making a blower for my insert

[n3boyd]

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]

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]

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]

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

 

[n3boyd]

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]

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]

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

 

[lango]

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]

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

 

[coaly]

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 !

 

[n3boyd]

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]

Haha have people actually tried that!?

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

 

[CamFan]

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

 

[lango]

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]

Here's pages of them;
(broken link removed)

You want something this size;
(broken link removed)
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.
(broken link removed)

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

 

[lango]

Thanks for the link, Coaly.

 

[CamFan]

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

 

[lango]

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!