90W Laser Cutter From Scratch | Smoke Eater v2.0

[@acwrightdesign]

Happy New Year everybody! 🎉 So am I crazy for tearing apart my already working smoke eater and building a different one? 😅Which version do you like better? I think the first one looked cooler but this one has much better airflow!

[@gnafin]

i like the V2. My problem is my laser will also be in the basement but i have glass block windows. i am still thinking on what to use for a base for it to sit on. like to build the one you made. but good videos, keep up the good work and information.

[@acwrightdesign]

Thanks! If I could be certain that I wasn't leaching chemicals I can't smell into the room, I would almost say I could just not vent the smoke outside now at all. I think the smoke eater is really cleaning up the smoke but I don't trust it enough to try that yet. I still feel more comfortable venting it outside. But I do know when I had my K40 set up and no smoke eater I could definitely smell smoke in the room and now that is gone!

[@hellerbarde]

What are these ducted fans sold as? I have trouble finding them here in Europe.

[@acwrightdesign]

@@hellerbarde They are called "inline duct fans". In the US, they are being sold for ventilating plant grow tents :)

[@HDTwiZ]

Please do not stop making youtube videos! Your videos are very professional and entertaining! I think implementing a little more of you talking and explaining things in between will make your videos even better :)

[@acwrightdesign]

It has been awhile since I made a video but I'll be back at some point. :)

[@oskartegnesjo1111]

Good build! I hope this channel grows big. After watching your first video I'm confident you talking is going to help accelerate that. Keep it up!

[@acwrightdesign]

Thank you for the support!

[@RichardSloan65]

Nice work I just did that almost same type install on my laser but I used a vacuum type fan not a radial fan it's very very quiet and the smoke evacuates almost immediately through at least five different filters

[@prabadal]

Nice!! I’m gonna run with this to make a cooled smoke and noise eater box.

[@acwrightdesign]

Go for it!

[@hjartland]

Nice that your inspector shows up for work. :)

[@acwrightdesign]

He is strict but fair :)

[@dave_ecclectic]

If you're venting outside, why would you smell any smoke inside. with or without a _smoke eater?_

[@tinadahl9875]

An unboxing, Mr. O’Malley, cool drill bits, a beautiful Christmas tree, your signature hoodie? This one had it all! Smoke eater is a-ok🔥

[@acwrightdesign]

I didn't know I had a signature hoodie haha! :)

[@abdulqawimackawi7357]

I loved your work and I want to do exactly like you, but I did not understand exactly because I did not see the laser machine connected to the box. Does the aluminum filter pull air to the outside or does the fan pull air from the outside to the inside?

[@COL1NW3BB]

I'm sure im missing something but... Whats the point in filterin he smoke if yur venting to te outside anyway? Also have you considered with the magnetic attachment to the window a thief could push the vent off and simply unlatch the window for easy home access?

[@acwrightdesign]

The main idea is to reduce the smell since I'm operating this machine in the basement of my house. I find that even with venting, the smell can escape. And to be totally honest, I just wanted to try it! :)

[@acwrightdesign]

Also, yes I have had someone else point out the security issue with my window. I have secured the window since the video. Thanks for suggesting this!

[@nathantoews152]

I was going to ask the same question about the venting. Glad I got the answer. As for a theif hes just going to smash the window anyways. Theifs don't care about your property.

[@eraneliyahu2459]

Hi there, is it possible to purchase the plans?

[@acwrightdesign]

I'm sorry I don't have any plans for this project

[@jorgeavalos3490]

Grate video, I’m doing this smoke eater follow ring your instructions , do you know how many time we need to replace filters?

[@acwrightdesign]

I haven't had it long enough to feel like I needed to replace the filter yet. I think I'm getting close to pulling it out of there to check.

[@robertkock8105]

I really like the cabinet that you have created. I like that the chiller is incorporated into the design. I am wondering if you can provide measurements for the cabinet. I see that you have provided the CAD instructions but some of us are not that tech savvy. :-)

[@acwrightdesign]

The top and bottom is 1100mm x 800mm. The height from bottom to top (inside) is 30". The chiller opening is 15-3/4". The inside depth is 29". The back panel is 41-3/4" by 30". Hope that helps!

