Need to make or buy fan filters

gchanjam

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Apr 26, 2006
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Is there any material I can use to make fan filters that still allows for good airflow? Or are there any good 120mm fan filters I can buy?
 

acegazda

Platinum Member
May 14, 2006
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Do you have any mesh lying around? Anything that is slightly tighter a screen door will do the trick. I checked out the fan filters on sale @xoxide and they're nothing special, you could easily screw a piece of mesh to the fan and it will do the trick IMO. It might be tricky though. Getting mesh that's tight enough to prevent dust yet spaced enough not to restrict airflow. You might try screen door mesh to see how it works... I'd be interested in your conclusions.

EDIT: The fan filters @xoxide are $5 each. Kind of expensive, that's why I suggest some good old DIY improvisation.
 

gchanjam

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Apr 26, 2006
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Interestingly enough I have tried screen door mesh on another computer. The airflow is decent but after a while dust still starts to build up.
 

pkme2

Diamond Member
Sep 30, 2005
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Why don't you use coffee filters. I've never had to use them because my computer room is almost dust free.
Some porous paper might work.
 

Zepper

Elite Member
May 1, 2001
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Nylon stocking material does work but it is pretty two dimensional so you have to keep it vacuumed. I use the foam air conditioner filter material and hold it in place the with pieces of the "hooks" part of sticky-back velcro. Or I use the two piece plastic filter frames sold at places like SVC.com, jab-tech.com, etc.

.bh.
 

fluffmonster

Senior member
Sep 29, 2006
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I've sewn the foam air conditioner material over all openings on my Centurion 5...the front already has something like that. Keeps the vast majority of the dust out.
 

Skott

Diamond Member
Oct 4, 2005
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LevelL0rd, over at Performance-PCs suggested to me to use fabric dryer sheets. Damn if they dont work. Clean smelling too! LOL
 

gchanjam

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Apr 26, 2006
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Originally posted by: Skott
LevelL0rd, over at Performance-PCs suggested to me to use fabric dryer sheets. Damn if they dont work. Clean smelling too! LOL

That's actually a good idea and the static doesnt pose a problem?
 

dennilfloss

Past Lifer 1957-2014 In Memoriam
Oct 21, 1999
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dennilfloss.blogspot.com
Originally posted by: phonicsmonkey
does pantyhose work? i was thinking of using that or some other kind of hoisery lol

Pantyhose works better than the filter that came with my Antec case. In fact, the front cheese-grate openings on my case did not allow sufficient airflow for a 120mm fan so I modded the bezel with permanently affixed stretched black pantyhose. I just use a little brush to clear the dust that accumulates on it once a week. Someone handy could do a much better job than mine but that gives you the general idea.

http://www.fileden.com/public.php?action=view&upload_id=165093

Recently replaced the SilenX fans with Antec Tricools.

 

acegazda

Platinum Member
May 14, 2006
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Originally posted by: pkme2
Why don't you use coffee filters. I've never had to use them because my computer room is almost dust free.
Some porous paper might work.

that seems like it would seriously restrict airflow... have you tried it?
 

deadken

Diamond Member
Aug 8, 2004
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I use THESE for the side panel mods that I have done to two of my cases. They work great, are very easy to remove and wash clean, and are very inexpensive to boot. I have also used some A/C filter mesh on my front intake fans. Just buy a nice big mesh filter from Home Depot and cut it up to whatever size you need. Lastly, if you want GREAT airflow and 'moderate' filtering, you should try some 3M Scotchbright pads (or similar). They filter larger dust particles and have a TON of surface area. They also are easily cleaned since they are made of plastic and are very tough.

I hope those suggestions help and please post back and let us know what you ended up using and how it worked out for you!

-Ken
 

dennilfloss

Past Lifer 1957-2014 In Memoriam
Oct 21, 1999
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dennilfloss.blogspot.com
Here's another mod I did for the side fan on my former case, a Lian Li. Used an ice cream jar lid, cut off the middle, stretched black pantyhose on it and the suction from the Thermaltake 120mm fan was enough to keep it on.

http://pics.bbzzdd.com/users/dennilfloss/fanpicture3.jpg

http://pics.bbzzdd.com/users/dennilfloss/fanpicture2.jpg

http://pics.bbzzdd.com/users/dennilfloss/fanpicture.jpg

http://pics.bbzzdd.com/users/dennilfloss/fanpicture1.jpg

It looks much darker under normal light that with the flash.
 

acegazda

Platinum Member
May 14, 2006
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thanks that looks clean and tidy, and looks like it shouldn't restrict airflow... though you could probably stretch the pantihose to achieve greater airflow (less restriction)
 

pkrush

Senior member
Dec 5, 2005
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Dryer sheets work very well, if they're used. Otherwise they're much too restrictive.
 

Skott

Diamond Member
Oct 4, 2005
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I havent tried a used dryer sheet. I'll have to try one and compare it to a unused one.
 

LOUISSSSS

Diamond Member
Dec 5, 2005
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i think pantyhose would make good airfilters if u can get them to work, and they're cheap too. i've never tried, input?