By John McIntyre | Updated March 24, 2022
One of the most accessible ways to stay cool on a hot summer day is to create your own electric fan. With just a few household items and basic tools, you can learn how a fan works while building a functional prototype.
Wrap 5–10 turns of magnet wire around a tube of toilet paper or a shot glass. Leave roughly 4 inches of free wire on each side of the coil. Secure the ends by winding them back over the coil.
Use fine‑grit sandpaper to strip the enamel from one end of the wire, leaving about a quarter inch of insulated wire at the join. Repeat on the other end, but strip only half the length.
Shape two paperclips into a “W” and attach them to the battery terminals with a large rubber band, creating a cradle that will hold the coil.
With another rubber band, link the battery and a strong magnet so the magnet’s pole faces the same direction as the cradle. The magnet’s polarity is not critical.
Place the coil into the cradle. If the motor starts, it should spin. You may need to give it a gentle flick to get it moving.
Construct fan blades by gluing four business cards or credit cards together in an “X” shape.
Attach the blades to the coil by threading the wire through the cards and securing with a drop of glue. If using old credit cards, a hot needle can help create a clean hole.
