DIY fume extractor.

[rkidd]

Before everyone busts my chops on my last pic, this set up was strictly temporary, and was used to test out the system, and so I could get a couple toolboxes welded up I had to get done for a guy, as it was 30 degrees outside. I will paint the mounting board, and tack up the cord. The one thing I am not sure of is the flexible vent pipe. Pretty flimsy stuff. I will also have a better way to suspend the hood. Now for the results. The fan worked great and kept up with my welding. I cracked the opposite window for make up air. The fan is really quiet. I mig welded for a couple hours, and my wife got home from work about 5 minutes after I got done welding, ( someone has to pay for all of this) and came out to the shop to check it out and could barely smell anything, and she has a nose like a hound dog. She normally wont stay when I have been welding, so it passed the test. Very happy with the system, and will work great for what I do.

 

[Gordon Gould]

That looks like it's gonna be good to me. Way better than a shop vac. Motovates me to try something like that. Thanks.

gg

 

[dragoneggs]

Me too... I would like something similar that won't cost an arm and a leg that can be easily adjusted... maybe on a boom arm that can swing out of the way when not in use.

 

[pgk]

Before everyone busts my chops on my last pic, this set up was strictly temporary, and was used to test out the system, and so I could get a couple toolboxes welded up I had to get done for a guy, as it was 30 degrees outside. I will paint the mounting board, and tack up the cord. The one thing I am not sure of is the flexible vent pipe. Pretty flimsy stuff. I will also have a better way to suspend the hood. Now for the results. The fan worked great and kept up with my welding. I cracked the opposite window for make up air. The fan is really quiet. I mig welded for a couple hours, and my wife got home from work about 5 minutes after I got done welding, ( someone has to pay for all of this) and came out to the shop to check it out and could barely smell anything, and she has a nose like a hound dog. She normally wont stay when I have been welding, so it passed the test. Very happy with the system, and will work great for what I do.

View attachment 545101

Try the semi rigid version of that vent, it's still aluminum and light weight, it's thicker than the foil type and holds its shape better.. https://www.homedepot.com/p/Everbilt-6-in-x-8-ft-Semi-Rigid-Aluminum-Duct-MFX68XHD/203626515
Pete

 

[rkidd]

Try the semi rigid version of that vent, it's still aluminum and light weight, it's thicker than the foil type and holds its shape better.. https://www.homedepot.com/p/Everbilt-6-in-x-8-ft-Semi-Rigid-Aluminum-Duct-MFX68XHD/203626515
Pete

Thanks. I will check it out.

 

[PILOON]

I installed a 24" 'barn fan' (for want of better term) at the highest point in my shop.
Made up a foam board 'box' to house it with a trap door that is opened via cord and pulley system when needed.
Works for me and moves lots of air and fumes.
Only problem is that it wants lots of fresh replacement air so I need to leave the door open, but it works!

I can spray paint and weld without suffering side effects.

LOL, to clean shop I have used my leaf blower (and or air gun) and the fan sucks up and out the raised dust in short time.

 

[TMGT]

I installed a 24" 'barn fan' (for want of better term) at the highest point in my shop.
Made up a foam board 'box' to house it with a trap door that is opened via cord and pulley system when needed.
Works for me and moves lots of air and fumes.
Only problem is that it wants lots of fresh replacement air so I need to leave the door open, but it works!

I can spray paint and weld without suffering side effects.

Use to have that setup in a shop I worked in, was great unless it was winter, couple minutes on and the shop was the same temp as the outside.

Needless to say it was only used if it absolutely had to if it was cold out.

 

[woodlandfarms]

I think what you have going on looks great. My only note is that I am doing lot of reading on ventilation (for a wood shop) and the general feel is that you should use as much smooth (hard) pipe as possible and only a limited amount of flex because flex tends to reduce your suction a lot.

 

[downsizingnow48]

I'm wondering if it is feasible to have the duct go to a filter box rather than outside, to remove the dust and fumes, and recirculate the air instead of pumping heat to the outdoors.

 

[rkidd]

I think what you have going on looks great. My only note is that I am doing lot of reading on ventilation (for a wood shop) and the general feel is that you should use as much smooth (hard) pipe as possible and only a limited amount of flex because flex tends to reduce your suction a lot.

I am sure you are right. I only have about 8 ft of duct. I am going to change it out probably with the duct a poster suggested a few posts back.

 

[rkidd]

I'm wondering if it is feasible to have the duct go to a filter box rather than outside, to remove the dust and fumes, and recirculate the air instead of pumping heat to the outdoors.

I dont think for what I am doing that is feasible. First time I used it , I cracked the window on the opposite side with the exhaust fan on, it was 30 degrees out and my shop stayed right at temp without the heater running way more than normal. It worked out really well for me.

 

[PILOON]

I agree with many comments but to remove (contaminated air) you have to replace it. Simple.
If you don't want cold air then you need to pre heat it before replacing it.
That or wear a warm coat while running the fan or whatever. (or wait 'til spring to paint outdoors).
It is like for every action there is a reaction.

 

[grsthegreat]

i put a greenhouse style vent fan in my shop. way overkill but since i do welding and plasma cutting in there i went overboard. its 240 volt with self opening louvers. mind you it moves 2,000 CFM. i can swap out air pretty fast. i also have a Hobbyair mask system i wear when welding or painting. this provides me with fresh outside air to breath.

ive made my shop pretty stinky at times. i love the fact that in 5-8 minutes all smells are gone mines a 30x40x14 tall shop.

 

[pgk]

Wow, 2000cfm without air make up I would think that would backdraft your furnace in your shop?

 

[grsthegreat]

Wow, 2000cfm without air make up I would think that would backdraft your furnace in your shop?

i leave the man door open and lift the roll up door a few inches. no backdraft.

 

[pgk]

Opening a door will do the trick, my parents had a house back in the 60's with one of those fans mounted up in the ceiling, amazing how much air that would draw. On a summer evening once the temp dropped below the temp in the house you could cool the whole house down in minutes..


Pete

 

[tjkubota93]

Be careful painting, I bet it will discolor your siding around the vent.
I like the setup.

 

[rkidd]

Be careful painting, I bet it will discolor your siding around the vent.
I like the setup.

I am sure you are right about the painting. I have no plans of painting inside with it. Just too messy inside and would have to get a filter to try and protect the fan. It works well and dont want to screw it up trying to paint. Will have to wait for better days to get outside to do painting for the big stuff. Most of the small stuff I fab and paint, I make sure the piece is warm so I can then take it outside, shoot it, and take it right back in to dry. Has worked out great for the small stuff.

 

[grsthegreat]

this is my unit