Throughout the long winter, we look forward to pleasant summer days, and with the onset of a hot pore, for some reason we begin to dream of coolness. How deliciously it will help to restore strength and relieve fatigue from the light breeze created by a small home-made fan. Moreover, its manufacture is an incredibly interesting occupation, right?
We suggest you familiarize yourself with step-by-step instructions for assembling the simplest effective devices from literally junk raw materials. The article presented to your attention describes in detail how to make a fan with your own hands and what a home master will need for this.
At your disposal is a detailed description of the manufacture of options whose action has been tested in practice. You can make such devices yourself without having any experience whatsoever. For a full perception of information, step-by-step photos and video instructions are attached.
Simple homemade CD
The simplest fan can be made from CD drives. It can be used, for example, for local exposure to a user who spends a long time at the computer.
Prepare the source materials for the work:
- CD discs - 2 pcs.;
- low power motor;
- cork from a bottle of wine;
- a wire with a USB plug;
- thick cardboard box or rectangle;
- soldering iron;
- candle or lighter, hot glue;
- pencil, ruler, checkered paper.
For our purposes, you can use the motor from an old toy, for example, from a typewriter. As a cardboard tube fit a sleeve slightly ennobled with decorative finishing paper from the roll of toilet paper.
The main advantage of this model is that all the materials that are necessary for its manufacture can be found in almost any amateur do it yourself
The assembly process of the mini fan is quite simple.
Take one of the CDs and use a marker to divide its surface into eight identical sections. The easiest way to do this is by using a piece of paper in the box.
Draw a cross on it from the horizontal and vertical lines. Each of the four resulting right angles is divided in half. Using the cells to do this is not difficult.
Using a very simple method using a leaflet in a box, we can achieve perfect partitioning of the disk into eight equal sectors
We put a disk on our drawing so that the intersecting lines are in the very center of its hole. Alternately applying the ruler to the lines diverging from the center, we make the markup on the disk. So the sections will be the same.
To divide the disk into blades, it is necessary to draw a soldering iron along the marking lines from the transparent part to the edge.
Scissors can also be used for cutting, but there is a danger that the workpiece will crack during operation. If there is no soldering iron, you need to use a knife previously heated on the stove. When working with a soldering iron, a deposited plastic is formed along the edges of the cut, which is easily removed with a knife.
Cutting the disc with a soldering iron is the most effective method in which the workpiece does not crack and does not deform, and the remnants of the deposited plastic can be easily removed with a knife
Above the flame of a burning candle, we heat the surface of the disk so that the blades can be slightly expanded. If there is no candle, a lighter or blowtorch will do.
The central part of the disk should be heated, and all the blades should be turned in one direction. A wine cork is placed in the hole of the disc. To fix it better, you need to pre-heat the edges of the hole with hot glue.
The USB cable must be connected to the motor. If we do not guess with the direction of rotation of the propeller, it will be possible to swap the motions, that is, change the polarity.
The motor must be glued to the cardboard tube, and the tube itself to the second CD, which will play the role of the base of the stand.
When the plug is installed in the hole, the stand from the second CD disc and the cardboard tube, as well as the connecting device are already assembled, it is very important to put the propeller on the motor shaft correctly
Now the propeller must be “planted” on the stem of the future fan. We will try to make sure that it is installed strictly in the center. Fix it in this position using hot melt adhesive.
After completing all work, the fan is ready for use.
Although the construction of this device will not take you much time, the result of the work done will undoubtedly please you
How to make a similar, but slightly more complex design, by including a regulator in the circuit, look at the video posted at the end of this article.
Does this homemade making instruction seem complicated to you? Then you may be interested in information about the types of fans and the rules for their selection in order to purchase a ready-made device offered by manufacturers of household appliances.
Plastic Bottle Blower
What our craftsmen do not do from plastic bottles! It is time to say that the fan from them is also very good. He may not ventilate your entire room, but someone who is forced to work at a computer will help for sure.
We offer two options for creating such a fan model.
Option # 1 - model of hard plastic
To complete the work we need:
- plastic bottle with a capacity of 1.5 liters;
- a motor from an old toy;
- small switch;
- Duracell battery
- marker;
- scissors;
- candle;
- hammer and nail;
- Styrofoam;
- hot glue gun.
