The Grossest Thing I Have Ever Repaired - 1940's Desk Fan Restoration

Restoring and preserving an old 40's Elcon table top fan.
Had some urgent things to attend to this week so while the video is a repair video, its on something a bit different. But still I hope you enjoy it!
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[@HughJeffreys]

If you would like to see restorations or repairs on things like this more often, be sure to let that KZbin algorithm know with a like. The algorithm is often not a fan of variety in content.

[@benjaminl.]

we need more of these

[@samuzamu]

Lol, fan

[@imNotDaniX]

I see what you did there

[@Mine_Craft_Player_2928]

Do a Nintendo entertainment system

[@Q.7]

The capacitor didn't need replacing?

[@walpoleandworcester]

I enjoy it when you surprise us with repairing other stuff like this!

[@williambarr7408]

100% 👍

[@jerryesposito]

Bro grabbed that fan from fallout 4 💀

[@rage_bot_mc]

400 like

[@theeduummpp]

you should do more repairs on old, non smartphone stuff, it's very interesting and informative in a way.

[@terrydavis2552]

You can heat the fan coupler with a torch and then spraying it and the shaft with WD40. The expansion of the coupler tends to crack and release the rust and the oil just makes things slide out easier. Note that you may have to do this more than once, but its does work. Cool project though.

[@sushimshah2896]

WD40 can do anything at this point!

[@andyruse4670]

@@sushimshah2896cooling with WD40 after you use a can of mapp gas to heat up a part does wonders for breaking rust bonds.

[@davidhamm5626]

That may not work, if there is a rubber bushing, in the hub.

[@samuzamu]

Really jealous of that one. Love the art-deco design and solid construction. That fan could probably last another 100 years

[@veronicabermudez4802]

77 years*

[@meetv7700]

I loved that you used cable from an old washing machine saving it from going in scrap, and you kept this repair as easy and straight forward as possible.

[@LexYeen]

This! It's always better to reuse that which can be reused before buying new.

[@umbrellacorp.]

That's the nice thing about old tech, it doesn't care what year it is, it's built to work.

[@itssharkeyboi]

I love your phone restorations, but I love you repairing vintage things even more! Especially that fan!

[@WyvernDotRed]

Good that you took the time to properly grease it, even new fans need this to last. If I'd own a fan like this, I'd just use it as intended and maintain it in this way as it'll work just as well as any new fan. These repairs of other devices certainly is something I am interested in, it's nice to see well-built devices continue to last.

[@malice6081]

I love old fans. They just always work. And cleaning them every year keeps stuff from seizing together.

[@DecayingReverie]

I love restorations of pretty much anything so if restoration in general is a passion of yours, I'm all for more videos like this.

[@bryans8656]

That was an enjoyable change of pace, and I wouldn't mind seeing more videos like this.

[@TheSpotify95]

Really nice interesting repair! I'm all for saving old stuff and restoring it back into a functional state again, even though a lot of people would think this is too far gone and chuck it out. And yes, on an item of this era, I too would go for the functional, but not 100%, finish, keeping the item's character and history. Remember, this isn't a brand new item, it's something from many, many years ago - long before I was born, and even long before my parents were born.

[@scottrobertson6663]

A lot of times the old stuff has more character than the new, and certainly more durable

[@industrialcream]

I've always loved these fans, & it's great to know how easy they actually are to repair!

[@joeblow5037]

Hugh later finds out that the cord was serialized and key'd to the device. 🤬

[@SombreroKnight]

Great restoration! I own my dads old 1950s GE desk fan thats seen some better days but still works! With the original cable.

[@cdos9186]

I'm all for the content like this every once and a while! I recently restored a I guess not too old Whirlpool microwave from the 90s, it was in immaculate shape but didn't work and was almost thrown out, love fixing stuff that is near being thrown out or gone, it gives me a sense of I actually saved something useful and still usable from the landfill. I love the older styling on some appliances, it is so nostalgic and calming with the boxy styling appliances used to have with the woodgrain and all, so cool! I'm honestly super happy to see more people caring for the antique and vintage stuff and restoring it, makes me happy to see others do the same no matter what item it is.

