Homade Fume Extractor

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I decided to try to use my RIDGID shop vac to remove welding smoke from my work area. I worked pretty well. My one concern is the long term effects on the shop vac internals. Will damage it in any way?
Reply:This is the setup on the bench
Reply:You might be better served using a dust collector to suck up the fumes and blow them outside. I've been thinking of doing the same as you and make a homemade suction unit, I already have a small dust collector and 3 inch hose.Something like this   http://www.harborfreight.com/catalog...dust+collector.
Reply:Here is where the shop vac is. I plan on running some dryer vent hose from the exhaust on the shop vac out the wall. I just want to get the fumes and smoke out of the shop. I am not worried about filtering the air.Last edited by 17jamato; 04-17-2014 at 09:02 PM.
Reply:well the downside would be when it sucks in a spark catches fire and meltsVantage 500's LN-25's, VI-400's, cobramatics, Miller migs, synch 350 LX, Powcon inverters, XMT's, 250 Ton Acurrpress 12' brake, 1/4" 10' Atlantic shear,Koikie plasma table W/ esab plasmas. marvel & hyd-mech saws, pirrana & metal muncher punches.
Reply:That thing is loud I bet too.  I moved to a itm shop vac, can speak no issues over it.  Is be more worried about filter catching fireMiller 350PMiller 30AHobart trekHTP Invertig 221
Reply:Originally Posted by 17jamatoMy one concern is the long term effects on the shop vac internals. Will damage it in any way?
Reply:Originally Posted by FORTEALLOYProbably not. If you think about it, they suck in TONS of assorted crap anyway, dust, dirt, tiny pieces of metal, slag, etc etc. Same thought.  Running it with a bag installed is a bad idea. No bag is safer, but a nice chunk of red-hot slag will ignite the plastic easily, assuming it doesnt burn a hole in the hose.
Reply:You will get more volume of air flow with a dust collector and it will be much more quieter. Also you won't have to worry so much about fire, on my dust collector everything is metal.
Reply:Yeah run the shop vac wet, no bag obviously.Only thing with a shop vac is they are loud and use a lot of power.Have you thought about making a vent out of a bathroom fan?The damaged oven hood is a great idea.old Miller spectrum 625 Lincoln SP-135 T, CO2+0.025 wireMiller model 250 and WP-18V torchCraftsman 100amp AC/DC and WP-17V torchCentury 115-004 HF arc stabilizerHome made 4 transformer spot welderHome made alternator welder
Reply:Originally Posted by mad welder 4Yeah run the shop vac wet, no bag obviously.Only thing with a shop vac is they are loud and use a lot of power.Have you thought about making a vent out of a bathroom fan?The damaged oven hood is a great idea.
Reply:I have a 12" roof vent. so I put a 20 inch box fan in the window, held by a bungee cord.  removes fumes and does not disturb shielding gas. And my shop vac is free for cleaning filings and grind dust.
Reply:Sounds good to me other than the constant noise......I like listening to the radio when Im welding all day and that might be a problem.....  Miller Dynasty 350Twenty Six HammersThree Crow BarsBig Rock
Reply:Originally Posted by mad welder 4Yeah run the shop vac wet, no bag obviously.Only thing with a shop vac is they are loud and use a lot of power.Have you thought about making a vent out of a bathroom fan?.