Menagerie of parts
Some extras, some missing
Categories: Projects and equipment
Word count/read time: 473 words; 2 minutes
Sometimes it is challenging to get decent (clean) air inside a shop.
With so many things going on from day to day, there could be
anything flying through the air or polluting the environment.
Fumes, smoke, and volatile chemical need to be processed differently than particles.
It is best to remove fumes entirely since filtration is uber-expensive, specific
to the type of pollutant, and cumbersome.
I use a fume extractor and filtration unit as a last resort
but it's designed for localized work, not a room.
Three lasers, one inline fan to rule them all.
A jimmy-rigged system would've been substantially cheaper but
I opted for a professional, proper installation.
Captain Obvious said design it to accommodate additional machines, just in case,
something I neglected the first time around.
Spray foam seemed the least complicated way to fill the cavity of the window insert. Good
in theory, epic fail in practice. The outside edges hardened yet the interior remained
a sticky viscous liquid mess days later.
What a waste of time and money! Foam board turned out to be the best choice.
I expect to tweak the system a bit more but it is fully operational.
Welding, soldering, brazing, and other flamework need a similar setup in principle.
One might think the laser system could do double duty. Not so. The lasers will be
in sealed units/cabinets so a 6" inline fan is sufficient. However, flamework
requires a powerful 20" or larger industrial fan with additional infrastructure
and ducting. Definitely wouldn't want that running during winter!
A large exhaust fan with appropriate components could do everything mentioned above.
It'd be noisy and inefficient more than purposeful.
Two fans it is in different windows.
They'll be easy to remove or block off since I
don't want uninvited guests or inclement weather making tracks.
Metalworking equipment and woodworking machines create hyper-velocity particulates that
are usually easier to manage than fumes. Wood is worse as those particles float endlessly, everywhere.
A dust-busting system is more like a vacuum than a fan: smaller hoses, greater suction,
a collection container, and more noise.
While my metalworking equipment is somewhat stationary,
the woodworking stuff constantly moves around. That would
necessitate an easily disconnected and storable everything with extra-long
hoses to reach anywhere, mimicking a central vac. That'll be on the back
burner for the moment.
One dust collection system cannot handle both. Simply, hoovering
metal sparks into sawdust invites an explosive, fiery outcome.
With blast gates directing the debris, one vacuum
sporting separate hoses and garbage bins could manage;
whether it's practical is another matter.
It would be easier if I pursued a single craft, hobby, or profession.
You might not think there's a woodworking, jewelry making, metalsmithing, CNC machining,
3D printing, laser engraving, full-service bicycle shop, and fabrication facility
in my workshop. You'd be wrong, because there's much more.
Posted by M: February 2, 2026
Please email any thoughts or comments regarding this post.
Comment Section
NOTE: Your comments will be included in this section
as long as they aren't illegal. This section is censor-free so show me
your intelligence or ignorance and everything in between!
|
2026
New Jewelry Rings
Which Jewelry Metal Is Best?
My New Phone
Silver's Wild Ride
Synthetic Gemstones
Breath of Fresh Air
No More Room
Review: Commarker Titan 1
Pesky Descriptors
Top Purchases 2025
2025
2024
2023
2022
2021
2020
2019
2018
2017
2016
2015
2014
|