Rounding up a rubber rivet?

[whovous]

Not sure if "rubber rivet" is the right term, but it is the best I can do. I am pretty sure that "grommet" does not describe what I want.

My Antec Sonata has its rear fan connected to the frame with these little rubber thingies that you pull through the screw holes of the frame and fan until they sort of snap into place, after which you just snip off the excess. I added a second fan behind the HD cages the same way, but one of the four 'rivets' pulled loose after I cut it off, and there does not seem to be a way to pull it through again without that extra length.

Does anyone know where I can find more of these puppies? I have this sneaking suspicion I will find four for a nickel somewhere, and get to pay $10 for the privilege of shipping.

TIA
Phil

 

[ChefJoe]

?? I bought a packet of rubber gromits at the local sears hardware store. 5 per pack and the total cost of the pack was under $1. They look like tiny rubber yo-yos with a hole in the center and the appropriate groove to hold it in place. I used them when I mounted my PSU to the case. Take a look at a big hardware store's misc bins. No cutting needed.

 

[whovous]

But grommets are not what I need. This is a long skinny thing made of soft stretchy white rubber. You pull it through the screw mounting holes of both the fan and the case.

 

[ChefJoe]

Oh, you mean the white things in the bag do you? Like an upgraded size nylon motherboard standoff. another pic from newegg

Hrm, looks alone, I would have installed that by keeping the flat end on the external side of the case and pushing the fan onto the pointy end... it looks like it's made to lock at the closest position that way. Best of luck though.

 

[whovous]

The "white things in the bag" is probably the correct technical term. Now if only you could point me to a place to get some!

I am very impressed that you managed to find pictures, however.

As for which way you push it through, I cannot see how one way winds up any closer than the other, as both pieces wind up on the skinny part next to the flat part (sure hope all this technical talk does not turn off any lay readers!) either way. Further, I think the way you suggest may be physically impossible, given the constricted space available. Finally, the 12cm fan in the back that comes with the box is mounted with the flat part against the fan, not against frame.

 

[ChefJoe]

Call up antec at 1-800-22ANTEC or write them at techsupport@antec-inc.com or customerservice@antec-inc.com (in the US). They're very good about replacement parts for their case, often free of charge. I've heard of people with case doors that arrive broken being replaced by antec, people missing a few rails getting them from antec. Just e-mail them (or maybe send a PM to AntecCSR on this forum) with a copy of your order confirmation or scan, explain that one of your standoffs seems to have been broken during your install, and ask if they'd drop one in an envelope for you. I'm sure they'll be happy to help.

I've never seen them that big, but I have seen smaller versions of thigns like these at hardware stores, but the big type, I'd suggest contacting antec.

 

[whovous]

Thanks. It dawned on me to do just that only after I posted my question here. I put my address in my email on the off chance they might just mail me one.

 

[cleverhandle]

Your description sounds similar to these, currently on backorder at PCMods. Is that the right idea?

 

[whovous]

No, the "white things in the bag" linked in an earlier response are what I need, though there might be a way to make these work as well, were they in stock. Thanks for the idea.

 

[RalfHutter]

If all else fails, you can get them from here. They're called "Fan Isolators". I believe you can also get them from Mcmaster-Carr. Put "1212" (w/o the quotes) into the search box and when you get to page #1212 in the catalog, scroll down to the "PVC Miniature Fan Mounts" and pick out the one you need.

 

[whovous]

Exactly what I need, thanks. Just how many pages are in the McMaster Carr catalog?

I also got a reply from Antec, so I will probably just order from them and get white ones instead of blue ones, but I appreciate the additional sources if Antec does not work out. Strangely, Antec calls them "Rubber Grommets," which makes me fear we are talking about two different things.

 

[Baileybbk]

Originally posted by: cleverhandle
Your description sounds similar to these, currently on backorder at PCMods. Is that the right idea?

THANK YOU!!!!!

My SuperFlower Case uses these for the fans! Didn't have a clue as to what they were called or where to get more!!!