Building a Fume Hood to Make Chemistry Less Dangerous

I handle a lot of toxic chemicals on this channel, so in an effort to be safer, I decided to build myself a fume hood and document the process!
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Here are the parts I used to make the hood. Total price was roughly $240 after tax.
1. Four 2'x4' sheets of 5/8" particle board: $9
www.homedepot.com/p/Handprint...
2. 24"x36" OPTIX 0.177" acrylic sheet: $48
www.homedepot.com/p/OPTIX-24-...
3. Metal handle for hood door: $6
www.homedepot.com/p/Liberty-C...
4. Flat white paint (1 quart): $10
5. 5/8" wood screws (eight total; four for PVC flange, two for the fan, and two for the power strip): $3
6. 1-5/8" construction screws: $10
www.homedepot.com/p/Grip-Rite...
7. DAP adhesive caulk: $5
8. 4" PVC flange: $6
www.homedepot.com/p/Oatey-Fas...
9. VIVOSUN 4" aluminum hose (2pk, 25 feet each): $31
www.amazon.com/dp/B07WFDCYZL?...
10. VIVOSUN 4" 195 CFM ventilation fan: $27
www.amazon.com/dp/B01M7S46YZ?...
11. JOYLIT 24V 5000K CRI 95+ LED strip (16.6 feet): $34
www.amazon.com/dp/B0BJDSWD5T?...
12. I had a 24V power supply on hand, but if you don't: $21
www.amazon.com/ALITOVE-100-24...
13. 2" desk grommets (5pk): $7
www.amazon.com/dp/B07M9YKLY1?...
14. Power strip (8-foot cord, built-in breaker): $9
www.walmart.com/ip/Hyper-Toug...
0:00 Intro
1:15 The plan...ish
1:42 Beginning the build: cutting the wood
4:31 Cutting the acrylic and window groove
7:48 Assembling the main structure
9:18 Attaching the little bits: hoses, fan, etc.
14:17 ASMR peeling and crinkling
15:02 Back to it...
17:40 Painting
19:28 More little bits: grommet, power bar, etc.
20:33 Testing it!
25:06 Chlorine gas test
26:53 Addressing concerns about my safety
30:40 What's next?

[@LabCoatz_Science]

IMPORTANT NOTE! To get proper airflow, you need the right size ducting, and apparently, the 4" hose that I used is not sufficient to meet OSHA guidelines. So, I've purchased an 8" 720 CFM inline fan and 8" hosing, which should get things up to spec!

[@y33t23]

Remember that you have aluminum hoses before doing anything with Bromine Might wanna switch to plastic before attempting that

[@MrDJAK777]

He could use Ammonium fluorosilicate to create a passivation layer of aluminum fluoride. Or is that not resistant to bromine either?

[@y33t23]

@@MrDJAK777 the issue might be that a on thin, flexible aluminum foil the coating will start to crack and expose the metal again if it gets bent or moved in any way

[@Protocol-X]

I am no expert, but it's probably safer to get one of the flexible pv hoses. They are Mae for ducts, are near impossible to tear, and made for chemical resistance. They are a little pricey, compared to those cheap easy rip aluminum.

[@MrDJAK777]

@@y33t23 very good point, thanks!

[@lollolgameslp]

Same thought

[@Kaijuprintworks]

Put the plugs and switches outside of the hood before something eats though it or causes a spark while working on something flammable

[@llopgui]

best advise comment ever.

[@Jimdandymetals]

The bottom of the hood needs to be open to let fresh air in so it’s easy to run the cords out of the hood and use a different breaker for the hood than what you use for the hot plate so if it trips a breaker the fan will still run

[@jamjamamam4139]

I would recomend to add some "lip" on fromt to prevent leaks of overspills or tipped glass

[@WhileTrueCode]

24:53 labcoatz: nowhere in the garage does it smell neighborhood: are we a joke to you

[@OtherWorldExplorers]

I installed one of those in my bathroom. That last experience with Taco Bell was devastating...

[@ahuman2533]

Correct me if I'm wrong but I think I just realized that not even explosion and fire has a fume hood lmao. He has just been doing everything that makes toxic gases outside on his backyard under the schorching australian sun instead of getting or making a fume hood. He literally went and bought a 2000$ fire extinguisher before investing in a fume hood... Tom is just on a another level

[@lagrangiankid378]

Well to be fair all chemistry in history except the last 200 years has been done without fume hoods. And until the second half of the 20th century fume hoods were combustion driven only. The outside is very good at taking care of dangerous vapors/aereosols and gases.

