Who here collects fans?

[SixCats!]

Hi Alex,

I just don't get it about fans! That is to say, I too have a strong attraction to vintage Fans although (presently) I don't own a single vintage Fan as they are pretty pricey. What I don't get is, "why is it/what is it" about vintage Fans that peaks my interest ? They certainly LOOK Cool (no pun intended). I also have the same attraction with early vintage Toasters. I suspect it must be something to do with Electricity ? I've noticed that my friend (retired RCA tech) aside from having a BIG collection of vintage Radios also has a least one vintage Fans and vintage Toaster as well. Interesting! Oooh, of NEWER items, I also have an odd attraction/interest in Flashlights!
Yep, it's gotta be something to do with Electricity, although, I do like pocket Knives as well. Ummmm.

Regards,
SixCats!

 

[Arkay]

L've owned and used several vintage fans over the years, mostly Westinghouse. Never aggressively collected them, but always had a couple in use, and until recently I only bought vintage (not new) fans. Currently I don't have any in active use, and I think I only have one left in storage. The fan in my office-room is new because I needed the convenience of remote control (best location for it is hard to reach) and remotely-adjustable oscillation. The fan in our bedroom is modern but used because it is more silent (for use when sleeping), but it looks antique. It was free (for accumulated promotional points) or I wouldn't have bought it and would probably have bought another vintage one instead, despite the noise.

I like antique fans because of their solid build quality and consequent durability, good looks, longevity (given the basic maintenance which any machine requires); the fact that you can sense/understand how it works -- basically the same things that attract me to vintage audio. "They don't make 'em like they used to!" Vintage fans are cool, indeed.

 

[radiotvnut]

Here are the rest of my fans. They have not been restored but all of them run.

From L to R:

1. Large Emerson oscillating fan. I bought this one Saturday for $15 at a flea market. I'm guessing it was made in the '60's or very early '70's. It looks very similar to the older models except for the more modern guard.

2. Another large Emerson oscillating fan from around 1940. I've had this one for years.

3. Small Zero oscillating fan from the '50's(?). Runs but does not oscillate. This one was bought off of epay and arrived a bent up mess because the seller didn't pack it right. I swore I'd never buy another fan off of epay after receiving this one.

4. Century non-oscillating single speed model w/ brass blades. I think this one may be from the '20's. Another epay buy that arrived in much better condition than the Zero fan above.

If anyone has any light to shed on these models (ages, etc.), I'd be glad to hear from you.

BTW, when I was in elementary school from '83-'88, many of the classrooms had those large Emerson "finger chopper" industrial style pedestal fans. I never heard of anyone being stupid enough to stick their finger in one while it was running. There were also some Phil Rich "Windmaker" fans with the more modern guard in use. That school did not have A/C (except for a window A/C in the office) and those fans were the only thing we had to somewhat keep cool. I think that school got A/C the year after I left.

Given all the BS that goes on today, I doubt those old "finger chopper" fans would be allowed in shcools these days.

 

[basicblues]

Add me as a vintage fan collector. I have a fan in motion nearby just about 99% of the time when I'm at home.

I occasionally see a few of the fans like those in posted in my travels but my main interest is the fans made by Fresh'nd-aire.

I do have have a few recent fans which are Vornado's and a couple of vintage 60's fans made by GE.

New fans are just too restricted to be efficient. Vintage fans work fantastic but not recommended if you have small children around.

 

[radiotvnut]

I picked up 3 more last Saturday.

The left one is a late '30's GE 49X491 (?, motor tag is hard to read). This is a 10" Oscillating fan that works great after I fixed it. Someone had bypassed the switch and speed coil and placed an inline switch in the power cord. I replaced the wiring, wired the speed coil back properly, and lubricated it. It's a very nice runner. It moves a lot of air and is quiet. This one cost me $15.

The middle one is an early '40's Robbins & Myers 22004A 16" oscillating fan. It runs but is very noisy and does not oscillate. This one will need a good cleaning out and lubrication. I paid $18 for this one.

The last one is a 9" Eskimo oscillating fan with plastic blades. The rest of the fan is metal and it still has an oil port for the motor. It runs but the oscillator mechanism is broken. I'm guessing this was made in the early '70's. Plastic blade fans don't do a whole lot for me; but, I decided to get it for $5.

 

[radiotvnut]

Just got these two today:

1. Emerson oscillating fan. Motor tag is too faded to read. Badge on front says "fans" "Emerson" "motors" "built to last". I'm guessing mid '30's. The seller said "let me plug it in and show you that it works". Instead of it working, sparks flew out of the plug. I replaced the cord and it works fine. I paid $20 for it.

2. GE oscillating fan with brass blades and brass cage. Motor tag is faded as well. I'm guessing pre 1920. The motor is locked and the headwire is gone. I can feel the wire stub up in the motor. I gave $50 for this one. I hope I didn't get screwed.