An easy step to step Tutorial explaining how you can build an "USB Cooling Fan" for your notebook/desktop/whatever from an old or broken cd-rom drive. Enjoy.

You can follow that Instructable or just watch the video version:

Step 1: Dismantle the Drive

Dismantle the (broken) cd/dvd player. You'll find a lot of interesting parts (e.g. the lens), but in this tutorial we need just one of the motors (usually are 2, and the damage is somewhere else, so they works). Take it out.

NOTE: every drive is different "inside", so it's a bit useless show you where is located. But you can see the picture to know what you are looking for.

Step 2: Making of the Blades

Take the empty package and get out the transparent cd.
Mark 8 identical cloves on the "cd", then cut them with a cutter.

Step 3: Mount the Blades

Mark the cork where you'll put the blades.
Make a small hole in the bottom. Cut off 1/3 in height and hack enough space for the blades.
Insert the blades (4 or 8) and secure them with super-glue. Let it dry :)

Step 4: Prepare the Usb Cable

Take the usb cable and cut it to the desired lenght, then peel it out leaving only the RED and the BLACK wires (isolate the other 2).

Step 5: Insert the Wires Into the Sheath

cut 3 iron wires as long as the cable
tie the wires (3 irons +2 from the usb) to a longer iron wire threaded in the sheath.
Pull the longer iron wire from the other side of the sheath, in order to make slip inside all the wires.

Step 6: Fix the Motor

Fix the motor to the cable and solder the usb wires. Isolate all with tape.

Step 7: Fix the Cork to the Motor

Glue the motor to the cork and let it dry.

Step 8: Test It..!

Test it... IT WORKS!

you can watch a video clip showing this cool Usb Fan here:

NOTE: thank to the iron wires, you can model the cable to any shape ;)

THANK YOU!