[@abbv2x]

Greetings! Thank you for the video, what a great design. After a year, how do you find this works (How often do you find you need to change the carbon filter, how well does this setup cut down on the fumes outside?) I have a 60W CO2 and....picky neighbours so I need to be mindful of sound and fumes. Thanks!

[@acwrightdesign]

Thanks! I still need to make a follow up video at some point but I found the filters lasted a few months and then got very clogged to the point that the smoke was not being evacuated properly so I have bypassed this system and currently just exhaust the smoke directly outside. However, I do believe it reduced the amount of visible smoke and smell outside while the filters worked properly. If you do something similar hopefully you will need to monitor the state of the filters regularly.

[@acdii]

Would be interesting to see the full pull of the inline fan unobstructed to see how much reduction you get from the filters and bends. 1600 CFM is pretty damned good, but what about uptake air, how do you compensate for it? You know what they say, to put it out, you need to take it in. In my shop, if I don't open an outside door, it drops the flow to a crawl and pulls air from the entire house, and in the winter pulls the heat out, summer, pulls the heat in.

[@acwrightdesign]

I do believe I did measure the fan only at the intake but didn't film it (or didn't edit it into video). I don't remember the exact number but it was only slightly better than full system (maybe 10-15%? have an outside door of my house open when running the laser.

[@makersdenshop]

still new to this...did you create holes or some sort some of grate for the air to pull through from the top to the bottom? I would imagine so, if so...how large was it? I am only asking because I would think it would work better overhead with smoke rising...overall awesome video and very informative, the best I watched yet.

[@acwrightdesign]

Yes, there is a hole about 7" x 2" through the tabletop on which the laser is mounted. I'm not sure about rising smoke but I do know that many commercial laser cutters use downdraft.

[@armastat]

Flying Death propeller for a hole cutter ... now thats what woodworking is all about, yeah!!

[@brendinemslie8226]

Nice setup. How well does it work to remove smells (cutting acrylic etc)? How long do the filters last?

[@acwrightdesign]

It works OK for smells but the filters can get clogged quickly and block smoke removal so be cautious. I have since decided to just expel the smoke outside without filtration.

[@storkcub1389]

@@acwrightdesign what made you move away from the filtration?

[@acwrightdesign]

@@storkcub1389 I found that as it got more clogged / dirty the smoke built up inside the cutting area and wasn't being exhausted quickly. I think with better maintenance or cleaning this could be avoided.

[@veedoocrafts3453]

Thanks for the great video, i build one using BOFA AD 350 Fume Extraction System, it can eliminate the odor almost, however it cost over $500 to replace, i m very pleased to see your video because this seems more cheaper, my laser is 60w and run almost 8 hours daily, very heavy use, so which version is better for odor as i was complained by my neighbor before, thanks again.

[@acwrightdesign]

Thanks for watching! The smoke eater I built seems to be doing a good job with odors!

[@veedoocrafts3453]

@@acwrightdesign when venting outside, do you see smoke despite the odors, thanks

[@acwrightdesign]

@@veedoocrafts3453 No. I can see smoke inside the smoke eater chamber sometimes but outside I don't see smoke.

[@veedoocrafts3453]

@@acwrightdesign the version 1 or 2 no smoke?

[@acwrightdesign]

@@veedoocrafts3453 Both actually worked very similarly. V2 just has more air flow and a bit simpler to build.

[@gpentsas]

Hello and thanks for the video. I am amazed that you got that sort of airflow from the two inline blowers and even more amazed that you get better airflow with just one bigger inline blower, as all those are low pressure models (they are not built for sucking air out of filters). Where is the exhaust located in the laser chamber? On the bottom underneath the table or on the back wall of the enclosure? Thanks!

[@acwrightdesign]

The exhaust is located at the rear of the laser. It goes from the laser cutter down through the table into the smoke eater chamber.

[@chrisbibb]

Great build and really high quality content, subscribed now!

[@acwrightdesign]

Thank you!

[@Ali36999]

Excellent and smart

[@justinstanley4630]

Do you have any idea how long the filters last? It seems like the cheaper furnace filters is what you'd want to replace most often.

