George Grant Posted October 20, 2022 Share Posted October 20, 2022 Sometimes a fan isn't expensive, rare, or sought-after, but it fits a particular task very well. For me, the inexpensive Arctic fan pictured below fits that description. I imagine it was originally sold at a dime-store like Woolworth's for $3.95 - $4.95. I bought this single speed non-oscillating fan locally for $15 about three years ago. I was looking for a small fan to gently move cigar smoke away when working on the computer. It performs that task very well, while also providing light air circulation when the weather dictates. Even better, this little fan isn't quite powerful enough to blow papers around the desk. It's a perfect match for the job at hand. I guess little fans like this were the original 'personal' electric fans. [QUESTIONS] 1. I'm assuming the (plastic or Bakelite) 'Arctic' badge means it's an 'Arctic Aire'. Is that correct, or was there more than one mfr. using the Arctic name? 2. Has anyone cleaned a felt oil ring with acetone? Will that destroy the felt? 3. I'm curious as to when it was mfr'd. -- My Interweb searches have failed to turn up a single picture of a similar Arctic fan. However, image searches did turn up a few pictures and images of late 1920's & early 1930's Polar Cubs with the flat bottom ring. (Here's an image of a Polar Cub with a similar silhouette in an ad posted in the old AFCAFORUM by Bill Hoehn.) However, THIS POST in the old AFCAFORUM provides a link to an article that states Polar Cubs were mfr'd by A.C. Gilbert while Arctic Aire fans were mfr'd by F.A. Smith - so it's not a case of the same mfr. but different brands. Maybe this line of Arctic fans were mfr'd as competition for the Polar Cubs in the early 1930's? Until I saw images of those early Polar Cubs my best uneducated guess was this fan dated to the late 40's. Now I don't even have a guess. Can anyone provide an approximate mfr. date for this fan? Even an approximate decade would be welcome. Thanks for reading the questions and for any insights you can provide! [Pictures] Unfortunately, all of my 'before' pics were lost in a hard drive crash. [Background & Repair] The seller said he bought the fan intending to fix it up but just never found the time. The fan apparently did not come with a switch, unless one was provided on the original wall cord. As received, it had no cord at all. The cage was out of shape and a previous owner bent two of the blades through the back of the cage, and then at a 90 degree angle, flush with the top of the motor. (Fan abuse!) The body and motor housing are thin pressed steel - and the blades are even thinner pressed steel, which were easily straightened while (surprisingly) leaving no clue as to their previous contortions. As the blades were so severely bent, I fully expected them to break or at least retain an obvious crease, but I guess that's one of the advantages of cheap metal. The blades were then aligned by eye, and a quick strobe check showed no additional alignment was necessary. The cage wire was easy to manipulate and bend back into shape. After a thorough cleaning, some small paint repairs with black nail polish, very fine sandpaper for paint blending, and then an application of Turtle Wax - it looks presentable. And after adding some shims to the rotor, cleaning and saturating the felt oil rings & the felt surrounded bearing carriers, and adding a power cord, it runs fine too. (Was amazed at how much oil those felt pieces could hold.) There's no indication this fan came from the factory with anything resembling feet or felt but I added some felt to the bottom to prevent the fan from very slowly rotating when sitting on a slick surface. Sometimes I think the little guy needs new paint. But a new paint job would erase a history recorded in wear and battle scars... I'll probably paint it sometime in the future anyway. In my web searches I saw some minimal and tasteful pin-striping on a freshly painted Polar Cub that I may try to emulate. [Nuisances] 1. The biggest nuisance for this fan is that it has to be completely disassembled to add oil to the felt oil rings and felt-surrounded bearings. There are two metal rods, threaded at either end, that hold everything together. (front and back motor housings, stator, bearings, shims, oil rings, cage) The internal nuts on the threaded rods have to be in the exact proper location for everything to fit properly, while you're simultaneously trying to hold everything together. The simple task of adding oil to the fan really tries my patience. Due to this Rube_Goldberg-esque design (obscure-reference alert) I doubt it was oiled more than a scarce few times over the years. Yet it still runs like it was built yesterday. Maybe this design was common; I don't know. -- On the bright side, the thick felt retains enough oil such that the fan only needs to be opened up once per year no matter how many hours it's run. Even then the oil just needs topping up. Anyway, it probably ran with no oil at all for most of its life. 2. One other minor nuisance is that when the motor warms up it puts out an unpleasant odor. I usually don't mind a