Computer fan for ventilation

ceah 2012-05-01 04:30:31 UTC #1

I’m thinking of using a small computer fan to vent soldering fumes/
polishing dust out of a window. I have a small room space, about 4’ x
15’ in my basement with a door and two glass brick windows. The
windows have small rectangular openings. I want to run some small
diameter (like 2") hose from the window to my work space connecting
to the fan right at my work station to suck every thing out. My
soldering station and polishing area are right next to each other so
I would just swivel between the two with the fan. Do you think that a
120mm x 38mm fan with 4300 RPM and 200CFM be adequate? I have
searched through the orchid site, and i know that there are other
options but I wanted to know what every thought of this setup.

Thanks

Ted_Frater 2012-05-02 04:19:07 UTC #2

Taking 200 cfm out of your workspace means you need 200 cfm of fresh
air coming in.

If your w/shop is fairly air tight, you wont get 200cfm. Just over
3cfsec isnt really enough, a min should be 5 for brazing and 6 for
polishing.

Work out whats the cube of your w/shop in air. that will tell you
how many air changes an hour you might get.

That aside, working with only artificial light is not good. Glad you
appreciate the health hazards in our trade. Brazing fumes polishing
dust sanding particles etc then eye strain.

Been there!
Ted.

Noman 2012-05-02 04:37:29 UTC #3

I'm thinking of using a small computer fan to vent soldering
fumes/ polishing dust out of a window.

I use computer fans all over my shop to provide a cross-breeze to
take fumes away from me.

charlesian2000 2012-05-02 04:37:41 UTC #4

Hi Ceah,

Instructibles is one of my favorite websites, here are two examples
that may suit, if not there are a few other designs on the site

Regards Charles A.
P.S. For people like me on this list, I apologise for the many hours
you will spend looking at this interesting site

Charity_Hall 2012-05-02 04:51:09 UTC #5

I made a similar set-up with a 4" fan and dryer duct and then cut a
plastic panel to fit my window. It works for me. The shorter the
duct, the better.

Also, try to minimize or eliminate any bends in the duct. I tested
my system by hanging a thin ribbon in front of the vent to see that
the airflow was enough to pull the ribbon into the duct. Then I did
the sniff test with the gas on.

Here’s a photo tutorial of my setup…
http://www.ganoksin.com/gnkurl/1zo

ceah 2012-05-04 03:58:13 UTC #6

Great links guys. They will come in handy for me. Thanks for sharing
those links Charity and Charles. And thanks to all of you for all
the great advice and I love this site, you all are so
giving in your time and knowledge. This is one of THE best sites on
the web.

P.S. the Instructible site is kinda addictive.
ceah