The electric fan was invented in the 1880s in the sweltering heat of the New Orleans summer.
Over the years the design was adapted and tweaked, with the first recognisably modern electric fans being produced in the 1920s.
They’re popular retro collectors items.
![Casablanca ceiling fans Casablanca ceiling fans](/uploads/1/2/4/8/124870512/904609795.jpg)
Here’s how to identify one.
Hunter Fan Company creates ceiling fans for every look and lifestyle. Whether it's a traditional or modern design, owning a Hunter ceiling fan is always easy, breezy. Look around and you're sure to find the design that will make you a fan for life. Availible at Target and Walmart in small 3oz.spray cans. Brass colored paint for Emerson fan blades. Odds 'n' Ends BRASS #139S is a very close match to the original color Emerson used to paint their fan blades in the 1920's. 3. Assembling and Hanging the Fan Note: Your Hunter fan comes with an optional downrod extension Note: Your Hunter fan comes with an optional downrod extension pipe. If you are hanging the fan on a ceiling higher than 10 feet tall pipe. 42790-01. 20080925. Hunter Fan Company To install a ceiling fan, be sure you can do the following:. Locate the ceiling joist or other suitable support in ceiling. Drill holes for and install wood screws. Identify and connect electrical wires. Lift 40 pounds. If you need help installing the fan, your Hunter fan.
Brand and model
Most electric fans will have a brand name displayed prominently in the centre of the cage.
This will immediately offer a clue as to its value, as certain “prestige” names are highly sought after.
Examples include Veritys, which regularly sell for several thousand dollars.
The model's issue number will tell you exactly when it was made and give you an idea of its value.
You can check it on eBay or try the Antique Fan Collectors Association (AFCA) forums.
Size and shape
Up until the 1910s, most fans were large and unwieldy things designed for use in office spaces.
After 1910 the technology had advanced to the stage where fans were small and cheap enough to go in the home.
Materials
Prior to the first world war brass was the dominant material used in making cages.
However, manufacturers were forced to switch to steel as global reserves were co-opted for the war effort.
After the war most never switched back.
Colour
Initially fans were mainly produced in a stark black, with the notable exception of General Electric – which used green.
As fans became more widely available, designers began experimenting with different colours. So colour is a good indicator that your fan was produced from the 1930s onwards.
Keep an eye out for…
The Emerson Silver Swan: This 1930s design classic sells around the $300 mark in good condition.
Veritys Junior Orbit: If you have one of these in good condition, you’re looking at around $2,500.
General Electric: General Electric fans sell for anything from $60 to $1,000.
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Past Articles (Members Only)
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Archive of Original Fan Directions
Restoration Resources
The following information is intended for AFCA members in order to help with the fan restoration process. The authors and the AFCA assume no liability as to the reliability of these suppliers. Check out these suppliers at your own risk. |
Paul Graves (870) 754-7768 www.timespastfans.com email [email protected] Reproduction brass guards, blades, bearings, vane oscillator parts, gears, etc. Complete restoration services. Restored Fans For Sale. Contact Us Today.Fan Man USA 1907 Abrams Rd., Dallas, TX 75214 214-826-7700 http://www.fanmanusa.com/ Fans, parts, repair, restoration. 324 Cannon Street Dave Hoatson (410) 778-0313 Sales, service and restoration Facebook YouTube | Bert Boudreaux 1801 David Drive #5 Jeanerette, La. 70544 337-367-1965 [email protected] 10983 Bennett Pkwy Zionsville, IN 46077 www.eddiefrankdesigns.com |
Chad Baker www.antiquefanparts.com Your source for original fan parts. Paul Graves (870) 754-7768 www.timespastfans.com email [email protected] Reproduction brass guards, blades, bearings, vane oscillator parts, gears, etc. Complete restoration services. Restored Fans For Sale. Contact Us Today. Eurton Electric www.eurtonelectric.com 9920 Painter Avenue Santa Fe Springs, CA 90670 (800) 423-4789 (562) 946-447 Parts available including carbon brushes of various sizes White Armature www.whitearmature.com W4457 US-63 Springbrook, WI 54875 (715) 635-3760 | Darryl Hudson 68 Bluegrass Drive, Aiken, SC 29803 (803) 649-6641 http://www.hudsonscustommachining.com Many high quality reproduction parts supplies: grommets, feet, brush caps, gears, plugs and various hardware. Also custom machining and some restoration services. See Web page or email for complete list. Rich Raclawski (Cresent Industries) 8340 S Golden Fields Dr, Oak Creek, WI 53154 (414) 570-9908 rcrescent.com Vornado switches, knobs, and more Ted Kaczor Fan Parts |
