making a blower for my insert

n3boyd · Dec 20, 2015

Hey all,
I'm getting ready to make a blower for my fisher insert stove. I'm just curious as to what material would be best to make it out of. Like what gauge steel and what size blower to get. Looking to push a little more warmth throughout the living room and into the others. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

coaly · Dec 20, 2015

Welcome to the Forum !
https://www.hearth.com/talk/threads/made-a-blower-for-my-fisher-insert.117672/
Metal duct for HVAC systems is normally 28 gauge. That bends and works easily. If it feels flimsy, go as thick as you want. Gauge isn't given on this drawing;

Woodman's Associates has a good selection of blowers for fireplaces with double squirrel cage type wheels.
Use a variable fan speed control so you can run it quietly. You don't normally need them running full speed and at night as the fire dies the slowest speed pushes enough without blowing cool air. Always mount the blower motor down low where it doesn't take the heat.

n3boyd · Dec 20, 2015

I did see that post earlier. It just didn't have the sheet metal thickness. I just wanted to make sure I didn't go to thin. I have some 1/8 inch thick aluminum sheets I was going to use but I don't know if it would suffice compared to the steel. So 100cfm blower should be ok? Thanks for the quick response coaly!

lango · Dec 20, 2015

I've been wondering if I was the only one needing blower(s).

n3boyd · Dec 20, 2015

lango said:
I've been wondering if I was the only one needing blower(s).

Haha yea well last year it didn't perform like I wanted it to so I figured I'd make one.

lango · Dec 20, 2015

I've been experimenting, some. I bought one, to blow in the bottom intake. Wasn't real happy with it-trying other ways to go. The side mount ones would really work better for me, I think. I'm planning to weld up some housings in the near future. It's gonna take some time but it's on my list.

n3boyd · Dec 20, 2015

I'm going to try the bottom and see where that goes.

lango · Dec 20, 2015

Good luck! I'm always looking for ideas on blowers for the inserts. I love the heat I get out of it- a blower, or pair of 'em would really kick it up.

n3boyd · Dec 20, 2015

Thanks! Godly everything works out in our favor. I'm going to start putting one together tomorrow hopefully.

coaly · Dec 20, 2015

Use what you've got. Just keep the contact between aluminum and steel insert to a minimum due to corrosion between the dissimilar metals.
To give you an idea of the air flow it takes, try the exhaust of a shop vac into the bottom or side slots.
Don't you dare duct tape a shop vac to that beautiful insert and post redneck pictures of your new blower ! ;em

n3boyd · Dec 20, 2015

coaly said:
Use what you've got. Just keep the contact between aluminum and steel insert to a minimum due to corrosion between the dissimilar metals.
To give you an idea of the air flow it takes, try the exhaust of a shop vac into the bottom or side slots.
Don't you dare duct tape a shop vac to that beautiful insert and post redneck pictures of your new blower !

View attachment 169865

Haha have people actually tried that!? I think I'm going to stick with the steel just for the regidity. I feel like it will hold heat better as well. And I will definitely post up some pictures.

coaly · Dec 20, 2015

n3boyd said:
Haha have people actually tried that!?

Yeah, I remember a message or email from someone using one.

CamFan · Dec 21, 2015

A motor and fan that provides 225 cfm. Is best. Not to loud and air movement is good. Use a variable speed

lango · Dec 21, 2015

Hey, CamFan- any ideas where to find such a motor as that? I've looked at "draft inducer" motors- they look about the right size, and with a metal fan (blades) seems like what you'd want...Any other categories to search, either online or a Grainger catalog?
I guess I'm looking for as close as I can get to the dual fan setup, box(es) and all. Not going to be that easy, though, is it?
Been playing with a bathroom vent fan and housing, but it's only 70cfm, and louder than I'd want. Especially if I used 2 of them. Plastic fan, too. I guess sound deadener would help some- in the housing.
I apologize for rambling and don't want to hijack the thread- ...now where's that old shop vac?

coaly · Dec 22, 2015

Here's pages of them;
http://www.woodmanspartsplus.com/Search.aspx?key=blowers

You want something this size;
http://www.woodmanspartsplus.com/732985/products/Stove-Blower.html
Maybe CamFan knows of a larger one. That one used to be $256 in the paper 2009 catalog.
If you make the square duct as shown on diagram above, the higher CFM single wheel blowers work with larger diameter wheels.
http://www.woodmanspartsplus.com/732987/products/Stove-Blower.html

Leaf blowers are quieter than shop vacs. (the electric kind) ;lol

lango · Dec 22, 2015

Thanks for the link, Coaly.

CamFan · Dec 22, 2015

I have blowers similar to the first and second but you would have to modify it. 1/2 the price

lango · Dec 22, 2015

Thanks for the reply, CamFan. I'd be interested in seeing what they look like, when you get around to it. PM if you'd like.
Thanks in advance!

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