Replacing the fan blades of a generator

How to replace a fan blade?

Once you have positioned the new fan blade, connect the wires and place them over its bracket. Consequently, secure the nuts and reinstall the grease filters. The last step is to turn on the power with the fan and make sure that the fan is working well. If the fan blade works fine, you don’t need to do anything else.

How do you make a fan blank?

When you find an original fan section, the paint is often thick where it puddled after being dipped. Blanks are made by cutting a 2-by-6 on a diagonal (photo 2): Make the narrow end 1-1/2 inches wide and that ensures a width of about 4 inches on the wide end. If you cut the first pair carefully, you’ll have blanks to use as guides for the rest.

Do you need a band saw to build a fan?

Building fans is not a complex process, nor are specialized tools needed. The most important item to have is a 3/4-inch-wide blade (with three to four teeth per inch) for your band saw. When re-sawing, a wide blade keeps the cut going straight as it runs into the wood’s grain (photo 1).

Do fan blades have a radial pattern?

Fans are cut on a radial pattern: Some use smaller radiuses than others even though blades may be the same length (photo 5). If you want the unit to last, use galvanized nails. Pre-drilling before nailing will prevent cracked blades.

What happens if a fan is lost in a mill?

Generally, fan hardware is lost, buried in the dirt where the mill fell or was dumped. Scrap dealers pick up the large pieces, but small pieces are lost under the grass. Dan Benjamin, Freeman, S.D., deals in old mills. He had parts I needed for the Pipe Raymond, and I had some parts he needed, so we both came out ahead with no money involved.

What was your largest wood fan rebuild?

Our largest wood fan rebuild was a 12-foot Elgin at the Western Minnesota Steam Threshers Reunion in Rollag. Shortly after we installed the finished piece, an 85 mph wind rolled through the grounds, taking roofs and doing damage. We had permanently furled the mill, however, and it came through unscathed.