Robbins and Meyers Oscillating Desk Fan - Dating and Misc Issues

[Isaiah Sampson]

Hello all,

After only dabbling so far in 50's and later fans in decent condition, I picked up an older Robbins and Meyers oscillating desk fan in terrible shape. 100% of the blades, base, and grill are pitted. The nameplate on the base is nearly illegible, and unfortunately was painted, not stamped.

I was able to fully disassemble, clean out the gear box, and re-oil/grease/re-wire. It runs great, but fortunately I scrutinized the nameplate at length after testing the power draw, because it's too high.

I have no prior experience with fans of this age/complexity, so forgive all of the questions below.

Questions:

1. Rough estimate of age?
2. The fan draws 0.42 amps high, 0.31 amps medium, 0.29 amps low. I can faintly make out  100-??? Volts, 60 cycles, and 0.35 A?? on the nameplate, so it looks like I'm drawing 25% more current than I should. The existing roughly 3/4" thick square capacitor showed no signs of leaking or bulging, but given age and the excessive power draw, I want to replace it. However, I'm not sure a modern oval run capacitor will fit. What you have guys used to replace these before?
3. I will be at the September Fan Fest. Can I buy a nameplate off of anyone?
4. What in the world is the combined coil/stacked plate object that is wired between the capacitor and the switch's speed settings?
5. The wicks are full of dried oil or grease and I would like to replace them.
   1. I tried digging out the exposed wick in the gearbox with a tiny screwdriver, but it just breaks into strands that remain attached deeper in. What do you guys do to get it out?
   2. I can't even access the front wick because there is a brass or bronze cap in the wick port that doesn't protrude enough to grip with needlenose pliers. What's the trick to getting that out?
6. The original gearbox was packed nearly to the top with grease. I have only dabbed only grease in to cover the teeth of the gears, because the old greased had plugged the oil holes in the bearings for the vertical gear with horizontal shaft in the back of the gearbox, and had plugged the channel that lets oil down into the bearing for the oscillating pin drive shaft. Is there any reason to pack the gearbox full?