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AFCA members near me


Will Novitske
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So I am new to all this and really don't know where to learn other than the forum and past issues of the Fan Collector. Most of what I see is over my head. Looking at future and past meets and they seem so far from me. I thought it would be fun to sit down to lunch with someone who is fairly close and has a good working knowledge of fans. Suggestions?

I am in NW Pa. near Jamestown N.Y.

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WILL, WELCOME ABOARD ...NW PENNSYLVANIA IS A HIKE FOR THOSE OF US IN NJ BUT MEMBERSHIP IS SPREAD ACROSS THE COUNTRY . GETTING TOGETHER IS FUN . 

I HOST A SPRING BBQ IN MAY IN NORTHERN NJ AND WILL HAVE GUESTS FROM ALL OVER, ILLINOIS, VIRGINIA, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NORTH CAROLINA SEEM TO BE THE FARTHEST REACHES, BUT I HAVE HAD GUESTS FROM AS FAR AS FLORIDA. USUALLY IT IS CT MA, NH, NY PA, IL, NJ OF COURSE, DE, MD, VA , NC 

LOTS OF SALES AND BUYS AND HORSE TRADING AND TECH AND REPAIRS ...I HOPE YOU FIND SOME MEMBERS CLOSE BY! 

 

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We will be hosting a meet in south central PA in the Fall of 23, so maybe that’s closer. 

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By all means attend a couple of meets. You’ll find friendly people eager to help.

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Thanks for the replies. This is the time of year when I have most of my free time. I just hope my lack of even a basic knowledge will not be too discouraging. Wish there was a primer course you could take that would help take the "spark" and make it a "passion" ...before interest is lost. 

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This is what happens at fan meets --

 

 

Maybe it will inspire you to further transform the passion.

 

Edited by Jeff Whitfield
Clarity
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On 1/10/2023 at 10:08 AM, Will Novitske said:

So I am new to all this and really don't know where to learn other than the forum and past issues of the Fan Collector. Most of what I see is over my head. Looking at future and past meets and they seem so far from me. I thought it would be fun to sit down to lunch with someone who is fairly close and has a good working knowledge of fans. Suggestions?

I am in NW Pa. near Jamestown N.Y.

Will,

Don't hesitate to ask questions and look for advice on this forum.  Members here are always willing to help you sort out problems of just about anything.  I've seen how-to threads run for many pages.  Great bunch of knowledgeable gals and guys on this forum.

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  • 2 weeks later...

Jeff Whitfield, I have been to the old site. The only thing I could find is a members list with their emails. I have no idea where folks are at. Though I don't see a need (actually not a good idea) to list member addresses (like the new member section of the "Fan Collector"), it would be nice to know their approximate locations. I would likely reach out to someone near me if I knew they exist. 

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Hey Will, we normally have a member directory which comes out every year usually in June. Due to a change of publishers, one wasn’t printed in 2022, but hopefully one will come out this year. By all means ask, everyone will help where they can. I’m driving 5 hours to a regional meet in February & 10 hours to one in May. Definitely worth the trip & the friendships you make will last a lifetime.

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Will, I don’t personally know anybody in your immediate area, but there are folks in upstate NY, but maybe not that far West.  
 

I know it’s a bit of a drive, but I’d like to personally invite you to spend the day with me at my shop in south central PA (York). Plan a weekend and stay at a local hotel for a nite. I’d be happy to chat with you and share any restoration help that you’d like. We will also be hosting a fan meet in Fall 2023 which should have 30-40 of our fan family and probably 200 fans for sale or show . Date is pending.  Just reach out to me if you have interest. 

My daughter lived in Jamestown for a while and worked as an EMT. 

And by the way, the information in the old forum is how many of us got our start in restoration. Use the search function to find topics like “remove stator” etc.  Find a few simple, inexpensive dime store fans and restore them first to learn the basics before progressing to more complex/valuable fans.  My other tip is to take lots of pictures as you disassemble. The pics will be invaluable as you reassemble. Also get a parts organizer box that clips shut securely ( like the crafters use to separate beads, etc) . This will hold all of your small parts and hardware.  Use a sharpie to label each compartment “motor housing screws” , “right brush” , front bearing” etc.  you’ll find that your labels will be mostly the same for all fans.  
 

I hope that helps and you’ll take me up on my offer.  Welcome to this addictive hobby! 

Edited by Lane Shirey
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Lane Shirey, thanks so much for the invite. You folks have been very welcoming.  Lane I will PM you.   

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Don’t hesitate to check in with me or the forum if you get stuck on something.  After you get some experience with electrical let me know and we can schedule some time in the shop. My offer still stands. But I’d like it to be productive if we get together. I’ve had many folks come to the shop to use the equipment or for pointers. 
 

Best success!

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Apparently flying across the country is the only way I have to meet up with folks.   
 

Still looking for a way to find people in the Pacific Northwest near me.  (SW Washington)

UGGG !

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John Landstrom, the old forum showed members hometown/general location with their name in most cases. This would be a nice touch on the new forum particularly for new members who are hungry for connections. There were probably reasons why that was not continued here. Stan Adams posted that a member directory may be coming out at some point. That would be helpful. 

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Will  my bbq over the years has had people from "away" at it for sure. Illinois, florida and new hampshire seem to be the far reaches over the years, but north carolina, virginia, illinois, indiana, pennsylvania, delaware, NY , Nj of course, connecticut, massachusetts, rhode island can be regulars .... anywhwere from 30-60 people depending on the call for weather . there are hotels close by too...i am kind of in the middle of everywhere 

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On 1/30/2023 at 9:58 AM, John Landstrom said:

Apparently flying across the country is the only way I have to meet up with folks.   
 

Still looking for a way to find people in the Pacific Northwest near me.  (SW Washington)

UGGG !

I'm fairly close. Just moved from Texas where lots of fans are to be found... to Oregon where the weather is much cooler and fans aren't too plentiful. It may be rough for collectors up here... Good thing I moved with a load of fans. 🙂

Good luck!

Jeff

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On 2/7/2023 at 7:15 AM, John Deats said:

Will, I am in buffalo,  716 650 8407

John Deats, you are the closests so far. I may be up your way first part of March. If so I'll  reach out. I just saw you can now post your location (generally, specific or not at all) in your profile. That should help newbies a bit. 

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     Will

        Will be in Florida for the first half of March. We can get together when I get back. I'll be the only person in the snow with a tan. I'm in Lancaster, one of the suburbs of buffalo. Be careful, this hobby can be very addictive and the people are pretty awesome !!!

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Got it. I'll let you know when I'm going to be up your way. I'm about 2 hr. from you.

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