The Shop Fan

[Charles (in GA)]

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........

What is a "little clip on fan"? and how does it relate to these antique fans. The way these fans are designed, the motor is an integral part of the fan, it quite simply, cannot be replaced.

Growing up, we had a large Emerson (its upstairs right now) and a smaller GE (my brother has it) and both are great fans. I really need to clean up the Emerson and restore it. It has a number of coats of paint on it, as it was wall mounted, like Ryan's, in a pool hall in Indianapolis. My dad bought it from them during a renovation in 1945 and we have had it ever since. The GE has been in the family since the '30's when Dad's folks got electric service in their small town in NE Missouri. Dad's father was a Walbash station master and also in charge of the town's diesel single cylinder flywheel engine powered generator.

Charles

 

[Michael Bryce Winnick]

I just found this in my garage left by the 93 year old prior owner.

A Chromalox fan from the Edwin L. Weigand Company in Pittburgh, P.A. What do you guys know about this. It bolts to the floor and the vents send the air up. It works. I cannot take a picture. It is about a foot high. Very big, heavy, and solid. Has to be at least 50 years old.


Can you guys tell me about this?

 

[PsRumors]

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........

What are you talking about? My fans barely get warm running 8 to 10 hours a day. I have never heard of a fire hazard from a properly functioning fan.

 

[PassnThru]

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.

Yes - I have installed one and it works great. But not for cooling you - just the garage and the attic. Actually, it does a better job cooling the attic in the garage than it does the garage itself. All it can really do in the garage is bring it to the outside temp and since it is blowing up, you don't feel anything from it. It's great at night because you can open the windows or crack the doors and cool the garage without dealing with the flying biting thingies.
I think I'll make a thread on this. I have a thermometer in my garage showing the garage temp and the attic temp. It's been hot here lately and I can show you how effectively the fan cools the attic. It's really helpful when you use the garage attic for storage but again, it will only take the garage itself down to the current outside temp. And yes - it will vent anything in the garage. I've used it quite often through the years when painting/staining things at night during the summer. Takes the odors right out. Of course, you need adequate roof venting. In my case, I have a full length (32") ridge vent.

 

[4t64rd]

I got two $5 non-working fans from the 40's, both with cast bases, I was gonna Ebay them, now I think they get some new wires first...

 

[TexasDeuce]

Cool thread!

I just got these two fans for my shop.

 

[Conn'swhiterose]

I love this stuff, nothing like retro/nostalgic things to bring back memories....here's my fan...made for coast to coast stores, and is labeled coast to coast, made by McGraw Edison...1950's ??

Runs quite hot though...will try oiling it...

 

[strnge]

There are tons for sale around here and ebay. I want one on my wall.

 

[Barquero]

Runs quite hot though...will try oiling it...

I have the exact same fan at home, and mine also gets really hot. I should probably take it apart and give it a good cleaning/oiling to see if that solves the issue, or maybe this style just runs hotter than others?

 

[Conn'swhiterose]

I should probably take it apart and give it a good cleaning/oiling to see if that solves the issue, or maybe this style just runs hotter than others?

I cleaned and oiled mine yesterday...seems to be the same, like you say, just the nature of the beast I guess.

 

[KCarGuy]

I also have a Vintage "Turbo" style fan that I use alot.
Its an Old Westinghouse that has 2 speeds and blows alot of air.
Some of the plastic side fins have broken off over the years, but doesnt affect its performance.
It was my Wifes Grandfathers fan.

 

[dittle fart around]

View media item 10603Sorry about the fuzzy shot. My nephew picked this one up for free. Nice heavy cast bracket.

 

[rickairmedic]

I have a good old Furnace Squirrel cage out here that on low speed will darn near blow you across the shop. I will admit its not that pretty but it works like a champ and I am lucky to have it . Everytime I get one and get it wired up one of my freinds happens by and has to have it LOL.


Rick

 

[PsRumors]

View media item 10603Sorry about the fuzzy shot. My nephew picked this one up for free. Nice heavy cast bracket.

I like that!!!

 

[dittle fart around]

I was drooling when I saw it. Don't think it would have counted as carry on.

 

[SCWOOD]

Here is a pic of my fans.The garage is not complete.The exhaust fan is a whole house fan from home depot.I had to flip one side of the louver fins by drilling new holes and reinstalling pins.

 

[Mark in Indiana]

A lot of great looking fans! I know what I'll be restoring this winter. I've attached pictures of my shop fans. FAN1 is a '30's or '40's GE, FAN2 is a '50's or a 60's McGraw, and FAN4 is the squirrel cage that I salvaged from my old Norge gas conversion house furnace and mounted it on to a cart. BTW, does anyone have any information on the box fan (FAN3)?

Mark in Indiana

Jeeps, Motorcycles & Tools... Who needs more?

 

[chumley360]

Here are the two I use. They're not as powerful as I'd like, but they help. I'd like to clean up and repaint the white one, it just looks a little shabby.

 

[willymakeit]

I have the same fan that was on the TV show restorations [I think that is the name]. Wish some one would give me 750.00 they said it was worth. I like the old fans better, more pitch in the blades and smoother operating.

