Eliminate Laser Smoke on a Budget

[@perreault1960]

So i have an xtool d1 pro 20w. I bought their enclosure but the smoke smell was getting into our spare room even though i have it vented outside. What i did was use the piece of aluminum that came with it to protect your desk and i blocked the vent on the side of the enclosure with that and a little piece of 1/8 wood and i allow a little space in the front bottom of the enclosure to only allow a little suction into the enclosure. that way it has a little negative pressure in there. And it eliminated almost all smoke. I can only notice it if I'm cutting a lot of wood. and it barely noticeable. my wife doesn't complain about the smell now and believe me she would be complaining if it was above a match stick smell. the problem with enclosures are that the vent areas are usually too large to create a slight negative vacuum in them and it lets the smoke escape easy.

[@SteveMakesEverything]

Great idea! Those pre-fab laser enclosures aren’t the best because they always have air leaks. A real enclosure and an additional inline fan make a huge difference.

[@holliday9416]

i got the sculpfun s30 ultra 22w it size is 800 x 840 mm so i need to make my own enclosure and a carbon filter becouse i cant vent to the exterior, im very confident it will be better than this :) thanks for the viedo!

[@SteveMakesEverything]

Making your enclosure isn't too difficult, and you will definitely get a better-looking unit. It's not as good if you require portability to go to craft markets, though.

[@Metal_Vistas]

Thank you for the honest assessment. Your video was helpful.

[@SteveMakesEverything]

I try my best

[@mikedixonphoto]

I have the xTool Air Purifier, which has a filter many times as big as that but looks similar. It still has a slight smoke smell. I ended up just venting to the outside, but I might still use it for non-wood items in the winter.

[@SteveMakesEverything]

These purifiers will work well for things like acrylic, metal engraving, etc, and are ok for wood, but venting to outside will always be best

[@gameonuk9169]

As always great video Steve, very intuitive. 👌👍

[@SteveMakesEverything]

Thanks

[@ilustradsn]

I'm going to use a comforter cover...same function and low price. No need to pay extra $$🙂

[@SteveMakesEverything]

Make sure it can’t catch fire, but on a sufficient frame it should work

[@ilustradsn]

@@SteveMakesEverything yes!! thank you for the advice, I will make sure the structure keeps the cover tight and with any contact to material and machine :)

[@rango_unchained]

I bought the enclosure and smoke purifier and haven't had a chance to unbox them yet. How was the noise level of the purifier? I also bought the 20W ATEZR P20 Plus which I'm anxious to get unboxed soon. Have you been asked to review it?

[@SteveMakesEverything]

The air purifier is a bit loud at 100% but you can dial it down. I’ve been talking to ATEZR and hope to do a review soon.

[@rango_unchained]

@@SteveMakesEverything Thanks for your info, Steve. I'll leave the purifier in the box and sell it locally. I'll just vent my laser out a window with a stronger, quieter fan. I really appreciate your channel and more so that your intro doesn't waste any time. Kudos.

[@SteveMakesEverything]

@@rango_unchained Definitely being able to duct outside is better than any air purifier

[@facelessfan]

Great video. Would you recommend a DIY air/smoke purifier? These things are so expensive. I have the Elegoo Phecda 20w, and it fills my basement with smoke. 4 days now and still smells down there. I have an enclosure that came with a filter but it went bad about 2 weeks of off and on cutting.

[@SteveMakesEverything]

So here's the deal. I'm currently working on my next video, which will be about the Wecreat Fume Purifier. It looks great and works amazingly well, but isn't for anyone who's on a tight budget. Coincidentally, I have been designing a homebrew fume extractor on the cheap and will produce a video and plans for it. It probably won't be as good as the Wecreat because it's almost industrial strength, but I wanted to use off-the-shelf parts and make it as cost-effective as possible. Hang in there for a month or so and I'll get this video for the homebrew extractor put together. In the mean time you really need to be venting outside, so start building yourself an enclosure (hmmm maybe another video in waiting) and get a length of dryer venting and a 75mm fan.

