# Help with portable fan, please **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [September 15, 2019, 10:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-with-portable-fan-please/840289 "2019-09-15T22:25:21Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 15\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Broomstick](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/broomstick/32/246_2.png) [@Broomstick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broomstick)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2019, 8:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-with-portable-fan-please/840289/21 "2019-09-18T08:25:46Z")
I have tried both a screwdriver and a butter knife. I can not get them into the area between the legs and the body. I KNOW there’s a way to do this - my late spouse knew how to unfold these things, I saw him do it. I have a cake lifter around here somewhere that’s even thinner than a butter knife… Funny how this has become quite the problem, isn’t it? Not earthshattering. Guess my life isn’t too bad if this is the “big” problem I have at the moment. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Melbourne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b5e925/32.png) [@Melbourne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Melbourne)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2019, 11:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-with-portable-fan-please/840289/22 "2019-09-18T11:09:52Z")
If you think those nubbins are what’s locked, try pulling the handle away from the body, out, sideways, like you are prying it off. If it’s locked at the hinge end, look for a way to move the legs away from the body at the hinge end, or a way of moving the centre clip so that it doesn’t block. ---
**Author:** ![SmellMyWort](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ea5d25/32.png) [@SmellMyWort](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SmellMyWort)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2019, 4:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-with-portable-fan-please/840289/23 "2019-09-18T16:19:52Z")
> [@Broomstick](#): > > No - because when it’s folded up the latches holding it folded up are entirely concealed. > > In [this image](https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/513FkzqitbL._AC_.jpg) you see the legs unfolded. The latch that locks the folded legs is visible as a nubbin under the “E” in “Ventilateur”. It is not visible when the legs are folded up. > > [Another view](https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/5AoAAOSw4m9b~Giv/s-l1600.jpg) of the legs and “nubbins”. [Side view.](https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/0VAAAOSwHt1bz2Ad/s-l1600.jpg). > It’s all plastic, nothing to rust. In the side view it looks like there are circular feet on the stand that are positioned directly opposite the nubbin. Maybe those press in. ---
**Author:** ![Magiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4491bb/32.png) [@Magiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Magiver)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2019, 10:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-with-portable-fan-please/840289/24 "2019-09-18T22:10:08Z")
Have you tried swiveling the handle from one end to the other and/or pushing pulling on it? The center pivot area of the handle is about where a release mechanism would be. The release should be a one handed operation. ---
**Author:** ![Broomstick](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/broomstick/32/246_2.png) [@Broomstick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broomstick)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2019, 11:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-with-portable-fan-please/840289/25 "2019-09-18T23:18:59Z")
> [@SmellMyWort](#): > > In the side view it looks like there are circular feet on the stand that are positioned directly opposite the nubbin. Maybe those press in. No, they don’t. I tried that. > [@Magiver](#): > > Have you tried swiveling the handle from one end to the other and/or pushing pulling on it? The center pivot area of the handle is about where a release mechanism would be. The release should be a one handed operation. I understand why people are focusing on the handle but really, it’s NOT the release. It really isn’t. You can’t see it from the pictures but you can move the handle any which way and it doesn’t make a bit of difference. It’s free-swinging on a pivot and in no way functions as a latch. And no, it’s not a one-handed operation. No, it’s not a great design. I have a friend who’s about as strong as the Hulk. I’m thinking of turning it over to him to either open up the legs or break the fuckers off entirely. At this point there’s not much to lose. If I ever get this to work I’ll be sure to post it. ---
**Author:** ![Melbourne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b5e925/32.png) [@Melbourne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Melbourne)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2019, 12:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-with-portable-fan-please/840289/26 "2019-09-19T00:39:34Z")
> [@Broomstick](#): > > I understand why people are focusing on the handle but really, it’s NOT the release. It really isn’t. You can’t see it from the pictures but you can move the handle any which way and it doesn’t make a bit of difference. It’s free-swinging on a pivot and in no way functions as a latch. I accept that the handle is free swinging. I’m suggesting spreading the handle. Have you tried that also? When you try to open it, does it appear to be locked /at the nubbins/? Or at the hinge? ---
**Author:** ![burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/burpo_the_wonder_mutt/32/365_2.png) [@burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/burpo_the_wonder_mutt)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2019, 12:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-with-portable-fan-please/840289/27 "2019-09-19T00:39:41Z")
My absolute last suggestion: On the side view, there are a set of five ridges, both on the legs and the fan body; I assume there are corresponding ridges on the opposite side(s). Maybe, if you press the ones on both sides of the stand (gently), it triggers a release mechanism. And angels will fly outta my butt. ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2019, 2:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-with-portable-fan-please/840289/28 "2019-09-19T02:26:37Z")
