Will Novitske Posted January 23, 2023 Share Posted January 23, 2023 This is my first dive into fan repair/restoration. I've come across my first serious issues: 1) The occilator arm has broken. What would cause this? It looks like some serious force. 2) It looks like the arm may be bent. I can't tell if this is made that way or the arm is a straight piece. 3) Lacking a replacement, how best to repair this brass arm? Would regular solder be strong enough? 4) It appears to be missing a gear cover and at least two screws. I couldn't find any reference online other than the original patent (attached identifies as "4"). I'm thinking the smaller hole in the orner is to hold the cover on. The pic shows all that is there. Arrows pointing to the break and two missing screw holes. I did scroll through antique fan parts but no luck. Thanks in advance Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul Carmody Posted January 24, 2023 Share Posted January 24, 2023 The hole on the gear is to change swing radius for osciilation.As far as the rest,some one with knowledge of this model will have to chime in. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Will Novitske Posted January 24, 2023 Author Share Posted January 24, 2023 OK thanks. I thought the non threaded holes on the gear were for that purpose. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lane Shirey Posted January 25, 2023 Share Posted January 25, 2023 The oscillator arm should be flat as I recall. It does have an arc cut out of it so I doesn’t interfere with the post as it swings left and right. it’s likely the fan fell over or was mishandled at some point. someone here probably has a spare in their parts box. I’d post a message on the “wanted to buy” section. That’s better than trying to repair it. I would not think solder will fix it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Will Novitske Posted January 25, 2023 Author Share Posted January 25, 2023 Lane Shirley, I will go with "straight" on the arm theory. how about brazing the piece? I still don't know what pieces are missing. The two threaded screw holes must've held something. I also think there must be a cover of sorts to cover the gears. I'm guessing the cover is held in place by the smaller threaded hole. Clueless on the threaded hole in the gear. I've held off posting in "wanted" because I don't know all the parts needed yet. I suppose I can post "not sure what parts are missing". I'm also thinking other similar Westis manufactured soon before/after this fan may have the same or very similar parts. The problem with the Vader is that the outer covers hide this area from easy inspection. You almost have to have one apart to answer my questions. Thanks for responding. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony Clayton Posted January 25, 2023 Share Posted January 25, 2023 Here is a photo of how it should look Will. 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Will Novitske Posted January 25, 2023 Author Share Posted January 25, 2023 Tony Clayton ...Great! It looks to be flat. Is there a cap that goes over these gears? Would seem like something to contain the grease is needed. Thanks for taking the time to get a pic. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony Clayton Posted January 25, 2023 Share Posted January 25, 2023 Will no cover on the oscillation gear area as with most. There is a grease/oil catch tray inside the Vader-like shroud. If you look closely you will see no cover on the oscillation gear area in this Westinghouse instruction tell all tag. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Will Novitske Posted January 26, 2023 Author Share Posted January 26, 2023 Great! Tony Clayton, glad I didn't post in "wanted". I would've been waiting a long time. Thank you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Kilnapp Posted January 26, 2023 Share Posted January 26, 2023 Welcome to the club Will. Glad to see you here! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony Clayton Posted January 26, 2023 Share Posted January 26, 2023 Photos Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lawrence Smith Posted February 1, 2023 Share Posted February 1, 2023 Will I have this spare part, not sure if it will work for yours 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Will Novitske Posted February 1, 2023 Author Share Posted February 1, 2023 Not sure. Mine is 2.28" +/- . It was twisted and broken so can't get an exact. Both ends have shoulders at pivot. Piivot holes 1/4" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony Clayton Posted February 1, 2023 Share Posted February 1, 2023 Per your request Will. Westinghouse instructions for Darth Vader Instructions for using the Westinghouse “Power-Aire” Oscillating fan. Induction or Commutator type motor Desk or floor Model Read this card and keep it where it can be referred to Inspect: After unpacking inspect fan carefully to see that nothing was damaged or broken in shipping and that the blades turn freely. Check: Make sure that the voltage and frequency in your electrical outlets are both the same as shown stamped on the nameplate found under the rear motor cover. Lubricate: When this fan was manufactured it was lubricated for satisfactory operation for one season’s run. It sometimes occurs, however, through unusual climactic conditions or storing in an inverted position that some of the lubrication in the reservoir has dried or leaked out. This condition will be evident by the presence of a bearing noise or sluggish starting. In this case add four or five drops of a good grade of medium automobile oil in the bearing at the fan end. Care should be taken not to flood the bearing with oil or it will creep out over the fan blade. Westinghouse grease from tube style No. 247597 may be added to the gear case after the rear cover is removed or a few drops of oil may be added to soften the grease already in the gear case. To stop the fan from oscillating pull the knob up. Unscrew it before removing the rear cover when lubricating the gear case . Four screws like this hold the rear cover near the motor. This wing screw hold the motor to the base. To grease oscillator remove the cap and fill the case with Westinghouse fan motor grease. ( arrows pointing to cover) Add 2 drops oil (arrows pointing to oscillator linkage) To change the arc of oscillation from 90 degrees move the screw to the other hole in the gear. Name Plate ( arrow pointing to plate at bottom of cover. Care should be taken to see that the fan has proper lubrication before being put into use. To obtain the best service from your Westinghouse fan it should be lubricated before being put into use for the Summer. When this fan is operated continuously of used in a very hot, dry climate it should be lubricated more frequently. To Operate: When replacing rear cover make sure that the four holding screws are drawn up evenly so that the oscillator clutch knob does not bind in the rear cover hole. To tilt the fan on its base, loosen the wing screw at the hinge joint. Retighten securely in any desired position within the limits of the stops. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul Carmody Posted February 1, 2023 Share Posted February 1, 2023 Anyone know the consistency of the Westinghouse fan grease? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony Clayton Posted February 1, 2023 Share Posted February 1, 2023 I use comon brown Napa bearing grease for as long as I have been messing with old fans with no issues Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lawrence Smith Posted February 2, 2023 Share Posted February 2, 2023 I use red & tacky, then found some old wheel bearing grease, until it’s used up it works great, no need for more Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lawrence Smith Posted February 2, 2023 Share Posted February 2, 2023 Sorry my piece is cast brass, & is 2.5” long Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony Clayton Posted February 2, 2023 Share Posted February 2, 2023 (edited) 6 hours ago, Lawrence Smith said: Will I have this spare part, not sure if it will work for yours If Will can not use it Lawrence. I will buy it. Edited February 2, 2023 by Tony Clayton Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Will Novitske Posted February 2, 2023 Author Share Posted February 2, 2023 Lawrence Smith , mine is cast brass as well. Looking at yourss, it has a rounded stud where my stud is made by stamping a hole. That is probably ok. I'm not familiar with the clearances when it sweeps since mine is broke. I think the important measurement may be the distance between holes. Best I can tell on mine was 2" O.C. If yours is close to that, it just may work. I think yours doesn't have a collar (I called it shoulder earlier) circling the holes is because your stock is thicker. Likely this is a reason mine broke. Including the collar my stock is .125" thick around the holes. I'm guessing yours is close to that. If it doesn't work I'll give it to Tony N.C. He's been very helpful off line helping me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Will Novitske Posted February 2, 2023 Author Share Posted February 2, 2023 Tony thanks for the manufacturers flyer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lawrence Smith Posted February 2, 2023 Share Posted February 2, 2023 Will I don’t think this will work for your fan, center to center on this piece is 2 1/8” Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tyler Bryson Posted January 29 Share Posted January 29 I have a spare oscillator arm off a parts fan, if you are still looking Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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