[@facelessfan]

Thank you. Will watch when you post new homebrew video. Have a great day

[@alexcavalcanticosta1585]

Olá, tudo bem? Estou considerando adquirir uma máquina de corte a laser de diodo, mas percebi que é crucial ter cuidado ao lidar com o MDF. Além disso, estou ponderando se essa precaução deve se estender a outros materiais, especialmente porque, no caso do MDF, que não é amplamente discutido no Brasil, precisei buscar informações no exterior. Embora seja um tema pouco abordado, fiquei preocupado ao descobrir que há indícios de que o MDF pode estar relacionado ao câncer, devido aos gases produzidos durante o processo de corte a laser. Infelizmente, não consegui encontrar informações sobre os gases emitidos durante a queima de outros materiais, como papelão, couro, acrílico, entre outros, mas é provável que também emitam gases tóxicos. Com base nesses dados, gostaria de saber se existe alguma espécie de cabine de exaustão para este equipamento, capaz de filtrar e limpar esses gases antes de serem liberados no ambiente. Procuro uma solução que não apenas proteja o ambiente interno, mas também garanta que o ar expelido para fora seja limpo. Os modelos disponíveis no mercado são predominantemente de nível industrial e bastante caros. Eu gostaria de uma opção mais acessível e eficiente para usar em espaços que não possuem grandes quintais ou uma ventilação tão robusta, evitando assim possíveis incômodos para os vizinhos, já que há relatos de que o odor dos gases pode ser extremamente incômodo, especialmente se o equipamento ficar ligado por longos períodos. Agradeço desde já pela sua ajuda e orientação. Recentemente, recebi uma resposta chocante que gostaria de compartilhar. Ela afirmou que 'se você está com medo, é só não fazer, porque tudo na vida faz algum tipo de mal para a saúde'. Essa abordagem demonstra uma falta de consideração não apenas pela própria saúde, mas também pela saúde dos outros.

[@drogersusa]

Thank you for your videos (I am watching most of them) - I am new to this world and planning on purchasing a laser - but have concerns about the fume extraction. You are so correct - no one talks about the fumes. I plan to use a DYI fume extractor with all the same layers as the purchased ones and then exhaust from it to the outside using the A/C Infinity Cloudline S6. I am in a mobile home park and need to know how much actual "smoke and fumes" will exhaust outside. Will the fume extractor remove most of the smell and smoke so what vents outside is minimal or will I still have huge billows of smoke and smell coming out my window (which would get me in trouble with the community)?

[@SteveMakesEverything]

There isn’t a lot of smoke - certainly less than a campfire. Once it’s outside it would be hard to notice

[@alexcavalcanticosta1585]

Hello everything is fine? I'm considering getting a diode laser cutting machine, but I've realized that it's crucial to be careful when dealing with MDF. Furthermore, I am considering whether this precaution should be extended to other materials, especially since, in the case of MDF, which is not widely discussed in Brazil, I needed to seek information abroad. Although it is a topic that is rarely covered, I was concerned to discover that there is evidence that MDF may be linked to cancer, due to the gases produced during the laser cutting process. Unfortunately, I was unable to find information about the gases emitted when burning other materials, such as cardboard, leather, acrylic, among others, but it is likely that they also emit toxic gases. Here's more information about one of the chemicals found in simple MDF (formaldehyde is a colorless, flammable gas that, at room temperature, has a strong odor. Exposure to this gas can cause adverse health effects on the respiratory system, eyes and on the skin. The most common symptoms are: irritation (in the eyes, nose and throat), tearing, nasal burning, coughing, bronchial spasms, lung irritation and dermatitis. In extreme cases, it can cause cancer, effects that are heightened if the material where finds this product is burned). It would be good if MDF existed without this product in its manufacture, but there are suppliers who don't even know how MDF is made. Olá, tudo bem? Estou considerando adquirir uma máquina de corte a laser de diodo, mas percebi que é crucial ter cuidado ao lidar com o MDF. Além disso, estou ponderando se essa precaução deve se estender a outros materiais, especialmente porque, no caso do MDF, que não é amplamente discutido no Brasil, precisei buscar informações no exterior. Embora seja um tema pouco abordado, fiquei preocupado ao descobrir que há indícios de que o MDF pode estar relacionado ao câncer, devido aos gases produzidos durante o processo de corte a laser. Infelizmente, não consegui encontrar informações sobre os gases emitidos durante a queima de outros materiais, como papelão, couro, acrílico, entre outros, mas é provável que também emitam gases tóxicos. segue mais dados sobre um dos produtos químicos encontrado em uma simples mdf ( formaldeído é um gás incolor e inflamável que, à temperatura ambiente, possui um forte odor. A exposição a esse gás pode causar efeitos adversos à saúde no sistema respiratório, nos olhos e na pele. Os sintomas mais comuns são: irritação (nos olhos, nariz e garganta), lacrimação, queimadura nasal, tosse, espasmos bronquiais, irritação pulmonar e dermatite. Em casos extremos, pode causar câncer, efeitos que se potencializa se o material onde encontra este produto for queimado).Seria bom se existisse o mdf sem este produto em sua fabricação, mas tem fornecedor que nem sabe como é feito o mdf.

