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Brad Miles
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| Joined: | Thu Oct 15th, 2009 |
| Location: | Wheaton, Missouri USA |
| Posts: | 9 |
| Favorite Fan: | Mathes Cooler |
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Posted: Thu Oct 15th, 2009 05:36 pm |
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I am a new member and I am wondering about the Mathes Cooler I recently acquired. It looks similar to the one posted by Dale Keever except the finish is peeling off from age. It was well kept and runs like it is brand new. The tag on the switch is intact and looks new as well.
Picture originally posted by Dale Keever.
My questions:
Should I restore the fan (sand it down and re varnish it), or leave it alone?
What is the fan worth? Is it worth more original and peeling, or re finished?
How should I store it?
I am remodeling a storefront back to it's original art deco design and this fan seems to fit the bill, though it was built in the wrong era. Would daily use be a big no-no?
Thank you in advance,
Brad
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Brad Miles
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| Joined: | Thu Oct 15th, 2009 |
| Location: | Wheaton, Missouri USA |
| Posts: | 9 |
| Favorite Fan: | Mathes Cooler |
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Posted: Thu Oct 15th, 2009 05:38 pm |
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I apologize. I went to preview the message and was not allowed to do anything other than post:(.
I will get pictures up of the box fan and post them as soon as possible.
Brad
Last edited on Thu Oct 15th, 2009 05:38 pm by Brad Miles
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Duane Burright
AFCA Member
| Joined: | Tue Nov 15th, 2005 |
| Location: | Malibu, California USA |
| Posts: | 1845 |
| Favorite Fan: | Signal Model # 1249 Cool Spot from 1954 |
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Posted: Thu Oct 15th, 2009 07:57 pm |
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Brad Miles wrote: My questions:
Should I restore the fan (sand it down and re varnish it), or leave it alone?
What is the fan worth? Is it worth more original and peeling, or re finished?
How should I store it?
I am remodeling a storefront back to it's original art deco design and this fan seems to fit the bill, though it was built in the wrong era. Would daily use be a big no-no?
Thank you in advance,
Brad
I'll answer in the order asked -
That's up to you. If you feel it needs refinishing, go for it!
Dunno.
You can store it in a closet or something, just avoid damp places.
As long as the wiring is in good shape, the motor is properly oiled and functioning good (no hot smells or excessive current draw) the fan will be fine in daily use.
Now some questions for you -
Is the wiring in good order with no cracks or dry-rot? Also, after the fan has run are there any warm spots on the wiring? The wiring should stay at room temp.
Does the fan take a good while to coast down when you shut it off? The blade should coast for at least a minute, if it stops right away (say in 3 to 5 seconds) the motor has a bind or isn't lubricated.
Does the motor run hot and use excessive current? This could relate to the question above on binding / oil. The motor should use right at what the tag states.
HTH.
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Brad Miles
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| Location: | Wheaton, Missouri USA |
| Posts: | 9 |
| Favorite Fan: | Mathes Cooler |
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Posted: Thu Oct 15th, 2009 08:24 pm |
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Is the wiring in good order with no cracks or dry-rot? Also, after the fan has run are there any warm spots on the wiring? The wiring should stay at room temp. The wiring is in excellent shape with no cracks, or dry rot. Actually one of the first things I checked was the temp of the plug while in use( I didn't want a house fire). It stays "cool" to the touch, and there is no noticeable change in temperature at the plug. At first I thought the plug and wiring had been changed it was in such good shape, but it matches the pictures I have found online.
Does the fan take a good while to coast down when you shut it off? The blade should coast for at least a minute, if it stops right away (say in 3 to 5 seconds) the motor has a bind or isn't lubricated.
I hadn't paid attention, but I will check it when I get home tonight.
Does the motor run hot and use excessive current? This could relate to the question above on binding / oil. The motor should use right at what the tag states. I will check that as well when I get home. I didn't get too in depth with the fan after I tested it main function  . It blew, made no weird noises ( almost no noise at all, pretty quiet, and quieter than our newish plastic cased one). All speeds worked, and there was no smoke <<---- Very important to me.
My main concern is the finish. I will want to make it look nicer before it goes on display at the shop. If refinishing it destroys the inherent value of the fan than I would rather not have it refinished.
This is the first wood box fan I have ever seen, and I grew up around antiques. I know the classic words of wisdom about re-finishing on other wood items, that is why I am concerned. To date I have only dusted it with a dry cloth.
I may be better off to copy the case in the long run, instead of destroying the value of the fan itself.
Gonna drive myself crazier,
Brad
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Brad Miles
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Posted: Fri Oct 16th, 2009 05:23 pm |
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Checked everything last night. No pull on the breakers, and the fan takes 55 seconds to stop spinning from "low" setting. Model Number 534.
Now some pictures.
Is there a place to get this decal? If not that may stop me from ever refinishing the fan.
Brad
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Duane Burright
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Posted: Fri Oct 16th, 2009 05:40 pm |
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With some cleanup and a re-finish, that'll be a really nice fan!
I think we have members who reproduce the "Mathes Cooler" decal as well, you may want to post this fan in the pre-1950 (Antique) forum. These fans have a following here.
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Brad Miles
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Posted: Fri Oct 16th, 2009 05:53 pm |
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Duane Burright wrote: With some cleanup and a re-finish, that'll be a really nice fan!
you may want to post this fan in the pre-1950 (Antique) forum. These fans have a following here.
That was going to be my next question. I am not sure on the date this fan was made.
So pre 1950?
Brad
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Duane Burright
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Posted: Fri Oct 16th, 2009 06:11 pm |
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Brad Miles wrote: Duane Burright wrote: With some cleanup and a re-finish, that'll be a really nice fan!
you may want to post this fan in the pre-1950 (Antique) forum. These fans have a following here.
That was going to be my next question. I am not sure on the date this fan was made.
So pre 1950?
Brad
I would think so, either way you'd be safe posting this fan in that section.
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Brad Miles
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Posted: Fri Oct 16th, 2009 06:14 pm |
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Thank you Mr. Burright, you have been very helpful. 
Brad
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Tom Dreesen
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Posted: Sun Oct 18th, 2009 11:52 pm |
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I can't seem to find the link I had for Mathis Coolers. They are from the Mathis Refrigeration Corp of Garland Texas, a precursor company to the Curtis Mathis corp of TV fame. They are from the early 1950s and came in many models, all intended for an upscale market with the mahogany cabinets.
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Bill Voigt
AFCA Member
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Posted: Mon Oct 19th, 2009 12:16 am |
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Mathes [ E]
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