Vintage GE 75423 Electric Fan
A work in progress… This is my latest project. I received this fan in poor condition; it had not been maintained in decades, the paint was ruined (and covered in silver spray paint), the wire blade guard was slightly twisted (fixed as of now), the wiring was a mess (but it did run). Despite this, it was 100% complete. The original maintenance and spec label is still affixed to the bottom plate. This particular fan is a 75423 AOU model, form V5, manufactured in 1918 or 1919. This version has the wire-wrapped (vs. welded) blade guard, cast-iron base (later models used stamped steel), brass blades (post-WWI/pre-1930′s models had these), and NO SERIAL NUMBER!!! they never bothered to stamp a number in the “serial number” field. All original rubber feet are intact, as is the original plug (with new reproduction wire). At this stage of the project, I had completed most of the paint and wiring, and had begun reassembly. Enjoy!
Old Armoires – Chests – Trunks
Tagged with: 1918 • 1919 • 75423 • antique • aou • Brass • DANGEROUS • Electric • fan • ge • general • old • puppies • Restoration • restore • vintage • WWI
Filed under: Choice Storage Options
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nice fan
Very nice! It’ll look good when it’s done.
Great old fan – - – love the color too! Always liked these GE fans that have the handle that encircles the motor – - makes it much easier to carry them from place to place than just having to pick them up by the cage ( especially since they’re quite weighty as you know ). Chuckled at your saying the fan was “the most dangerous appliance in your house” – - probably true. Look forward to seeing the finished product.
Great Job so far especially on the paint job. What type of paint did you use and what prep did you do to the fan body before it was applied? Seems to run really smooth though!
I have a theory that this fan will be running as long as 120VAC is being generated in some form. Seriously… if the motor burns out, it can be rewound; if the bushings wear out, they can be re-created with basic machine tools. This fan will outlive all humans alive today, and their great-great-great grandchildren. Kinda creepy if you think about it…
Beautiful fan..what I love about the bigger motored GE’s is that intriguing sweet whine others don’t have
electrocuted or sliced to death, which would you prefer? Just kidding; it’s a fascinating piece of work, I remember we had a 1950s GEC fan with rubber blades; when it broke down, my dad converted the body into a bedside lamp!!!
I would plug those old fans in to a ground fault interrutor outlet
I would agree, but I rewire all my old fans, and install properly rated fuses into the bases as an added precaution.
do you ever put 3 prong (grounding)plugs on youtr fans or do you use old fasion bakelite?
I try to keep them as original as possible, and so far, all my fans still have their original (or proper for the time period) bakelite (and in one case, rubber) plugs. Installing a grounded plug detracts from the historical value of the fan (or appliance), in my opinion. Sure, grounding them makes them safer by reducing the electrical shock hazard, but so doesn’t a proper wiring job. If you have children, or are worried about this, by all means; ground ‘em!
I found one on craigslist its a H34952 Cat75423 60c 110v spec 272156, does that tell you anything about metal/age?
i am currently working on my first fan, what can i use to clean out the gunky greasy bearings and what oil should i put in it?
Most people would use a parts cleaner (with automotive parts cleaning solvent), or soak the parts in WD40 (or even Kerosene is effective). I cleaned my motor housing parts by dropping them into a pot of boiling water. Be sure to follow environmentally friendly work practices when using solvent. For grease, I would recommend bicycle grease.
lovely repair job ! and the paint work is lovely !
I have this exact same fan, also needing tons of work.. I got the shaft unfrozen and the rest of it working and POOF!!! The coil is gone with much a do and fanfare * sighs * any suggestions on replacements? I simply REFUSE to part with it.. even if the old ” Finger Chopper Special ” hehehe just remains as a wall ornament.
I have this exact same fan, also needing tons of work.. I got the shaft unfrozen and the rest of it working and POOF!!! The coil is gone with much a do and fanfare * sighs * any suggestions on replacements? I simply REFUSE to part with it.. even if the old ” Finger Chopper Special ” hehehe just remains as a wall ornament.
wow 2:58 was that a little spark i saw? i would be careful if i was you! but wow its amazing how they made those older fans.its cool to see such old stuff.
I have a 75423. Parted it. Painted. Everything is good to go. Except the headwire. I can’t find any references on how to replace it. Any ideas? Any references?
Thanks.