If you like to use your computer for more than just word processing, or are getting into heavier CAD and rendering software, or even just enjoy playing games with the graphics maxed, chances are your computer tends to get a bit toasty sometimes. Sure, you could go out and buy a cooling pad, but why do that when you can make your own for little to no money?

Step 1: Materials

To make my laptop cooler, I used:

-Half a 2x2
-4 wood screws
-Some leftover plexi-glass
-Hot glue
-Epoxy
-A fan

A note on the fan. I already had the fan kicking around which is what kept this project free for me. If you don't have a fan already, try and find one that can run on 120V or whatever the voltage coming out of your wall is. This way you can avoid any additional costs needed to purchase or make a power supply, like you would need for a regular CPU fan that runs on 12V.

Step 2: The Build

Essentially, I didn't measure or plan any of this project. I just cut everything to fit my laptop and made sure that it was symmetrical.

I started with the wooden frame. Everything is simply screwed together at the corners.

Next, I cut the plexi to make space for the fan. The fan that I am using is a biscuit fan, and it has a 90' difference between the inlet and outlet, rather than your typical computer fan which is straight through. I needed to make sure that it had clearance because part of the rotor sticks out below the base of the frame. I epoxied the plexi in place and then, after it dried, mounted he fan with hot glue.

I sealed any cracks that air could escape through with hot glue, to make sure that all the air gets pushed past my laptop.

I added some risers made from plexi to the top to allow for more space for the air to move, and made little hot glue feet for the bottom. I later replaced the feet with some wider and shorter 3d printed ones, which I epoxied onto the bottom of the plexi.

Step 3: The Finished Product

Alright, so it sounds a little bit too much like a jet engine starting up, and it isn't the prettiest thing in the world, but it does its job just fine. And it cost me nothing and took only a half hour or so to make so I'm happy with it! I just have to keep hoping that the noise doesn't bother any of my desk neighbours!

Thanks for reading my instructable! Post in the comments if you decide to cobble together a laptop cooler of your own!