So, we take an ordinary 1.5 liter plastic bottle with a cork. At the level of the label line, cut off its upper part. That is what we will need for the manufacture of the propeller. Divide the surface of the plastic blank into six parts.
We try to mark it so that we get equal sectors: the quality of the work of the future device depends on it.
Cut the workpiece by marking almost to the neck. We bend the blades of the future propeller and cut off every second of them. We still have a blank with three vanes equally spaced from each other. The edges of each of the blades must be rounded. We do it carefully.
To remove those parts of the blades that are closer to the neck of the workpiece, it is better to use a utility knife; do not forget to round the edges of the blades
Now we will need a small candle. Ignite her. We heat on it each blade at the base in order to turn it in the direction we need. All blades should be rotated in one direction. We remove the lid from the workpiece and in its very center we punch a hole with a nail and a hammer.
We put a stopper on a rod of a small motor. Such motors can remain from old children's toys. As a rule, getting them is not difficult. We fix the cork with glue.
Now you need to make a foundation on which the motor will rest. For this purpose, take, for example, a piece of foam. We fix a rectangle on it, which can also be cut from foam packaging.
On the upper surface of this rectangle our motor will be fixed, to which the propeller is attached. To do this, in the foam, you need to make a recess corresponding to the parameters of the motor.
To fix the elements of the product using hot melt. In the absence thereof, other adhesives may be used. It is important that the mount itself is as reliable as possible.
Polyfoam is a convenient material for constructing a stand for a fan, because it is easy to give it the desired shape, but it’s better to make the base of the stand heavier
A small switch and a power supply are attached to the foam base, the role of which is played by the rectangular Duracell battery. We assemble the simplest chain, trying to do everything as accurately as possible.
We only need to screw the propeller onto the plug fixed on the motor. Our fan is fully operational.
The polystyrene stand, perhaps, weighs too little to give the device the necessary stability. After all, with a sufficient swing of the blades, it can turn out to be quite powerful. Therefore, the base of the model is desirable to weight.
Option # 2 - soft polymer product
We will prepare in advance everything that we need in the course of the work:
- two bottles of SevenUp lemonade;
- electric motor 12 V DC;
- seven thick tubules for drinks;
- power supply connector;
- power supply itself;
- switch;
- scissors and utility knife;
- marker;
- hot glue gun;
- Super glue;
- plastic ties;
- nippers;
- soldering iron;
- insulating tape;
- Cd disk.
So, there is another option for building a homemade fan from a plastic bottle. Take a smaller bottle, for example, from the SevenUp lemonade.
The algorithm for cutting the blades of the future propeller is the same as in the previous version. The plastic of this bottle is much softer, so you can give the desired tilt to the future blades without resorting to heating them.
The hole in the center of the cork should be made using an awl or nail heated on fire for this purpose. The electric motor 12 V DC, on the shaft of which the propeller will be fixed, can be taken from old toys or a hair dryer unnecessary in the household.
The cover is fixed to the shaft using hot melt adhesive. We fasten the lightweight propeller to the lid immediately.
Talking about this version of the fan construction, we mentioned seven ducts, but if the ducts you have have a smaller diameter, you will need more: they need to fit tightly into the neck of the lower workpiece
The most interesting thing is the construction of the stand. It turns out not only sustainable, but also attractive. To create it, you need seven thick tubes for drinks. It is necessary to glue them together with superglue. It turns out pretty strong and pretty stand.
For the base, take the top of a larger plastic bottle than the one we made the propeller from. Push the stand from the tubes into the neck of the workpiece, approximately to the middle of its length. We fix the rack in this position using superglue applied to the neck of the workpiece.
Now you can install the engine on a rack, fixing it with hot glue. The fact that the rack itself consists of hollow tubes helps to hide the wires beautifully. We just pass them through the center tube. So the wires are inside the base of the device.
To further strengthen the structure, plastic ties should be used, which are glued with hot-melt adhesive to the stand on the sides of the motor so that the tie lock is tightened above the motor itself, ensuring its immobility. The excess tip of the mount is removed with wire cutters.
In the plastic surface of the bottle, which serves as the basis of the design, holes are cut for the connector of the power supply and the switch. Do it better with a household knife.
We connect the connector for the power supply and the switch. Wires should be soldered and insulated. The switch and connector are fixed to the plastic with hot melt adhesive.
