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Industrial Shop Fan

Listing #49   Listed on: 08/24/2011

Well .... I "rigged" up this shop machine to keep me cooler this summer. (Still need to put a cage over it) But it's been so hot here in New Orleans, that the breeze doesn't even help!!! It sure moves air though. Can't wait for fall.

I found the industrial type fan housing in a scrap pile at a salvage yard I happened to be visiting. It was going to be crushed up! I bought it for $5. The fan spun freely on the shaft but was missing the pulley and motor. Fan was 36 inch diameter. Spent $17 at a local hardware store for the 8 inch pulley with 3/4 bore. I had a motor from the "past" with a 2 1/2 inch pulley on it so I knew I was in business to make some wind. (Motor was a 1/2 hp with a 1/2 inch shaft and clockwise 1425 rpm)

Scrap 2x12 framed the outside, put some wheels on for portability. Lastly, since I had to mount the motor to the frame it was not adjustable for a belt. I had some twist belt for that....perfect! So, all in all for about $22 I've got me a recycled "hurricane force" fan!

(No images available for this Shopbuilt Equipment listing.)

Viewer Comments:


Posted By: Skeptic     [09/01/2011]

That sucker looks like it could take off and run down the block chasing little neighbor kids!! You had better use a short power cord and wheel chocks to keep it home. A section of that chain link fence from along the golf course would make a nice guard to keep your small dog out of the fan blades.

Good job, I like to re-purpose stuff also.



Posted By: The Staff at WOODWEB     [10/27/2011]

WOODWEB would like to mention that a Little Wizard II hand held metal detector was sent to Harry for taking the time to post his Shop Built Equipment Forum entry "Industrial Shop Fan". Thanks again for sharing Harry.



Posted By: Gregg Moyer     [09/22/2013]

great fan, great use of recycling



Posted By: Noor Corp     [01/31/2024]
Very interesting article.


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