[@stephensnell5707]

You would have been better by throwing it away

[@cdos9186]

@@stephensnell5707 Ok, take your boring modern style and pay for overpriced junk that won't last as long as the one I have. Might as well buy your EV car as well that will have the battery go out in 10-15 years and it will be worth as much as scrap metal. I appreciate your input I certainly will be replacing all my appliances with new ones now.

[@M1U5T0N3]

Great addition to Your usual Videos Hugh! Awesome work, really nice to watch...

[@bulldogboy100]

I really liked the fact you kept the background music really quiet so you could hear the brush on the metal blades when you were cleaning them. A small thing but one that made the video more immersive

[@MayaPosch]

Those old AC motors are pretty much indestructible as long as the bearings are kept greased and corrosion kept at bay. It'd be interesting to do a direct comparison in terms of airflow and power efficiency between this old fan and a new one. Might be that the blade design has more effect than anything else. Great to see another classic saved from the scrap pile at any rate :)

[@stephensnell5707]

Well thechuge gaps in the guards males it way more harmful to human fingers unlike modern electric fans which are way safer and 600 times more durable too

[@planetphatness]

​@@stephensnell5707kids back then knew not to stick fingers in moving parts and machines. People got more dumb for some reason.

[@SoupyMittens]

@@planetphatness probably because all the focus on safety has messed up natural selection

[@nbrowser]

Patina makes an old fan like this authentic, I hate those restoration channels that go to the end to make things look perfect. Old things don't need to look perfect, they need to look old and vintage....adds to the charm. Nicely done resto Hugh, just classy.

[@Sebby_CHN]

I think you done the right keeping it as original as possible! Looks amazing.

[@sarapiqui_educational]

A 80 year old fan still working! Now days you buy any fan at any store and they stop working few months later. Thanks for sharing this content.

[@Boogie_the_cat]

I enjoyed this one. I hope that your view count makes it financially sensible for you to do more of these type videos. I made sure to click "like".

[@HughJeffreys]

I appreciate that! I hope i could do more similar videos to this.

[@agusorellana5551]

5:59 “the only sockets are in real measurements. None of that imperial garbage” Love it!

[@aaronaustrie]

It's cool that you made an attempt to restore something other than everyday tech 👌🏾❤

[@burntalive]

So satisfying to see old things start working again. They really dont make things like they used to!

[@stephensnell5707]

You prune modern Fans are 3,000 even better and even more reliable and the modern Fans are way more durable(especially as the Power Cable is made way better as it isn't made of rubber) Rubber power cables are just bad

[@BeIlG]

That is gorgeous! I love the industrial look. I have a similar era mirror found in the backyard and it looks gorgeous in a modern bathroom!

[@konk407]

Hi Hugh, I had the same exact same fan that you had. I was ten years old 50 years ago I tried to open it, I used a hammer to open it. the cord was rope cable instead of the plastic cord. It was good to see the fan again.

[@libertyordeaf]

Always good when a KZbinr does things for his fans.

[@bladder1010]

Those bushings on the motor shaft are often sintered bronze which is porous and the bushings should be soaked in 30 weight oil to "recharge" them. This can be speeded up by heating the oil slightly (not boiling!) or using a vacuum chamber. It helps to wash out the bushings first with solvent to get rid of the old dirt-loaded oil. Simply applying grease to the outside of the bushings won't last.

[@Ragnar8504]

Exactly, they were also known as Oilite bearings. The general rule of thumb is things that move slowly take grease while things that spin fast need oil.

[@greencheeksconure]

Thats why those fans have oiling holes in the top. I'm surprised hugh didn't pick up on that, you definitely don't grease those bearings

[@BAFVintage]

Grease should not be used as the bronze bearings are porous. Oil must be used

[@halvtysk]

I'm happy that you didn't "ultra-restore" it like many other youtubers. I've watched too many restoration videos where they "pimp it" way past its original looks. Thanks for keeping it in its original state!

[@stephensnell5707]

Even so,it is still VERY DANGEROUS and unsafe as its blades are totally exposed,modern Fans are 90,000 times safer as the blades are safely contained behind 2 Fan Guards

[@AtomSquirrel]

It’s good you let it run. Old things need to bring themselves back around. I recently bought an old fan. Took 2 hours to get it to oscillate. Just needed some patience

[@AllLoudNation365]

I love your restorations! It's way better than the fake restoration videos.

