(Part 2) Reddit mentions: The best ceiling fans & lights

Step one: don't pick an expensive snare lol

See the imgur album for close-ups



Tools you'll need:

1. Electric screwdriver/drill
   
   
2. Drill set for your electric drill (smaller sizes)
   
   
3. Small wood hacksaw or some way to cut a .75 X 1.5
   
   
4. Fine metal hacksaw (optional)
   
   
5. Measuring tape
   
   
6. Pencil
   
   
7. Sharpie
   
   
8. Pliers
   
   
9. Scissors
   
   
10. Wood file (optional)
    
    
    
    
    Find a cheap snare that looks nice and matches the aesthetic you're going for. Prefer a snare that already has an eyelet (most should). If you want a clean look, buy a new drum head. I think a worn-in look is nicer.
    
    
    
    Supplies:
    
    
    
11. You should be able to find all of the following supplies
    at any homedepot/lowes. I'd recommend bringing your snare with you.
    
    
12. Buy a low-heat light bulb (i.e. fluorescent) with the brightness and color you want. I prefer a warm white (2700k) bulb that puts out 500 lumens. Here's what I used: https://www.1000bulbs.com/product/202592/FC09-148545.html
    
    
13. Find the lighting section. They should have a DIY lamp kit section nearby. Buy a lamp socket housing with a pull chain; it might come in a kit, or on its own. https://www.homedepot.com/p/GE-Pull-Chain-Brass-Lamp-Socket-Housing-Aluminum-52204/203749539 The housing should fit a standard lightbulb, but might as well double-check. Also, make sure that the other end of the housing is threaded on the inside.
    
    
14. If the housing didn't come with a cord, then buy one of whatever color matches your aesthetic, and has an appropriate length.
    
    
15. For the threaded side of the housing, buy a matching threaded tube, a few inches in length. If you don't have a metal hacksaw, then you'll need to buy an exact length to center your bulb when it is in the housing. Should look like this, but a different size: https://flamcogroup.com/ex-en/catalog/flamcofix-fixing-technology/stainless-steel-mounting-material/stainless-steel-threaded-tube/threaded-tube-stainless-steel/groups/g+c+p+a+view
    
    
16. The threaded tube will end up being flush with the shell of the snare. If you want a different color, or if you want it to look fancy, then buy a threaded tube adapter with a matching size. Might look like this: https://www.barnes4wd.com/1-14-Right-Hand-Thread-Tube-Insert-For-1-14-Inch-ID-Tubing-_p_1091.html
    
    
17. Buy a pull chain. These come in many shapes and colors, just make sure it has one of those clippy things on the end, so you can attach it to an existing chain. https://www.amazon.com/Westinghouse-7721400-Lighting-Trophy-Rubbed/dp/B0042VQ4V2
    
    
18. Next, you'll want a length of wood to support the lightbulb. Find a .75in by 1.5in piece of wood that's a few inches longer than the diameter of your snare.
    
    
19. Next, you'll need something to hang your snare. Head over to the chain section, and find a chain of appropriate color and size. Use the machine to cut a long enough chain to hang with. You can always remove a section to adjust, but you can't add more later. Thick string or long, colored shoe laces can also work!
    
    
20. Buy a couple thick hook screws if needed.
    
    
21. Buy 4 screws with a color that looks nice with your snare (medium/appropriate size for the ends of the wood).
    
    
22. Buy a couple zip ties.
    
    
    
    Instructions:
    
    
    
23. First, take off the head of the snare.
    
    
24. Compare the wood to the inside of your snare. Mark with the pencil the appropriate length, and use the hacksaw to trim it down. Make sure the end is relatively smooth. You can always remove a bit more.
    
    
25. Next, you'll want some wood to act as a spacer so your bulb won't rest directly on the wood. Screw the light bulb and the threaded tube into the housing.
    
    
26. Compare the lightbulb assembly parallel/next to the wood, and determine the length of the spacer required to keep the bulb just off the wood. (The .75in width of the wood happened to be exactly what I needed.)
    
