Fume Extraction

A place for users to ask questions and search for already asked questions. "BE NICE" and helpful!
Post Reply
Neil Palmer
Posts: 15
Joined: Fri May 15, 2020
Location: Glenrothes, Fife
Country: United Kingdom
Nickname: Neil
Laser Machine Make or Type: Further Laser Fabrication
Laser Power: 100
Laser Bed Size: 1200 x 600
Home Position: TL
RDWorks Version: 8.01.47
Ruida Controller: RDC6445
Windows Version: 10
Accessories: Red Laser Pointer, Auto Depth set

I am currently running two Lasers, a K40 and a 100W home built one. I used to vent them outside, bit our neighbours have just installed a deck where the vent used to go.

I am looking at a Dust Extractor with 550W (0.75 HP), an Extraction Capacity of 1150m³/h unit which would siy alongside the two lasers. ( https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Dust-Extrac ... 438.l2649)
Would this work or would I still need to vent externally. Is there any other options that I could use.?
User avatar
Gene Uselman
Posts: 2180
Joined: Thu Jul 07, 2016
Location: Suburban Minneapolis, Minnesota, US
Country: USA
Nickname: Gene
Laser Machine Make or Type: QC
Laser Power: 130W
Laser Bed Size: 900x1300
Home Position: TR
Control Software: LIGHTBURN
RDWorks Version: RDw .19 & Lightburn
LightBurn Version: Latest
Ruida Controller: RDC6442
Windows Version: Win 10 Pro
Accessories: I have a combining lenses, pin tables [homebuilt], honeycomb tables , wireless remote, Modifed Ultimate Air Assist, home built non-powered rotary device, PrusaMK4 and Mini Prusa printers.

That will not do any good for fumes, you need very good filters or to pipe it outside somewhere.
If the Help and advice you received here was of VALUE...
Please consider making a donation to maintain the RDWORKSLAB Forum.



The days that I keep my gratitude higher than
my expectations, Well, I have really good days.

Ray Wylie Hubbard- unfortunately deceased
User avatar
sebastien laforet
Posts: 143
Joined: Wed Sep 07, 2016
Location: Lyon
Country: France
Laser Machine Make or Type: bodor BCL0605MU
Laser Power: 100W
Laser Bed Size: 60*50cm
Home Position: TR
RDWorks Version: 8.01.19
Windows Version: 7

same as gene, those bags will filter only BIG particles. they are mainly for sawdust in a WOOD shop, not a laser shop.

you will need at leat HEPA filter, and they will be very quickly dirty. also, they remove a lot of the aspiration power of the fan, so you have to count that a filter will remove at least half of the nominal CFM of your fan (if not more)

for my place, i designed a "smoke box" where the air passes through an HEPA car filter (which are not to expensive on aliexpress). there is still fumes coming out, but this protects the fan from the main part of the residue. if you want to reject "clean" air, you will have to go with a combination of cloth (big particles), HEPA filter (small particles), and active coal filter (odors, chemical residues)
Sébastien Laforet
machine : Bodor BCL-0605 (60x50) with 100W laser with TR origin.
Live in France
Primarily works laser for my wife (school teacher, so lots of boxes, letters, puzzles, ...) and miniature scenery (32mm scale : warmachine, infinity)
Jeffrey Aley
Posts: 388
Joined: Fri Aug 11, 2017
Location: Folsom, California
Country: United States
Laser Machine Make or Type: Kehui
Laser Power: 50W
Laser Bed Size: 500mmx300mm
Home Position: TL
RDWorks Version: 8.01.24
Ruida Controller: RDC6442
Windows Version: Win10 Enterprise
Accessories: Spray bottle with water (for small fires)
Fire extinguisher (for big fires)

Depends on what you're cutting. If all of it is wood and wood products, could you install a chimney so the smoke is exhausted away (above) the neighbors?

For plastics, rubber, leather, etc., you'll need a different solution. I've seen a lot of folks talk about the BOFA fume extractors, but they are definitely not cheap!

Might it be cheaper to route the exhaust to somewhere else?
Neil Palmer
Posts: 15
Joined: Fri May 15, 2020
Location: Glenrothes, Fife
Country: United Kingdom
Nickname: Neil
Laser Machine Make or Type: Further Laser Fabrication
Laser Power: 100
Laser Bed Size: 1200 x 600
Home Position: TL
RDWorks Version: 8.01.47
Ruida Controller: RDC6445
Windows Version: 10
Accessories: Red Laser Pointer, Auto Depth set

Thanks guys, it was just a thought. I will go with a 1200m3 extractor and a longish run of 4" pipe to a different area... bit of a pain but thanks for the help.
:)
Jeffrey Aley
Posts: 388
Joined: Fri Aug 11, 2017
Location: Folsom, California
Country: United States
Laser Machine Make or Type: Kehui
Laser Power: 50W
Laser Bed Size: 500mmx300mm
Home Position: TL
RDWorks Version: 8.01.24
Ruida Controller: RDC6442
Windows Version: Win10 Enterprise
Accessories: Spray bottle with water (for small fires)
Fire extinguisher (for big fires)

Neil Palmer wrote: Mon May 25, 2020 Thanks guys, it was just a thought. I will go with a 1200m3 extractor and a longish run of 4" pipe to a different area... bit of a pain but thanks for the help.
:)
Note: bigger pipe is better - for a long run, I'd move up to 6" pipe if possible. :-)
Post Reply

Return to “User Questions and Help”