[@stephensnell5707]

You prune,there is no such thing as fake restoration Videos,all restoration Videos on KZbin are all 100% REAL

[@AllLoudNation365]

u fr bro?

[@TJThomas116]

Loved this restoration! Would love to see more older equipment. May the algorithm gods bless you

[@Wh33lsofFortune]

What an awesome fan! I love older art deco style pieces like this. Also, the names of the companies are always cool. Great video!

[@maanx01]

Interesting! I'd personally love to see more stuff like this. I think it keeps the channel fresh. Content variety is always appreciated. Good job and greets from Spain!

[@jasonnadeau1330]

Awesome! I love it when people try to preserve the character instead of get rid of it. By the way, the type of paint that is on that fan is called hammerite. You can still buy it today in various colors.

[@aleksandersats9577]

I actually got a 1960s Russian desk fan that I got from my grandpa. It's in amazing condition! The blades are made of rubber which are still very soft and bendable and there is no rust anywhere. If I'm being honest it looks brand new! The only thing I've done to it is replaced the cable and given it new grease. Unfortunately the osculating gears are made of nylon and they have been bent so that function no longer works. I did try to model new gears and 3D print them but they didn't last long for obvious reasons. I might be able to order custom nylon or metal gears as I still have the 3D model files. But other than that, I use it daily and I absolutely love it! You will never find something as high quality as this ever again. It weighs around like 6 - 8kg as the whole thing is made out of thick metal

[@OldSlabSides]

If you have a decent 3D printer that accepts many materials there is some pretty exotic reinforced 3D printer material for some extra money. Seems to be better material coming out every year for different purposes like heat resistance or rubber like for bushings.

[@aleksandersats9577]

@@OldSlabSides well I wouldn't use a 3D gear anyway for the oscillating mechanism. The gears need to be very smooth otherwise the osculation is choppy due to the worm gear. Making a fine print worm gear that smooth is near impossible at least on my 3D printer. Besides it's broken at this moment anyway. It needs a new motherboard as it's kinda corrupted and gives overheating errors despite sensors showing the correct temperature which is weird but annoying

[@narutobroken]

Should have used a blow torch on it, heat always helps get seized parts off

[@HughJeffreys]

I dont have access to one unfortunately.

[@andoletube]

@@HughJeffreys You can buy cheap little butane blowtorches at Bunnings for not very much. Very handy for odd jobs.

[@S0nicHax]

@@HughJeffreys i think even a jet flame lighter or worst case just a kitchen lighter would have provided sufficient heat to expand the cast piece just enough to make it break free.

[@uconsaa]

This one was the most "Huge Air Freeze Video" ever. 💪🏼🤙

[@DBVintage]

I use older fans in my house. They work great after getting some fresh wiring, servicing of the mechanisms, etc. A lot of the really good ones are quiet and smooth runners.

[@jayringo77]

The occasional variety is welcome and appreciate the lesson in proper grounding!

[@5gk3ll3]

The best part of this video are the socks and sandals. 10/10 would sport this style too.

[@MilesProwerTailsFox]

This is what I work with every day, I am an emergency extreme repair technician I fix whatever people don't want to fix till it just stops working and no one else wants to even try

[@MarcelSchr]

I think it's awesome that you now repair/restore other things besides cell phones, and I find the videos very entertaining. I hope there will be even more in the future:)

[@DomainRider]

I find videos like this quite inspirational - partly because it's a worthwhile restoration, and partly because I hate to see functional items scrapped :-)

[@stephensnell5707]

Well anything HAS TO EVENTUALLY BE THROWN AWAY

[@Bilbo56]

I’m impressed with what you doing. You’re only young but look at what you can do. I wish all the people were inspired and do what you do. I’m rich to blind but I can see everything on the screen so I’m enjoying your videos. I like the third and videos, especially on the phones.

[@HG80369]

Great video Hugh. I've got one of those too. Westinghouse branded, from early '60s. Works great! One thing you should change is the capacitor. It would be open circuit by now, & it's function gives the motor better starting and run torque. You can us a mains rated motor start capacitor of suitable value to replace it. Cheers, Adam.

