How to remove fan blade (pics)

[PlaneDriver]

Slowly going about my full monty, drilling out rivets to remove the interior skins.. can't figure out how to remove this fan that was surrounded by a shroud on the ceiling.

It's attached to a rusted rod coming from the ceiling that has one flat side. I sprayed some PB Blaster on it to loosen it up some and it will rotate freely and slide up and down about an inch.

I would like to save the blades for another project, so complete destruction not desired.

-PB

[PlaneDriver]

bump?

[2002sheds]

Hi Plane,
It looks as if the blades are attached with rivets that can be drilled out. Maybe re-use and use pop rivets to attach? Just be sure to put the smooth end on the side that will show.

David

[ROBERTSUNRUS]

Hi, maybe using an air hammer on the motor shaft while holding the fan blade with your hands. Unless you are trying to save the motor too.

[John_Dennis]

To remove a fan, you need some kind of screw puller. You can find both 2 and 3 jaw pullers at sears and harbor freight or craigslist. Hitting the shaft with a hammer will cause it to expand like a rivet. You can also heat the collar with a propane or map torch while applying pressure with the screw puller.

I don't have any experience with Airstreams but I have worked on almost everything else.

[PlaneDriver]

Thanks for the recommendations! I ended up being able to get a metal recip saw blade against the shaft and slowly cut it off.

And down came the skins! And later the insulation.. it was a great milestone for me.