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Ders

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Sep 16, 2020
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Anyone ever put an activated carbon filter on the back end of one of those ceiling mounted dust collectors to filter welding fumes? I live in canada and don't feel like dumping all my hot air from my shop outside everytime i need to weld. I also have an unexhaustable supply of free activated carbon so some sort of diy filter suggestions would be also useful.

Dust collector
https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B00LPD9BDI/?tag=atomicindus04-20
 
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bdbecker

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I'm not sure activated carbon is going to achieve what you want in this situation. As far as I know, activated carbon is really good at organic compounds and odor, but ultra-fine particles from welding require a different type of filtering. The industrial weld fume filter systems use large paper blend filters for a reason. The ones that offer activated charcoal filters usually do so as an add-on, and usually with the caveat that they are for odor control.

Using just the factory WEN filters will only get you to 1 micron. You really need something that will get 0.1 micron, which even HEPA doesn't do (0.3 micron). Even if you equipped the WEN unit with an ultra-fine filter, the next issue you'd run into is that the blower would be so restricted, I don't know that it would pull enough air through the system to be effective.

As much as you don't want to hear it, an exhaust fan is probably your best option for ensuring clean air in the shop. A lot of guys use bathroom exhaust fans mounted above their weld benches, duct them through the roof or wall, and run them only when needed. While you still will use some heat, it beats losing all your heat by having to open the door.
 

bdbecker

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Alrighty message heard.

I hope my post didn't come across as disrespectful or condescending - that was not my intention at all. I've spent a lot of time down this rabbit hole (both professionally and for personal interest) and was just trying to relay what I know without bombing you with a wall of text.
 
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Ders

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Sep 16, 2020
Messages
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My yard
Not at all. Been going down the rabbit hole as well the past few weeks. Thought i would toss it up on here and see what i get. Now i am looking at h14 filters and blower size requirements.
 
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lis2323

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Dec 25, 2016
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3,234
A welding fume extractor would be best for your situation.

Maybe something like this portable Miller unit I recently sold.

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firebirdparts

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If you have unlimited free carbon then it's tempting, but carbon beds will burn and oh, my, do they get hot. it would be smart to have a water line that sprays right into it. You might convince yourself that you'll never get a spark in it, I don't know.

Carbon beds could potentially catch about anything. You don't know til you try. Alternatively, you could buy an economizer for the existing exhause.
 

rdoty

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Feb 7, 2018
Messages
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Location
Massachusetts
What about using an air/air heat exchanger for the exhaust? This would move welding fumes out, fresh air in, and save most of the heat.

Clogging the exchanger could be an issue, so you would want to filter the exhaust air before the exchanger.
 

sberry

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Brethren, Michigan
vacuum vent, easiest way and while you do use some heat none of it is for free. The more local you **** it up the faster it clears.
 
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