Uploaded June 2025 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
SMC KF52 52" ceiling fan in gunmetal and polished brass, manufactured for Kmart. This is the first fan I'm showing that I found in the trash during Cleanup Week 2025, ironically one that I found closer to the end. These don't seem to be entirely too common, so I thought it'd be a good one to kick us off. It's a really cool design, highly unconventional particularly for SMC standards. It's almost like Hunter Spectrum meets Spirit of Saturn, yet still entirely its own thing. The housing plates and "sideband" are gapped apart with little spacers, so it's just wide open to the motor in the space between. I love the look and concept, the execution (especially for low-end SMC) leaves a little to be desired. Since it's a lot of metal just kind of floating in the air, the vibration and hum of the motor tends to resonate through the housing parts and makes it a rather noisy runner. If it were more of a complete sandwich fastened all together like Spirit of Saturn rings, I think it'd be marginally quieter. It cleaned up fairly well. Not in absolute prime shape, but it came out way better than I anticipated. Slight warpage on a couple blades is actually kind of the worst of it aside from some finish blemishes. Think it was in a kitchen or adjacent area; it just was really greasy and dull-looking, I thought the finishes had been eaten entirely through. While cleaning, I did the ol' motor spin, knowing SMC bearings are typically a toss up. It felt pretty smooth and none too noisy, so I was excited to finish and put it up. Once I got it up and ran it for a minute, it started locking up badly. Took it right back down and pulled it apart to replace the bearings. I've only done a few spinner motor bearing replacements so far and it's been a cautious dipping of the toe, but this one is definitely my best work yet. It runs so long and smooth, totally silent of course. Despite all the typical SMC downfalls and downgrades of this period, it kicks out a decent breeze. Of course was flush mounted when I got it, so I broke out some spare parts from the stash to get a downrod on it. Bearings were a frustrating development after cleaning and fully reassembling it, but after all the work I LOVE this fan.
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SMC KF52 52" ceiling fan in gunmetal and polished brass, manufactured for Kmart. This is the first fan I'm showing that I found in the trash during Cleanup Week 2025, ironically one that I found closer to the end. These don't seem to be entirely too common, so I thought it'd be a good one to kick us off. It's a really cool design, highly unconventional particularly for SMC standards. It's almost like Hunter Spectrum meets Spirit of Saturn, yet still entirely its own thing. The housing plates and "sideband" are gapped apart with little spacers, so it's just wide open to the motor in the space between. I love the look and concept, the execution (especially for low-end SMC) leaves a little to be desired. Since it's a lot of metal just kind of floating in the air, the vibration and hum of the motor tends to resonate through the housing parts and makes it a rather noisy runner. If it were more of a complete sandwich fastened all together like Spirit of Saturn rings, I think it'd be marginally quieter. It cleaned up fairly well. Not in absolute prime shape, but it came out way better than I anticipated. Slight warpage on a couple blades is actually kind of the worst of it aside from some finish blemishes. Think it was in a kitchen or adjacent area; it just was really greasy and dull-looking, I thought the finishes had been eaten entirely through. While cleaning, I did the ol' motor spin, knowing SMC bearings are typically a toss up. It felt pretty smooth and none too noisy, so I was excited to finish and put it up. Once I got it up and ran it for a minute, it started locking up badly. Took it right back down and pulled it apart to replace the bearings. I've only done a few spinner motor bearing replacements so far and it's been a cautious dipping of the toe, but this one is definitely my best work yet. It runs so long and smooth, totally silent of course. Despite all the typical SMC downfalls and downgrades of this period, it kicks out a decent breeze. Of course was flush mounted when I got it, so I broke out some spare parts from the stash to get a downrod on it. Bearings were a frustrating development after cleaning and fully reassembling it, but after all the work I LOVE this fan.
Visit My Website: vintagefansandmore.com
The VF&M Blog: vintagefansandmore.com/blog
VF&M Merch: shop.spreadshirt.com/vintagefansandmore
Like VF&M on Facebook: facebook.com/vintagefansandmore
Follow me on Instagram: instagram.com/vfandm
Follow me on TikTok: tiktok.com/@vfandm
Follow me on Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/vfandm.bsky.social
Follow me on Pinterest: pinterest.com/vfansandmore
Add me on Snapchat: vfandm
Consider shopping my Amazon Recommendations to support my channel*: amazon.com/shop/vintagefansmore
#CeilingFan
*As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
