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Charlie Ebding
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Posted: Tue Sep 29th, 2009 01:24 am |
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Hi! I'm Charlie and I'm a first-time poster. I'm trying to restore a Westinghouse 517520 and need help with directions on how to open the motor housing. So far, I've disconnected it from the base, removed the blade and all set screws as well as four pin-type screws that appeared to keep the housing halves together. But, the housing is not coming apart. I really need to replace the headwire since it's original and in bad shape...
Thanks in advance!
Charlie
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Ron Powell
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Posted: Tue Sep 29th, 2009 01:57 am |
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Charlie, Assuming this is a pressed steel housing you might want to take utility knife and score around where the front and rear housings meet to separate the paint and then take a rubber mallet or the like and tap around the housing till it loosens or creates a gap that you can get a screw driver in to twist it apart.
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Charlie Ebding
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Posted: Tue Sep 29th, 2009 02:05 am |
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Thanks, Ron for your helpful advice. ill try it later!
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Charlie Ebding
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Posted: Tue Sep 29th, 2009 02:11 am |
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| Dangit! i put the comma in the wrong place. (i should remember these gramar things)
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Charlie Ebding
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Posted: Tue Sep 29th, 2009 02:13 am |
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also I think the houseing is bakelite. i bought this fan at an antique store for 19$. 
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Steve Stephens
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Posted: Tue Sep 29th, 2009 03:03 am |
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Charlie,
If you can post a photo or more of your fan we'd know what you have. Westinghouse numbers are too lengthy for most to know.
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Charlie Ebding
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Posted: Tue Sep 29th, 2009 12:13 pm |
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| OK.... it is in a million peices. but i will up load pictures this afternoon.
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Charlie Ebding
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Posted: Wed Sep 30th, 2009 01:04 am |
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Steve,
Here are the photos of the fan. I've already begun the disassembley process. Any help you can provide is appreciated.
Thanks,
Charlie
Attached Image (viewed 111 times):
 Last edited on Wed Sep 30th, 2009 01:06 am by Charlie Ebding
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Steve Stephens
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Posted: Wed Sep 30th, 2009 01:49 am |
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Charlie,
That looks like maybe a single speed 8" or 10" fan. Micarta (plastic) blades? or metal which would be on an 8" fan.
The housing must be stamped steel I'm almost certain. If you search on this site for "Westinghouse stator removal" or something like that you may find one or more of the number of threads on the subject. I hear it's not usually an easy matter to separate the housing of the motor and, then, to pull the stator out. As much as I like the looks of these nice quality Westy fans, I seem to shy away from them for the reason that it's hard to change the headwire. I think I have one early brass blade one left. Anyway, hopfully some of the Westy motor/headwire experts will chime in. In the meantime, try to search here for more info and...good luck.
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Charlie Ebding
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Posted: Fri Oct 2nd, 2009 09:21 pm |
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Thank you for the info, the fan is a single speed 8" with a steel blade. and thank you for the info i will try and atempt on working on the headwire this weekend. I am also looking for more westys at antique stores. There my favorite brand. I really want an ivory 12" modle, but im positive ill find one in the near future.
Last edited on Fri Oct 2nd, 2009 09:23 pm by Charlie Ebding
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Adam Rohn
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Posted: Mon Oct 19th, 2009 08:16 pm |
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| I've got that same problem too. hehe
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Steve Stephens
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Posted: Mon Oct 19th, 2009 09:25 pm |
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| It seems that almost all stamped steel Westy and Western Electric owners have the dreaded head wire replacement problem. Only one suggestion here to all prospective owners: Find a fan that runs well on all speeds and looks like it has a good head wire. These fans are plentiful enough and not very expensive for good examples. I've sold all but one of my stamped steel Westys, partially because of the potential head wire problem but, also, because I like cast iron fans better. The stamped steel Westys are great fans but with a bad flaw when it comes to replacing the head wire. I've never gotten into the motors of these fans.
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Adam Rohn
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Posted: Mon Oct 19th, 2009 09:47 pm |
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| Question for you Steve, Is it acceptable restore my 1912 Westinghouse cosmetically but not mechanically? I've got a bad headwire and its no longer running. Or do you think its worth going through the trouble of having it running again?
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Steve Sherwood
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Posted: Mon Oct 19th, 2009 11:10 pm |
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Adam
It is your fan and you can do anything you want with it. There is no right or wrong, just opinion.
Steve Sherwood
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Steve Stephens
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Posted: Mon Oct 19th, 2009 11:24 pm |
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Adam Rohn wrote:
Question for you Steve, Is it acceptable restore my 1912 Westinghouse cosmetically but not mechanically? I've got a bad headwire and its no longer running. Or do you think its worth going through the trouble of having it running again?
Adam, there are certain laws for old electric fans that I am appointed (by myself) to enforce. There is only ONE way to treat an old fan: leave the patina alone and, otherwise, enjoy the fan as you wish.
But, really, as Steve S. (the other Steve S.) said "it's your fan to enjoy as you please" and I agree. A cosmetic restoration or cleaning is fine even if you don't have the fan operable reliably. In time, hopefully, you will have a number of fans and might decide to sell your first fans that aren't working properly or you may still treasure that fan. As you become more experienced you may discover how to fix that fan to safe runnability.
If you don't know already, I am a strong proponent of leaving good original fans original without polishing brass or repainting and like to give others a hard time (in good jest) in keeping their fans full of patina which some collectors call "corrosion" and dirt. A good careful cleaning is fine. But what is fine to me is not to others and I usually go along with what others do with THEIR fans unless it's a nice, earlier, rare fan when I think that it's not appropriate to restore/repaint, etc. But that's just I; you all have to do things the way you want to to please yourself.
For your fan I wouldn't, at this time, spend time to restore it mechanically unless you want to experience and learn how to do that. I have a ton of fans that aren't ready to run, mostly due to needing new power or headwires or cleaning and relubricating of the oscillators and oil cups.
I'm just here to encourage trying to save the original finish and "beausage" of old items when possible. Since I was a kid (a little one) I've always loved old things that LOOK OLD. Your fan- your choice. I'll admit to having polished at least two of my fan's brass blades and will probably do a few others.
So many end up starting this great hobby with fans that have come cheaply and, often, with major problems. I encourage budding collectors to go slowly at first and learn about the different fans. Joining the AFCA is a great way to start. Then, with the help of club members- I needed their help when I got started back in 2001- buy some fans in good original condition that are mechanically sound. If you love to restore a challenging project but all means go for it. There have been many incredible restorations done by members and guests and even some more incredible custom paint jobs on some fans that haveimproved their original appearance.Last edited on Mon Oct 19th, 2009 11:34 pm by Steve Stephens
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Adam Rohn
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Posted: Mon Oct 19th, 2009 11:35 pm |
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Thanks Guys, I think I've decided to continue with the cosmetic restoration and once I've got more experience with stamped steel fans I'll remove the motor and see if I can get it running again. Nothing against Ron Powell, he had offered to get it running for me again but I'd have to send it to him and I obviously can't learn by him fixing it since we live no where near each other and I can't watch.
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