Introduction: Portable Fort-in-a-Can
Hello everyone! have you ever been in a situation where you're really wanting to make a fort but have no materials? like in a movie theater, at the mall or even in your car? Well now you can, with the ALL NEW portable Fort in a Can!
Step 1: Parts and Tools
Parts:
RC Motor assembly (motor, ESC, battery and servo tester)
Motor Mounting Hardware
Large Coffee Can
Large Bed sheet
6" Fan Blade
Optional: mp3 speaker
Tools:
krazy glue
dremel tool
NOTE: using a regular fan motor and such a small fan blade will not make this work. i used an rc outrunner (running at approx. 12000 rpm) in order to achieve the amount of airflow possible to inflate the sheet.
Step 2: Modifying the Coffee Can
in order for this to work properly the motor,fan assembly need to be in the exact center of the coffee can. I discovered a little trick in the modifying process in order to achieve exact center. on most coffee can lids there is a small dimple int he exact center, place it on the bottom of the can as shown and mark a dent in the metal with a screwdriver.
Next, take the motor and measure the spacing between the mounting screws then transfer that information onto the bottom of the can using the dent you made as a center reference point.
Step 3: Modifying the Coffee Can Continued
make markings on the bottom of the can for air intake holes and one on the side for the motor wires then cut/drill out those shapes with a dremel tool
Step 4: Fan and Motor
Now take the fan blade and put some krazy glue into the space where the motor shaft will be. then insert the motor shaft and wait a few minutes for the glue to dry
Step 5: Final Assembly!
1. take the motor/fan and mount it to the bottom of the can with the mounting screws
2. use krazy glue to attach esc and battery on the outside of the can
3. solder all electronic components together
Step 6: Now You Have a Fort for Anywhere!
now you just stuff the sheet in and youre ready to make a fort literally anywhere!
the sheet inflates enough to just fit me lying down (im 6'3") with another person beside me
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Fort Contest
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25 Comments
9 years ago on Introduction
Great! (admittedly, I clicked on this as I thought it said 'fart in a can')
Reply 9 years ago on Introduction
I as well thought it was "fart" and not "fort"
9 years ago on Introduction
Very cool. I remember making something like that for myself as a kid by setting up a sleeping bag in front of a fan. If I can get the stuff together maybe I'll do it up as an instructable too.
9 years ago on Introduction
I would suggest looking into a small blower fan. They are not expensive and put out a much higher volume of air at a lower noise level. Love the idea of the portable fort... you could sew up something and likely market it with great success.
9 years ago on Step 6
You sir, suffer from Vertical Video Syndrome.
Please watch this PSA to help combat this blight.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bt9zSfinwFA
Reply 9 years ago on Introduction
Love that... always wanted to tell people about that!!!
9 years ago on Introduction
Haha JensKidsAdventures,
I am in the same boat. I flipped through every step becoming more and more convinced that "fort" must mean "fan/motor/electrify your coffee can /etc" in Willy's native language. and then right at the last minute it became a fort. I like the wind tunnel effect too, my least favorite part about an indoor fort is how hot and stuffy it can be. Finally, somebody added some A/C!
Reply 9 years ago on Introduction
^^ (I tried to post this as a reply to JensKidsAdventures, but for some reason I only get the captcha to come up for new posts or replying to myself.....lame)
9 years ago
#nice
9 years ago on Introduction
DAT IS COOL!!!!
9 years ago on Introduction
Not at all what I was expecting, until I realised I'd misread it and it actually said 'fort' in a can. I thought it was just going to be a can of beans.
9 years ago on Introduction
Sorry, I don't get the idea: Why would ppl. want to inflate their duvet cover?
9 years ago
Trust me you can't use a smaller fan ahaha
9 years ago on Step 6
if you used a less porous material, and sealed it round the tin, you could probably use a smaller fan... have you got any waterproofing stuff for tents? it might do the trick...
9 years ago on Introduction
Love this! Very neat idea, wish I had one as a kid.
9 years ago on Introduction
In Elementary school, we had an astrologist come by with this big black sheet and blew it up using that. And we would all pile in and sit on the ground, while he demonstrated the star constellations and so on. It was loads of fun. This could be used in similar fashion!
Reply 9 years ago on Introduction
I'm pretty sure you meant Astronomer. Astrologists tell the future by looking at the stars, astronomers blow up big inflatable bubbles and tell kids about stars.
9 years ago on Step 6
You'll be deaf before you know it.
9 years ago on Step 6
Haha, love the idea, but i would LOVE to see you get this into a movie theater:P
9 years ago on Step 6
That is such a unique idea. I had no idea where you were going with it until the very end. Glad I read through to the finish.