light, old-fan machine-shop odor. Reminds me of shop class. But this particular odor is nasty machine shop meets stinky feet, and it gets old pretty quick if there isn't a cigar on fire to cover it. To remove the odor, a few weeks back I finally took it apart, cleaned/varnished the stator and wrapped the coils with friction tape. After many hours of runtime that funky odor was mostly still there. The felt oil reservoirs are the only places left where the stink can be hiding. When the fan was first taken apart all of the felt was soaked overnight in mineral spirits and thoroughly cleaned to remove the old thickened oil. Looks like I need to repeat the process the next time the fan is apart, maybe using acetone instead. (Hopefully, acetone won't destroy the felt.) An unexpected benefit of cleaning/varnishing the stator was the running temperature was significantly reduced. Prior to cleaning and varnishing the stator, the motor housing just passed the threshold of being uncomfortably warm to the touch. Now it feels barely warm. Unfortunately, I did not take 'before' temp. readings as I didn't anticipate this. [CURRENT MEASUREMENTS] - .43 amps, 41 watts - Temp: 95-100° F (Ambient Temp 70° F) (depending on where the IR thermometer gun is pointed) [Unexpected Coil Issue] When cleaning the windings I found a single stray loop of coil wire I hadn't noticed before. (Time for a eye exam.) It stood away from the rest, and was about one inch longer than the other coil wires. It also had a sharp kink in it. I first assumed this wire must be one of the leads, but both ends of the loop disappear into the middle of the coil, away from the leads. Also, both leads have the same length of exposed wire for attaching the wall cord. After some trial poking and prodding I quickly realized there was no way to remove the kink without the likely result of breaking that wire. Also, the wire had some shiny silver sections indicating wear, possibly due to flopping against the rotor. So what to do with it? The kink was left alone and that wire was left separated and apart from the others. -- The other wires were wrapped as normal, the stray wire was then folded over top of the friction tape and a second layer of tape sandwiched the stray wire. That stray wire seems very abnormal but since this was an inexpensive fan to begin with, perhaps everything tested good - so the foreman gave it the good-enough thumbs up at the factory. (As opposed to the just-push-it-out-the-factory-door middle finger.) 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
George Grant Posted October 20, 2022 Author Share Posted October 20, 2022 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geoff Dunaway Posted October 21, 2022 Share Posted October 21, 2022 I don't know which retailer used the Arctic name as their branded name but the fan was manufactured by Gilbert for another retailer. My guess on date of production is late 1920's to early 1930's before the deco lines began to influence fan design. I don't think acetone will hurt the felt in the oil reserves. If it does fall apart, age would more likely be the culprit I think. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Russ Huber Posted October 21, 2022 Share Posted October 21, 2022 Gilbert was kind of a stickler for patents. A number of the fans, and fan related components were patented. Not sure if your motor has 2 shades or not, but you are. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
George Grant Posted October 22, 2022 Author Share Posted October 22, 2022 11 hours ago, Geoff Dunaway said: I don't know which retailer used the Arctic name as their branded name but the fan was manufactured by Gilbert for another retailer. My guess on date of production is late 1920's to early 1930's before the deco lines began to influence fan design. I don't think acetone will hurt the felt in the oil reserves. If it does fall apart, age would more likely be the culprit I think. Geoff - Many thanks for your very helpful response. Given the age of the felt, I'll likely give mineral spirits one more try before breaking out the acetone. The patent info posted by Russ shows your guess for the date of production was spot on. And given the similarities between the Polar Cubs of the time and this Arctic, it does make sense they're from the same Gilbert family tree. -- I'm amazed this inexpensive little fan lasted 90 years and still runs great. 11 hours ago, Russ Huber said: Gilbert was kind of a stickler for patents. A number of the fans, and fan related components were patented. Not sure if your motor has 2 shades or not, but you are. Russ - Thank you for posting the patent. Yes, that appears to be the same motor, so the patent dates really help to narrow down the dates. I've noticed that many companies file their patent applications after production has started, so your patent post should date the fan production somewhere between 1930 and 1932, the year of filing. There's a smaller possibility the date of mfr. was in 1933 or 1934 (the year of patent approval) or shortly afterwards. To quote Dennis Miller - "but I could be wrong". Also, I can't be the only person to Google Shirley P. Morse! I didn't find much either. Again, thanks to both of you for the helpful info. