How to Make a Fan With Magnets

The first electric fan appeared in the early 1880s.
••• vintage fan image by Michael Drager from Fotolia.com

One of the easiest ways to cool off on a hot summer's day is with an electric fan. You could buy a fan from any department store or you can build your own using a few simple tools and household objects while learning about how they work in the process.

    Loop a length of magnet wire around a tube of toilet paper or shot glass five to 10 times. Allow about four inches of room on both sides of the loop. Wrap the ends of the wire around the loop to hold it together.

    Strip the enamel from one end of the wire using fine-grit sandpaper. Leave about 1/4 inch where the wire joins the loop. Do the same for the other end, but only strip the enamel off of one half of the wire.

    Bend two paperclips into a "W" shape and attach them to the terminals of the battery using a large rubber bands, so they can "cradle" the loop assembly.

    Join the battery and a strong magnet with the other rubber band so the magnet faces in the same direction as the cradle.The polarity of the magnet is unimportant.

    Test the motor by placing the loop assembly into the cradle. If it works, it should spin. You may need to start the motor by hand with a gentle flick.

    Build a set of fan blades by taking four business cards or credit cards and gluing them together in an 'X' shape.

    Attach the fan blades to to the motor's loop by poking the wire through the cards and securing it with a drop of glue. If you used old credit cards, you might need to use a hot needle to help start the hole.

    Things You'll Need

    • D cell alkaline battery
    • 2 large rubber bands
    • Enameled magnet wire
    • Fine-grit sandpaper
    • 2 to 4 business cards or old credit cards

Related Articles

How to Make a Vacuum Cleaner?
How to Remagnetize Old Magnets Using Neodymium Magnets
How to Build an Electromagnet
How to Store Energy by Using Dynamo
Parts of a Motor
How to Build a Mini Electric Car for a Science Project
How to Make an Electromagnet for Kids
Motor Rewinding Procedures
How to Reverse the Poles on a Magnet
How to Make an Electric Motor Using a 9V Battery
How to Build a Mini Fan
How to Make an Alternator
How to Make an Electrical Circuit with Paper Clips
How to Make a Buzz Wire Game
How to Build a Mallard Duck House
How to Magnetize Washers
How to Rewire an Electrical Motor to Generate AC Current
How to Make a Windmill for a School Project
How to Make a Super Power Electromagnet
How to Make an AC Current Electromagnet

Dont Go!

We Have More Great Sciencing Articles!