Enek Sovari Posted August 10, 2022 Share Posted August 10, 2022 Hi all, As soon as I posted photos of my first fan restoration, I was asked about the next project. I laughed, but sure enough a friend dropped off this 75425 model to see what I could do. Aside from general deterioration, the oscillating gearbox and bell were broken (see photos below). I noticed someone else on the forum looking for these parts not too long ago. Is this worth restoring or should it be kept as parts? I could probably get it running and use it without just the oscillation feature, no? It looks like it is painted a muted/dull green. Is that the original color? I have seen brass bladed versions of this, but these appear to be painted aluminum. Were there variants with different materials and finishes? Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave McManaman Posted August 10, 2022 Share Posted August 10, 2022 (edited) Hi Enek. Yes, fans seem to multiply pretty quick. Once you have one, you’ll have a dozen soon after! This fan is from about 1930-31 (based on Form AK1). It came with painted aluminum blades and the color looks consistent with original. I think you should be able to source a new bell with a oscillator gearbox (may need to get both as I’m not sure if the parts are easily separated, may be press fit). It probably won’t make money fixing it but it can be a good addition to your collection. Edited August 10, 2022 by Dave McManaman Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Kilnapp Posted August 10, 2022 Share Posted August 10, 2022 (edited) Hi Enek. I believe that Dave is correct. The bell is press fitted and not easily separated from the gear box, which is also broken. Contact Chad Baker at Antiquefanparts.com. He may have a replacement gear box and bell oscillator for this fan. This fan is not particularly rare or valuable but could be a nice addition to your collection if you can find the parts you need to restore it for not too much money. I would echo Dave's statement about how addictive this hobby can be. The fun part (at least for me) is finding a decent fan and restoring it back to life. I'm always learning new techniques (with the assistance of the kind folks in this forum). Edited August 10, 2022 by David Kilnapp Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve Stephens Posted August 10, 2022 Share Posted August 10, 2022 I know I posted this fan recently so, if I posted it for you, here's a spare post. This fan was 100% original from the paint to the wiring and the molded plug and the felt. It was close to a new fan when I got it off ebay about 10 years ago. Hope this helps with your restoration. I can't help on the actual restoration as I never restore but look for really good and original fans. This one was, by the way, very fairly priced. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Kilnapp Posted August 10, 2022 Share Posted August 10, 2022 Steve: I love the tennis ball on the nose to protect it during shipping. I'll remember that and buy some tennis balls. Great idea!! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve Stephens Posted August 10, 2022 Share Posted August 10, 2022 David, the photos of the packing like these earlier photos, below, are how the seller packed the fan. Needless to say I was surprised and don't recall now why he packed so well. This was one of the best packed fans I have seen. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Enek Sovari Posted August 13, 2022 Author Share Posted August 13, 2022 Wow, that is impressive! Thanks for sharing the photos, they will be helpful in determining how the originally looked. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Landstrom Posted August 30, 2022 Share Posted August 30, 2022 Enek, FYI - I’ve been searching for an undamaged one as well for my AK1/AOU 75425. I usually deal with Linda at antiquefanparts.com. Just pinged her again last week and all their gearboxes are damaged. No specifics on the type/extent of the damage. You could inquire though. I did get a “trumpet” style bell from the though. It was still attached (press fit) to the broken gearbox. It really wasn’t hard to free it from the shaft. I used a small vice opened enough to allow for the threaded lug attached to the shaft (inside the broken gearbox) to slip between the vice jaws. The remaining part of the gearbox sat on the top of the jaws. The “trumpet” bell was now vertical with the bottom up. You’ll see a small hole in the center of the bottom. The metal in the hole is the pressed in shaft. Using a small hammer and punch, and light-medium taps I worked the shaft out of the bell without damage. I figure I’ll use a couple of small blocks of wood and a “C” clamp to squeeze the “trumpet” back onto the shaft. Either that or a small block of wood under the lug and another on the underside of the trumpet to to tap it in place with a small hammer. Hopefully it won’t break. Still have to do that. Fingers crossed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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