[@ahuman2533]

@@lagrangiankid378 yeah but might as well get one they are so convenient

[@johannaverplank4858]

Honestly, I’m relieved you’re taking your safety more seriously. I was honestly worried about you after the last couple videos. Great job on the fume hood!

[@tomashubelbauer]

The sigmacaffeine video was hysterical, but I definitely like to see you take safety seriously and appreciate you talking about this. There are too many people on KZbin who downplay the risks of whatever they are doing, be it chemistry, woodworking, whatever and given that being safe is extra effort (combating laziness, sacrificing the extra prep time, suppressing cowboy attitude), it is genuinely cool to have someone say they don't want to encourage unsafe behavior and want to present a good example.

[@morningstarsci]

Coat the MDF with a chemical and fire resistant epoxy. You can easily find it on google. Also, add a lip to the front bottom of your hood to contain any spills. Also, you might want to get a plastic tray fit the size of the hood counter to add additional protection. Also, drill a hole in the front of the side wall where the acrylic slides through to thread a bolt with a knob through. The bolt will apply pressure to the acrylic sheet and allow you keep in place with friction.

[@steadfasttherenowned2460]

I was hoping more eyeball suction cups with tubes

[@OtherWorldExplorers]

I'm strangely intrigued to see that. Edit OMG, are you referring to David Lynch's Dune Lol love it...

[@koga7349]

Assuming you are going to crack your garage and run the tube out. If so, be sure to run it way outside. The exhaust will create negative pressure in your garage and air from the outside will get pulled in to equalize. You don't want your exhaust fumes getting pulled back into the garage

[@LabCoatz_Science]

Yeah, I used about 50 feet of that hose, so it reaches pretty far into the driveway (and totally doesn't look suspicious, lol). I was planning to have a barrier or something similar go along the bottom of the garage door to help stop the wind from blowing anything back inside, but that proved to trigger the door's safety mechanism, preventing it from closing.

[@highlander723]

​@@LabCoatz_Science No officer I don't know what you're talking about I don't see how that looks suspicious...... No I've never seen breaking bad!

[@Quickened1]

​@@LabCoatz_Sciencejust unlock the door from the opener when you're using the hose for ventilation, then lock it back in for normal operation when you're done!

[@justinbanks2380]

2:03 that shirt!!! I literally just got that for myself and have had so many funny comments and laughs already when I wore it. I should probably be worried so many people think it's appropriate for me, but I'm going to take it as a sign I'm doing things right, lol

[@koga7349]

When you mark your cutout, cut it out from the front where you can see it 😂

[@bnasty267]

With extraction fans like that, you generally want the entire fan assembly to be outside so that only negative pressure hoses/ducts are inside. This is so that if the exhaust duct disconnected or got a hole in it, you wouldn't be pushing bad air directly out of the hood into your environment. Areas with radon require that the radon fan itself is either mounted outside or in a non-living space like the attic for the same reasons.

[@Protospacer]

It might be a good idea to put the blower at the far end of the exhaust hose. That way nothing will get blown into the garage if the hose gets pierced by something.

[@kinru1259]

Sparking in the booster fan + working with explosive atmosphere in the fume hood = bang

[@samorakaos3695]

If you wrap the cables in glass wool, there will be no problem. You can also use plastic instead of aluminum pipe.

[@arcanealchemist3190]

i appreciate being on the level, and willing to admit that you havent had an ideal track record in the past. it takes a big person to admit they could have done better and intend to improve. and this is an excellent step towards that goal. as with any risk, they were yours to take, and i appreciate you putting things out there that dont necessarily paint you in a bad light. that said, i would hate to find out i had inadvertently contributed to someone hurting themselves while doing chemistry by spurring them on with my views, so im relieved to hear this. might want to consider adding some sort of lip for spills and heavy gasses, as other comments have said, but your hood seems more than adequate as is! that was a lot of chlorine. cool video!

[@biganddaft1981]

Maybe put the extraction fan on a differnnt outlet than the other electric items, then if you need to cut power the extraction won't stop.

[@marconiandcheese7258]

The trolling with the mic and tablesaw is hilarious

[@BackMacSci]

Sick project and I enjoyed seeing your build inn real time. And hey! Getting real close to 100k subs! CRAZY!

[@sladoid]

On safety, you remind me exactly of my friend from college. He got into energy drinks really hard, then into alcohol, etc. I'd recommend trying to stay sober as long as possible.

[@sandmehlig]

When adding an AC unit to your lab add an air intake to your fume hood, that connects directly to the outside to keep that sweet cool air in. 😀And borrow a fog simulator to check for unwanted air inlets.

[@OLCarmel]

GRT vid. Very informative.

