Russ Huber Posted February 2, 2023 Share Posted February 2, 2023 This caught my attention. It is the first 12" of this model of this construction I have ever seen, or run across. I have seen them in 8" and 10". Does Geoff have one?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Russ Huber Posted February 2, 2023 Author Share Posted February 2, 2023 Check out the extended hub spider used on a 12" diameter blade. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Russ Huber Posted February 2, 2023 Author Share Posted February 2, 2023 (edited) Patented armature/commutator construction. Edited February 2, 2023 by Russ Huber Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Russ Huber Posted February 2, 2023 Author Share Posted February 2, 2023 (edited) Earlier United Electric Mfg. Co. "Eskimo" Never saw a 12" model before. I drove a distance to get it. Would you? 🙂 Edited February 3, 2023 by Russ Huber Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Russ Huber Posted February 2, 2023 Author Share Posted February 2, 2023 Credited to Darrel Koller. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom Morel Posted February 2, 2023 Share Posted February 2, 2023 My 16" United Electric Eskimo is like that inside too. The blades are a very thin, micarta-like material. Never seen another other than in an advertisement. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Russ Huber Posted February 2, 2023 Author Share Posted February 2, 2023 1929 PAPER AD Polar Cub Eskimo Electric Fan 16" Oscillating AC DC Universal | eBay Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Russ Huber Posted February 3, 2023 Author Share Posted February 3, 2023 Die cast pivot aligning bearings(the bearings are sound). No fiber washer shaft spacing for the armature. The blade and the removeable worm gear in the gearbox hold the armature center and control the amount of end play. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Russ Huber Posted February 9, 2023 Author Share Posted February 9, 2023 (edited) United Electrical Manufacturing Company in Adrian, Michigan was established in 1916 with 50K capitol. In 1919 they had a major expansion with increased capitol. Their primary was automotive horns. In 24-25 they introduced their first desk fan. The 12" model I posted, and the 10" model 20 date no earlier than 1928. How do I know? The Cutler-Hammer switches in both models have the ISSUED patent numbers stamped in them. No "patent pending". 1498692019520295936-01666338 (storage.googleapis.com) I am modifying the model 20 with a replacement United Electric gearbox and brass blade. The original gearbox had issues, as did the blade. These fans a finicky, unique construction, and will challenge you to get them to run nice. There are some tricks you may need to learn with bearing alignment and their funky brush holders. Lol. Edited February 9, 2023 by Russ Huber Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Russ Huber Posted February 9, 2023 Author Share Posted February 9, 2023 Before Eskimo-Trailblazer-Electrex-Super Blue Line fans came their Trojan motorized automotive horn. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Russ Huber Posted February 11, 2023 Author Share Posted February 11, 2023 It took a while, but I got the little guy back in action as an oscillator. I had a 10" Electrex (United Electrical Mfg. Co.) BB oscillator with bad bearings and donor parts. I used the Emerson step base rubber feet (compressor grommets) in place of the old ones, they are a tad too wide, but I snugged them in, they look fine. Don't let dime store quality components make you snub fans like these. I admit both fans tried my patience at times, but you can tweak these guys to run like downtown. I had to strobe both blades, and dynamically balance the brass blade to get it running really smooth. The original blade on the little guy had steel wings like the 12" and a worn blade hub hole. The brass blade set is heavier, I thought the universal motor may overheat pushing it. So far, so good. The little has a top end of 1700 RPM and 1300 RPM low speed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Russ Huber Posted February 11, 2023 Author Share Posted February 11, 2023 The 12" is all original with exception of the base feet and plug. The cords are original and intact. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Russ Huber Posted February 12, 2023 Author Share Posted February 12, 2023 I will be putting these up for sale in near future in the BST. I realize they are not brass and brass and all decked out to go on the town. I found them challenging and time consuming to get them to run nice. These guys need love too. Maybe I will do a video. The little guy could use new skin. I think I would leave the 12" alone and original. They won't be priced stupid money for anyone interested. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Russ Huber Posted February 16, 2023 Author Share Posted February 16, 2023 The wings on this thing are .030 of an inch thick. This is a 12" shaded pole AC oscillator. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Russ Huber Posted February 16, 2023 Author Share Posted February 16, 2023 (edited) The bearing keepers are held in by 4 rivets. You simply drill down the retaining lip of the rivet inside the housing and tap the rivet out with a drift punch. The rivets can be replaced with brass screws with nut and lock washer on the inside of the housing. By standards back then these fans were medium grade based on certain components used. But they are no joke. Fact Jack. Edited February 16, 2023 by Russ Huber Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Kilnapp Posted February 16, 2023 Share Posted February 16, 2023 Great write-up, Russ. I enjoyed reading it. For a medium grade fan, the mechanism is intricate and complicated. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Russ Huber Posted February 17, 2023 Author Share Posted February 17, 2023 (edited) 7 hours ago, David Kilnapp said: The mechanism is intricate and complicated. The gearbox and its contents can be challenging to say the least. The phenolic helical gear under the rotor shaft worm gear typically is worn, or teeth stripped. I robbed from Peter to pay Paul on this last one I posted. I have another 12" in tough aesthetic condition but had a NICE identical phenolic gear donor I pressed off to put in this last model now in functional oscillating order. I strobe balanced the blade to find one wing out of clock, and then aligned them next. Dynamic balancing the blade will be done before I put it back on the fan. Bearings next! I can cut corners reproducing these bearings like new, no machinist or lathe necessary. Can ANYONE nail my game plan to accomplish this? Edited February 17, 2023 by Russ Huber Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Russ Huber Posted February 17, 2023 Author Share Posted February 17, 2023 You can measure and drill the wick holes. A small file or Dremel grinding bit to cut the notch. McMaster does not offer the exact length outside sleeve. I will have to cut it down to correct length. Wet dry, or slowly rotating the end lip on a grinding wheel can be used to bevel ends of the outside sleeve. Glue/cement the 1/2" OD sleeve inside the outside sleeve. The wick holes on this application don't have to be Johnny on the spot. The rotor shaft won't mind, I assure you. There are oil ports, not oil cups. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Russ Huber Posted February 17, 2023 Author Share Posted February 17, 2023 BTW.......the stator had to be driven out carefully with front and back housing covers removed with hammer and drift punch. That stator was super snug as a bug in that housing. I rested the housing lip on the edges of the jaws of an open bench vice and carefully rotated it striking 12, 6, 3, and 9 o'clock positions until it finally inched its way out. Never panic, where there is a will, there is a way. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Russ Huber Posted February 18, 2023 Author Share Posted February 18, 2023 We may be able to cut a few corners to help cut down cost, but in a number of cases we can't. A special thanks to the skilled AFCA machinists, artisans, and talented members who have got me over many a hump a number of times through the years. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Russ Huber Posted February 18, 2023 Author Share Posted February 18, 2023 (edited) On 2/16/2023 at 2:47 PM, David Kilnapp said: Russ. I enjoyed reading it. Thanks, David. Sorry if I came across rude not responding to your kind comment. The Trailblazer trademark example posted above here of the past was in near pristine condition when I found it. Not nearly the challenge these other rascals posted here became. Lol. The challenges involve working around factory imperfections, and wear and tear from long operation. I am going to eventually doll the last example. It has all the potential to be a beautiful fan, and a good runner. The pivot collar is unfortunately die cast, there is some minor bobble to the fan heads from oscillation wear, and I am sure there are examples that have crossed the line with wear. Sleeving the pivot is borderline not possible. One may be able to modify a pivot from a bronze bearing/sleeve(s) at minimal expense. Thus, another challenge. Lol. Something different. No disrespect to the following intended, but I see Emersons, Westinghouse, GE, etc. inside and out in my sleep. Lol. Edited February 18, 2023 by Russ Huber Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Russ Huber Posted March 3, 2023 Author Share Posted March 3, 2023 6 bronze sleeves from McMaster. 3 inserted into another. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Russ Huber Posted April 11, 2023 Author Share Posted April 11, 2023 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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