The CD, which becomes the bottom for the foundation of the future fan, is not only the final touch of work, but also makes the product more stable
To make the bases heavier and more stable, we will build a bottom for it from the CD.
To do this, grease the edges of the plastic billet with hot glue and press the disk to it.
The engine is connected to the power supply via the connector, and the device itself is switched on using the red button located on the left
Now through the connector we connect the power. As such, you can use the power supply for LED strips, which is sold in electrical appliance stores. Well, and this homemade product is already ready for work.
To make sure that you correctly understood the sequence of work performed, watch the video at the end of this article.
Upgrading an existing fan
Plastic bottles come in handy in upgrading the fan purchased at the store. Almost free tools at hand will help to significantly increase the productivity of the device.
Let's look at how and by what method you can arrange a pleasant sea breeze in an apartment:
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Step 1: Preparing Materials for Work
Shash 2: Cutting plastic bottles
Step 3: Screwing Bottle Caps
Step 4: Preparing Details for Next Steps
We made parts designed to enhance airflow. They will provide accelerated cooling of the space around.
Now you need to make a basis for fixing them:
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We take a sheet of cardboard, better than thin sheet plastic, and draw a circle on it with a diameter equal to the diameter of the blades of the converted fan
On a cutting board or any unnecessary piece of plywood of sufficient area, we place a sheet and with a clerical knife we carefully cut a circle
On the cut circle we mark and outline the outlines of all six parts made of plastic bottles
Carefully cut out six circles in a circle. Remember that bottle trimmers should sit tightly in them without flying out from the fan under the pressure of air
Carefully remove small circles cut out in a large circle, being careful not to spoil the workpiece, especially if it is made of thick cardboard
Here such a detail should eventually come out. We examine it from all sides, make sure that there are no damages and places that can quickly burst during operation of the device
In the cut circles, we alternately insert the bottles. They should all be on the same level.
Temporarily fix the clipped bottles with tape so that they do not fall out in the course of further actions
Step 5: Drawing a circle on a piece of cardboard
Step 6: Uncover the basics for attaching bottle parts
Step 7: Outline the Cut Bottle
Step 8: Forming the Base for Holding the Bottles
Step 9: Removing Small Circles
Step 10: Inspecting and Verifying the Bottle Base
Step 11: Installing the claws in the cut circles
Step 12: Temporarily fasten parts with tape
After preparing the device, designed to enhance the performance of the fan, we proceed to the assembly and commissioning:
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Step 13: Installing Screeds on the Base of the Instrument
Step 14: Trying on the fan fixture
Step 15: securing the device with the upper screed
Step 16: Securing Screeds All Over
Step 17: Trimming Excess Plastic Screeds
Step 18: Checking the Installed Fixture
Step 19: measuring the room temperature
Step 20: Evaluate Fan Performance
Stylish product without blades
We are used to the fact that the main part of the fan is the propeller. This part of the structure rotates, creating the necessary air flow.
But there are also bladeless models. They are firmly in fashion, primarily because of their safety for younger family members and for pets. In addition, these products look stylish: they are able to fit into any interior and decorate it.
The finished fanless fan does not at all look like the device we used to see, however, it works great
Like most other things in the service of a person, a bladeless fan can also be done with your own hands.
The principle of its operation is simple: a small turbine is located at the base of the device, which allows you to create air flows passing through the side openings.
For work, we need:
- computer cooler;
- power supply unit and connector;
- small switch;
- hot glue gun;
- cardboard or heavy paper;
- scissors, pencil, ruler, compass and vernier caliper.
In principle, we need a caliper solely so as not to err in the size of the product. If it is not available, then it is quite possible to do with a regular ruler, tape measure or tape measure.
Getting to work.
To begin with, we will make the body - the base of the product. To do this, cut four rectangular pieces of cardboard. To determine the parameters of the base, we measure the width of the cooler. The resulting size will match the width of the rectangles.
For convenience, we will operate with specific dimensions. The width of our cooler is 120 mm. And this means that the width of the rectangle is also 120 mm.
A small switch and power connector will be built into the body of our product. To keep them tight enough in the future, you need to remove the dimensions from them.
The holes in the housing must match the values obtained. You need to make holes until the rectangles become part of the body: cutting them in flat objects is always easier.
We need a twelve-volt power supply and an appropriate cooler, consuming only 0.25A. Given the fact that we have a 2A unit, we can assume that we are quite well prepared for the future operation of the future device.