[@NuttyGeek]

Wow! That's a nice setup and lab improvement. Grats! It is definitely not the safest one, though, but surely a decent starting point.

[@B_Van_Glorious]

Just a table saw tip homie, when cutting with the rip fence, the smaller part has to be on the drop off side. If that's not possible, you need to lose the fence. I'm not gonna safety police you for no guard, riving knife, hold down bearings; I don't use any of that either, shit you'd be lucky if I use a push stick, but I also don't set myself up for things to somehow pinch, twist, kick back or pull my hand in. It happens faster than you can react, and it happens to people more skilled than you or I, so, just prethink your order of ops when you cut. Have your feet properly set, movements planned, etc. A table saw is such a basic component it's easy to think it's benign. Just saying, a little respect while you still got all the digits might be wise. Cheers.

[@rkirke1]

Nice! If you want a surface that's more resistant to stains, corrosion etc, PTFE sheet (or even just polyethylene ~1mm thick) is pretty reasonably priced from plastics retailers. For fiery stuff, a cheap source of stainless might be metals scrapyards that charge by weight if you have them if your area. If you're lucky they might let you angle grind the side & bottom out of a catering sink or similar and just pay for the weight of the metal.

[@BrnEyedGrl83]

14:17 I friggin lost my mind in a good way because you did the thing. Thank you!

[@LateNightHacks]

ok, aside from all the issues others have pointed out, there is also the issue of the size, you don't really have enough height for a fractional column or anything tall, even the width is kinda too narrow, a vacuum distillation setup would take the whole length more or less, and no room for much else like say a trap or a neutralising solution, or a gas wash bottle... plus, you don't want to have to take out contaminated glassware right in the middle of work to make room, you could sit them in a corner and move with syth till you can setup a proper neutralising bath

[@J.C...]

I feel you on the hot garage. Same in Louisiana. I leave at 9am and it's already 95* in my garage according to my ambient temp sensor in my truck. When I have to work in there, I work for 5 or 10 mins at a time, then go in and cool off for 5 or 10 mins. I've also opened thr door into the kitchen to let some cool air in from the house since I'm usually working right on the other side of the door. That means I feel the air flowing through the doorway into the garage. Oh. I also wait and work on my vehicles at night. 11pm to 4am because it's usually much cooler 😂😁

[@LabCoatz_Science]

Yeah, I much prefer doing my garage work in the winter, but in the summer, I do try to get up early and work before it gets too hot.

[@bowlseriw]

the shirt absolutely slaps

[@Moritz___]

i build a fumehood like yours in my basement some weeks ago just with a larger extraction fan and 6inch hard pvc wastewater pipes. i actually occasionally smell the stuff i work with but i guess that this is either coming back through the (mostly closed off) window or im carrying the chemicals out on my gloves or while cleaning glasware. what i like most about my setup is that the acrylic is mounted on a pulley system with a counter weight(like a chalkboard that can be height adjusted) so you can just push it up or down whenever you need it without having to adjust pins or whatever. another thing to remember is to keep the turns with your piping as shallow as possible as sharp turns really limit the airflow. furthermore i suggest always leaving the sash open by a little so that the stink doesnt have a chance build up inside the hood anyways great project. like to see the tutorial when i build my hood there was really minimal information on the internet of either really shitty or really high end selfmade fumehoods. have fun

[@nicks3608]

I'd look into the r-rated insulated ducting. It'll have a quality plastic ducting (foil devlopes and sometimes comes with tons of needle-holes) with an insulation (noise) and an outer wrapping. This will avoid any accidental damage from rubbing against the fan. It's pretty affordable for a small run of it. Just a thought! Also the power box can have some leaks where it screws onto the housing (it should be sucking in, so not a problem.

[@scoophaines]

Grow tent manufacturers also have carbon scrubbers that do a decent job

[@jonnymakeschemicals2714]

yeah i used aluminum hosing before and it literally fell apart within about half a year of use. and the plastic has been going strong for almost 2 years.

[@mr.nicejay6378]

switch the aluminum hose, it will rott away imediately... try to install plumbing tubes or might get some out of ldpe preferably... secure all electronics please!!!! and get a nice filtering chamber with enough ventilation to pass trough....i can recommend charcoal/ion exchange resin, mixed up with bentonite (kitty-litter) spray the mixture with high fraction - whiteoil/sillicone oil and dont forget to cover the suction vent with a good fleece-type sieve....but the allaround concept of your hood seems pretty durable. NICE

[@chanheosican6636]

Yeah i am planning to have an fume hood environment in my lab outside and more ventilation I also have all the windows in the house downstairs near by. An fumehood is not possible but lots of fans etc is practical. I am trying to make a Passive system as well. Not sure if it will work. Planning on that.

