I wired them in series and installed an on/off switch. I bought the cheapest ones I could find - $13.97 each at Home Depot. I used 3 50cfm bathroom fans for a total of 150cfm. I've been checking Craigslist for one for a while with no luck so I decided to build my own fume extractor today. The fume extractors I’ve seen online are pretty expensive and their cfm’s are not all that good for the money. I try to keep the garage door open about a foot or two and use a little fan but the smoke still gets all over everything and my feet get kinda cold on those really cold days. All comments welcome.I'm tired of the smoke from my welding practice getting all over everything in my garage (not to mention my lungs!). Understand fellas, that IF I had a nice garage or shop w/ wide open rollup doors to weld in, I'd take my welding out of the basement, but that just isn't the case, and probably will remain that way for a long time. I would also like to re-iterate that there are no flammables around, no cardboard boxes, no exposed batted insulation, etc. I won't even weld that stuff outside, let alone inside. Of course, NEVER will I weld on toxics like galvanized, etc. Ever seen Titanium sparks? They're almost ultraviolet!Īnyhow, I am certain if I setup up a safe ventilation system, things will be fine. I am safe, and careful, and have fire extinguishers everywhere. I have been oxy-acetylene welding, and grinding titanium (knifemaking) in the basement for a LONG time with no fire hazard issues. If however, there is a short run of ductwork, then I will resort back to the knifemakers way of doing it.Īll metal ductwork that is cleaned out REGULARLY, and a water trap to act as a "fire suppression" box.Īs I said, there will probably be NO ductwork, as the room is only 14' x 20' and the ventilation fan in the window will only be 12' away from the welding table.Īlso, I plan to do as much welding as possible OUTSIDE. More than likely, there will just be an exhaust fan with NO ductwork. Also, I do not plan to make a "fire prone" ventilation system. Ceiling is going to be covered with a flame retardant of some kind. I feel comfortable welding in the basement when I have to, because it is all concrete walls and floor. Plus the ceiling location is closer to the source of the fumes. In my shop it was easier to cut a hole in the ceiling than to cut a hole through the wall. That way the fumes pass directly outside without the restrictions & pressure losses of ductwork. The idea of exhausting through a wall or window should work well. Many of the substances in welding smoke, such as chromium, nickel, arsenic, asbestos, manganese, silica, beryllium, cadmium, nitrogen oxides, phosgene, acrolein, fluorine compounds, carbon monoxide, cobalt, copper, lead, ozone, selenium, and zinc can be extremely toxic. Welding "smoke" is a mixture of very fine particles (fumes) and gases. Both SMAW & GMAW produce levels of toxic fumes that will (eventually) cause neurological damage. If you oxy-fuel weld or cut, large quantities of CO are generated. I know lots of welders who don't ventilate, but the exposure risks are well documented. It really is subtle, not enough air movement to feel but there is no longer any smoke or haze in the room. Since the room is 4500 cubic feet, 1500 CFM met that sizing guide. I did some reading before sizing the exhaust fan and the suggestions indicated a fan capacity 1/3 of room area. My shop's ceiling is 9', but the welding room size is 20' x 25'.
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