 

[Big Top GT]

Long time lurker, first time poster here.

I couldn't have come across this thread at a better time. I've been messing around in my garage a lot lately and it's been incredibly hot. (5-10* hotter in the garage than in the driveway.)

I really like the look of the old brass fans and had never considered restoring an older unit prior to today.

After searching eBay, I think I'm going to have to start yard sale hunting, though. Not only do the prices of the fans seem high, but the shipping is clearly another profit center for some sellers.

See you around.

 

[widerberg]

Vaca find!!

Hi, All:

Just had to show off my new find. I've got a Dominion fan that I posted earlier in the thread, but have now added a second vintage fan to the collection. I split my time between Florida and Georgia, and just happened to get dragged into an antique shop up in North Georgia. It was nothing but dolls and doilies until I found this guy: an early 1950s Vornado B38C1-1 B52. It's a pretty big (larger than the Dominion) 3-speed desk fan. Looks to be in really good shape, works on all speeds, and I doubt I'll restore it. It's only original once, after all, and it's got just a minimum of rust on it. Super pleased with the find.

Not sure about the current iteration of Vorando, but back in the '50s it was a model produced by The O.A. Sutton Corporation out of Wichita, Kansas.

Anyway, here's a crappy iPhone pic...

 

[chrommagman]

How big is that ? Looks quite big!

 

[Vettman]

Not too old, but it's all metal and was given to me. Made a bracket and mounted it upside down

 

[widerberg]

How big is that ? Looks quite big!

Chrommagman, I'll measure more precisely when I get back home with it, but it's a bit more than 20" high and about 20" or a bit less wide. It's pretty hefty, too, from all the metal.

 

[chrommagman]

Chrommagman, I'll measure more precisely when I get back home with it, but it's a bit more than 20" high and about 20" or a bit less wide. It's pretty hefty, too, from all the metal.

Dang!!! that's large

 

[ddawg16]

JC....want to sell that fan?

 

[PCO6]

Here's mine. Works great.

 

[PhantomEB]

I have one of those too, brought it home one day when my ex was bitching it was too hot in the house, needless to say she never bitched so much pickin up every darned piece of paper that was laying around.

 

[Doxhog]

A couple of the fans in my shop.

 

[E30bimmer]

Excellent idea and the vintage fans are great. I'm looking for a couple copper blade fans now!

 

[PsRumors]

Excellent idea and the vintage fans are great. I'm looking for a couple copper blade fans now!

Brass blade fans.....don't think anyone used copper. If it looks just like copper chances are it was cleaned with toilet bowl cleaner and turned colors.

 

[PECVD2]

CENTURY A5 fan at work.

 

[JC23]

JC....want to sell that fan?

If'n you mean me, sorry, I'm gonna keep it and wake it up.

Sorry, I haven't been back here to answer you sooner, ddawg.

 

[Gearbanger]

I recently bought a 1940s Hunter Century fan to restore. The blade has been welded which is throwing the balance off. Any idea where I can score a new blade?

 

[KCarGuy]

I saw this One Yesterday while walking through Sears...
It also is a Hunter and comes with the bracket and a Flexable Light.
I like the fact that its not a Cheap Plastic Unit and the Price is Good!
(plus its got a classic look to it)

 

[chrommagman]

^ 143.99 for a fan? that is NOT cheap!!

 

[harley rider]

Re: Vaca find!!

Hi, All:

Just had to show off my new find. I've got a Dominion fan that I posted earlier in the thread, but have now added a second vintage fan to the collection. I split my time between Florida and Georgia, and just happened to get dragged into an antique shop up in North Georgia. It was nothing but dolls and doilies until I found this guy: an early 1950s Vornado B38C1-1 B52. It's a pretty big (larger than the Dominion) 3-speed desk fan. Looks to be in really good shape, works on all speeds, and I doubt I'll restore it. It's only original once, after all, and it's got just a minimum of rust on it. Super pleased with the find.

Not sure about the current iteration of Vorando, but back in the '50s it was a model produced by The O.A. Sutton Corporation out of Wichita, Kansas.

Anyway, here's a crappy iPhone pic...

Vornado is now in Andover KS.

 

[E30bimmer]

I saw this One Yesterday while walking through Sears...
It also is a Hunter and comes with the bracket and a Flexable Light.
I like the fact that its not a Cheap Plastic Unit and the Price is Good!
(plus its got a classic look to it)

Yup, $143.00 is a lot for a fan with a trouble light attached--which I don't know what it's purpose would be--but I'm kinda liking it the more I look at it. The issue I have with it is I'd want to hang it lower so it's not just blowing the hot air near the ceiling, but then it would take up a good amount of space, which I wouldn't have with a couple of the smaller vintage fans.

 

[onewaydave]

I just had to laugh reading oost # 63 and then # 66 and looking at chrommagman's avatar. Scroll back and try it.

Dave.

 

[ToolNut88]

Those old fans sure look great, but I'm surprised that no one's mentioned one of these heavy duty shop fan beauties:

http://www.nationaltoolwarehouse.com/Cyclone3000-Portable-Evaporative-Units-P143176.aspx

Now that's a shop fan!