madman
Well-known member
Nice. Don't forget to buy some soldering flux.
Anybody Know About Lubricating Stuck Fans? It’s a Weird One.
- Thread starter oldsuck
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oldsuck
Active member
Thanks. I’m pretty sure my solder has a flux core. (Hoping 
)
I jiggled and futzed with the gears on that timer movement and I couldn’t get it to run for more than a second or two, so I blasted it with that electronics cleaner.
That stuff has so much pressure, it blew out a pin hole in the Little red sprayer straw ("aerosol tip extension tube"). Now it shoots a tiny stream out to my left when I spray it.
That blew a significant amount of dust/grit/debris out onto the paper towel.
Then I oiled it again with the synthetic lube (Liquid Bearings). After patiently jiggling & futzing for another 10-15min, it finally seems to have come back to life.
It’s a 10hr timer, so I had to wait overnight to see if it would run all the way down and trip the circuit release mechanism. I’ll find out in a couple hours. Then matching that paint is next. That’s a little intimidating. Normally I’d go to an auto-paint supply nearby and have them scan the fan and let them make it, but I’m in Texas during the pandemic. These people are idiots. Nobody is wearing masks or staying 6ft apart. The hospital beds are all full and overflowing into emergency tents set up at the stadium.
I’m not dying for touchup paint.
)I jiggled and futzed with the gears on that timer movement and I couldn’t get it to run for more than a second or two, so I blasted it with that electronics cleaner.
That stuff has so much pressure, it blew out a pin hole in the Little red sprayer straw ("aerosol tip extension tube"). Now it shoots a tiny stream out to my left when I spray it.
That blew a significant amount of dust/grit/debris out onto the paper towel.
Then I oiled it again with the synthetic lube (Liquid Bearings). After patiently jiggling & futzing for another 10-15min, it finally seems to have come back to life.
It’s a 10hr timer, so I had to wait overnight to see if it would run all the way down and trip the circuit release mechanism. I’ll find out in a couple hours. Then matching that paint is next. That’s a little intimidating. Normally I’d go to an auto-paint supply nearby and have them scan the fan and let them make it, but I’m in Texas during the pandemic. These people are idiots. Nobody is wearing masks or staying 6ft apart. The hospital beds are all full and overflowing into emergency tents set up at the stadium.
I’m not dying for touchup paint.
kirbyklekter
Well-known member
Good on you
For staying safe. I can say this is the first time in years where I didn't catch some form of flu virus and I always do, but with the extra cautions taken, it made a difference. I bought the highly recommended and widely used Radio Shack cleaner and lubricant for electronics, It does the job for sure, I just wasn't ready for the intense blast from the pressure. You also don't want to spray a finger, it's a bit chilly. I was wondering if the rapid temp change would be hard on soldered connections and the like. I wasn't spraying directly on circuit boards but I could hear a crackling noise when the spray got away from me and on to parts unseen but heard. I'll stick to using the regular contact cleaner for contacts and the like and use the afore mentioned for parts that move or slide or mesh or... " I kinda feel like I’m putting Keith Richard’s liver in 12yr old here." From your earlier reply, I like it!
For staying safe. I can say this is the first time in years where I didn't catch some form of flu virus and I always do, but with the extra cautions taken, it made a difference. I bought the highly recommended and widely used Radio Shack cleaner and lubricant for electronics, It does the job for sure, I just wasn't ready for the intense blast from the pressure. You also don't want to spray a finger, it's a bit chilly. I was wondering if the rapid temp change would be hard on soldered connections and the like. I wasn't spraying directly on circuit boards but I could hear a crackling noise when the spray got away from me and on to parts unseen but heard. I'll stick to using the regular contact cleaner for contacts and the like and use the afore mentioned for parts that move or slide or mesh or... " I kinda feel like I’m putting Keith Richard’s liver in 12yr old here." From your earlier reply, I like it!
Mm
WD-40 on electrical connections I'm not so sure about that.
The electrical cleaner for car batteries and electrical is all I'd use on cleaning the electrical.
Wear a mask people. If your out clean your hands and never rub your eyes that's how it spreads. You don't want to get sick it's miserable as hell. Be safe and you don't have to worry.
Les
WD-40 on electrical connections I'm not so sure about that.
The electrical cleaner for car batteries and electrical is all I'd use on cleaning the electrical.
