Fume extractor (welder)

[crazybrit]

I have a small shop and it's packed meaning I have very very little space. Stuff has to be moved around for most projects.

I made my own folding welding table (based on a design that's been knocking around the web for a while).

I really need to come up with some kind of extraction system for welding smoke.

I found this thread here. However I don't have space for the extraction cabinet.

I found this other thread here that discusses what sounds like some kind of table level arm that holds the extraction hose but unfortunately the images have been deleted.

What I'm thinking of is an arm that attaches to the welding table which holds the hose end (not sure on diameter). Then the hose would run to the HF extraction fan and then outside. I was thinking of cutting a hole into the shop wall, mounting a dryer vent and capping it off on the inside when it's not in use.

I don't weld that often (I'd rather not be breathing it or coating everything in smoke particles) so I don't think extracting this small amount of air will be an issue vs filtering.

I have a mini-split in the shop so I'd like to have the fan be switchable near the arm. So it's mostly running just when I'm welding and not sucking lots of heated/cooled air out of the shop.

Thoughts? Anyone know of any existing threads that did similar?

Thanks!

 

[Sincerd]

No but I'm planning on doing the exact same thing but without a mini switch in the garage

 

[dogdog]

Few youtuber have made the extractors either out of commercial box fans or used hvac squirrel cage blower, dependent on your thing.
There is one here that made it out of Harbor Freight Blower fan... or you can find them on ebay/amazon as utility blower fan or any fan that can create negative flow or air. Add box add filter(s) (two or three, 1 spark arrester aluminum screen, 1 crose filter, 1 fine filter) and the world is your imagination.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08MFPMKQH/?tag=atomicindus08-20

like the guy from this thread. There was one build with wood as box frame don't know where it shuffle to now.

Smoke extractor

I don't weld as a profession but I do weld and use a plasma cutter in my shop. I also cut a fair amount of stainless with my plasma cutter and when I do it really stinks up the shop. Not only that but I was told stainless gives off Chromium gas which isn't very good for you. During the warmer...

www.garagejournal.com

HVAC blower build. this one exhaust outside but can be made to add filter right ?

Down Draft table builds that is good. if you have sheet metal and the setup to build it. can't find sheet metal cheap for me. so...

down draft table using box fans (the commercial kind or what ever your imagination finds) This one have good explanation and notes..

 

[crazybrit]

Reply

Few youtuber have made the extractors either out of commercial box fans or used hvac squirrel cage blower, dependent on your thing.
There is one here that made it out of Harbor Freight Blower fan... or you can find them on ebay/amazon as utility blower fan or any fan that can create negative flow or air. Add box add filter(s) (two or three, 1 spark arrester aluminum screen, 1 crose filter, 1 fine filter) and the world is your imagination.

There are hundreds of DIY options.

I was most interested in that second thread (in my OP) which seems to imply it had some kind of arm mounting the extractor to the welding table but the pictures have gone. I lack the space for a large extraction box (commercial or DIY).

Also I'm curious if filtering is necessary, if I'm just blowing the air out of my shop vs simple extraction.

 

[bdbecker]

I've been rolling around ideas for something similar, but haven't built anything yet. Theory is totally untested, so don't take what I'm about to say as gospel - just tossing out ideas for the sake of discussion. Using Amazon links for easy explanation (not saying these products would work or be durable enough, again, just floating ideas)...

For the arm, I'd probably build a heavier duty version of this...

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08LV7GZVB/?tag=atomicindus08-20

The flex line would need to be fireproof, or at least resistant. Something like this...

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B071LHCFZ8/?tag=atomicindus08-20

I wouldn't bother trying to filter the air if exhausting directly outside, but a spark arrestor at the intake end wouldn't be a bad idea. Any relatively fine mesh should do the trick. Something as simple as this...

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08XW8DJFN/?tag=atomicindus08-20

The trick is going to be finding a fan that will move the appropriate volume of air. Too much and you'll **** away your shielding gas, potentially leading to porosity issues. To little and you'll still be dealing with weld fumes. A quick look at a Miller extractor unit, they say it pulls around 130cfm. Maybe check a few other commercially available options to narrow in on that figure.

 

[crazybrit]

The trick is going to be finding a fan that will move the appropriate volume of air. Too much and you'll **** away your shielding gas, potentially leading to porosity issues. To little and you'll still be dealing with weld fumes. A quick look at a Miller extractor unit, they say it pulls around 130cfm. Maybe check a few other commercially available options to narrow in on that figure.

It really depends on how far above the table the inlet is. What Miller were you referring to? The MWX?

 

[dogdog]

Reply


There are hundreds of DIY options.

I was most interested in that second thread (in my OP) which seems to imply it had some kind of arm mounting the extractor to the welding table but the pictures have gone. I lack the space for a large extraction box (commercial or DIY).

Also I'm curious if filtering is necessary, if I'm just blowing the air out of my shop vs simple extraction.

If you clicked into that smoke extractor thread, you would have seen the pic of the diy extractor arm from pvc and flexible hose.

Now as far as filtering. It’s up to you option is there, don’t know what your situation or needs. I would at least do spark arrestor screen to prevent hot spark or grinding spark to travel to place I don’t want. Again it’s up to you. Not too sure why you are set on that thread here pics are gone

 

[Muckin_Slusher]

Rip the power vent off a gas water heater. They make great fume extractors, and are already set up to connect to 2 inch pipe for duct.

 

[bdbecker]

It really depends on how far above the table the inlet is. What Miller were you referring to? The MWX?

Yes, distance away from the source is certainly a factor. We don't run a lot of units like this in the shop, the ones we do have are used mostly for TIG welding small stainless parts. I generally see those collectors positioned around 12-18" away from the work area.

Here is the unit I was referencing:

https://www.millerwelds.com/safety/fume-extraction/filtair-130-portable-fume-extractor-m00335

I didn't notice yesterday, but this is a variable speed/flow unit, so 130cfm is the max. Having a variable speed fan would be nice to incorporate into your solution. If you find its pulling too much, instead of having to reposition the collector intake, you could just dial the speed back a bit instead.

 

[Monza Harry]

First link is a plug and play unit so should supply good "Intel". The flex-arm is improved from the ones I've used in the past. They were all steel arms with a flex hose that didn't want to stay with the support arms. This has flex in short lengths only at the articulated points. This also has a "tool balancer" at the top section so that flex point/hinge doesn't have to hold the whole weight. That would also be an improvement over the ones I've used. Just some places to look for answers:

Wall Mount Fume Extractor with Filter | Fume Dog

Wall-mounted fume extractor traps welding fumes before they spread. Durable and easy to install. A smart addition to any welding workspace.

fumedog.com

Google Search

I hope this provides some guidance. Harry

 

[bb29510]

i took a squirrel cage and mounted to wall and vent out the wall, then i made an eight foot arm out of 3/4 pipe that pivots on an eyebolt mounted to wall. on top of that i radiator clamp, 3 inch light weight pvc, the thin pvc, 15 feet, got a lot of piece that not glued so I can pivot any where in the shop, where im welding. the 90 and then a piece about three feet hangs down, as a overhead vent, i got maybe $30 in it

the shop is 30 feet long so it folds up against the wall when not in use. the arm is at 10 feet

 

[SM Racing]

How about mounting something like this up in the attic?

F91 — Airflow Systems

www.airflowsystems.com

Have the extractor arm fold up into the ceiling when not in use?

 

[545_days]

An inlet cone like the one shown in the link to the fume dog above makes a huge improvement in it's ability to collect fumes and move more air.

Most people wouldn't think it would make such a huge difference but it does.