1903 was a year of many transitions for GE's victorian inspired Pancake Fan. Representing the first year since GE switched to incorporating the switch coil in the base, this year also featured a few variants. The earliest ones feature fully ribbed bases with rather beefy construction, four strut motors and cast hubs. While the later versions featured semi-ribbed bases (as shown on this fan), three strut motors and stamped steel hubs. This particular fan is somewhere in between with a semi-ribbed base, three-strut motor and cast hub.
Restoring this beautiful fan was no easy task (I wish restoring ANY fan was an easy task!). It required a lot of fabrication, a lot of repairs, and just a lot of work in general. Being that I don't restore all that many fans these days, I wanted to build something special. I've been practicing more-and-more on the CNC as of late and I wanted to design something that made this fan a one-of-a-kind creation. To accomplish this goal I created a custom design in the likeness of the White Glove Fans logo and engraved it upon the front of each blade. I'd like to thank Todd Mann for some helpful pointers on getting this job done, because if it weren't for him I would have likely broken many more cutting bits than only four!
This fan is making its way to a very kind and thoughtful member of the AFCA. I am happy to have met him and have enjoyed our communication while restoring this fan. I look forward to seeing photos of it at its new home.
After:
Please find below a gallery of the finished fan in its dark maroon pearl two-stage paint. I hope you enjoy.
The Restoration:
Please find below dozens of photos taken of the fan during the process of restoration. You will notice that I am also restoring a full ribbed version of this fan at the same time. Enjoy!
