Computer fan guard art

These decorations look great hanging in a window with the light shining through them or outside hanging in the garden.

You will need a guard from a computer fan. They are about 3 inches/7.5cm wide.

Computer-fan-guard-art.pdf313 KB

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Step 1: Marbles

You will need lots of marbles, a hot glue gun and some string to hang the decoration.

These marbles are 'craft' marbles from a discount store. Any marbles that let the light through would be fine.

Work out a pattern you're happy with. Then, using a hot glue gun, put two dabs of hot glue onto two guard tracks. Quickly place a marble on the glue and hold for a few seconds. Continue to apply marbles until you've got a piece of beautiful glass art.

Update : tulekah kindly suggested putting marbles on both sides of the fan guard so that it looks good from front or back.

lrijnaker says: Apr 30, 2011. 5:15 PM

Cool, I like this idea. I would probably use fried marbles because I'm currently obsessed with them and looking for ways to use them, but it would up the sparkly factor quite a bit.

bauble (author) says: May 2, 2011. 3:05 PM

I love it. What a great idea. I knew about fried marbles years ago but had forgotten all about them. Thanks for the tip. I've added your idea to the instructable.

tulekah says: Feb 3, 2010. 10:18 AM

i have some of those grills but i never thot to ornament them. i would alternate sides when gluing on the marbles so that when they turn (like in a mobile) there isn't a 'front' and 'back'.

bauble (author) says: Feb 11, 2010. 12:06 AM

That's a good idea about putting marbles on both sides. I have added your idea to Step One. Thanks.

MJMATHOT says: Feb 1, 2010. 4:25 AM

They can also be used as coasters for warm coffee cups or so.

emjayg says: Feb 2, 2010. 12:25 AM

Beaut. A good project to keep one busy on a lazy day.

emjayg says: Feb 2, 2010. 12:22 AM

Beaut. A good project to keep you busy on a lazy day.

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ChrysN says: Feb 1, 2010. 4:18 PM

Very pretty!

Z.. says: Feb 1, 2010. 3:19 PM

That's lovely! Such ingenuity!

rimar2000 says: Feb 1, 2010. 3:02 AM

Nice, but I suggest you a better tittle: "Computer fan guard art, or how to obstruct the PC cooling"

bauble (author) says: Feb 1, 2010. 3:15 AM

Haha, yes could be the latest trend in computer modding!

n0ukf says: Feb 1, 2010. 11:53 AM

But who looks at the back of the computer? Many are hidden under the desk.

NachoMahma says: Feb 1, 2010. 8:40 AM

. Great job. Clear pictures (except step 5 and it was clear enough to get the idea across). Good explanations. Great way to recycle old computer parts.
. I do wonder how long hot glue and plain ol' thread will hold up to weather and sunlight.
. You might be able to combine more than one guard using stainless steel bolts/nuts/washers to get attractive patterns.