Wear a mask people. If your out clean your hands and never rub your eyes that's how it spreads. You don't want to get sick it's miserable as hell. Be safe and you don't have to worry.
Les
oldsuck
Active member
Paint
After about 13 tries, I finally got the color for the touchup paint.
It’s not perfect, but it’s close enough for me.
I also used it on a pair of custom handles I installed.
I know. I’m a purist and very against customizing, especially something so pristine, but sometimes it’s necessary.
These fans were designed to be installed in a window permanently, more or less, but since the modern air-conditioner found it’s way into every home, it’s become an appliance that gets moved around according to need. It weighs about 411lbs with nothing to grab onto but sharp steel edges, and having all the weight on one side ensures that it cuts into your fingers most efficiently. It’s enough to keep you from even using it sometimes, so something had to be done.
I did, at least, manage to find a classic style that’s period-correct, and luckily the style seems to blend agreeably with the fan’s design.
After about 13 tries, I finally got the color for the touchup paint.
It’s not perfect, but it’s close enough for me.
I also used it on a pair of custom handles I installed.
I know. I’m a purist and very against customizing, especially something so pristine, but sometimes it’s necessary.
These fans were designed to be installed in a window permanently, more or less, but since the modern air-conditioner found it’s way into every home, it’s become an appliance that gets moved around according to need. It weighs about 411lbs with nothing to grab onto but sharp steel edges, and having all the weight on one side ensures that it cuts into your fingers most efficiently. It’s enough to keep you from even using it sometimes, so something had to be done.
I did, at least, manage to find a classic style that’s period-correct, and luckily the style seems to blend agreeably with the fan’s design.
texaskirbyguy
Well-known member
Wow - give yourself a big pat on the back for that paint matching! I had to do the same long ago for repainting some instrument clusters for a vintage car.
Did you get the motor apart and relubed? Does it have ball or sleeve bearings? Almost looks like balls...
Nice to know I am not the only one who goes out on a limb to keep things looking original. Keep up the great work!
411 pounds? That thing must be a monster!
)
Did you get the motor apart and relubed? Does it have ball or sleeve bearings? Almost looks like balls...
Nice to know I am not the only one who goes out on a limb to keep things looking original. Keep up the great work!
411 pounds? That thing must be a monster!
)
madman
Well-known member
Fantastic work!
The motor looks very similar to the Delco motor in my Kenmore wringer washer. That's got solid bronze sleeve bearings with big oil felts that directly oil the shaft. It doesn't really have oil ports, you have to take it apart to oil it. Strangely, one of the bearings was missing most of the oil felt on mine. Not sure why, didn't look like it had been opened before.
The motor looks very similar to the Delco motor in my Kenmore wringer washer. That's got solid bronze sleeve bearings with big oil felts that directly oil the shaft. It doesn't really have oil ports, you have to take it apart to oil it. Strangely, one of the bearings was missing most of the oil felt on mine. Not sure why, didn't look like it had been opened before.
oldsuck
Active member
Thanks, texaskirbyguy & MadMan.
No. I couldn’t bring myself to open the motor. I couldn’t find any photos or videos of this motor being opened and I was convinced I would cock it up somehow.
I’ll try to find an exploded view of it and maybe do it this winter.
The Liquid Bearing label says it’s supposed to displace old gunky grease & oil, so it’s in their hands for now.
No. I couldn’t bring myself to open the motor. I couldn’t find any photos or videos of this motor being opened and I was convinced I would cock it up somehow.
I’ll try to find an exploded view of it and maybe do it this winter.
The Liquid Bearing label says it’s supposed to displace old gunky grease & oil, so it’s in their hands for now.
oldsuck
Active member
Believe it or not, I finally got that gnarly timer looking decent and running like a top.
I’ve never had a project like this in my life. Every facet of it goes more easily and turns out better than expected. It’s like hitting all green lights when you’re running late.
I kept the timer movement by my bed and nudged it along every time it stopped ticking for a few days while I watched TV. Eventually it didn’t need my help anymore.
Soldering the old plug wiring was fun, even though I seared my palm checking to see if it was cool enough to put away afterwards. Note to Self: Be sure you’ve unplugged the soldering iron before expecting it to cool off.