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Russ Huber Posted October 22, 2022 Share Posted October 22, 2022 In many cases the patented product is on the market just before, or shortly after patent filing date. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve Rockwell Posted October 22, 2022 Share Posted October 22, 2022 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike Kearns Posted October 22, 2022 Share Posted October 22, 2022 1930 - Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Russ Huber Posted October 22, 2022 Share Posted October 22, 2022 (edited) Actually, collecting all the Gilbert examples would be a worthy quest. I have a 16" model in the pile that runs in near perfect balance that gives the outside appearance it is a brushless AC motor. Most collectors wouldn't give you a $20 bill for it. Gilbert had a number of fan motor variations over a number of years, and patented so much of the changes, including design patents. 16" Oscillating Polar Cub - Pre-1950 (Antique) - Antique Fan Collectors Association - AFCA Forums Edited October 22, 2022 by Russ Huber Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
George Grant Posted October 22, 2022 Author Share Posted October 22, 2022 14 hours ago, Russ Huber said: In many cases the patented product is on the market just before, or shortly after patent filing date. Thanks Russ. I got carried away and stand corrected, so the earliest date of production is likely 1932 when the motor patent was filed. ==================================== Steve Rockwell - I like the looks of those Gilberts. The notes on congealed oil is interesting. I don't want to sidetrack this post, but would it be correct to assume that warning is due to the nature of crude oil based lubricants of the time? And that issue was likely remedied about a decade later at the onset of WWII? Mike Kearns - Thank you for posting that ad for 1930 Arctic fans. My Arctic is very similar, with small changes to the motor housing and with a two prong modern plug. Also, given the patent posted by Russ, it must have had a different motor. So it seems the Arctic brand lasted at least from 1930 until 1934. Russ Huber - These old fans are like Tribbles. I don't want or have the space for a full collection, but now I'm starting to think a 12" Gilbert brand or Polar Cub would look good in my living room. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve Rockwell Posted October 23, 2022 Share Posted October 23, 2022 21 hours ago, George Grant said: would it be correct to assume that warning is due to the nature of crude oil based lubricants of the time? Not my field of expertise, George... Perhaps Stan Adams, Steve Cunningham, or another of those AFCA Texas oilmen might speak to the subject... You'll have noted some differences between the motor caps on the pictured Gilbert fans; the first close-up shows the detail. If you go whole hog on restoration, those images carry Hubbell plugs..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Russ Huber Posted October 23, 2022 Share Posted October 23, 2022 (edited) . Edited October 23, 2022 by Russ Huber Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Russ Huber Posted October 23, 2022 Share Posted October 23, 2022 Chicago Electric Mfg. Co. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Russ Huber Posted October 23, 2022 Share Posted October 23, 2022 (edited) Alfred Gilbert himself appears to be credited with the motor design of this fan, yet they get so little respect from many collectors. 1499067323677984533-01926441 (storage.googleapis.com) Edited October 23, 2022 by Russ Huber Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Russ Huber Posted October 24, 2022 Share Posted October 24, 2022 Pot metal (die cast) bearing held in place by the 2 nuts exposed on the outside of the bearing. Threaded steel tube with oil soaked felt wick touching the shaft. Oil port on top of the die cast bearing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
George Grant Posted October 25, 2022 Author Share Posted October 25, 2022 On 10/23/2022 at 10:51 AM, Steve Rockwell said: If you go whole hog on restoration, those images carry Hubbell plugs..... You got me. I have to admit that I was looking more for similarities than differences. I considered putting an acorn plug on the fan but ultimately decided on the one shown, as I had it on hand. Also, I knew the fan was going to be moved around the house a bit. My sausage fingers demand more attention when trying to grab those acorns. However, I also didn't know until now what was original. Perhaps I'll swap it out at some point. 