    
27. With the remaining wood, cut off enough for the spacer.
    
    
28. This is the point when you need to determine where the pull chain will exit your snare. Imagine your snare hanging from two of the tension rods at 11:15 and 12:45. Where do you want the eyelet for the pull chain? I think a off-center looks best, so I chose 4:30. Which two tension rods will be at the top of your lamp? Keep this orientation in mind for the following steps.
    
    
29. This is also the point where you need to figure out where the cord will enter the snare and where the wood will screw in. The cord can't enter near the snare strainer or the butt plate, so that's off limits. I chose 9 oclock for mine.
    
    
30. Next, you'll need to screw the wood into the snare.
    
    
31. Holding the lightbulb and spacer against the wood, line up the ends so that they match where the cord will enter. center the lightbulb along the depth of the snare.
    
    
32. Make sure both ends have the same depth, and mark their positions. Set aside the wood and mark more specifically the locations of the two screws per end.
    
    
33. Take a drill bit smaller than the diameter of the screws, and drill 4 pilot holes for each screw, as well as pilot holes in the wood (be careful to match the positioning.
    
    
34. Screw the wood to the snare.
    
    
35. Next, you'll need to drill a hole for the cord. Holding the lightbulb and spacer against the wood, align the threaded tube so that the whole assembly is parallel with the wood. Mark the snare where the center of the tube rests.
    
    
36. Find a drill bit that's a bit smaller than the threaded tube (or threaded adapter if you got that). You can always widen the hole, but you can't make it smaller.
    
    
37. Drill the hole. Check that the tube/adapter is very snug in the hole. Otherwise, try again with a slightly larger size. You might also consider using a wood file.
    
    
38. Next, you'll need to trim the threaded tube to the right length in order to center the lightbulb. You'll need a metal hacksaw for this, or a tube of perfect length.
    
    
39. Remove the adapter from the tube.
    
    
40. Position the bulb to be centered along the wood, sticking the tube through the hole.
    
    
41. Use a sharpie to note the length of tube you want, whether that be flush with the outside of the snare, or flush with the inside of the snare if you have the adapter.
    
    
42. Hacksaw the tube. You can always trim more off.
    
    
43. Screw the adapter back on, screwing far enough in to make it flush with the snare when the bulb is centered.
    
    
44. Now you're ready to assemble everything!
    
    
45. Take the end of the housing off (where the tube threads into).
    
    
46. Thread the cord through the hole in the snare, then through the tube.
    
    
47. Check which cord wire is positive, and which is negative. Cords often have some sort of marking or stripe to denote positive.
    
    
48. Connect each to the appropriate mount on the housing.
    
    
49. Plug the cord in and turn it on/off to make sure everything works.
    
    
50. Put the end of the housing back on.
    
    
51. Insert the tube into the hole and rotate the housing so that the chain is hanging down.
    
    
52. Place the spacer underneath the base of bulb and zip-tie everything into place tightly. Take another zip-tie, and tie in the assembly very close to the chain.
    
    
53. Shake the snare a bit or wiggle everything to make sure it is solid.
    
    
54. Trim the zip-ties.
    
    
55. Thread your pullchain through the eyelet in your snare.
    
    
56. Figure out how far you want your pull chain to hang, and then determine where the pullchain should connect to the housing chain.
    
    
57. Connect the two chains, double check where the pullchain hangs to, and then trim the housing chain if needed.
    
    
58. Test the pullchain, hopefully there isn't too much friction.
    
    
59. Thread your hanging chain through the two top tension rods.
    
    
60. Figure out how much chain you'll need, and then trim the chain using pliers.
    
    
61. Connect the two ends of the chains using the pliers again.
    
    
62. Put the head back on the snare.
    
    
63. Hang your drum somewhere, possibly using two sturdy hook screws. Make sure you screw into something solid.
    
    
64. Enjoy your new snare lamp!

My wife is the same way. There's a constant gale-force wind blowing in our bedroom. We use a combination of ceiling fan and smaller fan.

For the ceiling fan, we use the Emerson Luxe Eco:

http://ceilingfans.emerson.com/en/shop/fan/fan-s-all/fans-s-browse-all/luxe-eco-fan-p-cf550

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00719I2XA/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_mVwYAbHH5R5ZW

(liked it enough that we put one in our family room, too.) It has about six speeds, from low to Turboprop. They are a little expensive, but they move air pretty well, are efficient, and on highest speed, you only hear the fan blades cutting the air.