[@x-x]

I'd love to see more!

[@shuggiemcg1]

Great video more like this please and also you made it so hard to clean by not taking it apart, the motor needs a proper service or it will remain a fire hazard

[@zerocks88]

awesome to see you branching out to more things to restore

[@CS_Uravity_PRO]

i still have one of these in pristine condition on my desk at work. In teal green tho, but it's really nice to see more of these in the wild!

[@setaindustries]

I would love to see more of these old appliances being repaired, this was fun to watch!

[@ChrisSmith-mh6vk]

This week no i-Fixit, but rather a can of spray paint from Bunnings and an old electrical cord from a dead washing machine. Well done Hugh - love your work.

[@tommytron2000]

I like the imperial measurement jab there mate.

[@HughJeffreys]

Us Aussies are also cracking jokes about it.

[@pf-scottied0g969]

I would check whether the capacitor is still good as well. Its surprising how many still test good after all these years, but many have gone bad with age. The fan still works however, so......

[@LSnium]

You know time’s getting rough when Hugh Jeffreys has to repair and clean a 1940s fan.

[@highgardentwo6977]

Really love it when the funny phone man hits us with a random tec video

[@maurvir3197]

I'm glad you kept as much original paint and hardware as possible. The charm of these finger killers was their art deco design, and the mottled paint is part of what gives it that look. Your finished piece looks excellent. I would suggest you try to release the shaft so that you can get the blades off. That will make restoring them a lot easier. Also, there are some metallic spray paints (at least in the US) that can recreate that hammered metal look. I've used some on outdoor furniture, and the results are pretty good. WIth that fan, it would definitely look better than the flat gray you used. All in all, a nice restoration! WIth new wiring, that old timer should last another 80 years easy.

[@stephensnell5707]

Hugh would have been better throwing it out as this Video shows how dangerous the Fan looks especially with the exposed blades

[@johnruschmeyer5769]

The design of that motor casing reminds me so much of a Westinghouse fan that we had when I was growing up.

[@VSteam81]

This is much different. I like it! Please keep doing things like this!

[@marshadow205]

Respect the effort bro...Respect all the way from jamaica

[@nomore-constipation]

My father had a great fan from the 40-50s too. I cannot tell you how many times he "repaired" it because of nagging issues as years went by By the time the 2010's rolled around he was trying to get it back into working order by had zero patience with it because certain pieces did rust or pit on his too. It was sanded and painted multiple times and the last time it was done he got lazy and just did it in all black. Which wasn't a good idea at night considering the size of the openings in the front He did have the gear for putting it on the wall, whoch definitely was nice at the dinner table, but as I said, as time went on it definitely was getting very old to carry a fully metal fan just to cool off. It brought back a lot of memories, including those that explain why it was beat because me and my siblings would shoot things at it (because it was a great metal sound as it was hit 😂)

[@epiclikealess]

It actually turned out pretty nice, good job!

[@phillipleeds296]

The same fan in my father’s office in his theatre in the 1950s and 60s. We had some at home, too.

[@wobber999]

Nice change to the phone repairs Hugh, I do watch quite a few restoration videos and you have done a really great job keeping the fans long history.

[@indetailcarcaresolutions3770]

Good restoration Hugh. Art Deco was from early 1920s to mid 1930s. It overlapped with Bauhaus which started about 1925. Lloyd

[@AdalNarvaez]

¡De lujo! Muy buen video como siempre, tienes que seguir haciendo este tipo de videos de restauración. Y pelear por el "Right to repair" Cheers!

[@TeslaTales59]

I vote yes! I try to fix most anything. It's good you are branching out.

[@CherryBomb-143]

This is comforting for some reason

[@MirceaD28]

Fallout 4 vibes. Thank you Hugh.

[@Aphelia.]

Loving the variety of restorations

[@felvelasquezm]

Im glad you opened your work and talent to other artifacts! What about and old, tube TV? Cheers from chile 🇨🇱

[@JB-Was-Here]

Do more of these, please and thank you! 👍

[@nancyoffenhiser4916]

I absolutely love it!!! What a wonderful job!

