How To Make a USB Fan

Ingredients

• An old computer cooling fan
• A Phillips-head screwdriver
• Wire cutters
• A USB cable with a plug at both ends
• Scissors
• Electrical tape
• A wire coat hanger or other sturdy wire
• A working computer with USB slot
• A wire-insulation stripper

Steps

1. Retrieve computer fan - Look online or at your local computer-repair shop for a plastic computer-cooling fan. Or, dismantle an old computer and unscrew the fan inside. Disconnect the two wires that attach it to the computer – one red, one black. The wires will remain connected to the fan. (31 sec. )
2. Strip fan wires - Using wire cutters or a wire-insulation stripper, strip off a half-inch of the protective coating from the two wires. (47 sec. )
3. Strip USB cable - Cut off one end of the USB cable and strip away two inches of the outer casing. You should see four wires inside – green, white, red, and black. Slice off the green and white wires up to the casing. All you need are the red and black wires. (55 sec. )
4. Wherever you cut your USB cord will determine the reach of your fan, so be careful where you snip. (69 sec. )
5. Strip red and black wires - Strip a half-inch of the protective coating from the red and black USB wires. (76 sec. )
6. Connect wires - Twist the exposed USB wires to the exposed wires from the computer fan – red to red, and black to black. (82 sec. )
7. Tape wires together - Wrap the two individual sets of connected wires separately in electrical tape. Then, tape and wrap both sets together to form one cable. (90 sec. )
8. Build stand - Create a stand for your fan. To start, get about 18 inches of sturdy electrical wire and bend it into a square “U” shape the same width as the fan. (100 sec. )
9. A modified wire coat hanger can also serve as a suitable stand. (109 sec. )
10. Install stand - Push each end of the wire through the bottom screw holes in the fan. Bend and push the rest of the wire up, around the fan, and through the top screw holes. Bend the ends of the wire to secure the stand, and cut off any excess. Rest the stand on a flat surface. (113 sec. )
11. Plug in fan - Adjust and angle the fan as desired and plug the USB cable into your computer. Ah, feel the refreshing breeze. (129 sec. )
12. A Japanese company offers warming slippers with precise temperature controls powered by two USB cables. (138 sec. )