Thread: 2010 Updated Speeder's Faux Flaming Cauldron

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Here is my updated How-to on Speeder's Faux Flaming Cauldron 2010.

I chose a bigger fan that was $20 less then the previous one. It blows almost twice as much air and the modification was very simple and cleaner.

I purchased the fan from Sams Club (Walmart owned).
http://www.samsclub.com/sams/shop/pr...398&navAction=

Step 1 -Purchase list

1 36" piece of 1/4" (or whatever size you want) threaded steel rod from your local hardware store.
http://www.lowes.com/SearchCatalogDi...aded+steel+rod
2 1/4 inch regular nuts or wing nuts
1 Fan
Piece of silk
lights with wire nuts and transformer
velcro

Step 2

Modify your fan by taking as many screws out of the sides as you need so you can slip the metal carrying hand out. There will be a screw on the inside you will have to take out too before it will come out. Don't force it you will only break the fan housing. You will not use this metal rod and if left in place it will dissrupt the airflow.

Step 2

Measure and cut the silk. I used almost a full yard in length on each piece of silk. The bottom of the silk should be as wide as the fan output and not buched up between the sides of the fan. Sew a small pocket on the bottom of the piece of silk just large enough for the steel threaded rod to slip through. It doesn't have to be supper tight because the threads of the rod provide enough friction that the silk will not slide to the side. I don't own a sewing machine so I took it to the local alteration place and they did it within an hour. You will use this rod to hold your silk piece of flame rather then the previous version where the large gage solid copper wire with tape and paper clips did.


Step 4

Drill a 1/4 hole on either side of the fan sides in the exact midle of the fan output (the grills where to air comes out) and just above the grills. You want the steel rod to be nearly touching the grilled output of the fan. This will ensure a clean stream of air on both sides of the silk. Don't forget to slip the steel rod through the silk before you push it through the second side of the fan. Then trim any extra rod you don't want sticking out (use a hack saw only other wise you won't be able to screw the nuts on) and then put your nuts on either side.

Step 5

Place your velcro and lights on like in my previous version and you are good to go.



Here's the video http://s440.photobucket.com/albums/q...nt=009_NEW.mp4

I have more detailed pictures of the threaded rod and as soon as I find them I'll update this how-to. Please let me know if you have any questions and enjoy.

Great Balls of Fire!!!! That's fantastic. I'm going to have to go back and read the tutorial now. Awesome job on that!!!

Very cool design. Thanks for posting!

FYI: I found a similar fan at Lowes that looks like it will work, but I can't tell if the 480 CFM is the same. Fan is just shy of $50.

http://www.lowes.com/pd_153139-39646...roduct_price|1

That was the fan I had in my 09 faux fire cauldron. I updated it this year and bough one that is almost twice as big and powerful. It's just as quiet too. You can purchase it at Sams Club or Walmart and right now they are only $47.

Cool! Looks like a blazing fire to me.

Excellent update! Thanks

Originally Posted by thefireguy

That was the fan I had in my 09 faux fire cauldron. I updated it this year and bough one that is almost twice as big and powerful. It's just as quiet too. You can purchase it at Sams Club or Walmart and right now they are only $47.

Great, I'll give Walmart a shot. Striking out at local Sams Club and not a member. I don't see them online at Walmart, but right down the street so I'll stop by on the way home from work.

Now that I know what I'm looking for it should be too hard to track down. Thanks!!!

Very cool effect!

Has anyone tried using a box fan -- turning it on it's back with a frame underneath to elevate it off the ground so air circulates underneath - then simply attaching fabric to the fan's protective grid? I want to try and make a wall of fire and the square fans seems like a good option. Not sure if they would be powerful enough though... I would use flashlights inside pointing up at the fabric. . .anyone's thoughts?

Originally Posted by HallowSusieBoo

Has anyone tried using a box fan -- turning it on it's back with a frame underneath to elevate it off the ground so air circulates underneath - then simply attaching fabric to the fan's protective grid? I want to try and make a wall of fire and the square fans seems like a good option. Not sure if they would be powerful enough though... I would use flashlights inside pointing up at the fabric. . .anyone's thoughts?

Funny you should ask. All of the Sams Clubs in my area are out of the recommended fans so I tried using my box fan tonight. The box fan could not push about 2 feet of light weight fabric that I used to test. I'm not sure if the airflow could be directed better to give it more lift, but don't have a lot of hope that the box fan will work.

I'm still looking around for another alternative that I can maybe wall mount in my garage during the off season.