A DIY enthusiast has tackled a common household frustration: the ambiguous speed settings on ceiling fans. Most users simply yank the pull chain and guess at the speed, often resulting in either too little or too much airflow. Instead of settling for this inconvenience, Jeff, a maker known online as Super Valid Designs, spent over ten hours designing and 3D-printing a custom mount that provides a clear visual indication of each fan speed setting.
The Problem With Ceiling Fans
The core issue is a lack of feedback. Standard pull-chain fans offer no immediate way to know which speed you’ve selected. This leads to repeated tugging, wasted effort, and sometimes unexpectedly powerful gusts of air. The problem isn’t critical, but it’s the kind of everyday annoyance that can drive someone to over-engineer a solution just for the sake of it.
The DIY Solution: A Visual Speed Indicator
Jeff’s design mounts to the fan and displays a numbered drum that rotates with each pull of the chain. The mechanism accurately tracks the fan speed, showing settings from zero to three. He achieved this by carefully studying the chain’s ball-bearing movement, printing custom gears, and incorporating a ratchet-like system to hold the speed in place.
The Making of the Device
The process wasn’t straightforward. Jeff faced challenges with gear alignment, backlash, and ensuring the chain didn’t wear down the numbers on the drum. He refined the design through multiple iterations, eventually building a test rig to avoid constant ladder climbs. His persistence resulted in a three-tooth ratchet system that advances the drum reliably while allowing smooth return movement.
Why This Matters
This project isn’t about practicality; it’s about the joy of tinkering. Jeff acknowledges simpler solutions exist (remote controls, wall dials), but prefers the challenge of a custom build. His approach highlights a growing trend: the democratization of engineering through accessible tools like 3D printers and modeling software. More people are now empowered to solve problems creatively, even if those problems are minor inconveniences.
“Engineering isn’t always about finding the quickest fix; it’s about the joy of problem solving and discovering a different path to the same destination.”
The maker movement is flourishing, with individuals using 3D printing to create everything from custom desk organizers to replacement parts for broken household items. Jeff’s project embodies this spirit: a playful, over-engineered solution to a common annoyance that proves sometimes the fun is in the making, not just the result.