[@DeathbyKillerBong]

add pully and counterweight to plexi door

[@mollago]

Cool! Hope it helps in future videos to show you have the equipment in place as a professional would. It's not like you're going to accidentally light your eyes on fire or anything

[@SysOpQueen]

i just woke up, all i saw was The Hood Saved my Life

[@wernervanderstraten]

Way to go!

[@lightdark00]

Never apologize!

[@chanheosican6636]

In my lab I don't work as much with flammable vapours or know the risk and have a vent system. I mean hydrogen in extremely small amounts like with metals and Aqua regas the mix normally is not explosive (NO2, H2, Cl2, NOCl2) I had good ventilation but better ventilation may work.

[@infinitivez]

@6:30 This is where I would go get a new board, and cut to fit. Me and cutting acrylic, are not friends! I haven't hit play yet- - will this be foreshadowing your experience? lol

[@romanglinnik8073]

Perfect shirt for a project like that

[@philbaxter487]

I loved the table saw asmr, bro. No matter how you use a table saw, someone will complain. If I had a KZbin channel, I just wouldn’t include any footage of using a table saw.

[@stg.sparky5070]

Hey you should look into lining the inside at least because particleboard has a tendency to be destroyed by water.

[@AnonNopleb]

Try flame-polishing the plexiglass, it'll look stunning and makes working with that fumehood even more exciting, because any drop of organic solvent will have a chance of cracking it

[@86Kiaser]

It's either a power brick or surge protector.

[@justinbanks2380]

32:23 you're not supposed to be THAT into chemistry 😂

[@TheOneAndOnlyNeuromod]

You woodworking people need to chill. I think he did alright. And he made what he intended and it works. Sometimes, you have to do it yourself, and figure it out yourself - and you just want to get back to work.

[@steadfasttherenowned2460]

Where did you find bare Particle Board in 2024? When you upgrade, get melamine board. It's particle board covered in melamine plastic.

[@jasonpatterson8091]

So you didn't watch the video?

[@mollago]

​@@jasonpatterson8091Did you watch the video?

[@LabCoatz_Science]

I just picked it up at the Home Depot, mostly because it's so cheap (about $8 per 2'x4' sheet) and much flatter than plywood or similar. Melamine wouldn't be a bad idea though!

[@justinbarnett9808]

@@LabCoatz_Scienceit also falls apart when it gets wet and I believe it’s quite flammable. I’d use some plywood (you can get a 4x8 sheet cut and it’s much cheaper than buying smaller pieces), then line it with hardiebacker (cement board), and then cover that with something like Formica. The Formica is very durable, and the cement board adds a degree of fire resistance as well. For ventilation, you can get solid coated ducting for use in wood stoves that’ll be far more heat and chemical resistant than anything like that dryer vent. That, or some flexible hose made for dust collectors from a woodworking shop.

[@jasonpatterson8091]

@@mollago The original comment I replied to said that if he didn't paint the MDF it would fall apart. Not sure if the edit changed the comment significantly or if KZbin or I managed to reply to the wrong comment.

[@henricoderre]

I used electrochemistry to make sodium hydroxide. I used two 250ml high-density polyethylene (HDPE) bottles to make my electrolysis containers. I used plastic because chlorine is very corrosive, and sodium hydroxide is said to etch away glassware. I'd drilled two holes in the sides of each bottle, then inserted a clear polyethylene hose in which I'd inserted a piece of cotton to act as a diaphragm. Both bottle holes were sealed at the joints to make sure no chlorine gas would escape. In my haste to retrieve the sodium hydroxide, I removed the cap immediately after the electrolysis was completed. My face was close to the opening of the bottle containing the chlorine gas. When I unscrewed the cap I quickly moved away from the chlorine smell, but it was too late. I suddenly felt soffocated. There's no doubt, Chlorine gas is extremely dangerous to inhale. I later found out it had been used during WWI to kill enemy troops in their trenches. A fume hood would have been indispensible in my case, and I wish I'd had one. What about testing heavy smoke? You don't want anyone who sees smoke to think your lab is on fire. You're learning, and unfortunately, mistakes will happen. However, it's good to know that you're concerned about yourself and other people's health, and are willing to take the necessary precautions to reduce any risks involved in experimentation. I have also done some careless things, but have since been more cautious. As a spectator, I'm not interested in watching or seeing someone kill themselves for the sake of chemistry. I prefer watching someone who takes all the precautions necessary to keep everyone safe.

