Fixing a Busted Drum Fan

[Richard D]

I bought a 42" Triangle Engineering belt driven drum fan ($800+ new so it's worth saving)off Craigslist and didn't strap it down, so it blew out of my truck. The sheetmetal drum is taco'd but the fan still functions just fine. I figure I can just build a plywood box and bolt the inner structure inside. Will it put out the same amount of air without the round shroud around the blades?

 

[zmaxmotorsports]

Id say it might have a little less velocity depending on how big the box is compared to old housing.

 

[The Cobbler]

I think you might loose some , since the fan is not as close . how about make a square box then line it with thin ply to create the shroud...

 

[rsanter]

no it will not
it need that shroud at the specified distance from the blades to operate as they intended

if you want to do the plywood box thing, then just take a piece of sheetmetal or even thin plywood (moulan) and inert it in a circle in the box

bob

 

[CNGsaves]

It will "work" but not near as well as properly shaped round shroud.

How bad is metal shroud damaged ?? You have ball peen hammer or BFH and some steel to pound against (rail road track, etc) and make your best effort at "English wheel" work ?? Even with rivet fastened patches added and "English wheeled" back into some sort of round shroud shape, you'd be better off than square box of wood. Be creative and give it a try !!

 

[Richard D]

no it will not
it need that shroud at the specified distance from the blades to operate as they intended

if you want to do the plywood box thing, then just take a piece of sheetmetal or even thin plywood (moulan) and inert it in a circle in the box

bob

This is what I was thinking. I tried to beat it back in shape with a sledge, no luck.

 

[Milton Shaw]

Take a piece of thin strip of metal and make it round to the size you need. secure it to the plywood box and you have your shroud back. If you have access to a roller then you are in even better shape. Should not take a lot of work to get something round enough to work.

 

[nadogail]

This is what I was thinking. I tried to beat it back in shape with a sledge, no luck.

Would you use a sledge to fix a dented fender?

Think of as auto body work.

 

[Brian_WK]

Would you use a sledge to fix a dented fender?

Think of as auto body work.

I would if it was 12 gauge steel. I'm assuming that this blower housing is quite thick much more so then your average car fender.

Brian

 

[Notgrownup]

Or you could make it octagonal.... that would be close enough...

 

[Richard D]

I would if it was 12 gauge steel. I'm assuming that this blower housing is quite thick much more so then your average car fender.

Brian

It hase a crimp about 4" deep where it hit the ground at 60 mph. I hit it HARD with a sledge and it did jack ****. It;s banged up pretty much all around, broke the wheels off, even managed to strip the end off the cord. I would prefer a square box anyway so I can put casters under it. I can roll the sheetmetal shroud and even run it through the bead roller if I wanted, but it's really not necessary.

 

[tac]

You might use a hydraulic jack to push the insides out slowly and just work around it until circular again.

 

[CNGsaves]

^ ^ ^ Build a jig to force back in shape with a press ??

I'd get the original shroud "good enough" that it remained functional to move air, then add your wooden square support around the old damaged round shroud.

 

[Richard D]

It's totally screwed. I had to cut out a chunk just to test it and see if it was bent or would vibrate. Easier to just make a new one. Look much better as well, use nice new shiny galvanized steel. Thanks for all the input.

 

[Richard D]

Take a piece of thin strip of metal and make it round to the size you need. secure it to the plywood box and you have your shroud back. If you have access to a roller then you are in even better shape. Should not take a lot of work to get something round enough to work.

This worked like a charm.