David Kilnapp Posted June 22, 2023 Share Posted June 22, 2023 (edited) Good evening fan friends: Jack O'Callaghan and his dad Neal, attended Tom Zapf's regional meet and came home with several fans. One was the fan you see below: Jack asked me to see what I could do with it. One of our members pointed out that the fan had the incorrect blade on it (from a Vortalex) and advised that the correct blade was a quiet blade like you see in the picture below. The fan was also missing the switch and speed coil and one head case acorn nut. I advertised in the forum and on the FB page. One of our members offered to supply the correct fan which was very kind. Before I accepted his offer, which would require shipping, I took a look at FB marketplace and the exact fan came up for sale in Cranston RI which is an hour away. Coincidently (maybe providentially), I just happen to be driving down to NJ to officiate at a memorial service for my late father in law so I contacted the seller, Mike Collington (an AFCA member) who agreed to meet me on my way back from NJ just off of Route 95 in Providence RI, which was right on my way (GOOD GUY!) Mike was there exactly when he said he would be and he provided the correct fan for very little money, which had the missing parts that I needed to complete the fan. Before I left for NJ, I stripped the fan down to its component parts, removed the stator, replaced the headwire, cleaned out all the old grease and replaced it with RED AND TACKY, replaced the oil and the wicks in the oilers and then painted the fan with two coats of automotive primer and three coats of automotive black glossy. The bottom plate was stripped and cleaned of all rust, then primed. Mike Collington assured me that the switch was working (and it was) so I removed it from the replacement parts fan, cleaned all the contacts and reinstalled it in Jack's fan. It worked perfectly to provide three distinct speeds. The cage from the replacement fan, was in better shape. I stripped that to bare metal after repainting the badge and two coats of primer and two coats of top finished it off. I also painted the motor tag which, unlike Emerson motor tags is not easily done since the lettering is not raised at all. I took the replacement blade to Ron Bethoney at New England Brass Refinishing and for fun, before I left it with him, he polished one edge to show me what was possible. He called me today to tell me it was done. I was absolutely amazed when I picked up the blade today - it shined like chrome! Ron is a magician! See the pictures below of the completed fan. And the best picture of all, of Jack and me. It's such a pleasure to know Jack. His delight at seeing these fans is worth every bit of work to restore them. What great fun. Thanks to Mike Collington again for his kindness! And of course, Ron Bethoney for doing such a fabulous job. He and his sons are master craftsmen! Edited June 22, 2023 by David Kilnapp 3 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anthony Lindsey Posted June 22, 2023 Share Posted June 22, 2023 Those run whisper quiet. Nice job and great fan. I have a DC version that is one of my favorites. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul Carmody Posted June 22, 2023 Share Posted June 22, 2023 Looks great 👍.Nice work David! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Kilnapp Posted June 22, 2023 Author Share Posted June 22, 2023 Thanks guys! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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