[@mr.nicejay6378]

ELECTROLYSIS IS A OWN KIND OF SCIENCE; hmm? dont forget the in-situ creation of HHO... there are some fine nurdrage videos on how to build an electrolysis box securely.... as for the gases, try some ion-exchange resins mixed with calcium carbonate / activated charcoal pellets....but why to make NaOH in first place? obviously not for the sake of getting some.... did you had the urge to understand the solvay process, i might ask?

[@cragonaut]

Where's the riving knife on your table saw? It's a pretty important safety feature and there's literally no reason not to use it. It's not like it gets in the way for the cuts you're doing.

[@LabCoatz_Science]

Not sure, I don't use that saw very often, and it's pretty old (it's also not my saw). I'm not even sure I have a riving knife for it at this point...

[@DangerousLab]

There are many more recommendations than I gave on Patreon, I guess Fumehood V2 will be out very soon🤣

[@josephgauthier5018]

brooo, you're a fellow okie?!?! less gooo!

[@josephgauthier5018]

and yes, the heat sucks XD

[@LabCoatz_Science]

At least it finally rained today, now I can work without worrying about heat exhaustion!

[@josephgauthier5018]

@@LabCoatz_Science oh yeah. was definitely not expecting to wake up to upper 60's and it be that way all the way to like 1 or 2 in the afternoon lol

[@Balingy]

The hat looks good on you.

[@Gman193]

Get yourself a eyewash bottle, in my opinion it is one of the most important peaces of first aid equipment there is for chemistry (or anyone working with corrosive substances).

[@mfree80286]

Need to swap out those aluminum ducts for polypropylene. A marine store would be a walk in, maybe RV suppliers as sewer hose but most of those are vinyl. McMaster has PP duct for less than $10 a foot so it'll be much cheaper as a 'misused' product. You'll likely find in a few days that your aluminum is already degrading since you put chlorine through it. It won't take much to burn through.

[@LabCoatz_Science]

It's actually held up pretty well, possibly because the interior is coated in a thin plastic film. But yes, PP tubing would be optimal, although for the 50 feet I want at $10/ft, it would be pretty darn expensive!

[@mfree80286]

@@LabCoatz_Science $10/ft was a maximum, McMaster-Carr is where you get stuff you can't get anywhere else and they know it.

[@mfree80286]

I'd also spray the inside of that cabinet with epoxy appliance paint now, before the paint you have gets attacked. Should be a lot more resistant than anything else you can get at a big box hardware store. Might want to run a little smooth bead of clear silicone or glue down a little strip of plastic from side to side just inside the door so minor spills can't run out the front. Regarding the epoxy spraypaint... if you do it with the cabinet running, OUTSIDE, you stand a chance of: A) protecting your hoses, at least a little bit, and B) finding out pretty quickly if that extractor fan is going to be a long term item, and giving anything bare inside it some protection too. If you're going to work with volatiles, think about oxygen reduction. Could be as simple as a bowl of dry ice in the back of the box. Also consider some grounding for spark protection if (when) you move to polymer hoses. Look at wood dust collectors for clues how to deal with that, and also marine engine vapor purge systems (you have to ventilate enclosed vessels while fueling to avoid potential 'inadvertent rapid disassembly').

[@kalebsnyder6530]

Can you show the rest of your tubing set up like the output in like a youtube short or something?

[@Jawst]

better late than never 😅

[@RiehlScience]

14:20 THANK YOU

[@Microwavingmetal]

Minor thing but it may be better to have it standing on its side, especially for distillations where you need height. over all though I like the design.

[@lohphat]

How dilute must exhaust gases be to conform to local regulations? Or is there need for some form of filtration or neutralization chemistry to keep it from causing local concern?

[@yoctoflop]

this is oklahoma

[@LabCoatz_Science]

Honestly, I have no clue. Those laws might only apply to large-scale chemical manufacturers, idk. Normally, I would just do these projects with the garage door up and let the fumes escape, so this is basically just an extension of that. Most of the stuff that gets pumped out is actually just the vapor from solvents that would normally just evaporate into the environment anyway, like xylene (paint thinner), acetone (nail polish remover), etc.

[@justinbanks2380]

26:45 Tom from fire&explosion would say you failed because it's yellow 😂 (before anyone tries and 'well actually' me, I know chlorine gas is supposed to be yellow, lol)

[@rick5078]

An addition to your fume hood that would be a good idea to add would be those square carbon filters and hepa filters. This would help protect the fan from the more nasty type of fumes, and reduce issues if there is a leak in the exhaust hose. you can add a section on top to house the filters. Also, having that power strip on the inside is not a very good idea, not only do you have to still reach inside the funehood to disconnect cables, the powerstrip can fill with fumes which leave residue that can cause shortcircuits or if the fumes are corrosive, they can eat away at the contacts. That cable passthrough is large enough to pass through cables, plugs and all. I would place the power strip on the outside of the hood and have the cables for the hotplate etc go out of the fumehood into the power strip. That way, if you have a bad run-away reaction and need to kill the heat for instance, you can quickly unplug from the outside while closing the acrylic sheet.

