EXHAUST BLOWER VS FILTRATION SYSTEMS

[@MaximusPham]

Grizzly recently release G0953 fume extractor and list is $1995 (12/10/23) and specs are comparable to the Purex 800i. I'll have to call Grizzly on Monday to get an idea on the filter replacement costs; I can't and don't want to vent outside, my 1390 laser is in my garage and I don't want to risk my health nor my family's as I'm running this business at home. Thanks for the insight and your experience.

[@MakerExperiment]

I also don’t want to vent outside for similar reasons. I didn’t realize Grizzly came out with one.

[@trvrsoutdoors]

Thanks for the video! Just got a large laser and want to get the filter as soon as I can afford it. Using your video to convince my girlfriend of this. Thanks for the recommendations as well.

[@MakerExperiment]

Glad I could help. If you ever need contacts, let me know.

[@blackbeton3923]

This is very clear , thanks for all these infos. Having a hard time preventing my 205 Cfm in-line fan from losing its pressure, due to diameter exhaust tubes reducers … (working on a small xtool d1 diode laser). You might have convinced me to build some diy filtration system, for the planet ✊🏽

[@MakerExperiment]

Best of luck!

[@turda4u]

I ordered a 800i today and extra F8/9 Pre filters just in case. Thank you for your videos I’m certain I made the right choice.

[@musecreation1084]

This is the most informative and excellent video I’ve seen on this topic. Thank you so much

[@MakerExperiment]

I’m glad I could help.

[@mugman100]

The only good video on this subject I could find, thanks much!

[@MakerExperiment]

I’m glad it was helpful.

[@theinukshukstore]

I run a combination, it's a dust collector system running with high end furnace filters and charcoal filters for a grow tent BUT venting outside. It is not good enough for vent indoors BUT cuts the smell 90%+

[@MakerExperiment]

That’s a good way to go as well.

[@forisfive5309]

I have the same Penn State Blower..It'd be awesome if you could you do a comparison video of various filtration options for the blower/DIY style exhaust option. Lots of folks are cutting at home and want to avoid those fumes coming back in or even disturbing the kids/neighbors playing next door. There has to be a myriad of options/brands with how popular the "indoor gardening" industry has become. Just a thought. We'll let you give that beast back before we hammer you for it ;). Love your comparison videos.

[@MakerExperiment]

There are options but I don’t know enough without trying them out and that can add up pretty quickly. I’ll keep that in mind for a video down the road.

[@mohammedhasham2261]

Hi, thanks for all the videos. I just upgraded my mini 18 to edge 24 because of the camera. As I do awards I will really come in handy. My question is there anything you can suggest about that noise from the blower. Thanks Mohammed

[@MakerExperiment]

You can try building an enclosure with air flow with sound deadening materials but you’d have to be careful not to let it overheat or anything. You could also put it in a different room.

[@ChipLinck]

The reason your blower does not perform as well as your filtration systems is your hose arrangement is killing your CFM. All those bends are bad, and the flexible hose isn't as efficient as solid pipe either. The rating on your blower is in a perfect world with nothing attached to it, and it still might be inflated above that (companies that make cheaper blowers tend to be generous in their rating). I imagine the rating on the filtration system at the very least takes new filter load into account.

[@makertime6296]

Curious on filtration sizing? Seems like them selling you smaller than the machine recommended CFM would be harder on the unit and wipe out the smaller filters quicker. Which means buying filters more often. Great for them but not you.

[@MakerExperiment]

It depends on the unit. It’s not all about CFM because that recommendation is based on just an exhaust fan which doesn’t create its CFM as efficiently. I also get multiple opinions on them before I use them.

[@MRGETIT7]

I have the same Wen blower setup with my 36 x 24 laser but I am still getting a lot smoke and fumes in my work area. Do you have any suggestions on how I could optimize suction from the cutting area?

[@MakerExperiment]

Have you checked to make sure the vents are open? I’d also make sure you have enough suction with that model.

[@tylergady2019]

Same here. I have a BofA system, even have a booster fan, and I just can't get the smoke out as quickly as I'd like.

[@BB-tw1ry]

Great video! Have you tried the filtrabox yet?

[@MakerExperiment]

I haven’t tried filtrabox yet.

[@turda4u]

Are you still happy with your Purex 800i and are you happy with the pre filter frequency replacement times? Do you think the Purex 800i is good if your cutting wood for boxes?

[@MakerExperiment]

I’ve been happy with it. I haven’t actually needed to replace it yet based on my usage. I don’t run it nearly as much as other people would. I think it would work great for cutting boxes out of wood.