1457 9th Ave NE 828.302.7787 Your only resource for quality cloth covered wire. Our wire was designed by fan collectors for fan collectors. This product has been supplying the top fan restorers/repairmen since 1986. Sundial Wire, LLC PO Box 803 Northampton, MA 01061 413)-582-6909 / fax (413)-582-6908 http://www.sundialwire.com [email protected] New cloth-covered wire, custom-manufactured to replicate vintage electrical wire. Many colors, styles, and gauges. Plugs also. All available with photos on the website. |
Paint and Refinishing
Antique Electrical Supply (480) 820-5411 Brass and nickle plating kits which work well for small parts, screws, etc. Buff Polish & Grind Industrial Supply Buffs and polishing compounds. Joe Merrit is a great guy and will give lots of advice to his customers. (940) 455-2269 http://www.buffpolishgrind.com/ Cherry Tree Woodcraft (800) 848-4363 Felt for fan bases and Sheets or dots. Duro Felt contact: A. Sahita [email protected] Genuine wool felt for fan bases and felt wicking material. www.durofelt.com | G.J. Nikolas Co 2800 Washington, Bellwood, Il 60104 (800) 346-4741 High quality clear lacquer suitable for coating brass and other polished metals. Sold through distributors around the world, call for one near you. Available from McMaster-Carr Supply Co (see below) Part Number 76885T62, the price is $9/can. Plasti-Kote Company, Inc Availible at Target and Walmart in small 3oz.spray cans. Brass colored paint for Emerson fan blades. Odds 'n' Ends BRASS #139S is a very close match to the original color Emerson used to paint their fan blades in the 1920's. PPG Products (Look in your local Yellow Pages under auto body supplies) Paint, Primer, Filler, Rust Removers, etc. If you want professional results, use professional products. They have some excellent application notes describing their finishing products/process. Eastwood Company 580 Lancaster Ave., Box 296 Malvern, PA 19355-0296 (800) 345-1178 www.eastwoodco.com Many high-quality automotive refinishing products including body fillers, primers, paints, pin stripping supplies, small parts plating kits, etc. |
Motor Repair and Maintenance
Antique Electrical Supply (602) 820-5411 Nichrome and magnet wire for switch and winding repairs. Some cloth wrapped wire | EIS Holden Supply (800)-328-4662 Miscellaneous motor parts: brushes, brush caps, fiber washers, bearings, etc. They sell packs of 100 fiber washers in any size, they also have almost any size carbon brush, min. order is $75 |
Brass and Other Metals
Automatic Tubing Corp. 888 Lorimer Street, Brooklyn, N.Y. 11222 (800) 527-3091 Brass tubing. Shapiro Supply Co. 5617 Natural Bridge Ave.,St. Louis, MO 63120 (800) 833-1259 www.shapirosupply.com Aluminum, stainless, 4130 steel, brass, and steel carried in stock for immediate delivery. | Special Shapes Co. P.O. Box 7487, Romeoville, IL 60446 (800) 51-SHAPE www.specialshapes.com Brass stock, hardware and tools. Mention you are an A.F.C.A. member and get a 10% discount! |
Misc. Tools and Hardware
Brownells Montezuma, Iowa www.brownells.com Tools and supplies for gunsmithing. Many applicable to fans. Eastwood Company 580 Lancaster Ave., Box 296, Malvern, PA 19355-0296 (800) 345-1178 www.eastwoodco.com Many specialty automotive and metal fabrication tools. Many applicable to fans. On-line ordering McMaster-Carr Supply Company www.mcmaster.com National industrial supply company. They stock almost anything you can imagine. Nikolas lacquer, fiber motor washers, electrical supplies, etc. Nice on-line ordering system | MSC Industrial 410 Commack Road, Deer Park, NY 11729 516-812-2000 www.MSCdirect.com If you need an odd size tap, die, reamer or drill bit, they will have it Small Parts, Inc. P.O. Box 4650, 13980 NW58th Court, Miami Lakes, FL 33014-0650 (800) 220-4242 www.smallparts.com Lots of tools, hardware and materials for model making, engineering and restorations. W.W. Grainger Industrial Supply (800) 220-4242 www.grainger.com Motor Supplies, Sells now to public and online. National industrial supply company with warehouses in most major cities. They have epoxy electrical insulating spray paint which is excellent for stators. |
Motor Rewinding
New England Armature 24 Pleasant Dr., Danville, N.H. 03819 (603) 382-5272 | Eurton Electric 9920 Painter Avenue Santa Fe Springs, CA 90670 (800) 423-4789 (562) 946-4477 The Moir Company Rt. 117 Box 9000, Denmark, ME 04022-0999 (207) 452-2000 |
Metal Plating
Bliss Repair Portland, OR (503) 234-2286 Brass and nickel plating. | Speed and Sport Chrome Plating 404 Broadway, Houston, TX 77012 Craig Bierman Chrome, nickel and gold plating |
Metal Casting and Part Duplication
Leerock Foundry 621 S. Mountain Rd, Ontario, CA 91762 (909) 984-4628 Aluminum, bronze and brass, no cast iron. Silverton Foundry Box 293, 600 Pine St., Silverton, OR 97381 (503) 873-6826 Cast iron. | 18th Century Hardware Co. 131 E. 3rd St., Derry, PA 15627 (412) 694-2708 Brass and aluminum casting and finishing, part duplication. |
Polish and Clear Coating
Brassworks Cleveland Ave., Winchester, KY 40391 (606) 744-8124 Corbin & Son 2845 S.W. Blvd., Kansas City, MO. 64108 (816) 931-8811 | Courtest Polishing, Glen Taylor 735 N. Addison Rd., Villa, IL 60118 (708) 832-1862 |
Old Hunter Fan Model Identification Guide
Gear Making
Bob Backer 4820 Church Pl. Cincinnati, OH 45208 (513) 321-1923 |
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