How to "Improve" a Kirby Metal Fan

[kirbyclassiciii]

Video: Lawrence McLane



What he did was to grind each of the 10 fins here and there to make them look similar to the 11 fins of the plastic fan. Be careful when you attempt this experiment. When he tried this experiment on his Classic Omega, he saw that the airflow improved greatly.

~Ben

 

[lawrencemclane]

Lawrence here. Excuse my French in my videos, I am indeed a creature of habit.
I have done this with repeated results, both in a 515 which saw an increase in airflow, the Classic Omega, which also saw an improvement, and the fan in the video went in a Tradition last night, which saw an improvement over the Lexan fan that was in it. Glad to see my hair-brained ideas actually worked!

 

[tolivac]

You have to maintain the balance of the fan-all blades cut or ground equally.If not the fan will run off balance causing noise and possible damage to motor bearings.

 

[oldsuck]

I’d be happy just to find a metal fan.

 

[madman]

Modifying the fan, as perfect as you can, you should still assume it needs to be balanced. Not like that's a big deal, though.

 

[lesinutah]

Metal fan

If you would be happy to find one what model would you need it to fit. I've can probably help you out.
Led

 

[lesinutah]

Balancing

Might actually be the reason it is so effecient.
With the fan in the drill how do you make it true as you put it.
Thanks for the reply in advance.
Les

 

[vacsofprosper]

I have 3 metal fans and I would like to give this a try. Do I need a drill chuck for this method?

 

[kirbyclassiciii]

VacsofProsper

Gabriel,

Drill bit? Not exactly. A Dremel grinder would be the tool to use to grind down the fins, but you only want to do this just enough for the ten fins to better clear the inside of the fan case.

Watch the video to understand how this is done, so you know how to do it properly.

~Ben

 

[vacsofprosper]

KirbyclassicIII, I'll see if I have a Dremel along with very good grinding tools. Thanks.

 

[KirbyCollector01]

I have a few fans modified this way.

Lawrence, the man behind this modification is a close friend of mine. And I’ll just say, you won’t regret doing this!