15 hours ago, Russ Huber said: Pot metal (die cast) bearing held in place by the 2 nuts exposed on the outside of the bearing. Threaded steel tube with oil soaked felt wick touching the shaft. Oil port on top of the die cast bearing. Mmmm. You should write advertisements for sexy new firearms. I rather like the early industrial look. Perhaps because my grandparents on both sides had one or two and they always drew my attention. Functional and elegant in their simplicity. Both you and Steve pointed out the external oil port on the Gilbert (and Chicago Elec.) fans. Just thinking about the considerations when a homeowner bought a fan in the early 30's -- Was the fan the right size and did it move the right amount of air for what was needed? Was the fan affordable and attractive enough, whatever that meant to the buyer? And for those who maintained their own fans (most people?): Could it be easily maintained by the homeowner? Even though the average guy/gal back then was probably more mechanically inclined than they are today, the external oil port must have been a significant feature. I may need to get an early Polar Cub to compare with this Arctic. 🙂 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Russ Huber Posted October 26, 2022 Share Posted October 26, 2022 On 10/25/2022 at 3:30 AM, George Grant said: Just thinking about the considerations when a homeowner bought a fan in the early 30's -- Was the fan the right size and did it move the right amount of air for what was needed? Was the fan affordable and attractive enough, whatever that meant to the buyer? And for those who maintained their own fans (most people?): Could it be easily maintained by the homeowner? Even though the average guy/gal back then was probably more mechanically inclined than they are today, the external oil port must have been a significant feature. I may need to get an early Polar Cub to compare with this Arctic. 🙂 Gilbert was educated to become a doctor. His gift was in manufacturing and marketing. Like Bersted, Gilbert could make appliances at less cost appealing and market them in a very clever manner. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Russ Huber Posted October 26, 2022 Share Posted October 26, 2022 Die cast (pot metal) housing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Russ Huber Posted October 26, 2022 Share Posted October 26, 2022 One day years ago I finished restoring one of these 30s Deco Gilberts. All of the sudden I heard a "crack" like a firecracker going off in the kitchen where it was on the counter. When I went to investigate the noise, I noticed 2 areas on the motor housing where chunks of pot metal were missing. At the 3 and 9 o'clock positions inside the housing are where the motor bolts into the housing. I must have snugged the 9 o'clock position bolt a tad too much. The stress the tightened bolt created on the housing was more than the alloy pot metal housing could handle. A tip for future owners restoring one. 🙂 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
George Grant Posted October 26, 2022 Author Share Posted October 26, 2022 It seems that Gilbert followed the P.T. Barnum approach to business. Convince the public of what they want and need, and then sell it to them. There's a short article on Gilbert on Wikipedia. As a young athlete he set records and won medals at pole vault. He also designed the pole vault box that secures the bottom of the pole when approaching the bar. An inventor at heart and a very smart man of many talents. 1 hour ago, Russ Huber said: At the 3 and 9 o'clock positions inside the housing are where the motor bolts into the housing. I must have snugged the 9 o'clock position bolt a tad too much. The stress the tightened bolt created on the housing was more than the alloy pot metal housing could handle. A tip for future owners restoring one. 🙂 Regarding the Deco Gilbert: That's a good looking George Jetson fan. I'm curious - How is the motor now mounted? Did you build an internal frame of some sort? For my future reference -- Is it true that almost nothing will stick to pot metal long-term? Meaning there's no way to patch those holes? Will 2-part epoxy glue stick to pot metal? A while back I did see an article on the web about a welding product from MuggyWeld that will repair pot metal, but that may not be practical on thin metal as shown in the photo. But I'm not a welder anyway... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Russ Huber Posted October 26, 2022 Share Posted October 26, 2022 (edited) George, I have a nice one disassembled in pieces in a box. If you're interested in it and like puzzles message me. Heller designed a Gilbert mixer same time. Edited October 26, 2022 by Russ Huber Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Russ Huber Posted October 26, 2022 Share Posted October 26, 2022 Heller same time Gilbert mixer Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
George Grant Posted October 27, 2022 Author Share Posted October 27, 2022 23 hours ago, Russ Huber said: Heller same time Gilbert mixer A few days ago when looking for info on Gilbert I saw a patent for a similar mixer except the mixing tool appeared to be a whisk. My shoddy memory is that it was a Gilbert patent dating from the teens, but I can no longer find that image. Consideration must be given that I can't remember what I had for dinner last night, so... I do like puzzles, Russ. Thanks you. As a guest I don't have access to messages, so I sent an email. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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