Help, what was this part of an electric fire

twopenny

It's not a pin facing upwards I now believe from looking closely at the missing part and remembering seeing the concave side when I took the log cover off.
The fan sits concave side facing upwards, the pimple has a small flange and sat in a cleft.
It shows if you look at this picture enlarged 

https://www.uk-spares.com/heating-spares/electric-fire/dimplex/yeo20/dimplex-bf7221

I just followed from the first post as I was tired. Then looking closely it came to me.
What do you think?

Scrounger

It is a pin facing upwards, try spinning the fan on an upturned drawing pin.


Scrounger

WIAWSNB

It's more clear in the second pic.
A drawing pin might not be long enough. Do you have one to try?
Give us a list of 'pins' that you do have!
Even a paper clip would do, although you'd need to file or sand the end to a point. 
(Akshully, a largish paperclip could be the ideal one-step solution.)

twopenny

Large paperclips I have.
Will have a rummage later to see if I can find a pin.
I'm not listing all the pins I have. That would take hours! Suffice to say I have a lot of choice 😊

Scrounger

As WIAWSNB mentioned above, a large paperclip might do the trick:

Bend one leg to 90 degrees and about 15mm length to form the 'pin', then try mounting the fan on the 'pin' and see if spins ok.

If all OK, push the paper clip on the the prongs leaving the 'pin' sticking up (dead vertical), then refit the fan.

Test the fan with the heater on (it will take a little while to spin up).

Perhaps we will have a result today!


Scrounger

twopenny

Ok. Found the pin with a sizeable bit of the plastic platform on it and got it out with an extendable magnet (in a metal fire that's interesting) but as soon as I held it the plastic disintegrated 😢

Paperclips didn't work in any size, drawing pins too short.

There is enough of the flange on the pin to get it accurate length.
Just have to work on the platform and where the pin is positioned exactly.

Have to go out to photograph kingfishers now but will get back to it later.

WIAWSNB

Well done!
Do you have epoxy glue such as Araldite? There will be ways to reuse that pin.
I'm not sure you understood the paperclip idea - the paperclip forms the pin, as well as the mount? It's all that's required.
But, it will need a sharpened point added, using a file or sandpaper. A nail file would likely do.
A pic of your paperclip?

stuart45

WIAWSNB said:

Well done!

A pic of your paperclip?

I've had the same problem, but took your advice and adapted my granddaughter's nappy pin. Works a treat as you can see.

WIAWSNB

stuart45 said:

WIAWSNB said:

Well done!

A pic of your paperclip?

I've had the same problem, but took your advice and adapted my granddaughter's nappy pin. Works a treat as you can see.

Perfect! And it has the sharp point! :-)

twopenny

Good idea!
I have lots of safety pins but not that big.

I just have to sort out the MOT, heating, broken bathroom light, toilet, physio and shopping and I'll be right back 😵‍💫