[@giedrius6726]

So this is it a brand new good looking table fan great video hugh

[@SOURADEEPBISWAS]

Wow. A fan restoration video on a smartphone restoration channel. Really loved ur video. PS:- PLEASE REPLACE THE CAPACITOR OF YOUR FAN. ITS PARTIALLY DEAD THATS WHY THE FAN IS SPINNING SLOWLY

[@Connectitthefancollector]

This is a lovely restoration. And that is one beautiful quality made fan. Glad to see someone getting it up into brilliant condition

[@stephensnell5707]

It is awful looking,Hugh should have disposed of it altogether

[@Connectitthefancollector]

@@stephensnell5707 still better than what china makes today

[@pufah2009]

For a Fan collector like me This is Awsome! i Never seen Huge Jeffreys work on a fan before Nice work man!

[@b_altmann]

A nice fan! The paint is typical for old machines. It’s just called hammered finish, as it is similar to the look of hammered silver or copper. Hammerite makes it for example

[@dmdaithim]

A bit of heating of the seized area would have got the fan blades of the shaft I reckon.

[@joshxkerrigan]

So cool to see an appliance like this in your set!! I expected the ifixit kit to make an appearance in this 😂

[@Rich_1]

Finally a real restoration video not a full on resto-mod

[@taiwanluthiers]

If you use a bearing puller you can push the blade out of the motor.

[@kirilnikolovski81]

Now this is new. Love the old stuff, really has class and soul. Well done Hugh..... Oh and watch you electricity bill go sky high with this bad boy.

[@KofolaDealer]

There is no reason why it would consume more power than a new fan

[@kirilnikolovski81]

@@KofolaDealer inefficiency of the fan motor itself as well as the friction of old bearings or rotating parts.

[@KofolaDealer]

@@kirilnikolovski81 The difference is negligible

[@Synest2]

Hey man, thanks for the shout-out at the beginning of the video!

[@TheUltimateRecycler]

Excellent Hugh, great to see you tackle some vintage stuff as well as modern tech. The blade assembly probably would have freed up with some heat - and also you didn't need grease on the outside of the bronze bushes, but great effort all the same! 👍😊

[@Martinchox]

i personally like the brand-new looks. i think whom ever made it, would like it to look spotless.

[@FatherMcKenzie66]

This desk fan is like those you see on those movies with ronald reagan, I really like it

[@Brealiq]

Very cool project and awesome to see it working after all that time. But please use cable lugs to connect the wires to the bolts! It's much more safe to install and use.

[@milk-dog]

Yeah stuff like sandblasting and repainting does remove a lot of character. But its also really satisfying to watch. And it still usually has a lot of character from being an item of super old design.

[@kylepersaud9525]

I'm surprised your restoring something luke this as a fan collector I must say you didn't do a bad job at all. I feel that something like this isn't from the 40s most likely 50s and I hope uk your not suppose to use grease in these things... your suppose to use SAE 20 lubricant and to answer the question of why you should not use grease is because it will turn into a hard sticky substance lock up the motor and burn out

[@lihtan]

My experience has been that motorized appliances like this often get chucked out because the motor appears seized. I would plug them in, and the motor would just buzz, but not spin. Taking it apart, I find that instead of a ball bearing motor, it just has a bronze bushing which has gone dry. A few drops of oil was all that was needed to restore operation. On some items like older power tools, and sewing machines, the case would have have tiny oil holes with a felt pad underneath that leads to the motor bushings. People often forget that these need occasional lubrication, and then toss it out because the motor stopped working.

[@ptp79]

i love it. Make more videos like this man Jef

[@Abadeez]

liquid wrench and heat. Bolt buster will do wonders, although that is a pretty expensive tool but boy is it amazing.

[@1993MAZDAMIATA]

I know this probably goes without saying but if there are every any kids running around your house for whatever reason please make sure to unplug and place the fan up high due to the lack of a grate

[@ashok_chandra]

Love your videos Hugh, i must say i am a FAN

[@MCGamer-tj9nr]

Love this 🔥🙏🏼I’m a huge fan of these restoration videos

[@mdevries8495]

Very nice, aesthetically these fans look amazing. I was wondering though, is there a reason why you didn't replace the capacitor? It would've probably been toast and it's a non-visible component.

[@Pisburger]

I'm a big fan of this video