The smaller fan is a Vornado 533. It sits on the floor to one side of the bed (about 3 ft away from the bed and down towards the foot) and points toward her head. The Vornado is pretty directional, but it's pretty good at blowing in that direction.

That's not nearly as bad as the wobble in my brother's fan growing up, and it lasted for over a decade before my parents replaced it as part of general upkeep.

First things first: make sure all the screws are tight, this includes both the screws holding the blades to the fan as well as the screws holding the motor to the downrod. That might just fix the problem all on it's own.

If it doesn't, do you have a kitchen scale? Take the blades down and weigh them - a normal "for people" scale probably isn't sensitive enough, but they shouldn't weigh too much for a kitchen scale. Label them by writing a number on them in magic marker -- on the top side! It's very easy to lose track of which blade is which. Since you have them down, also try and figure out the center of mass for each blade. Put a pen on the table/floor and try to balance the blades on them. Mark the center of mass.

Then try to figure out how to lay them out so that the weight on opposite sides of the fan is balanced as much as you can. Ideally you try to balance not just weight, but also mirror center of mass. That should probably help the wobble significantly. If there's still more wobble than you'd like, you can get fan weights - basically little bits of dense rubber with high strength adhesive tape on them. You use the little clippy bits of rubber to test out various positioning on various blades and when you're happy with it, just stick the weight to the top of the blade.

This is how you adjust the center of mass of the blades, but in doing so you also change the weight balance. It's a very annoying process of trial and error to minimize the wobble.

Ok, from what I can see in the photos, you've got a space that has very clean geometric lines; without more traditional trim wood and proportions, trad fabrics and furnishings are always going to feel mismatched. The rectangular window won't take a drapery without making everything seem stumpy and disconnected.

Stay with me, I know this isn't everyone's cup of tea, but the space seems to be just the right thing for a sort of 70s supergraphic--if you embrace the weirdness and do some sort of graduated striping along that wall, it could be fantastic. Not right up against the corner, but something that would then overlap onto the window void, continuing up the wall and interacting with that porthole? Then get a custom roller shade on the window that continues the stripe.

Here's links to the general idea, these examples are a bit out there--
https://www.flickr.com/photos/only-girl/4311724600/in/set-72157623176562505

http://media-cache-ec0.pinimg.com/736x/9d/77/11/9d7711657a2954fa31fd7b4581871ca0.jpg

https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/originals/6b/5e/6a/6b5e6a33554ad200ddc64eb2731bdce7.jpg

I'm sure there's other places, but a quick Google got me this custom-printed shade place
https://www.blindsgalore.com/m/expressions

And while you're up and about with a ladder, that ceiling fan 0_o
https://www.amazon.com/NATSEN-Flush-Mount-Ceiling-Blades/dp/B01MRLU05T

Hope that helps!

There's absolutely zero chance you'll be able to repair that fan blade effectively.

Fortunately, there's also zero chance the fan costs $2500 - I'm assuming that's from a price list published by your landlord, and it probably includes labor plus a punitive markup. At the absolute upper limit, it might be a $350 fan, and it's more likely in the $150-200 ballpark. It looks a bit like a Monte Carlo Discus. If you can find an identical fan, or a super similar one, you might be able to DIY the replacement or hire an electrician for way less than the landlord charges.

But, even that might not be necessary. Fan blades are modular and installed when the fan is unboxed, so they don't have to ship and shelve an enormous box to accommodate them. See if you can find a model number somewhere, and there's a very good chance you can find spare parts from the manufacturer for a couple bucks.

Since the most wonderfull /u/Lauran2323 has summoned me, I'll list what I have in my place that I find super useful.

I have this in the kitchen, it holds the microwave and our champange and wine

I think it's a very cool tissue holder

You want this always readily available to you or a guest

Holds even more wine and double as a buffet in your dining room

Fans are huge if you want to save money by using an A/C less

Just to keep things organized on the fridge

It drives me nuts when people open letters like a christmas present

Also some sort of nice smelling candle - it'll make the place feel more like home.