[@lagrangiankid378]

Problem with filters is that they reduce the pressure of the fan to a large degree, and this can lead to an inadequate front face velocity, especially with a fan not that strong. But I agree in placing powerstrips on the outside.

[@rick5078]

@@lagrangiankid378 Those fans are designed to pull/push air through can style carbon filters such as those used in the cultivation of cannabis. Those can style filters offer a lot more resistance than the square box style filters so even with the smaller fan, the box filters should be perfectly fine. leaving plenty of force for air extraction.

[@blablabla1000able]

Would have liked to see it with a reaction that produces lots of visible fumes.

[@HighVoltageArcs08]

Heyeveryone, welcome back to Labcoatz is my beloved slogan

[@stroopyy]

brother i have a fume hood right below my eyes

[@josephgauthier5018]

nice fumehood! glad to see the fan wasnt too anemic. did you plan on doing a simple window unit install, or were you thinking about installing one of those diy minisplits that can also heat in the winter?

[@LabCoatz_Science]

Eh, it's not even my house, so I can't install anything permanently...I will when I get my own place though! That, or I'll just install a better hood inside, lol.

[@josephgauthier5018]

@@LabCoatz_Science well, when you get your own place, hmu if you want some help installing one of those mini splits. ive installed two units myself before. i even have some hvac vacuum pumps that can be used to remove the air from the lines (for those that dont come with precharged lines). now i may or may not be available when the time comes, but feel free to ask me when you want to mess with it. also, you'll likely still need a licensed pro to come inspect it so that the warranty will be honored by the manufacturer, but it'll be a lot cheaper for just an inspection than a full install

[@imikla]

Soooo… 🤔 probably no fractional distillation or refluxing in there. I'm guessing it's kind of small for space reasons, but it might have benefited from being a bit taller. Also as others have said, that vent and fan is a weak link. Corrosive things may eat the vent "pipe" and kill the motor. Something to keep an eye on for sure. Very nice otherwise, and I'm glad you have it. Definitely much safer than not having it.

[@LabCoatz_Science]

I have been able to run refluxes in the hood, but a fractional distillation is definitely out of the question...fortunately I don't really do those often, if ever!

[@imikla]

​@@LabCoatz_Science I'm probably influenced by my own glassware, I don't think I have a reflux condenser that would fit on a flask on top of a hotplate in there. I hope that's in an upcoming video, I'm interested to see that!

[@LabCoatz_Science]

@@imikla It's actually in the "legal meth" video I've been working on! Not sure if it'll make it to the final cut though, because that particular part was kind of a failure...let's just say too much lithium aluminum hydride in too little THF, lol

[@Les_Grossman]

I could smell it from here ;-)

[@Robb403]

Was it the accident or the ER bill that got your attention? Anyway, this is OK for a beginners fume hood. There are different grades rated for different types of chemistry and it's important that you understand the limits of yours. You appear to have used a booster fan and clothes dryer ductwork. Understand that it can't handle certain chemicals. If the blower isn't a sealed brushless type, it wouldn't be safe with flammables. So, read up on what your components limitations are and don't blow yourself up.

[@Kalle1995]

@@Robb403 the setup is i an garage what did u expect.. also .. American

[@LabCoatz_Science]

Honestly, it was more because I've been meaning to do so anyway, and this was a good excuse to finally build it. I'm planning to work with more risky chemicals (I just finished working with formaldehyde, and hydrogen fluoride looks like it'll be on the list soon), and also the people I'm living with are tired of smelling the solvents I frequently need to distill. I'm aware of my hoods limitations, but considering I don't frequently pump large volumes of corrosive gas through my reactions, I'm hoping it will hold up for a decent amount of time.

[@lagrangiankid378]

​@@Kalle1995If he can make that much chlorine without even smelling it, it's a decent setup.

[@talkingdot]

hey wait, a fellow Okie doing cool and dangerous chemistry like me?!

