Chris Jacobsen Posted June 27, 2023 Share Posted June 27, 2023 Special thanks to a generous AFCA member, I obtained three early ceiling fans! I Plan to fully redo these with as much care as possible. I have two CF14s now, one appears to be solid cast iron and the other one brass. - Does anyone know if the brass CF14 one is brass plated? - does anyone know the switch brand? - any tips on stripping the silvery paint from the brass fan? Is that lead? - any special insulation dope that anyone can recommend? Also insulation paper? I plan to remove the coils and replace it all. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris Jacobsen Posted June 29, 2023 Author Share Posted June 29, 2023 Really. It is nothing short of amazing what these old bearings had to endure through... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Evan Atkinson Posted July 13, 2023 Share Posted July 13, 2023 Chris, sorry I didn't reply to your last PM. I've been busier than I realized! Cool, cool CF-14's. Produced 1902, only! For these fans, the top and bottom plates, rotor and main body as well as the bearing cup are all cast iron. So are the blade brackets. The intricate vine 'cup' that screws onto the end of the central shaft and covers the lower bearing cup is cast and soldered brass, likely annealed into shape before soldering. They are delicate. The disc-style porcelain switches on the end of the cup are Emerson switches and yours look broken? Not sure if anyone has reproduced these recently, but efforts were made in the past as they are frequently found broken and do break (they're in a vulnerable spot on the fan) if it is removed from a hanging location. In the past, John Andrews of Texas Ceiling Fans reproduced the T-handle key that operates this switch but not sure about now. He also reproduced the spun, brass cover that is dome-like and covers that switch. Good luck, these are satisfying fans to fix. They look $$ when restored. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris Jacobsen Posted July 13, 2023 Author Share Posted July 13, 2023 Thanks Evan for the background! I kinda figured you had other obligations so it is all good. I was wondering how they made the fern leaf cups earlier, they seem to have been brazed together after folding it seems. I was thinking of attempting to cast a couple new branches as replacents I will bet cost a fortune. They are really neat little primitive ceiling fans, and been good fun so far. Just need some guidance on the gunk and paint stripping without killing the original finish. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris Jacobsen Posted July 13, 2023 Author Share Posted July 13, 2023 Actually I wonder if John Andrews is still around, I definitely need the covers and T handles. Switches are indeed munched, I am gathering a number of antique wall switches to see what I might swap parts with or fabricate to replace them. I just got in a cheap GE fan too, just like Levis, only a bit more complete. As you said the switches are in a tough spot... 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Hoatson Posted July 18, 2023 Share Posted July 18, 2023 I have a CAD file of the CF series spun switch covers If anyone wants to have some made. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris Jacobsen Posted July 18, 2023 Author Share Posted July 18, 2023 2 hours ago, Dave Hoatson said: I have a CAD file of the CF series spun switch covers If anyone wants to have some made. I would like to try printing them if you would not mind sharing. I have no idea what they are shaped like for me to accurately model them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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