Laser Air Filtration DIY [Home HVAC filters]

DIY filter box for outside air exhaust from a laser, using inexpensive household HVAC filters. Made out of scrap MDF and 3D-printed inlet/outlets. Uses Blower that came with "red and black" 60W laser, but provides some filtration so it's not pumping raw smoke out to the environment.
Update March 2021: Added activated carbon: • Laser Fume Extractor u...
0:00 - Intro
0:51 - Adapter 80W filter
1:15 - New Improved adapter to filter
1:50 - Magnetic Adapter
4:09 - Extraction speed from 80W filter
4:39 - HVAC filter box CAD design
5:07 - Build starts with scrap MDF
5:34 - Glue up
6:47 - Filter fits!
6:51 - 3D-printed hose adapter
7:37 - Supports with more scrap MDF
8:33 - 3D-printed ducting assembly
9:07 - Installation
9:56 - Final results and testing
STLs for 3D printed parts available here: github.com/JeremySCook/Laser/...
*Not recommended without an exit to outside air. This is how I made my filter box, but I cannot vouch for its true effectiveness as it has not been thoroughly tested. If you choose to, use/build at your own risk.

[@brian-c-moses]

3D printing, magnets, and duct tape! What more could one ask for?!

[@JeremyCook]

Ha, not much! Thanks for checking it out Brian!

[@FlyBy2507]

Add a carbon filter can help a lot to remove smoke and smell.

[@AaronClatone]

Nice and simple way to solve this. I like it. Great video.

[@JeremyCook]

Thanks so much! Hope everything is going well your way Aaron!

[@ChadsCustomCreations]

This is great, I've had a few people ask me about this and I will be directing them to this video now.

[@JeremyCook]

Thanks! Hope they enjoy :-) BTW, a friend told me your interview on TCP was quite informative the other day!

[@ChadsCustomCreations]

@@JeremyCook that's great to hear thank you. Big news here on KZbin finally got monetized looks like I'll be doubling my income yet again this year 🤣

[@JeremyCook]

@@ChadsCustomCreations Hey, that is great! Looks like your subs are increasing at a nice clip. But yeah, might be a while before things double again :-)

[@MaxMakerChannel]

Cool problem solving process. I love having a 3D printer for such parts. They would be very time consuming to make otherwise. Maybe worth extending the outlet pipe by a few more feet?

[@JeremyCook]

Thanks! Yeah, I'm not giving up my printer any time soon :-) I've got the outlet positioned so I can close my garage now, though I could slide it out when working I suppose.

[@plica06]

I wish I had all those tools... except I wouldn't know what to do with them!

[@JeremyCook]

Ha, well it's definitely been a journey to stock my shop. Never really done though :-)

[@vojo6625]

How is that filter unit a year in? Are you still using it or have you upgraded it? I also have the exact “red and black” Im fixing to built a filter box just like this one. Any inputs and advised are very much appreciated. Thank you.

[@vojo6625]

Lol nvm I just saw your updated video. ☺️ thank you!

[@JeremyCook]

Ha, NP! Still seems to be working :-) I also use a fan with a filter in my garage, and keep in partially open - generally no visible smoke, but can smell the burned materials. I wouldn't use it in a fully enclosed space.

[@bryanrocker5033]

You can't shrink a 6" outlet down to a 3" inlet/outlet. The flow is going to be limited by the 3".

[@JeremyCook]

Internally the blower outlet is much smaller than it is on the outside. Probably kind of hard to see in the video.

[@thomashendricks9774]

Couldn't you just put the provided extractor inline with the filter extractor you bought?

[@JeremyCook]

Ha, tried that actually - should have left some of the footage in (there wasn't much). Basically it seems that the purchased filter acts as a bottleneck to the process and slows things down. The duct that I used to connect the two popped eventually - seemed to be a lot of pressure.

[@nomanahamed7102]

This is can remove acrylic laser cutting bad smell ?

[@JeremyCook]

It should help, but there will likely still be some smell. Make sure to pump the fumes outdoors!

[@henvan8737]

The wood you are using is chip board not MDF.

[@JeremyCook]

Ah, thanks!

[@skallinator]

How often do you change the filter?

[@JeremyCook]

Well TBH I have yet to change the filter. So I should do that soon probably!

[@skallinator]

Wow! After many years of use? What filter are you using? It’s not clogged?

[@JeremyCook]

A standard HVAC filter (maybe two) followed by activated carbon. I don't run it every day by any means. Also, I have noticed some smoke, so perhaps it's time to change the carbon bags out.

[@skallinator]

Thanks! +1 sub and like 👍. Someone in the comments mentioned a follow up video and looking for it now. I was thinking of doing something similar with an AC infinity inline duct filter and a 3M merv 11 odor removing/ filtering 14x20x1 HVAC filter. It makes me hopeful to see your success with a similar technique.

[@JeremyCook]

Well thank you! It's been a success, but you definitely need the activated carbon, and even then you should vent the smoke outside. Here's the followup video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/e2LdiaSPYr9jqZI It's on a second channel that I originally used for laser purposes, and since have repurposed it for musical usage (though the laser certainly does make appearances still)!