Vintage 1940's Homart Window fan

[universaldave1]

I got this fan many years ago (almost five years) from a former friend. It worked fine until I got the bright idea to restore it. Instead of restoring it, I kept putting it off until all the pieces were scattered around the house. Well yesterday, I got sick of it just sitting, so I took initiative. I gathered up all the loose pieces, (not easy) and I reassembled it. The only part that was lost was one setscrew. I went to Tractor Supply Co, paid $1.09, and got two new ones that fit perfectly. I want to eventually restore this fan with a brand new motor and a real nice paint job.

 

[suckolux]

VERY clever! I bet it worked well

 

[electrolux137]

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Oh wow! My family had one of those exact fans when I was a little boy. IIRC there was a switch for speeds, three I think, and another one to reverse the air flow. It really moved air like a champ!!

 

[suckolux]

That just looks like an idea that would work!

 

[universaldave1]

This unit is two speed non reversible. It's been in use all afternoon, and even on low speed, you can feel air being sucked in through all the windows. This is going to be especially useful in summertime since we can't afford to run the A/C this year.

 

[vac-o-matic]

Before we got air conditioning in the '60s, we used the same window fan to stay comfortable. The one we had might've been a later model(?), as I remember the name plate being round. Ours was the same, 2-speed, exit only. It was centrally installed in our house at the bottom of an enclosed staircase leading up to our bedrooms. At night, we'd close the windows on the lower level, and left the stairway door open to pull the air through the windows upstairs. It did a helluva job. I can remember more than once getting up in the night to do down and turn it off because it was chilly! It truly seemed to have the power of an attic fan when on high. Those, like many other appliances from that era were made to last.

 

[tolivac]

Yes,those whole home fans used BAC---Before Air Conditioners.Does the motor in the fan run OK?All it may need is a good cleaning and the bearings lubed.Those old Craftsman motors usually lasted almost forever and just need oiling now and then.Uusually once a year.The motor in that fan is living an easy life compared to some Craftsman motors that run power tools-the sawdust!!!

 

[universaldave1]

The motor

Runs pretty well, but it makes its strange noises every once in a while. If I had an extra $200 floating around, I'd plop a brand new motor in it today. I found a motor I really like -see the link.

http://www.drillspot.com/products/466768/AO_Smith_SVB2034B_Evaporative_Cooler_Motor

 

[tolivac]

You could also try Grainger.They have an excellent selection of fan and blower motors.And probably less expensive.