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| GE pancake switches | Rate Topic |
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| Posted: Fri Sep 17th, 2010 06:01 pm |
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1st Post |
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Kim Frank AFCA Member 
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Nick Rodnicki did the excellent computer programing work on these switch bodies and here they are in their final form. They are powdered ceramic impregnated with epoxy. They have the feel of the original. The two on the left are what are being offered, with the prototype on the right and an original at the top. The round body w/o tabs will be for the early 1903. It will work in the back switched 1902 and earlier fans, but will require modification to the stem, which is shorter in those models. These are being offered now at $125 each, and with those you can get a pointer and knob for an additional $11.50. Add $5.00 for shipping in the lower 48. We should have complete switches to view in a couple of weeks. Those of you who have ordered these switches, let me know if you need the pointers and knobs, and also which switch body you want. If any of you other collectors have or anticipate a need, contact me at kmfrank8@bellsouth.net to order a switch, or you can call me on my cell, or you can stop by the shop (if you choose this option, bring beer).... Because of minimum order requirements, this is going to be a one time order, so once it's placed, that's it on this project, unless you want fifty or more switches. Attached Image (viewed 1974 times): Last edited on Fri Sep 17th, 2010 10:27 pm by Kim Frank |
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| Posted: Fri Sep 17th, 2010 06:02 pm |
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2nd Post |
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Kim Frank AFCA Member
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another view.... Attached Image (viewed 1952 times):
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| Posted: Fri Sep 17th, 2010 06:04 pm |
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3rd Post |
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Kim Frank AFCA Member
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close up of the ramps..... Attached Image (viewed 1871 times):
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| Posted: Sat Sep 18th, 2010 12:24 pm |
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4th Post |
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Randy Rohr Guest 
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Nice Kim!
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| Posted: Wed Sep 22nd, 2010 03:39 am |
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5th Post |
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Kim Frank AFCA Member
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Here are a few pics of the assembled switch. It operates very smoothly, better than factory. I am going to hook it up in a fan and connect the speed coil and put it thru its paces. I will be ordering in the switch bodies at the end of next week. I am only going to order in the amount needed to fill the requests, so don't wait. Attached Image (viewed 1805 times):
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| Posted: Wed Sep 22nd, 2010 03:40 am |
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6th Post |
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Kim Frank AFCA Member
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another view.... Attached Image (viewed 1809 times):
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| Posted: Wed Sep 22nd, 2010 03:41 am |
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7th Post |
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Kim Frank AFCA Member
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The original and the copy.... Attached Image (viewed 1775 times):
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| Posted: Wed Sep 22nd, 2010 03:42 am |
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8th Post |
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Kim Frank AFCA Member
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Other side ........contact me if you want one of these. They probably won't be ready for delivery until late this year, as there is still some fabrication on my end to complete, plus the pointers and knobs won't be ready for a while. We don't want your money until they ship, but do put your order in if you haven't already, because the switch bodies will take some time to produce also. Attached Image (viewed 1776 times): Last edited on Wed Sep 22nd, 2010 03:50 am by Kim Frank |
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| Posted: Wed Sep 22nd, 2010 04:05 am |
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9th Post |
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Erich Martin Guest 
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dang fine stuff!. I know you don't "want" our money till it ships, but will you accept it now?. Getting my 2 paid for now would make me feel better about buying a 3rd and paying later!. Last edited on Wed Sep 22nd, 2010 04:08 am by Erich Martin |
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| Posted: Thu Sep 23rd, 2010 02:22 pm |
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10th Post |
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Mike Petree AFCA Member 
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Kim, that is the best looking and most complex reproduction part I've seen. This and Darryls R&M flags are probably the top repro parts that have come along. All I can say is WOW ! Mike
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| Posted: Sat Sep 25th, 2010 07:55 pm |
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11th Post |
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Kim Frank AFCA Member
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Here's a picture of the switch installed in the base of a 1904 pancake....... Attached Image (viewed 1693 times):
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| Posted: Sat Sep 25th, 2010 08:04 pm |
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12th Post |
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Kim Frank AFCA Member
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And another view from the outside. This 1904 fan was a gutted out stump when I bought it. When done, it will have a cast iron knuckle with brass finial to convert it to a wall mount, with repop wings on the blade from Nick Loos, a rewound motor from Sidney Lamb, a Deflector cage and struts from Todd Mann, a repop switch, knob from Mike Petree, a speed coil from Sartron, and of course....'Bling'. Who says you can't raise the dead?? and make it interesting?? Attached Image (viewed 1694 times): Last edited on Sat Sep 25th, 2010 10:29 pm by Kim Frank |
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| Posted: Tue Sep 28th, 2010 04:57 am |
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13th Post |
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Nick Loos Guest 
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Wow is right. Quite an undertaking. It shows what time and talent can do. Wonderful work Kim.
