General Electric
Antique Electric Fan
12" Vortalex Oscillator Desk Fan
Antique Electric Fan Specs
| |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | General Electric |
| Model | FM12V1 |
| Nickname | Vorty |
| Size | 12" |
| Housing | Steel |
| Blade | Aluminum |
| Cage | Steel, 3×3 |
| Wings | 4 |
| Speeds | 3 |
| Switch | Lever |
| Mode | Oscillating |
| Type | Desk |
| Year | 1946-1948 |
| Weight | 15.5 lb |
Vorty Love ♥
I purchased this fan from a fellow collector at a fan meet called, Fandango, in August of 2017. I love the extreme pitch of the Vortalex blades, and the neutral color palette. I also like the industrial chunky hardware that G.E. used; huge screws that hold on the cage and motor covers, and an over-sized handle atop the motor.This fan was covered in hardened grime; I really don't know another way to explain it. It was a grime that wouldn't come off with just a cloth, I used a Dremel to remove most of it. Inch-by-inch. Of course, it needed the normal cleaning of the blade, changing of the oil wick, re-felting of the base, and rewiring of the power cord. The 3 x 3 cage was repainted a dark walnut, and the rusted base plate was sandblasted and painted black to prevent further corrosion . This fan blade did not need any balancing, and the head-wire was in good condition.
This was a mini project as the motor and shims didn't need any attention. I would call this my first successful fan project, and probably the one that sent me well into the dark-side fandom. It sits on my chest of drawers in the master bedroom and runs quietly and flawlessly when I call upon it.