[@acwrightdesign]

This is an experiment that was just completed so I really haven't had enough time to know for sure how long they will last. I agree that the furnace filter will be replaced more often and one of the reasons for v2.0 using cheaper filters instead of the large round filter in v1.0.

[@HassanDibani]

@@acwrightdesign just revisiting this question now that it was 7 month, I hope you have an update on this. Thanks!!

[@acwrightdesign]

@@HassanDibani I still have not replaced the carbon or filter. BUT I have just the last month or so really been cutting lots of things. So I wanted to wait until it got some heavy use.

[@pwninstein]

Question related to fume extraction: I'm planning on building my Y-400 in my basement, and have limited options for where to vent. There are 2 glass block windows near the ceiling in the corner I plan to keep it. Would you recommend just knocking one out and installing an appropriately sized dryer vent right there? Also, is filtration strictly necessary? Trying to figure out if I should consider that as well. Love the videos!

[@acwrightdesign]

Thanks! Filtration is not necessary. I just wanted to give it a try and see if it would really clean the air. I've seen that the Glowforge has a pricey add-on filtration system that apparently can be used without outside venting. So I wanted to try and recreate this if possible. I don't know what is inside their magic box but my guess is an air filter and carbon filter similar to mine. That being said, I still think pumping the air outside is the safest bet!

[@acdii]

Can you access the rim joists and drill through that? My workshop has no windows at all, and that was my only option. I put a 6" vent through that, and push the smoke out that way, but I also have to open an outside door to replace what gets pushed out or I wind up pulling air from the entire house. Alternatively you can build a smoke box with the filters and vent it inside, as long as you aren't cutting plastics. Those are only good for paper and wood.

[@maurolimaok]

Nice channel. Congrats. Hope it grows big!

[@acwrightdesign]

Thank you! That would be fun!

[@aaronpys2893]

Have you noticed a difference in smell outdoors using this filtration? My neighbour's live very close to me so I'm looking for options. Also do you have any idea how long the carbon filter will last?

[@acwrightdesign]

I can still see and smell smoke outside but I would say it is reduced from what it would be without filtration.

[@umastrategic9692]

Hi does the inline filter remove the smoke ?

[@acwrightdesign]

It seems to really help with the odor. I can't say for sure if it is removing all chemicals from the air. You should still vent the air outside which I do.

[@jrdevelopment2020]

Nice work

[@acwrightdesign]

Thanks!

[@LaserEngraving911]

cool!

[@acwrightdesign]

Thanks!

[@Shutterok]

great...!!!

[@acwrightdesign]

Thanks!

[@umastrategic9692]

Has anybody here build something similar with this setup? I'm planning to build similar unit with two AC Infinities 8" fans. mainly looking to manage the smoke an smell.

[@acwrightdesign]

I have had some others say they have built this. Hopefully someone will respond!

[@marouaneladjel1907]

MAGNIFIQUE BRAVO

[@acwrightdesign]

Thank you!

[@onthecrafttable]

fantastic video. New subbie here.

[@acwrightdesign]

Thank you!

[@corellitube]

Subscribed!

[@acwrightdesign]

Thank you!

[@69uremum]

Someone could put their arm through that opening in the window and open the latch it looks like.

[@acwrightdesign]

Thank you for pointing this out! I will have to make something to secure the latch!

[@69uremum]

@@acwrightdesign your air cleaner setup looks like its coming along good, a laser cutter must be a handy tool to have!:)

[@corellitube]

Maybe integrate/sandwich some wire mesh at the 3d printed window hose transition. Thatll keep all the critters out too.

[@acwrightdesign]

@@corellitube There is a screen in the window on the other side of the vent so I think that hopefully will keep the critters out!

[@johngurney7087]

Did you loose your voice?????

[@acwrightdesign]

Nope it still works :)

[@johnjss]

I miss your explanation on what you are doing! Great videos though.

[@acwrightdesign]

Thanks! I will probably do some videos with explanation if I think it makes sense. I'm just trying to avoid things like "And here you can see me using a screwdriver to turn a screw." etc... :)