[@SteveMakesEverything]

@@alexcavalcanticosta1585 The chemical composition will depend on where you live on the planet. Many countries have restrictions on what can be used in building materials like MDF and formaldehyde isn't universally used for MDF. Still, the message here is to always understand what is in the materials your laser it youching.

[@alexcavalcanticosta1585]

@@SteveMakesEverything I can't talk about other countries, but the problem is that here in Brazil there are suppliers who don't even know how MDF is made, especially whether or not it contains formaldehyde or other toxic substances, and there are people who respond in a clueless way ( She stated that 'if you are scared, just don't do it, because everything in life is bad for your health') não posso falar dos outros países mais o problema é que aqui no Brasil tem fornecedor que nem sabe como é feito o mdf , ainda mais se possui ou não o formaldeído ou outras substancias tóxicas, fora que tem pessoas que respondem de uma maneira sem noção (Ela afirmou que 'se você está com medo, é só não fazer, porque tudo na vida faz algum tipo de mal para a saúde')

[@SteveMakesEverything]

@@alexcavalcanticosta1585 Indeed, she didn't give you a useful answer. Sometimes if you can figure out who made the material, you can go back to the manufacturer and get a data sheet for it.

[@Jim.U_Kerberos]

Very good video, I resently baught my first Atomstack x20 PRO to see how it can complement my 3D printing designs. First experiense was the smells, so with no laser air purifier nere I went to IKEA for a Förnuftig purifier that I could get same day, I first tried it as this one to collect smoke without enclosure, not very impressed even if it was better, so buit temporary enclosure and exosed air to work space, better results but far from enough. So I remade my enclosure to fit air purifier and recirulating air inside it, and now results are getting better, with air assist at max I get recirculated about 7 times as air assist pump out air from outside. Filters look pretty much thesame for carbon, but Förnufig carbon filters hav a lot more surface area, but depth seems to be the same. If theres a simple mod to resirculate I would like to now, and do this filters have better efficensy than the sheep IKEA filters? Best regard from Sweden :) P.S looking into making Pellets filter now for air filtration with active carbon pellets to see what longer travel through the carbon will have as effect. Thanks for doing tests so we can get insight without spending the money :D

[@Jim.U_Kerberos]

Not even going to comment Paw Paw’s WorkShop review on this product, not even close to realistic, all unicorns farting rainbows :/

[@SteveMakesEverything]

I’ve thought about doing a project to create my own purifier. I think with larger filters I could get close to 100% pure air coming out

[@Jim.U_Kerberos]

@@SteveMakesEverything Looking forward to se your results and solutions :D

[@rockymtnmovies]

xTool doesn't talk about the issue of smoke and your health or the burning of retinas on their website or written material when they sell these lasers. In the product literature that comes with the D1 Pro laser there is nothing about the health dangers of the smoke. I see a product liability lawsuit brewing for them in their future. Since they are in headquartered in China, maybe they can get around it. Do a search for why these low cost lasers are not good or safe on KZbin. They market these like you can do it in your living room with your pets and kids watching it without safety glasses. Crazy. xTool has a slick marketing campaign, using KZbinrs to say good things about their products by requiring them to sign an agreement to say only good things. I guess I fell for it. Run away from laser engravers and find a safer way to make money.

[@holliday9416]

maybe mi intuition its wrong but i guess u dont like the smell of the burned leather haha, i believe the problem is the filter is not well fabricated, first have 2 useless layers, only activated carbon can be usefull and 2nd, the filter its smaller than the box it goes in, so logically smoke still pass around the filter and still exit on the other side. shame on comgrow hehe

[@SteveMakesEverything]

With the new Xtool AP2 filter the smell of leather and everything else is eliminated. I would discourage you from trying to build your own because in addition to charcoal for smell you also need filtering for the particulate. At that point it’s easier/safer to buy one

[@holliday9416]

@@SteveMakesEverything understand so activated charcoal does not filter smoke only the smell?

[@SteveMakesEverything]

@@holliday9416 Correct. The smell, for most things, is an inconvenience, but the particulate is what's really trying to kill you, so you need a series of HEPA filters to get rid of that.

[@holliday9416]

@SteveMakesEverything thanks a lot!