had a friend find a 1907 GE in a basement of a house that had been forclosed on. Of course there is Craigslist, E-bay and The Antique Fan Collectors Association that holds regenal meets through out the year.
There is a museum in Zionsville, IN as well http://www.fanimation.com/museum/
tinbender 66
Well-known member
Those old fans are awesome!!! You guys keep coming up with new things for me to put on my "must have" list.
Munch
Member
The old fans are certainly pretty cool but I'm wondering if anyone has installed one of those whole house fans that go in the ceiling in their garage. Seems like it would be great for cooling as well as providing exhaust if one was welding or running the car or whatever.
PsRumors
Well-known member
I plan too. My parents had one in their house growing up and it would move quite a bit of air.
oldthudman
Member
Why not try an attic fan??............Here's one........They're solar powered now.......1 or 2 would cool the whole garage......or house.....
http://www.solaratticfans.net/articles/solar-star-attic-fan-guide.htm
Before the days (50's & early 60's) of the air conditioned home, attic fans were common in the south (for sure)......
http://www.solaratticfans.net/articles/solar-star-attic-fan-guide.htm
Before the days (50's & early 60's) of the air conditioned home, attic fans were common in the south (for sure)......
peterro
Member
Well duh, that makes too much sense. I've had an old GE fan like this for at least a decade. It's been sitting on the shelf not doing any good but now it's on the wall. It's something I should have thought of a long time ago.
I really do like my old fan. It's very quiet and puts out a lot of air.
I really do like my old fan. It's very quiet and puts out a lot of air.
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Rolleiflex
Active member
I love old fans! Fortunately I picked up all of the ones I have before the days of Ebay and Antiques Road Show. With the advent of those two things people think there **** is worth way more than it is.
Anyway that's really nice fan Ryan. I'm assuming that you got your wire from Sundial; they're great people to deal with.
http://www.sundialwire.com/
btw: I love your shelf system in the background. I've got the same type in my office holding all of my hot rod and custom car books. Thus far they have withstood the weight really well without bowing.
Anyway that's really nice fan Ryan. I'm assuming that you got your wire from Sundial; they're great people to deal with.
http://www.sundialwire.com/
btw: I love your shelf system in the background. I've got the same type in my office holding all of my hot rod and custom car books. Thus far they have withstood the weight really well without bowing.
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oldthudman
Member
Unfortunately, unless you replace the vintage fan motor you could be looking at high potential fire danger.............An industral fan in the eaves (or similar) is less so........
On a couple of occasions fires broke out on those little clip on-fans we used on the factory floors..(the worker had left them on, but security folks caught both just in time).....
If you use these type of fans, never leave them unattended........
On a couple of occasions fires broke out on those little clip on-fans we used on the factory floors..(the worker had left them on, but security folks caught both just in time).....
If you use these type of fans, never leave them unattended........
widerberg
Well-known member
Here's mine (well, this pic I stole off eBay, but mine's just like this). An old turquoise Dominion fan. Love the jet age look. Works like a charm, and blows a ton of air. Thinking of getting a second one for the other side of the garage, but really need to excavate/clean the garage first. 
