u/tomthemaker

I need help selecting the best powerful electric (plugin) fan that will create a great vortext. Here is the situation: I was recently accepted as an exhibitor at the Orlando Maker Faire scheduled for early November 2026. The project I'm going to bring is based on my table top Float-O-Matic which I built in the spring of 2026 for a one day Maker Faire in Lynchburg VA. For the Orlando event I want to build a GIANT version of the Float-O-Matic. I lucked out on the fan for my table top Float-O-Matic in that it creates a great vortex that nicely holds the small balloon allowing the operator to control the balloon in three dimensions. I'm hoping this community can help me select a fan that will produce a strong vortex for floating / controlling a 36" diameter balloon or perhaps 36" diameter beach ball. I want this to be a spectacle! This fan from Harbor Freight produces 4600 CFM and only costs $50 and is only 20" in diameter. This fan from Home Depot produces 9640 CFM and costs $109 but is 24" in diameter. This drum fan from Home Depot produces 2800 CFM and costs $120 and is only 16" in diameter. I'd like a smaller diameter fan because they are easier to transport. I'll be driving to Orlando from my home in Asheville, NC and everything must fit inside my Subaru Outback. I will start by purchasing the fan and then start building and testing the fan control mechanism. Thanks for any help you can offer.

I need to replicate a PCB that is associated with a learn-to-solder project from a company called PATCHR (no longer in business). A friend of mine owned the company and he recently sent me the remaining stock of a "solar lantern kit" (maybe 100 kits?) but they are all lacking the PCBs. I have only one PCB shown in the photo. Is there a company that can easily replicate this PCB. My goal is to donate these kits to a local STEM teacher friend of mine so his students can assemble them. PATCHR was a cool company with a cool idea for teaching electronics but it just didn't make it. https://www.instagram.com/patchr.io/

I rode my Speeder to the opening night of "The Mandalorian and Grogu". The theater management and patrons loved it! Here's a short video clip:

https://youtube.com/shorts/thjjwnfHawE

I gave a 6 minute 40 second talk about how the banjo changed my life. https://youtu.be/sI5sjG7rYhg?si=M0RgI4FZqx7v4jFW

I'm working on a new project that has students assembling a handheld solar lantern and then donating it to a local nonprofit that serves the homeless. I've already run a small pilot involving 6 teachers in 5 states. Fall of 2026 I'll be sending 25 kits to 80 teachers in communities across the US. www.Light2Give.org

I rode my Speeder to the opening night of "The Mandalorian and Grogu". The movie theatre owners loved it.

I've been working in STEM education for years both professionally and as a volunteer. I'm working on a new project and need help. The project has students assembling a handheld solar lantern (while learning about renewable energy) and then donating it to a local nonprofit that serves the homeless. I've already run a small self-funded pilot involving 6 teachers in 5 states. Now I want to send kits to 80 teachers (25 kits per teacher) in communities across the US. I've launched a GoFundMe campaign to make this possible. Thanks for any help you can offer spreading the word about this GoFundMe campaign. Here's the GoFundMe link that includes a video. https://gofund.me/9aaaac1f2