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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 them entirely since filtration is uber-expensive, specific to the type of pollutant, and cumbersome. I use a fume extractor/filtration unit as a last resort but it's designed for localized, spot work and not a large area like a room. One problem at a time, one dedicated solution for each.

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.

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 bountiful ductwork, gates, hoods, and attachments could do everything mentioned above. It'd be noisy and inefficient more than it would be purposeful. Two fans it is. Both will share one window. A versatile mounting system should allow either one to be easily removed and blocked off. Don't want uninvited guests coming through.

Metalworking equipment (bench grinder, buffing wheel, sander) and woodworking machines (router, planer, saw, sander, drill) 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, higher suction, a collection container, and more noise.

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.

While my metalworking equipment is fairly 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.

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 even more.

Posted by M: February 2, 2026

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