I have a 1951 Dayton ventilator window fan, the exact same principal as your mechanically reversible fan, my parents got brand new as a gift. Only it has a 3 speed switch on the frame next to the fan grill. You really are supposed to shut the fan off AND wait for the blades to stop completely before switching from intake to exhaust and exhaust to intake. Blades can also hit electrical cord while turning, and could hit window screen if one is in place. Could get ugly if not careful. Thought this might help. Mine still works great after 71 years in our family!
Awesome mid century fan units. Most people in the 50s didn't purchase ac units because of the cost. Those fans did just fine and moved quite a bit of air. Actual motors in those.
I have been using the two smaller ones for months now and they work perfectly. The large window fan was not fixable because the motor coils were cracking and it was a hazard even if I replaced the cord. At least I have footage of it running. It is now repurposed as a mini catio with the insides gone (Edit) I just realized that when I turned the plug around that never would have worked on ac current only dc
It's a bummer the big one wasn't fixable. The reversing feature was really neat. It might be possible to mount a different blower motor if you ever come across one that might fit.
Dude... I've see this guy wash dishes with his bare hand and finish it off with a steel brush.. I've seen him dig a trench to plant seeds with his heel.. I've seen him use his 2 feet as a vice grip to open a decades coke bottle.. And now I've seen him fix up vintage fans with no work bench on the ground outside with a toilet brush... I'm absolutely fascinated with this channel..
Two years ago , when I installed a new kitchen light fixture , in the junction box when I went to connect the wires the rubber crumbled just like in the video. The wiring inside the metal cable was good. To fix I put heat shrink tubing over the exposed wires and then covered that with a coating of electrical liquid tape. In this situation of course you'll need a whole new wire.Nice video.
I would consider rewiring the other fans as well. Since they are all metal, it might be safer to use power cords with 3 wires so you can connect the chassis itself to ground / earth. Imagine the motor coils failing or a live wire touching the chassis...you might get electrocuted. Just my $0.02...nice video, love seeing this old stuff! :)
#1 rule to operating unknown antiques. Use a power strip to turn it on and off and don't touch the wires, same goes for the case. 120v doesn't feel very good, been there. Don't let the Motor leads discourage you. Typically they don't break so ether it's had some hard heat cycles during it's life, or the wire happened to be weak where it was bent. I had that happen with my 1940's grinder motor, was only weak at the wire junction. If there's no short in the winding's it should be fine, I would carefully solder on a new cord with ground.
I had a dual fan window unit like that, but more modern. They had a thermostat that as it cooled off, it would switch to one fan running instead of two. Plus reversible. They were actually pretty nice!
@@randomrando8350 You're on 110 volts so not as risky as 230 volts in UK. Great to have such an old drill still in use. They just don't make things to last anymore.
You can fix almost any locked up stand fan or desk fan with an induction motor (brushless). You need to get inside the housing and get some 30w motor oil inside the motor casing. You can put it in by means of a screw hole, the sides of the amateur, or the wherever you can see the inner movement (not plugged in). I have a stand fan in bedroom that I have oiled once every 2 years or so. And the fan is 25 years old and runs non-stop. I like the white noise. It will start squeaking before it will lock up several days in advance. WD-40 is no good because it only frees it up a few days and it won't last like engine oil will. Yes you can give new life to a locked up fan if you can turn the amateur while oiling it, with a pair of pliers if too stiff to turn. keep turning it till it gets free. Then it will be fine for a couple years and need oiling again. Mine has been oiled so many times, that it has gotten extra free and hasn't been oiled in 4 years. Drawback is engine oil will drip some later out of housing so place where safe from staining clothes.
Nice models. I have one of those you featured in my fan collection. Not worth much yet in collectors circles yet. I have a 1940's Electrex 12 inch table model with leaded base ..lime green...hard to find, they're usually blue...worth $400.
The new window fans make a lot of noise and don't have oil holes. They expect you to throw it away and run out and buy a new one so they can make more money. Great find I never see vintage bargains where I live.
the old metal fan blades have always been better. Like everything else of today, everything is throw away. it breaks, buy a new one. It wasn't like that in the old days. People just could not afford to do that back then.
Those are nice fans for free. They built things to last back then. I've never seen a fan with oil holes before. Making a catio was a good reuse for the big one. Just curious how did you know the coils were bad on the big one?
I took the motor apart and the coils have a clear rummer insulator that was cracking like the rest of the wire and was a hazard even thought it would probably still work
@@NewEnglandWildlifeAndMore Oh yeah I saw that later on after I had left the comment. I thought maybe the blades were touching the metal frame around the fan and causing the sparks when you flipped the switch. Sorry it couldn't be fixed. That was a pretty cool looking fan. I love old stuff like this!!