I removed the previous owner’s spray paint from the faceplate with chemical stripper. It dissolved long before the factory enamel even softened.
Residual staining and oxidation was removed with my trusty cutting compound.
The on/off/reverse switch has much better, more decisive pop & click action now that the unit it firmly mounted in place.
Once I finally had the fan all reassembled, I was scared to plug it in. I thought for sure sparks were going to fly, or the blades were going to ricochet out, embedding in the surrounding walls like a tornado movie.
When it whirred to life just as it was designed to, you could have knocked me over with a feather.
I’m crediting 1950s American engineering for the ease of this entire restoration.
This thing will blow the wallpaper off the walls without hardly making a sound.
There’s no clicking, ticking, pinging, squeaking, or rattling, not even the faintest motor hum. The only thing you hear is the sound of the ferociously angled blades pushing air like a freight train.
On a white noise scale, it’s practically pharmaceutical.
Now I just have to figure out where to put this thing.
I’ve never had a project like this in my life. Every facet of it goes more easily and turns out better than expected. It’s like hitting all green lights when you’re running late.
I kept the timer movement by my bed and nudged it along every time it stopped ticking for a few days while I watched TV. Eventually it didn’t need my help anymore.
Soldering the old plug wiring was fun, even though I seared my palm checking to see if it was cool enough to put away afterwards. Note to Self: Be sure you’ve unplugged the soldering iron before expecting it to cool off.
I removed the previous owner’s spray paint from the faceplate with chemical stripper. It dissolved long before the factory enamel even softened.
Residual staining and oxidation was removed with my trusty cutting compound.
The on/off/reverse switch has much better, more decisive pop & click action now that the unit it firmly mounted in place.
Once I finally had the fan all reassembled, I was scared to plug it in. I thought for sure sparks were going to fly, or the blades were going to ricochet out, embedding in the surrounding walls like a tornado movie.
When it whirred to life just as it was designed to, you could have knocked me over with a feather.
I’m crediting 1950s American engineering for the ease of this entire restoration.
This thing will blow the wallpaper off the walls without hardly making a sound.
There’s no clicking, ticking, pinging, squeaking, or rattling, not even the faintest motor hum. The only thing you hear is the sound of the ferociously angled blades pushing air like a freight train.
On a white noise scale, it’s practically pharmaceutical.
Now I just have to figure out where to put this thing.
Wow it's a beauty
I'm pretty sure the 41lbs meant 41 LBS. If you have a dolly it is suggested moving method.
That looks better than anything I've seen in the store in over 30 years. Congrats glad it's working like a top.
Les
I'm pretty sure the 41lbs meant 41 LBS. If you have a dolly it is suggested moving method.
That looks better than anything I've seen in the store in over 30 years. Congrats glad it's working like a top.
Les
oldsuck
Active member
Lesinutah
HA!
I was just being hyperbolic.
By 411lbs, I meant roughly a f£#k-ton.
Although, coincidentally, I don’t imagine 41lbs is far from accurate, but it sure feels like more when the motor-end is pulling down and it’s cutting into your fingers.
It’s about as awkward as a cow on crutches.
(Thanks, Les.
)
HA!
I was just being hyperbolic.
By 411lbs, I meant roughly a f£#k-ton.
Although, coincidentally, I don’t imagine 41lbs is far from accurate, but it sure feels like more when the motor-end is pulling down and it’s cutting into your fingers.
It’s about as awkward as a cow on crutches.
(Thanks, Les.
)
madman
Well-known member
Beautiful work. The fan timer plate especially, did not look like it would turn out that well.
wow, indeed
Excellent job!!!
Excellent job!!!
kirbyklekter
Well-known member
Looks like you have a fan for life!
Literally after all you've done. Somehow I missed the part about this fan being belt driven. Have seen them in industrial settings but not for the home before. With the pitch on those blades I imagine there is some serious air movement going on at all speeds.Everything's been said before so I'll just say Kudos on the resto and thanks for the tip on soldering irons that stay hot while plugged in, Roger that!
Literally after all you've done. Somehow I missed the part about this fan being belt driven. Have seen them in industrial settings but not for the home before. With the pitch on those blades I imagine there is some serious air movement going on at all speeds.Everything's been said before so I'll just say Kudos on the resto and thanks for the tip on soldering irons that stay hot while plugged in, Roger that!