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| Posted: Tue Sep 28th, 2010 05:28 am |
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14th Post |
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John Fengel AFCA Member 
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Nick Rodnicki brought some of the prototypes to the Houston meet this past weekend and they looked fantastic.
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| Posted: Tue Sep 28th, 2010 07:11 am |
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15th Post |
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Russ Huber AFCA Member 
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You did great Kim! 
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| Posted: Wed Sep 29th, 2010 08:03 am |
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16th Post |
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Nick Rodnicki Jr Guest 
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I figure it's time to shed more light on this project that Kim and I have undertaken. This project has truly come a long way in a fairly short time, although I would like to explain a little bit about what it has taken to bring this great American made reproduction switch to become available. Most folks generally do not understand what it takes to manufacture a product. This undertaking has been an education for both Kim and I. I say that simply because it has taken passion, people, dedication, time, communication, labor, effort, and money to make this happen. Certainly a pancake switch looks fairly simple, although it takes many manufactured pieces, machined parts, and a great deal of labor to build the switch and make it functional. The original switches had to be studied carefully and basically re-engineered by us. I truly enjoyed modeling the switches in 3D and making the drawings which was a fun and rewarding experience. The next rewarding experience was when I had two prototypes run in yellow ABS plastic and Kim had one run in epoxy impregnated with powdered ceramic. The epoxy ceramic was the way to go as it closely represented the original switch body in weight, feel, and looks. We incorporated a detail from the 1902 5-speed switch in both the round and eared switches. This detail consists of contact stops that are part of the switch body.(See photos below) The contact stop keeps the contactor from going clockwise so the switch can only be turned in one direction. These contact stops are far superior over the brass contact stops of the original eared switches. I can speak for Kim and say that we have followed through with this undertaking for simply the passion of the hobby and to keep those pancake fans running. It was our desire to make a good solid American made reproduction that any fan collector or restorer would be proud to place in service in a 102+ year old pancake fan. We wanted to also make sure that the switch not only looked good, though worked good as well. If you’re on the fence about getting one of these switches you won’t be disappointed. Kim's excellent craftsmanship is clearly visible in the first assembled reproduction switch in the photos below and above in this thread. Remember the switch is American made by Americans just like the pancake fan was over 100 years ago. As Kim said previously, once we place the order for the switch bodies we will not be placing another order.   Reproduction Switch  1902 Pancake Switch showing contact stops built into the switch body.    Yellow ABS plastic prototypes  Round Switch 3D rendering from 3D model  Eared Switch 3D rendering from 3D model  Round Switch Drawings  Eared Switch Drawings Last edited on Wed Sep 29th, 2010 08:04 am by Nick Rodnicki Jr |
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| Posted: Wed Sep 29th, 2010 08:08 am |
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17th Post |
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Nicholas Denney Guest 
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Very nice! Last edited on Wed Sep 29th, 2010 08:18 am by Nicholas Denney |
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| Posted: Wed Sep 29th, 2010 01:03 pm |
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18th Post |
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Ralph Bliss Guest 
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Clearly exceptional work. The amount of time it takes to complete a project like this is incredible. Nick & Kim have done an excellent service for the fan collector world, thank you both.
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| Posted: Wed Sep 29th, 2010 03:44 pm |
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19th Post |
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Jim McCarter AFCA Member 
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Hi Kim/Nick, Man, super work!! There are a number of folks in the fan club that amaze me with their skills as to what they can do, you two included! And as Ralph stated you two and the others do a tremendous service for us other guys/gals that don't have the tools/skills to do something like this. Is the offical deadline for ordering this Friday? I got a couple on order, but may add to it......... Thanks, Jim
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| Posted: Wed Sep 29th, 2010 04:04 pm |
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20th Post |
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Ken Rodoni Guest 
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Kim and Nick, Just wanted to let you know how much I admire your talent and hard work. Such an excellent outcome to a complicated project! Ken
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| Posted: Thu Sep 30th, 2010 04:59 am |
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21st Post |
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Ron Jeter Guest 
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I had a chance to hold one of these switches in my hand - they are Great, even the weight is the same.