I had to replace the wiring in my grandmother’s tall lamp because the wire fell apart just like your fan wire. The rubber they used long age hardened and cracked over long periods of time. You can buy the new wire and plug for under $10 US. Glad you did not get a bad electric shock. ⚡️ Wire & plug: www.amazon.com/Lamp-Brown-Plastic-Covered-SPT-1/dp/B008UW5AJ6 You can even get the wire with a plug and switch! www.amazon.com/Aneco-Molded-Extension-Switch-Stripped/dp/B07MYVK8TT
Great find. Old fans are way better than new ones.
I have a 1951 Dayton ventilator window fan, the exact same principal as your mechanically reversible fan, my parents got brand new as a gift. Only it has a 3 speed switch on the frame next to the fan grill. You really are supposed to shut the fan off AND wait for the blades to stop completely before switching from intake to exhaust and exhaust to intake. Blades can also hit electrical cord while turning, and could hit window screen if one is in place. Could get ugly if not careful. Thought this might help. Mine still works great after 71 years in our family!
I could fall asleep watching these videos lol Your voice for some reason is crazy relaxing and calming.
Awesome mid century fan units. Most people in the 50s didn't purchase ac units because of the cost. Those fans did just fine and moved quite a bit of air. Actual motors in those.
@Comedy Room yes but it doesn't feel as hot because the air is circulating
I have been using the two smaller ones for months now and they work perfectly. The large window fan was not fixable because the motor coils were cracking and it was a hazard even if I replaced the cord. At least I have footage of it running. It is now repurposed as a mini catio with the insides gone
(Edit) I just realized that when I turned the plug around that never would have worked on ac current only dc
It's a bummer the big one wasn't fixable. The reversing feature was really neat. It might be possible to mount a different blower motor if you ever come across one that might fit.
I bought a window fan @ a yard sale a couple months ago for $2...It works great!
It sucks the coils were destroyed. Too bad because that one was reversible which was a nice feature.
Dude... I've see this guy wash dishes with his bare hand and finish it off with a steel brush.. I've seen him dig a trench to plant seeds with his heel.. I've seen him use his 2 feet as a vice grip to open a decades coke bottle.. And now I've seen him fix up vintage fans with no work bench on the ground outside with a toilet brush... I'm absolutely fascinated with this channel..
Oh, I miss those old metal bladed fans. They looked so cool. My granny had a desk fan with that kind of blades.
I love the old fans. Much better built and work way better. Nice find!
Two years ago , when I installed a new kitchen light fixture , in the junction box when I went to connect the wires the rubber crumbled just like in the video. The wiring inside the metal cable was good. To fix I put heat shrink tubing over the exposed wires and then covered that with a coating of electrical liquid tape. In this situation of course you'll need a whole new wire.Nice video.
I would consider rewiring the other fans as well. Since they are all metal, it might be safer to use power cords with 3 wires so you can connect the chassis itself to ground / earth. Imagine the motor coils failing or a live wire touching the chassis...you might get electrocuted. Just my $0.02...nice video, love seeing this old stuff! :)
This is fun. I wish we were friends.
Great video new England wildlife and more, great job of cleaning and fixing them😀👌
What a great find! Enjoyed this very much, your skills, knowledge and patience impress me. Thanks for sharing
These fans are awesome. My grandmother had several of these.
#1 rule to operating unknown antiques. Use a power strip to turn it on and off and don't touch the wires, same goes for the case. 120v doesn't feel very good, been there. Don't let the Motor leads discourage you. Typically they don't break so ether it's had some hard heat cycles during it's life, or the wire happened to be weak where it was bent. I had that happen with my 1940's grinder motor, was only weak at the wire junction. If there's no short in the winding's it should be fine, I would carefully solder on a new cord with ground.
I had a dual fan window unit like that, but more modern. They had a thermostat that as it cooled off, it would switch to one fan running instead of two. Plus reversible. They were actually pretty nice!
As an electrician I don't think I would trust anything that old that isn't grounded or earthed as we say here in the UK.
New fans are not grounded, at least in the u.s. that are not
@@NewEnglandWildlifeAndMore No they are mostly plastic bodies on fans unless you have a really big one!
John Dufton
I live on the wild side, I use an all metal Thor drill from the 30s without a ground lol
@@randomrando8350 You're on 110 volts so not as risky as 230 volts in UK. Great to have such an old drill still in use. They just don't make things to last anymore.
You are very handy.. when I saw your video of the ginger ale when I saw what you look like you remind me of my nephew...
Great video everything was made better back in the days.
