Welding fume extractor question

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I need a welding fume extractor.  I am considering buying the Miller fume extractor pictured below.  Anyone have one?  If not, what do you currently use, how do you like it?Gar. Attached ImagesLincoln Electric, Power MIG 256Hypertherm Powermax 45 Miller Dynasty 280DXSmith O/A torchGenesis of a welding table
Reply:I have a stupid question about fume extractors.  Why are they so expensive?  Are they not just glorified vacuum cleaners?  I realize they have some filters inside but are filters that expensive.  It is sucking air putting it through filters and sending it out the other end.  Sounds a lot like a vacuum cleaner to me.johnnyPLincoln Power Mig 256Lincoln 140 HDMiller Maxstar 150 STLHypertherm Powermax 45
Reply:Originally Posted by johnnyPI have a stupid question about fume extractors.  Why are they so expensive?  Are they not just glorified vacuum cleaners?  I realize they have some filters inside but are filters that expensive.  It is sucking air putting it through filters and sending it out the other end.  Sounds a lot like a vacuum cleaner to me.
Reply:It's the engineer design costs, testing, and liability and that make fume extractors so expensive.  The company is guaranteeing that the smoke eater will protect your lungs if you use it correctly.  That's a big promise to make in our law-suit crazy society.Benson's Mobile Welding - Dayton, OH metro area - AWS Certified Welding Inspector
Reply:I chose the Lincoln MiniFlex for alum mig welding using 5356 wire a year and a half ago. One reason I chose it was that it only pulled air when the welding was being done. You feed the ground lead through a copper sensor clip in the channel at the top. So far so good. I found this vid that pretty much sums it up.Weld like a "WELDOR", not a wel-"DERR" MillerDynasty700DX,Dynasty350DX4ea,Dynasty200DX,Li  ncolnSW200-2ea.,MillerMatic350P,MillerMatic200w/spoolgun,MKCobraMig260,Lincoln SP-170T,PlasmaCam/Hypertherm1250,HFProTig2ea,MigMax1ea.
Reply:^^That thing is nice, but expensive.Torchmate 2x2 CNC with Flashcut CNC controlsHypertherm Powermax45 Esab ET220i Razorweld 195 MigRazorweld 200ac/dc TigTormach 770, Tormach xstechRazorweld, Vipercut/Vipermig, SSC Foot Pedal Dealer
Reply:Originally Posted by Gamble^^That thing is nice, but expensive.
Reply:I tried the Lincoln MiniFlex out briefly, it sucked good, but my concern was how cheaply made it was.  Did not seem like it would hold up for very long.  Is the Miller brand for that class also made of plastic?GarLincoln Electric, Power MIG 256Hypertherm Powermax 45 Miller Dynasty 280DXSmith O/A torchGenesis of a welding table
Reply:Originally Posted by GarI tried the Lincoln MiniFlex out briefly, it sucked good, but my concern was how cheaply made it was.  Did not seem like it would hold up for very long.  Is the Miller brand for that class also made of plastic?Gar
Reply:Friend used a blower from a hot air furnace.Worked fine.
Reply:Originally Posted by farmer37Friend used a blower from a hot air furnace.Worked fine.
Reply:If I was a professional welder I would absolutely pay for a proper fume extractor despite the fact that I think they are way overpriced for what they actually do.  As a hobbyist I might go the less expensive route like a portable ventilator and some ventilation duct vented outside ($100 vs $1800):http://www.harborfreight.com/8-inch-...tor-97762.htmlhttp://www.harborfreight.com/8-inch-...uct-97763.htmljohnnyPLincoln Power Mig 256Lincoln 140 HDMiller Maxstar 150 STLHypertherm Powermax 45
Reply:Cameron Welding Supply has the Lincoln Miniflex portable fume extractor on sale for $1428. http://cameronwelding1.rtrk.com/?scid=801921&kw=1658767Weld like a "WELDOR", not a wel-"DERR" MillerDynasty700DX,Dynasty350DX4ea,Dynasty200DX,Li  ncolnSW200-2ea.,MillerMatic350P,MillerMatic200w/spoolgun,MKCobraMig260,Lincoln SP-170T,PlasmaCam/Hypertherm1250,HFProTig2ea,MigMax1ea.
Reply:Originally Posted by shovelonCameron Welding Supply has the Lincoln Miniflex portable fume extractor on sale for $1428. http://cameronwelding1.rtrk.com/?scid=801921&kw=1658767
Reply:Use hf ventalator, goes to 8 inch flex tube, then 8 inch sheet metal vent thingy.No vent just stops where, crack where garage door is. Usually just open door 4 feet or all way open.The 5 foot rectangle bar allows pivot out of the way for my wifeys car.Can also put my grinding table, welding table below it, as the tables are on casters.That black round thing is half of a barbecue, got it for free.Charl