[@Kalle1995]

When are that dopamine video coming? It's been 7 months now

[@LabCoatz_Science]

Sadly, that video probably won't be coming. The literature pathway I decided to follow involved reacting protocatechuic aldehyde with nitromethane to get 3,4-dihydroxy-b-nitrostyrene (Henry reaction), which would be dissolved in ethanol/HCl and reduced with 10% Pd/C under hydrogen to get dopamine HCl. However, the isolating the nitrostyrene proved to be essentially impossible, since catechols (benzene rings with two hydroxyl groups next to each other) tend to be super air-sensitive and unstable. I could never crystallize it, no matter how I performed the Henry reaction. I tried reducing with Pd/C, which seemed to work, but I could never get the HCl salt out of the tar...freebasing wasn't an option either, since dopamine freebase rapidly polymerizes. Overall, it was one giant mess and after going through nearly a half-pound of precursor, I'm pretty much burnt out.

[@custos3249]

Are we taking bets on how long it'll take him to fog up the acrylic?

[@makylemur7019]

You should have a current copy of Bretherick's Handbook of Reactive Chemical Hazards.

[@SetTheCurve]

My biggest question is: does your fan motor create sparks?

[@LabCoatz_Science]

Probably. If my hood ever ends up in a situation where that becomes a issue though, it will probably be due to something else going horribly wrong, in which case I might have bigger issues to manage lol.

[@lrmackmcbride7498]

That fan is not going to be sufficient if the hood is open more than 8 inches. You need a 100 fpm face velocity. For a 3 foot opening that is going to be less than 8 inches.

[@lrmackmcbride7498]

Ps. Chlorine smell is not the worst. But you are a lot better than other people even if it doesn't meet osha requirements.

[@LabCoatz_Science]

Correct. Normally, I only have it open 6" or less, so it should be fine until I can afford something larger.

[@RomanBekker2022]

cool

[@TheOneAndOnlyNeuromod]

My only question is - how do you handle the output - are you running it through activated carbon or just venting out? I feel you on the hot garage - same with Texas - just load up a shop fan at the least and keep the air flowing.

[@FlaccidNamerTag]

Question about the fan you choose: Do the internals of the fan have exposed metals? Just wondering about possible corrosion to the fan's internals could cause the fan to stop working if something like the motor is exposed. I also dont know if the fan is expensive or not in the first place 🤷

[@LabCoatz_Science]

Not sure, but I have been concerned by the same thought...the fan itself wasn't terribly expensive, but I would rather not replace it every time after I use HCl or chlorine. If it does fail, I will definitely be looking to more resilient options!

[@chemdelic]

@@LabCoatz_ScienceI use a plastic bladed exhaust fan made for cannabis. Works very well, however when I had to boil down an aqueous solution of HCl it did fuck my fan up a little. It still works, it just went from super quiet to jet engine in the shed.

[@rick5078]

@@LabCoatz_Science all the internals of those fans are exposed to the air/fumes that goes through it. hence my suggestion in my comment of adding those square activated carbon filters and maybe hepa filters. They are cheaper than the typical filters used for cannabis cultivation, while still just as effective.

[@mfree80286]

I'm willing to bet the fan's using an induction motor... or at least I hope so. There aren't any electrical contacts in those, the coils are part of the frame and spin a solid rotor. Still have to worry about the bearings, but if you get in there and give the exposed part a liberal smearing with plumber's grease (silicone grease) they should be fairly protected. The inside of that power strip is probably already green, though.

[@rick5078]

@@mfree80286 Those cheap fans usually arent sealed and have the coils exposed. Though even if the coils are sealed, the plastic of those cheap fans get affected easily by fumes such as acetone fumes.

[@Jimdandymetals]

FRP for the inside

[@Mateo-wf1yz]

its too small, how you gonna fit a flask plus condensers in there?

[@LabCoatz_Science]

I've got pretty short condensers, so this actually fits most of my setups quite well (except for a full fractional distillation, which I rarely employ anyway).

[@jamesleishman8025]

Are you going to put a filter on?

[@markedis5902]

That needs a shit load more screws to make it stable

[@LabCoatz_Science]

It has more, I just didn't film me adding them all, like I said.

[@justinbanks2380]

15:19 😂

[@sobertillnoon]

How did you not already have a fume hood???

[@LabCoatz_Science]

At first, I didn't feel like I needed one. Most of my chemistry was pretty safe, and when it wasn't, I just opened the garage door, put on a full-face respirator, and limited my exposure time. But, the odors I've produced have made the people living with me uncomfortable (mostly from the smell of certain solvents or sulfur compounds, nothing seriously harmful), and since I've been planning to work with some more "interesting" chemicals, it felt like the right time to build a hood.

