you can build a simple fan controller using a rheostat and just adjust the power down until the fan is barely pushing any air. What I would do is build a bracket that would old the fan and wire off the extruder head by 4-5 inches.

Originally Posted by oneslowz28

I am building a reprap as well and if you read the builders blog you will see that Nophead and a few others have been using cheap hair dryers to keep the printed part warm to promote better adhesion. IIRC there was a lengthy thread in the reprap user forums about this very topic. BTW I am SCPhotog over there.

An idea along these same lines but maybe with more accuracy would be a heat gun from a rework station. There are numerous tips available increasing the usability.

There are some flat toaster heating elements with no exposed wiring that might be suitable.

Those Reprap things look pretty cool. Hope you get it going.