[@turda4u]

@@MakerExperiment Good to hear. Ive been jumping around to different manufacturers and kinda came back to the 800i but was worried about not getting much life out of the pre filter for the cost.

[@MakerExperiment]

@@turda4u it really depends on your usage and hours that you plan to run it.

[@JohnFogal]

Hi Trevor Have you decided on the extraction unit you like best. I have a Fusion Edge 24 on order and have decided to not exhaust outside. Any thoughts after using both units which one you like better for one reason or another?

[@MakerExperiment]

Honestly, they’re both great. I think you’d be happy with either brand. Keep in mind that these two systems are different sizes for the different machines. I’d probably get quotes from each brand for similar units and choose the cheaper one. You can’t really go wrong.

[@vipergts6073]

Can you confirm that there is no smell when lasering using the filtration unit having it not vented outside?

[@MakerExperiment]

I don’t smell it with the filtration system.

[@navedmalik3381]

Please tell is it type of a ventilation system?

[@MakerExperiment]

It’s not part of a ventilation system that connects to your house or shop or anything like that. The fume extractor is a standalone thing that will filter the air for you.

[@navedmalik3381]

@@MakerExperiment does it prevent building explosive atmosphere?

[@MakerExperiment]

@@navedmalik3381 I’m not sure what you’re doing that it would become explosive. That would be a question for the manufacturer. I can tell you for normal laser applications it keeps the environment clean.

[@navedmalik3381]

@@MakerExperiment I mean does it help in case if it is equipped with equipment which produces flammable Atmosphere? Does it prevent building flammable Atmosphere in that case

[@MakerExperiment]

@@navedmalik3381 it’s not meant to be for a flammable atmosphere. It’s intention is just fine extraction of smoke or fumes from lasering material. I’d consult the manufacturer as I’m not sure on this one.

[@youtch6511]

Hi - I am using BOFA AD 1000 iQ for Trotec, and the air that comes out of the exhaust system is not clean enough to breathe in. (i.e., it still has MDF/Acrylic odor) - the filters are brand new and set up correctly. Do you have the same problem? Is your outgoing air clean enough to keep it in the room? I ended up hooking up a pipe to the BOFA and leading it outside - the same method as the regular blower.

[@MakerExperiment]

I don’t have that issue. I wonder if your unit may be undersized maybe? I’m not entirely sure to be honest. Did you change all of the filters?

[@youtch6511]

@@MakerExperiment Thank you for the response. All filters are new and set up correctly. So, do you keep the air that comes out of the exhaust system, and are you okay with the air quality?

[@MakerExperiment]

@@youtch6511 I’m fine with the air quality. The exhaust from the laser goes into the Bofa and then there’s a vent that it comes out of after it passes through the filters. I’m wondering if you have a defective filter or if your unit is undersized for your usage.

[@greywolf7025]

@@youtch6511 I've been to Trotec's Atmos demonstration and even there I could smell mdf ran through their new filter. Maybe it's normal, as they say 99.% is filtered, but that 1% still keep odor

[@turda4u]

We just ordered a 36x24 80/50 dual fusion pro. Was thinking to just bite the bullet and get the filtration exhaust. Have you heard good or bad about sentry air exhausts? They claim Epilog uses them at their headquarters for some applications. They are still expensive like others but slightly less by 1k or so. Thanks, Eric

[@MakerExperiment]

Hi Eric, I’ve heard of them but I don’t know anyone that uses one to be honest. I’m not sure if Epilog uses them at their headquarters. What made you go with the dual fusion pro?

[@turda4u]

@@MakerExperiment I wanted the option to engrave/mark firearms as I am an FFL. Also I have a Haas VF2SS in my garage that I machine with and thought it may be nice to use a laser to mark or engrave parts vs rotary engraving with the Haas. Last we are starting out and wanted a big multi purpose machine that we won’t grow out of right away with the ability to do a wider range of materials since we don’t have a specific direction. My machines are for fun primarily as I have another cooperate flying business. I figured I could retire out of flying some day and be able to make a few bucks with my machines. Last I’m very hopeful my kids will enjoy them as well and can start a business with them. One other thing is that the experimental aircraft market is big and maybe we could laser some avionics/instrument panels.

[@MakerExperiment]

@@turda4u sounds like some cool usage cases. Did you find Epilog just by knowing about them? I’m curious why you decided on Epilog.