As far as saving money - the urge to order out is immense. Try and cook as often as possible, it's cheaper and healthier. Except on Fridays. On Fridays you can eat pizza!!!!!!!

Sounds good, but but below is a few comment.

1. Run a string from one corner of the room the the opposite corner. Do this for the other two corner. Where the string intersect, it's the center.
   
2. That's the wrong box. You want to use the Westinghouse Saf-T for Ceiling fans. You can use the twist and lock version. I personally prefer the new construction version so that I can screw it into the ceiling joist. You just need to break off the little tab at the bottom of the box. http://www.amazon.com/Westinghouse-Lighting-0152500-Saf-T-Bar-Engineered/dp/B0002YV94A/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1453839032&sr=8-3
   
3. I may be repeating what you're saying. For wiring, I would run a 14-3 with ground. That is a wire with three conductors (red, black, white) and a ground. This will allow you to put in a switch that can control the fan and the light independently.
   
   For step 8, can you tell me what the existing switch currently do? Does it control an outlet? If you don't mind the outlet being constantly powered, I would put in a dual switch - one for fan and one for the light. Just do an Amazon search for "Light fan dual switch." Pick the switch of your choice. I recommend something with a speed control. This way you don't have to mess with the cords on the fan/light. If you have any questions, please feel free to ask.

I'm currently looking into a solution for this exact thing. I personally like going the more DIY route so I've bought some Energenie TRVs and a raspberry pi module that allows me to communicate with it using a raspberry pi.

I've not had a chance to tinker with any of it yet, but my plan is to hook it all up with MQTT and build all the automations in nodered and control it in my home assistant.

Regarding the boiler, you can automate that pretty easily with just a couple of simple WiFi relays. I used the sonoff dual R2 with custom firmware. Basically you hook into the wires feeding your existing programmer, one relay to the hot water and the other relay to heating, supply it with live and neutral and then it's done. This page helped me a lot with figuring out how it should work.

That's the (or atleast 1) DIY route, I'm sure there are consumer products out there that do it all out the box, but I couldn't find any at reasonable price and with flexibility to run it locally or with my own firmware.

You know you want a yo-yo so that you can do cool tricks. ...And to help you learn sweet tricks, you should probably get this yo-yo trick book! Seriously, think of how few people can say they are masters of the yo-yo anymore. This Ariel light pull is also pretty cool. Do you ever want to take a picture with you in it without having to awkwardly press the button? Try this camera stand and remote! Or just go nuts and get yourself a shit ton of sprinkles! =D

I love this ceiling fan! It's really pretty and sleek.

This DVD/CD storage is cool! Especially if you don't have much room.

Thanks for the contest!

Are you saying your current setup has a single gang switch with controls for both fan and light in the same unit?

Like these (non-smart) switches:

Lutron S2-LFSQ-WH Skylark Dimmer & Fan Control

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001JPXK2U/

​

Lutron MACL-LFQ-WH Maestro Dimmer and Fan Control

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B077XDB8FV/

​

That is what I have on most of my ceiling fans (single gang box) and so far I haven't found a smart-switch that can replace them. I wish some manufacturer could build these in a smart version.

Keep the ceiling fans. Just replace them with nicer, less dated ones. Could not live without good air circulation. We put these in our house:

Craftmade Ceiling Fan with Light CON48BNK4C1 Wakefield Brushed Chrome 48 Inch Bedroom Fan

Other decent fan

Emerson CF205LVS Highpointe 54-inch Modern Ceiling Fan, 3-Blade Ceiling Fan with LED Lighting and 4-Speed Remote Control

Or

[Hunter 54in Contemporary Ceiling Fan with Remote Control in Brushed Nickel] (https://www.amazon.com/dp/B074HTYY95/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_0bpSCb59Y75J1)

well, you could just "eyeball it".. i mean find some glass that looks nice, and is the same diameter (to fit in those 3 clips)

​

similar to this from amazon

Hampton Bay Hugger 52 in. Brushed Nickel Ceiling Fan Replacement Frosted Glass Part

​

this one ?

Bowl Mushroom White Glass Shade - 9-7/8-Inch Fitter Opening.