We can do without your butt angels, Burpo:) I just know that handle swings all the way around and makes access easier. Keep trying. You’ll hit the sweet spot sooner or later. And the whole thing will lay flat. My last time. I swear. ---
**Author:** ![Magiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4491bb/32.png) [@Magiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Magiver)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2019, 2:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-with-portable-fan-please/840289/29 "2019-09-19T02:33:04Z")
can you press on the center of both of the handle pivots. ---
**Author:** ![treadstone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/b5e925/32.png) [@treadstone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/treadstone)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2019, 4:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-with-portable-fan-please/840289/30 "2019-09-19T04:13:34Z")
> [@mjmlabs](#): > > DISCLAIMER: This is merely a WAG. > > Have you tried this: Push the top/front part of the unit (i.e., the not-legs part) down toward the hinges? Judging from nothing but the pics and some vague experience with hinges like those, you may need to slide the front of the thing down about 1/8" to give it room to swivel freely. NB: _If_ this is the case, then the front should slide down without too very much effort at all; try not to break the thing based on some anonymous interwebz guessing. > > P.S. – Don’t bother with that manualz link; they lied. All they have for Ozark Trail manualz iz a portable grill. I think mjmlabs is on the right track, but maybe the opposite motion? It looks like from [this picture](https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/5AoAAOSw4m9b~Giv/s-l1600.jpg) the latching mechanism catches the side away from the hinge. So with the fan in the orientation in that photo, slide the base/bottom to the left and the fan/top to the right while simultaneously trying to open it like a clamshell? ---
**Author:** ![StarvingButStrong](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/starvingbutstrong/32/335_2.png) [@StarvingButStrong](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/StarvingButStrong)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2019, 2:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-with-portable-fan-please/840289/31 "2019-09-19T14:17:23Z")
This thread is like watching a vid of a pack of dogs with a Kong ball. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Broomstick](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/broomstick/32/246_2.png) [@Broomstick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broomstick)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2019, 8:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-with-portable-fan-please/840289/32 "2019-09-23T20:37:54Z")
OK, I got it unfolded… and the plastic is brittle enough to start falling apart. Seriously, one of the nubbins broke off (not that that is a loss) and when I gently unfolded after getting the other nubbin to release one of the hinges broke. I am seriously considering re-wiring the business bits - fan and light - into a new box that is much more intelligently designed. ---
**Author:** ![SmellMyWort](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ea5d25/32.png) [@SmellMyWort](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SmellMyWort)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2019, 5:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-with-portable-fan-please/840289/33 "2019-09-24T17:01:28Z")
So how did it release? ---
**Author:** ![Broomstick](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/broomstick/32/246_2.png) [@Broomstick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broomstick)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2019, 5:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-with-portable-fan-please/840289/34 "2019-09-24T17:38:01Z")
I slid a cake slice lifter (because I needed something both stiff and very thin) between the front and back to try to trigger the nubbins to release, then used force. The results were… less than ideal. But I can’t see any other way to do this, it looks like you’re _supposed to_ brute force it, with the idea the nubbins will pop open. Old enough that the plastic is getting brittle. Clearly not intended to last a long time. As I said - I am seriously considering re-wiring the fan and light into a new box. Also found the other one, which has not worked for an even longer period. Might rework that one, too. Because the notion of having both a battery powered light AND fan is a great idea for hot-weather power outages. Not a crushingly high priority, more of an interesting exercise. ---
**Author:** ![burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/burpo_the_wonder_mutt/32/365_2.png) [@burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/burpo_the_wonder_mutt)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2019, 1:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-with-portable-fan-please/840289/35 "2019-09-25T01:35:13Z")
> [@Broomstick](#): > > OK, I got it unfolded… and the plastic is brittle enough to start falling apart. Seriously, one of the nubbins broke off (not that that is a loss) and when I gently unfolded after getting the other nubbin to release one of the hinges broke. > > I am seriously considering re-wiring the business bits - fan and light - into a new box that is much more intelligently designed. > [@Broomstick](#): > > I slid a cake slice lifter (because I needed something both stiff and very thin) between the front and back to try to trigger the nubbins to release, then used force. The results were… less than ideal. But I can’t see any other way to do this, it looks like you’re _supposed to_ brute force it, with the idea the nubbins will pop open. > > Old enough that the plastic is getting brittle. Clearly not intended to last a long time. > > As I said - I am seriously considering re-wiring the fan and light into a new box. Also found the other one, which has not worked for an even longer period. Might rework that one, too. Because the notion of having both a battery powered light AND fan is a great idea for hot-weather power outages. > > Not a crushingly high priority, more of an interesting exercise. I admire your tenacity with this “repair job.” I’m loathe to toss something unless/until it draws blood. It’s a sickness with me :D. If you need advice with your re-build, you know where to come. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-with-portable-fan-please/840289.md?page=1)