80mm to 80mm fan spacer

[kev*]

I'm going to get a new fanless video card soon so I probably need to increase airflow in my case and add an intake fan.
Problem is that the mount at the front of my case for an 80mm fan has my power and reset switch in the middle so I can't just stick a fan on there because the wires will hit the fan blades.
I'm looking for a "straight spacer" to move the fan away from the wires. I have found 60 to 80mm adapters but no 80 to 80.
I can only see 2 options right now either gut an old 80mm fan to use as a spacer but I've read this isn't good for airflow because of the convex or use the thermaltake ducting mod which is at a 45 degree angle which I don't really want because it will probably shoot air above my new vid card.

Any ideas???

http://www.tigerdirect.ca/applications/searchtools/item-Details.asp?EdpNo=184375&sku=T925-1060
http://www.frozencpu.com/scan/se=Fan%20Accessories/se=Fan%20Ducts%20%26%20Adapters/mp=menu_search.html

[bnb]

you could buy a duct.. but then the fan would not be supported... you could also just buy two 80mm to 60mm and put them together.. to have 80mm to 80mm.. but the fan might extend too far.. plus it'll be expensive for something that probably won't be much better than a gutted fan... or better yet.. buy some long screws use them to move the fan further.. you could put some tubing.. between the case and the fan..
Here's a quick draw in paint.. the first line is the case, the rectangle is the fan
http://img481.imageshack.us/img481/2449/fan4cx.png
... but in terms of airflow... this might not be any better than the gutten fan method.

[Cafe_333]

Why not just a fan grill? It'd protect the wires from the blades. Not sure if you'd still be able to mount the entire fan at the front - depends on the case, but you could resort to cable ties if need be.

Otherwise maybe buy some 80mm vibration gaskets?
http://www.bigfootcomputers.com/Merchant2/merchant.mv?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=4902&Category_Code=335

[kev*]

you could buy a duct.. but then the fan would not be supported... you could also just buy two 80mm to 60mm and put them together.. to have 80mm to 80mm.. but the fan might extend too far.. plus it'll be expensive for something that probably won't be much better than a gutted fan... or better yet.. buy some long screws use them to move the fan further.. you could put some tubing.. between the case and the fan..
Here's a quick draw in paint.. the first line is the case, the rectangle is the fan
http://img481.imageshack.us/img481/2449/fan4cx.png
... but in terms of airflow... this might not be any better than the gutten fan method.

I thought of using 2 60mm to 80mm's together but that would restrict airflow in the middle due to the smaller size. I may use the long screws and tube method you mentioned. Maybe a pringles can would be the right size or a small clear container.

[kev*]

Why not just a fan grill? It'd protect the wires from the blades. Not sure if you'd still be able to mount the entire fan at the front - depends on the case, but you could resort to cable ties if need be.

Otherwise maybe buy some 80mm vibration gaskets?
http://www.bigfootcomputers.com/Merchant2/merchant.mv?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=4902&Category_Code=335

The back of the soldered wires from the switches actually stick out into the area where the fan should go by 1/4" so I need a spacer at least that big.

[jollyeskimo]

Gut the frame of a dead 80mm? And the put some pantyhose on the side that's near the switches/wires?