​

​

​

Return them or cancel them;m! I bought many warehouse deals and they are hit and miss. They say inspected; I say BS! I had one with missing rocker plate (supposed to be a white and light almond; only white came! Also had one where they sent me a dimmer instead of the fan switch but the box had the right fan switch label on it! Dimmers can burn out your fan motor! I finally figured it out because I read the model on the back of the GE switch; was different than what I ordered! One was completely fried and it took me an hour to troubleshoot and realize it (after calling Leviton)! Never again for smart switches. Just saw some on sale; check to make sure it’s what you need but either way; stay away from the “whorehouse”, no it’s NOT a TYPO!!! These are NOT 3 way so if that what you are looking for you need the HS210 if I recall correctly! TP-LINK HS200P3 Kasa Smart WiFi Switch (3-Pack) Control Lighting from Anywhere, Ea... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07HGW8N7R/ref=cm_sw_r_sms_c_api_i_bbpJDbRC9AWJ5

I bought this LED ceiling fan for my parents year ago, and it's pretty good http://www.amazon.com/Westinghouse-7247300-Two-Light-Reversible-Three-Blade/dp/B00C8C48P6/ref=sr_1_11?ie=UTF8&qid=1393815239&sr=8-11&keywords=ceiling+fan

Or you can get some quality LED ceiling lights like this http://www.lightingever.com/gu10-led-recessed-light-ww.html

Actually, /u/PerestroikaPal has never seen one of these. It is called the Westinghouse FanMaster ceiling box, and the big one is rated for a 70 pound fan:

http://www.westinghouselighting.com/pdfs/products/0200011_im.pdf

https://www.amazon.com/Westinghouse-0200011-Support-2-Cubic-Inch-Capacity/dp/B0002YV1Q6

Trust me on this. It works, and it works well. Mount your fan and make the connections. You'll be fine.

These look like the kind of things you might be looking for:

Leviton RTF01-10W Decora Illumatech Quiet Fan Speed Control

Leviton RTD01-10W IllumaTech 1.5A 300W Rotary Combo Fan Speed Dimmer Control

Though you would need them to be 220VAC and correct amperage/wattage rated.

using this one


Looks like yes they do

Since you already have SmartThings, why don’t you just get a zwave switch? Such as this one here
Honeywell Z-Wave Plus Smart Light Dimmer Switch, In-Wall Paddle, Interchangeable White & Almond | Built-In Repeater & Range Extender | ZWave Hub Required - SmartThings, Wink, Alexa Compatible, 39351 https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07B3LXZJ9/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_JDdADb3VYWN4Z

Zwave is far more reliable than Wi-Fi, I haven’t tested Lutron but I assume Lutron uses wi-if. Z-wave is a low power frequency making the device smoother.

And if you want extra functionality choose this:


HomeSeer HS-WD200+ Z-Wave Plus Scene-Capable Smart Dimmer Switch w/RGB LED indicators | Built-in Repeater Range Extender | Works with Alexa, Google Home & IFTTT (Hub Required) | Works With SmartThings https://www.amazon.com/dp/B079F38TPF/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_bGdADbZH2YNTP


This switch can use of its leds to show the status of a door, light, garage door, lock etc.

There is actually a weird looking box that will work in that space:

https://www.amazon.com/Westinghouse-0200011-Support-2-Cubic-Inch-Capacity/dp/B0002YV1Q6

It is designed for ceiling fans, but would work there as well.

I went with a lower profile, smaller ceiling fan:

http://www.amazon.com/Westinghouse-7247300-Two-Light-Reversible-Three-Blade/dp/B00C8C48P6

I can still barely hit part of it (not the blades), but I have fairly low ceilings; it is a lot better than what I had before.

No, it isn't safe to use a light dimmer on a fan. I'm picturing a ceiling fan not a portable, for that you need something like this http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0002YWN7W/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?qid=1405243052&sr=8-1&pi=SL75. Sorry if the link is screwy, I'm on mobile.

Yup. You're right. The other kind I've seen is is this:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0002YWN7W/

If the GE switches are unavailable or too expensive, there's a Honeywell branded version of the exact same switch. I ordered 5 of these yesterday: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07B3LXZJ9