Great Find...BTW that’s my Favorite Glass Cleaner 🌈💚
Aww that's kinda sad about the motor coils bc that fan was cool and had a nice sound, but I'm glad we got to see the last burst of its life RIP
You can fix almost any locked up stand fan or desk fan with an induction motor (brushless). You need to get inside the housing and get some 30w motor oil inside the motor casing. You can put it in by means of a screw hole, the sides of the amateur, or the wherever you can see the inner movement (not plugged in). I have a stand fan in bedroom that I have oiled once every 2 years or so. And the fan is 25 years old and runs non-stop. I like the white noise. It will start squeaking before it will lock up several days in advance. WD-40 is no good because it only frees it up a few days and it won't last like engine oil will. Yes you can give new life to a locked up fan if you can turn the amateur while oiling it, with a pair of pliers if too stiff to turn. keep turning it till it gets free. Then it will be fine for a couple years and need oiling again. Mine has been oiled so many times, that it has gotten extra free and hasn't been oiled in 4 years. Drawback is engine oil will drip some later out of housing so place where safe from staining clothes.
Nice models. I have one of those you featured in my fan collection. Not worth much yet in collectors circles yet. I have a 1940's Electrex 12 inch table model with leaded base ..lime green...hard to find, they're usually blue...worth $400.
Great Find! BTW that’s my Favorite Glass Cleaner 💚
That reversible fan is super cool man 👍 I'm glad you were able to repair it and hopefully get it going 👍 Another really interesting video though 👍
My Grandparents had a breeze King in their kitchen during the summer. Cool.
Those vintage fans were awesome awesome video
Looks fine smells fine
Are they greater fans than us? I guess that one was smokin’, but.... 😂
I have an old house fan from the 50s with those oil holes.
"Euclid 17 Ohio". Before 1963, the post office used a "zone code". "17" is the zone code.
I am a "fan" of this video. 😀😁😂
@@ryderdejong It was just a "punny" joke. Sorry you don't have a sense of humor.
These are fantastic!😊yes I have one of those euclid17 fans it's my home town
Also you can add more pitch the the larger window fan. Just make sure its balanced.
Damn ole sparky is great if your house is fully insured
Wow, very cool fans ... no pun intended !! 😎
I'd like to go see if I can find cool stuff at estate sales too! Maybe you should bring your camera with you sometime to show us all the stuff.
Awesome! Fans are my hobby
When I started watching this video I thought I was watching a video for vintage Windows Computer fans...🤭
The new window fans make a lot of noise and don't have oil holes. They expect you to throw it away and run out and buy a new one so they can make more money. Great find I never see vintage bargains where I live.
Good show man!
I'd definitely like to see you replace the wire. I've always wanted to learn how.
Way better than the cheap ass ones at Wal-Mart edit: well one was and it was the best one
Either the current flows or is doesn’t .You can’t crimp a wire to stop it but you can short it out.
I didn't say that, I said sharp corners heat up
Plugging it in the other way won't reverse the direction, it's AC current, reversing the polarity only works on DC.
Cool video! 💗
the old metal fan blades have always been better. Like everything else of today, everything is throw away. it breaks, buy a new one. It wasn't like that in the old days. People just could not afford to do that back then.
Keep them oiled and they will last. The reason some of them caught fire is because the motors weren't oiled.
On the first one the blades were hitting the chassis when you were turning it, causing the sparks.
Omg I literally have the with two my bedroom in attic and when moved in they had it in crawlspace . Never used it tho
Those are nice fans for free. They built things to last back then. I've never seen a fan with oil holes before. Making a catio was a good reuse for the big one. Just curious how did you know the coils were bad on the big one?
I took the motor apart and the coils have a clear rummer insulator that was cracking like the rest of the wire and was a hazard even thought it would probably still work
@@NewEnglandWildlifeAndMore that's cool that your handy with repairs like that. I guess having a sparking fan would not be the best thing to have.
New fans are cheap junk
I think it's making sparks because your'e not supposed to flip the fan while it's in motion.
When I turned it, the insulation cracked off the wired ans the negative and positive touched
@@NewEnglandWildlifeAndMore Oh yeah I saw that later on after I had left the comment. I thought maybe the blades were touching the metal frame around the fan and causing the sparks when you flipped the switch. Sorry it couldn't be fixed. That was a pretty cool looking fan. I love old stuff like this!!
The new fans are made so cheaply , everything these days are made so cheaply. Even cars made of cheap plastic unlike old cars which are solid.
That switch is fine ita just the old cord that needs to be fixed.
All the old fan's are way better.
First glance I thought it was a vid for fans of vintage windows
Is the big one rewindable
How did they all sit in windows with screens?
They ran an ad for a wood chipper. Befits your channel somehow.
I had to replace the wiring in my grandmother’s tall lamp because the wire fell apart just like your fan wire. The rubber they used long age hardened and cracked over long periods of time. You can buy the new wire and plug for under $10 US. Glad you did not get a bad electric shock. ⚡️
Wire & plug: www.amazon.com/Lamp-Brown-Plastic-Covered-SPT-1/dp/B008UW5AJ6
You can even get the wire with a plug and switch! www.amazon.com/Aneco-Molded-Extension-Switch-Stripped/dp/B07MYVK8TT
Too bad the big one was bad could replace the motor
1:43 *OIL HER*