Now we take the cardboard sheets from which we have to cut out the elements of the main part of the fan. First, draw two circles. The radius of each of them is 15 cm. Cut both circles.
In one of them, let's call it A, we draw an inner circle with a radius of 11 cm. In the second, which we call B, the radius of the inner circle is 12 cm. Carefully cut out the inner circles. Got rings A and B.
The resulting rings will be attached to the body of the product. In order for them to better adjoin the surface of the body, we apply one of the rectangular blanks to each of the rings and cut off a segment whose flat side corresponds to the width of the rectangle.
In order to be able to reliably glue the rings to the base on which they will be installed, it is necessary to ensure the maximum contact area: for this, the sector at the bottom of the product is cut off
The main part of the fanless fan has a cylindrical shape. To make it, we need strips of cardboard with the following parameters: the first - 12x74cm, the second - 12x82cm, the third - 15x86cm. During the assembly process, it will become clear what to do with each of these three strips.
Before you assemble the case, cut a notch in the bottom of each of the rectangles. So we not only make legs for the future fan, but also create channels for the incoming air.
The recesses in the lower part of the base can also be made rectangular, but it is better to add an arc to the original rectangle by drawing it with a CD
We will assemble the case using hot melt adhesive. The cooler should be located approximately in the central part of the case, surrounded by four rectangles forming the walls of the structure. Lubricate the cooler with glue around the perimeter and surround it with walls.
Do not forget that the recesses in the walls that we just cut should be at the bottom of the case.
The wires from the cooler can be removed in the corner of the structure, fixing them in this position with glue.
At this stage, it is best to mount and connect. Since we use a switch, we need to separate one of the wires and form a circuit.
Wires should be connected to the power connector (red - plus, black - minus). If we make a mistake in polarity, you just need to swap the wires. Using hot-melt adhesive, we fix the connector and the switch in the places intended for them.
We turn on the power and check if the turbine is working. If everything is in order, we continue to build our bezlopastnaya model.
Take the ring A, which will be located in front of the device, and the first strip (12x74cm). We close the strip into a circle and paste it into the inner circumference of the ring A. It looks like a cylinder hat without a top, but with margins. The same thing needs to be done with the ring B and the second strip (12x82cm).
Here is a similar hat turned out from ring A and the first strip, which we glued along the inner circumference of the ring
Glue the first “cylinder” to the front of the case with the place where we cut the segment. The second “cylinder” is also glued to the rear side of the body with a cut surface. In this case, the smaller "cylinder" is inside the larger.
The stability of the structure can be imparted with the help of five strength dividers fixed between the rings with the help of the same glue. They need to be cut out of cardboard. The length of the partitions should be slightly less than 12cm.
Now the side surface of the main structure should be covered with the remaining third strip of cardboard (15x86cm).
In this photo, the internal design of the fan is clearly visible, which will be hidden from us by the last (third) strip
Basically, the fan is ready. It remains to give it an external gloss. To do this, remove excess glue and cover it with paint or glue decorative surfaces on its outer surfaces.
Also, you may find the information on fan speed controllers described in our other article useful.
So that you can see how correctly you understood and did everything, watch the video on the independent creation of a fanless fan, which we posted at the end of this article.
If you are fond of assembling interesting and useful appliances, then you may be interested in information about making an air conditioner at home, discussed in another of our article.
And in the cold season, you can assemble a heater or a homemade fan heater using a minimum of materials.
The fan from the CDs, which you will see in this video, is different from the one that can be done by following the instructions we have proposed. It has a different basis and there is a regulator:
The green plastic fan, which the video is dedicated to, not only works well, but also looks great.
It will become a real desktop decoration of your workplace:
A feature of the fanless fan that you easily assembled by following the instructions and video is that the airflow appears as if from nowhere. The model attracts with its originality.
Spend a little time on its decoration, and you will see how flawlessly it fits into your interior:
We presented you the best of homemade fan models. And they are the best because their construction does not need special mechanisms, sophisticated tools, expensive materials and special skills. Absolutely any home master can create them, even a beginner.
We hope that the success that you will definitely achieve by making a fan will awaken your taste for independent creativity.
Do you use a homemade fan made from improvised materials? Or did you use one of the instructions given in our article when assembling the device? Perhaps you have improved the equipment available in the house? Tell us about your experience - leave your comments.