DIY Welding Fume Extractor

Here is my DIY Welding fume extractor that I knocked together. It's only a prototype for now, hence the cardboard, but it is functional, and will be quite useful as I start the finish welding on the All Terrain Track Chair (ATTC).
https://youtu.be/9nzqz1Awp54

For those interested in the ATTC project, it is a custom built tracked vehicle specifically for a client who is confined to a wheelchair and has quite limited physical limitations. This vehicle will provide him mobility to see his large undeveloped property.
More here:
All Terrain Track Chair (ATTC) - Kustoms by Kent

Very slick sir! Thanks for sharing.

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Any way to add a metal screen spark arrester to keep the filter/box from catching fire?

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Originally Posted by DSTP

Any way to add a metal screen spark arrester to keep the filter/box from catching fire?

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Good idea. I may implement that on the next version of this, maybe right at the inlet on the end of the pipe. For now, I have ~15' of pipe on it, and the suction power is fairly low, so the risk of a spark making it all the way back to the cardboard is quite low. However, I am keeping an eye on it as I do welding.

Thanks for watching!

For a good weld MIG requires a cover gas. The video shows the fume extractor works but what about weld quality? In outdoor MIG welding the wind can be a problem and care is taken to shield the weld area. In schools the fume hood is usually quite far from the work allowing the shielding gas enough lag time to be effective. Have you experimented with different distances or is your flow so low as to not have an effect on weld quality. Very nice video and great idea. Thanks for sharing.

Yes, that's correct that MIG welding requires good gas coverage to prevent porosity in the weld.
After laying more than 240 inches of weld using the fume extractor, only one 2" weld had porosity because I had the cone edge less than 1 inch from the weld. I noticed that right away, and made sure to position it 6+inches away from the next welds, and then it was no problem.

The draft of air at the cone is relatively low volume, particularly with the long pipe that I currently have on it.

I intend to make further revisions to the setup, and make it so the pipes are on an arm that positions the cone over the weld. That would capture more of the fumes going up, make it easier to position over the weld, and more portable.

Things to do when I have more time!!! :sweating:

Thanks for watching!

If you're curious, here's the frame that I was welding on and using the fume extractor...
https://youtu.be/8yZQvm76gP8

Here's a followup video on the fume extractor... I doubled the fans in a specific way to increase the static pressure and increase airflow when the filters get dirty. Check out how much nasty stuff has been pulled out of the air by the filters!
https://youtu.be/zgpX-htn6Fc