Old Fan Blade Windmill/Pinwheel for Yard - Want to Make One

June 2, 2020 8:33 AM

Would like to repurpose/recycle an old fan blade into a windmill for the yard. I just need some ideas what to use as buffer between the blade and the rod I'll be using. Tried finding a tutorial on this but nothing. So what can I use that doesn't require welding?
posted by watercarrier to Home & Garden (8 answers total)

It might be helpful to provide a couple pictures of the parts in question so we can better visualize what you're trying to do.
posted by btfreek at 8:57 AM on June 2, 2020

I have the blade, the pole - just need to connect them both with enough space between the blade and the pole for it to spin and not wobble. There's some kind of connector or spacer that I need and don't know what it is. This is what it should look like.
posted by watercarrier at 9:36 AM on June 2, 2020

You probably need a bearing of the appropriate diameter —bearings are specifically designed to allow things to spin freely on axles.
posted by mekily at 9:52 AM on June 2, 2020

Yeah, it sounds like you'll need an axle and bearing of some sort to get the blade to rotate freely, and then some way to mount the bearing onto a rod perpendicular to the axis of rotation. (though you talk about the blade spinning/wobbling so maybe you are partway there already?) The exact details would depend on how large/heavy the blade is - the heavier the blade, the better the bearing you'll need.
posted by btfreek at 10:38 AM on June 2, 2020

Is there a hub on the fan blade at all?

Without any sort of metal work I'd attach a couple of wood bearing blocks to a length of dimensional lumber. The bearing block can be shaped with a cone to space out the blade from the mount.
posted by Mitheral at 10:43 AM on June 2, 2020

Sugru might be useful here; I could see fashioning a bearing or hub, the connector for your vertical rod and horizontal blade shaft, and also a shaft cap (so the blade doesn't come off) entirely out of this stuff. Plus it's insanely handy for tons of other stuff.
posted by winesong at 12:19 PM on June 2, 2020

How much does the fan blade weigh?

Most hardware stores will have an aisle with specialty fasteners and such, and will have a drawer of bearings, like this. And I'd use two part epoxy glue for a strong bond.
posted by at at 12:54 PM on June 2, 2020

It's very lightweight plastic blades - weight maybe a few ounces. Thanks everyone will try to find the bearings and how to get them to adhere all together. Much obliged!
posted by watercarrier at 5:21 AM on June 3, 2020