[@turda4u]

@@MakerExperiment I started researching about a year ago. I found in my opinion the top 3 companies Epilog, Trotec and Universal. I found the literature and videos for the Epilog to be the best. I then made a call back then to Epilog to ask questions about the two types of lasers, cost and maintenance. The person who helped me was the last reason I needed to sway towards Epilog. He was very patient and very helpful. It’s one of the things I do before I buy something expensive is to talk to the techs that support a machine. I knew the customer service would be great. Very important to me. Probably the most. I’ve owned China made milling machines. Nothing worse then not being able to speak with somebody or have any idea about how long it will take to get a part. Zaps the fun right out. Well then a year or so later my daughter was interested in working with me on another business. I had a flight to Phoenix and did a pop in on Innovative Cutting Systems. The owner was so nice and helpful. He showed us the machines and talked with us for 45 min. In the end he said we had to buy from our rep in California. This is where we met Mark from Advanced Marking Solutions. Mark explained even more during a demo visit. My daughter and I left there thinking we wanted to buy a machine. Few weeks later we sent the deposit and got out estimated delivery date. We were so excited that the support from three different reps of the company in three different states was so helpful there was no other choice in my opinion.

[@MakerExperiment]

@@turda4u that’s awesome! I’m glad they did a great job.

[@ScreamingEagleFTW]

why and how could it get "sucked" back into the house? I dont see how this is possible.

[@MakerExperiment]

My air conditioner was on the same wall as my fume extraction.

[@ScreamingEagleFTW]

@@MakerExperiment oh you mean like a window unit ? unless its a special energy saving kind with a fresh air option, ac units dont pull air from outside. You could always turn fresh air mode off. I really like the idea of just blasting the dust outisde because its the super fine dust that is dangerous to our health and Im not sure I trust a bag to filter the super fine stuff out. Its deadly. Blasting it outside where it harmlessly dissappears seems ideal. Could even blast it outiside to a bag that only filters the big stuff and lets the fine and super fine stuff go through. Im setting up my workshop now and researching sawdust management options. Safety is my number one concern. I know you more with the laser fumes so I guess the superfine dust may not apply I dont knw.

[@MakerExperiment]

@@ScreamingEagleFTW the filters contain a pretty fine level of detail. The other thing I have to think about is my pets and neighbors because I live in a city so they aren’t as happy about extracting to the environment.

[@ScreamingEagleFTW]

@@MakerExperiment well like I said im still in the research phase here but its too imagine making that mch sawdust that it impacts the neighbors but maybe it does. So far my ideal would be exhaust it outside to a bag for medium and fine and let the bag be of sufficient filter size that it lets super fine stuff escape harmlessly into the air. again you are working with fumes so I havent researched that, im concerned about particulate in the respitory system.

[@MakerExperiment]

@@ScreamingEagleFTW this is for the fumes not things like sawdust. The laser doesn’t really produce sawdust.

[@channeldoug]

Trevor, thoughts on cyclones? Thanks

[@MakerExperiment]

I’m not a huge fan but some people love them.

[@channeldoug]

@@MakerExperiment keep up the videos, tremendous help

[@MakerExperiment]

@@channeldoug I’m glad I could help.

[@onthecrafttable]

Hey, I currently have the Bofa AD Oracle IQ and have had it for about 3 years now. I absolutely love it and for what I do on my smaller glowforge pro laser, it works perfectly. Now, I added the Mira 9 90 watt laser to my shop and I currently have it in my upstairs office because I needed to filter it out of the window until I purchased a new filter system. I am shopping around and came across this video. Do you recommend the Purex extraction system you have there for a 90 watt laser? I also run a compressor with my laser for that added umph. The owner of Aeon USA recommended a filtration system but It is about 6 grand. The More pricier Bofa system that runs 500 CFM's is about 7500-8000 dollars. I am just trying to do this right and save some money. Now, If I bring my bigger laser downstairs, I do have windows in my wood shop that I can filter it out of while using an AC Infinity fan to pull the air out properly (which is what I have hooked up to it now upstairs after swapping out the internal inline). I guess that would truly be the cheaper more logical option but I kinda want my lasers in the same room and by me while I work, not in another room where I have to watch through a camera (like now). Anyway, with all this being said, do you recommend this purex system for a 90 watt laser?

[@MakerExperiment]

I love my Purex system. I’m not sure if it’s the right one for the 90 watt specifically but has more to do with bed size than wattage sometimes. I have a contact at Purex that knows both Purex and Bofa if you’d like his information. Just let me know. He would be able to answer that question.

[@mahreeortiz]

@@MakerExperiment thank you for the reply. I would love the contact. That would be extremely helpful.

[@MakerExperiment]

@@mahreeortiz Purex: bsesales.com/purex/ Purex contact: [e-mail] Tell Andy I sent you.