Dane.Kouttron

[05.23.21] Quick-Build: 10" Server Fan -> Desk Fan

What if Mike Wazowski was a 10" 110vac fan?

Ok, joking aside, 10" server cabinet blower fans are super common industrial leftovers. While they come in a variety of CFM's they are either 110 vac or 220 vac single phase devices, with either a dumb synchronous motor or an internal fancy soft start controller. I keep finding these things, either leftovers from large research project racks or the like and they are so much better than target / big box store consumer-grade desk fans.
Why are off the shelf small desktop fans so incredibly mediocre? Either way, lets convert one of these industrial workhorses into a cute desk fan to beat the heat.

Bill of Materials
 Printed Parts Assembly Guide




Image Directory

<I'm experimenting with a more mobile friendly layout, things may render weirdly, it's a work in progress>

Bill of Materials
This is fairly straightforward, the bill of materials is really basic
Part
 Quantity
 Price ea
 Link
10" or 254mm 110/220v fan 1
 free surplus item
10" / 254mm fan grills
 2
 $ 3.00
 [Digikey] [McMaster]
M3 Thermal inserts
 6
 $ 14.00 / 100 inserts ($1.40 ea)
 [Amazon] [McMaster]
M3 x 12mm screws 8
 $ 6.36 / 100 screws ($ 0.063 ea)
 [McMaster] [MSC]
Power Cable with switch
 1
 $ 15 ea.
[Digikey]
10-24 thermal inserts 4
 $ 10.78 / 50 ($ ea)
 [McMaster]
Threaded Rubber feet 4
 $ 14.50 / 25 ($ ea)
 [McMaster]
optional SPT-1 connector (if the fan is connector-ed instead of just hardwired) 1
[McMaster]
A few 3D printed parts


A googley eye (somewhat optional)
1

Cable mount
 1
[McMaster]




Printed parts
There's only 3 printed parts, two base prints and one handle. The fan itself is the structural thing holding everything together. I found that the feet parts needed more infill, while the handle benefited from higher resolution.




Assembly Guide





(There's other photos in the photo gallery)
Concluding Remarks:

* Really really install the fan grills, you will injure your finger if you don't.


If you have questions or comments, ask below or send over an email.
Comments:
HTML Comment Box is loading comments...


Dane.Kouttron
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute 
Electrical & Electrical Power
631.978.1650