Comments on: Harmless Fan Has Ribbon Blades

By: WILLIAM SPURLIN

WILLIAM SPURLIN — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 11:10:22 +0000

yes…can’t seem to break it loose even with a lot of pressure..afraid I will break it..thanks for you’re help..bill

By: Toronto

Toronto — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 04:39:05 +0000

Galessa: nice job on the dying – that fan looks quite wonderful.

By: galessa

galessa — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 02:32:40 +0000

What do you mean, break it loose?

By: WILLIAM SPURLIN

WILLIAM SPURLIN — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 02:08:25 +0000

hi really appreciate the info on disassemble of the ribbonaire but cant break it loose any more tips?? thanks bill

By: galessa

galessa — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 09:48:10 +0000

About the replacements for the blades: These blades were at first made of grassgrain ribbons, then elastic ribbons. I searched the whole web for Brown grossgrain ribbons 1″ wide and thick like the originals,but all I could find was very thin ones, that could not stand on their on. So I bought elastic ribbons and dyed them the appropriate bakelite brown. they look perfect:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/galessa/3569491283/

About disassembling: The foot is easy, although I never tried to disassemble the arm. It looks like it wasn’t made to be disassembled. The motor case looks puzzling but is rather easy: you will find under the case (movable) an oppening, wide enough so you can introduce a tool there to keep the motor axis still. After doing that, just unscrew (counterclockwise) the bakelite case. That’s it.

By: Firebrand38

Firebrand38 — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 01:59:31 +0000

WILLIAM SPURLIN: I’m sure all questions can be answered here http://www.fancollectors.org/museum1.htm

By: WILLIAM SPURLIN

WILLIAM SPURLIN — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 01:26:13 +0000

hi, anyone know how to disassemble the ribbionair ?? thanks bill

By: Venice Gril

Venice Gril — Fri, 20 Mar 2009 14:19:40 +0000

Does anyone know where I can purchase replacement ribbons for the Singer ribbon fan?

By: Galessa

Galessa — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 18:57:46 +0000

I have this one. it was made by Singer and sold by Sears Roebuck. The first design was patented in 1930. It is molded of bakelite and the great thing is that when blowing the blades are invisible! It is stunning!

By: Tim Giachetti

Tim Giachetti — Fri, 21 Mar 2008 15:19:33 +0000

Thanks for the link, interesting. Using box fans right now so this is very handy.

By: Craig

Craig — Fri, 21 Mar 2008 11:51:28 +0000

I have had Caframo fans for years. They are much quieter and do a much better job of moving air than a caged fan that has a grille that creates turbulence. They all have a nifty flexible blade with bumpers on the leading edge. Unfortunately my three-year-old boy loves to stick his hands in the rotating blade. While this is fun I’m not sure it’s a good life-lesson.
http://www.caframo.com/electricfans.htm

By: Neil Russell

Neil Russell — Thu, 20 Mar 2008 23:24:28 +0000

They used to make rubber ones, my folks had a three blade rubber fan when I was little back in the 60s.
The rubber eventually got brittle and I suppose the thing was as dangerous as a plastic bladed fan with no shroud. If the motor case hadn’t cracked and fallen apart it would probably still be around.

By: Myles

Myles — Thu, 20 Mar 2008 17:59:33 +0000

That it is an interesting idea, I think soft rubber would be more practical for the paddles.

By: albear

albear — Thu, 20 Mar 2008 17:54:20 +0000

Why not just use sharp big razor blades and encase them in a cage (like today’s fans)?

But seriously, whouldn’t it be easier NOT to have exposed fan blades? no matter if they’re harmless .