[@justinbanks2380]

Why KZbin, why?! Why do you bother having a subscription feature if you're bot going to notify me, or let me see a feed of my subscriptions?! *Shakes fist in the air like an angry old man in a movie*

[@LabCoatz_Science]

Yeah, this one really didn't tickle KZbin's fancy as much as my other chemistry videos...seems to happen every time I stray from chemistry, lol. Maybe I should add "chemistry" to the title to trick it into notifying my chem-focused subscribers!

[@mikyaj7703]

Consideration for the neighbours in your lack of attempt at any 'filtering'? The possibility of harm to others is non-trivial. Glad I am not living near the many amateur chemists who consider this not.

[@LabCoatz_Science]

Considering I've been running these experiments without a hood with nothing more than a open garage door for years, I'd say there isn't much reason to complain now. 90% of the chemicals I ventilate are simply hardware store solvents that are meant to evaporate into the air, and if there are any toxic gases present, they are typically very mild (chlorine, ammonia, etc). Besides all this, I work on a sub-kilogram scale (usually below 100g) and the few grams of material I do output are typically released over several hours, making them dilute enough to be unnoticeable to anyone beyond the house.

[@llopgui]

please, dont do woodworking ever again, was very painful, you are a chemistry master. 😆🤣😘😜

[@markedis5902]

Everyone needs to learn, but I agree it was painful

[@llopgui]

@@markedis5902 jk, just a kinda meme/troll comment 😆😜

[@justinbanks2380]

I saw this comment as the video started playing... 😂 It's gonna be a good one! (Being myself more woodworker than chemist, lol)

[@geertmyny9279]

Exactly 😂😂😂

[@TheOneAndOnlyNeuromod]

I think he did alright. He ended up solving the problem he needed to solve - and making what he wanted to make - that’s success for DIY - no wasted money on outside help, and he did it.

[@KulKlas]

Also is better to spear the fan if you put out a T instead out side the hole of the top! So the gases not going in the fan! It pushing out instead of pulling in, hop you understan!

[@markedis5902]

Noticed the diss to chemdelic

[@LabCoatz_Science]

Nah, not to Chemdelic, I'm actually friends with him on Discord! He's done a few videos kinda like that, and I'm not immune myself with "banned root beer", but there are some channels that basically make that format their entire thing.

[@chemdelic]

@@LabCoatz_ScienceMaking a diss track as we speak….💀

[@LabCoatz_Science]

@@chemdelic How may I repent of my sins, Father? 🤲

[@bezceljudzelzceljsh5799]

sometimes your eyes do the job of the nose.

[@homerbloodysimpson]

Do you have neighbors? 😬

[@peter360adventures9]

A fume cabinet is made of non corrosive and non toxic materials like titles and with a sink. The duct your using will react with the acids that you use. The fume cabinet in my opinion won't last long. Sorry.

[@SunVKing]

You're being a bit over-the-top. You can coat the inside with a non-corrosive paint and it'll do the job just fine. But the aluminum duct should be replaced by a plastic one, as well as the fan should not be inside the garage but rather outside and also on a separate breaker so if something goes wrong ( for example a hot plate that triggers the fume hood breaker), the fan should keep on going.

[@lagrangiankid378]

I personally used an aluminum/PVC tube with a ton of sulfur oxides, nitrogen oxides, chlorine, hydrogen chloride gas and such for months in my fume hood and it shows very little degradation and only on the surface. The gas have too little contact time to fully react with the duct as they instantly get pulled away and get diluted with air, also, a passivation layer forms and this protects the underneath metal to a certain degree. Not saying that stainless steel or fully PP/PVC/PE tubing isn't better, it clearly is. But even cheap aluminum will resist for months if not years, especially if you partially scrub the vapors before they get in the duct, as with an inverted funnel trap.

[@chanheosican6636]

I would never work with any vapour of flammable substance like heating flammable stuff like gasoline and distillation It a HUGE ILLEGAL NO NO. However, showing respect for you and others is a good idea.

[@lagrangiankid378]

You know that when you distill something it gets condensed back to liquid again, right?

[@KernelLeak]

1:23 Too long; didn't use... 2:46 RIP headphones... D: Also, are you sure the ventilation won't just be spreading everything that's (potentially) hazardous over a much larger perimeter than just the garage? 24:53 So - what about the neighbourhood?

[@LabCoatz_Science]

Honestly, the release rate of any potentially offensive chemicals (during normal operation) is typically low enough that the wind disperses everything. By the time it reaches another human, whatever output there is will be in the parts-per-billion or even trillion range: pretty much only a concern if your dealing with nerve gas, which I am NOT. And considering I work on a sub-kilogram scale, there really shouldn't be any significant environmental effects, especially since most of the chemicals I release are just hardware store solvents, which are meant to evaporate anyway.