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| Posted: Thu Sep 30th, 2010 02:42 pm |
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22nd Post |
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Kim Frank AFCA Member
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Jim McCarter wrote: Nick and I talked last night and decided that next Friday, October 8th, is when we will place our order for the switch bodies. This will allow us time to put together a round switch to show you. I would like to thank everyone who has ordered a switch and ask you to contact me and let me know if you want the round bodied switch or the tabbed switch, and if you are wanting the round bodied switch, is it for a back switched fan or a base switched fan. To avoid any confusion, if you're not sure which switch you need, contact me with the year(s) and we'll make sure you receive the correct switch. Also contact me about knobs and pointers and let me know if you want these with the switch order. If you are sitting on the fence about deciding whether or not you want a pancake switch, we want to emphasize that these aren't going to be available for later sale by us. There will be no inventory. We are only going to order enough to fill the pre-orders and then that will be the end of this project. If you have a need for or anticipate a need for a switch, please place your order before Oct.8th. Thanks Last edited on Thu Sep 30th, 2010 06:31 pm by Kim Frank |
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| Posted: Sat Oct 2nd, 2010 04:04 am |
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23rd Post |
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Nicholas Denney Guest
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Kim, you want to do something else legendary, start making copies of those Emerson detent oscillators in steel! It pains me to see them slowly crumble to pieces over time...
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| Posted: Mon Oct 4th, 2010 02:22 pm |
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24th Post |
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Kim Frank AFCA Member
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This is the last week to decide if you are going to need a switch for a pancake. I tested the assembled switch last week, in conjunction with Sartron's new speed coil for 16 inch fans, and both worked flawlessly. I have the round bodied switch put together now and will post pics tomorrow. I still need to know from those of you who have already ordered, if you need a knob and pointer with the switch. Please let me know, if you haven't done so already. Thanks.
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| Posted: Mon Oct 4th, 2010 09:28 pm |
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25th Post |
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William Drabble Guest 
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Dont forget me Kim. I need the whole thing including the switch, pointer, knob and 'off' plate if you can find one. Thanks
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| Posted: Mon Oct 4th, 2010 10:45 pm |
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26th Post |
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Steve Stephens Guest 
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Kim, I'll take one of the early, round style switches made up for a back switch pancake plus a pointer and small knob. Just let me know when payment is due. Can these switches be wired up as a two speed switch or would that require some modification? If I'm not mistaken there are few differences, if any, between the 2 speed back switches and the 5 speed 1902 model. But I'm not really sure what they might be. Any chance of getting a black switch? I seem to attract trouble when I show pictures of my fans with a white switch on them. Last edited on Mon Oct 4th, 2010 10:48 pm by Steve Stephens |
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| Posted: Tue Oct 5th, 2010 03:35 am |
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27th Post |
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Kim Frank AFCA Member
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I haven't really looked to see if the contact arm we had made will work as the two speed arm. It probably will. The arm on the two speed switch makes contact with opposing brass contact terminals, hence, opposing Off Hi Lo settings. All the parts made for our switches are modeled from the 1904 5 speed switch, with the exception of the round body,which Nick modeled from his stock. If the arm doesn't work, then it's just a matter of bridging the opposing brass contact terminals so that you have the same sequence Off Hi Lo Off Hi Lo. That arm is really the only difference between the '01 and earlier 2 speeds, and the 1902 5 speed switch. That and the knob size, with the 1902 using the larger knob with pointer. A black switch body?? It would be kinda lost on a back switch model but you are reading my mind. I'm thinking black candy with just a hint of pearl, all brass bits polished to a mirror finish, steel arm and spring hot-blued. Knob color coordinated with the paint job. Now we're talking! Last edited on Tue Oct 5th, 2010 03:51 am by Kim Frank |
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| Posted: Tue Oct 5th, 2010 03:43 am |
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28th Post |
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Kim Frank AFCA Member
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Here is the round switch. It will fit the 1901-1903 16 inch cakes and 1903 12 inch cakes as is. You will need to make a adapter plate if you want to be correct on the later 1903 12 inch fans or the very early 1904. If you're not concerned with being correct, then the switch with tabs will work. For back switch fans, the stem will need to be shortened by a 1/4 inch or so to work. Let us know this with your order and it will be modified prior to assembly. I will check tomorrow to see if the contact arm will work in a two speed capacity. Attached Image (viewed 1333 times):
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| Posted: Tue Oct 5th, 2010 03:47 am |
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29th Post |
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Kim Frank AFCA Member
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Back view.....I still need to solder over the screw head. Both of the switches are smooth as butter. Each operate easily and have the distinctive 'click' sound that the original switches make. Get your orders in this week as I'm placing the switch body order on Friday morning. Attached Image (viewed 1264 times): Last edited on Tue Oct 5th, 2010 03:48 am by Kim Frank |
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| Posted: Tue Oct 5th, 2010 06:33 pm |
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30th Post |
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Terry Burns AFCA Member 
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Kim ; all I can say is " Jump Back Loretta " . These are fine works of art . You never cease to amaze me with your skills . After a complete restoration ; it is a shame these switches will be hidden from veiw . No fan member shall forget where they came from !!! You & Nick make a great team !!!   Terry L Burns
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