Garage Ceiling Fans

[SWA Guy]

Before my garage remodel I had installed a hand-me-down ceiling fan to circulate some air. It was a simple antique brass unit with wooden and wicker blades.

As I am finishing up the garage remodel, it was obvious that the fan needed a face lift. It just didn't look right any longer. I was reluctant to throw this one out as it worked just fine, but I wanted a more military/industrial look. I decided to paint mine to look like a U.S. Navy P-3 Orion propeller. It didn't take long and I'm very happy with the results.

Show us your custom fans!

 

[n2jeepn]

Thats awesome!
Way to recycle and end up with something better than you could buy at the store.

 

[bochnak]

Does it help? I was thinking of added some.

 

[The Hot Rod Grille]

Looks great!

Jim Winter
The Hot Rod Grille Garage
www.wvpinball.com

 

[SWA Guy]

Thanks for the kind words.

Yes the ceiling fan helps to move the air around and helps to make the garage temps bearable even in the summer. I only wish that I had installed it 20 years ago.

What has helped even more was insulating the ceiling and walls when I finished the garage. The overall temps have dropped dramatically. The insulated and painted walls and ceiling have been the best improvement to this old house in the 34 years that I've lived here! My wife still believes that the new kitchen is the best. What does she know...

You can see my remodel thread here:

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=9483

 

[HOTFR8]

Looks Cool LOL.

 

[PAToyota]

Definitely cool looking! I put some ceiling fans in the upstairs woodshop, but didn't really think about putting any downstairs in the "garage" shop. Might have to rethink that!

 

[d110pickup]

For a shop ceiling fan I bought the "industrial" fans from HD. I haven't installed one yet (if you look at my shop build thread you'll know why) but the pitch on the blades will definitely move air. IIRC they claim to move 25% more than a normal fan of the same diameter. About $60 each.

Guy,
I've got a C-130 model that was used here (Lockheed) on the radar test range (about 3' long) that hangs in the basement shop that'll be moved to the new one when finished. I may steal your idea and paint the fans to mimic the C-130 props.

Mike

 

[sjsfire]

Now thats a great idea. Thanks for sharing. When I built my new house I added two fan brackets wired to a switch. I found 2 48inch ceiling fans on sale at Menards for $12 each with a $3 each rebate......pretty cheap but the fans run quite a bit over the last three years with no problems. I have to steal your idea too and come up with a paint scheme of my own. I like to hunt so I'm thinking maybe a camo theme. My wife refuses any camo furniture or bedding in the new house....but she says I can do whatever in the garage. Damn got my creative juices flowing

 

[BlueZero]

Great idea and thanks for sharing. I just got a hand me down fan last week and pick up some black paint for it this weekend. I think I might just give that a go.

 

[BoydS]

I like it ... great idea . Thanks for sharing.

 

[SWA Guy]

Mike,

The C-130 is another great aircraft. Unfortunately, it's engines are installed upside-down. I wish that I could get a model like that of the P-3!

Please post some pics of your fan (and model) when you finish customizing it.

Guy

For a shop ceiling fan I bought the "industrial" fans from HD. I haven't installed one yet (if you look at my shop build thread you'll know why) but the pitch on the blades will definitely move air. IIRC they claim to move 25% more than a normal fan of the same diameter. About $60 each.

Guy,
I've got a C-130 model that was used here (Lockheed) on the radar test range (about 3' long) that hangs in the basement shop that'll be moved to the new one when finished. I may steal your idea and paint the fans to mimic the C-130 props.

Mike

 

[SWA Guy]

One other thing; this is obviously a rotating mass and subject to out-of-balance vibration. During painting I tried to apply approximately the same amount of paint to each blade. Fortunately, I haven't noticed any vibrations beyond what I saw before painting.