For a while now I've been thinking of mounting some kind of fume extraction to the head of my laser cutter. To this end I've obtained some nice flexible, and relatively lightweight hose from an aquarium shop (usually used for pond pumps).
I had thought to connect this into the existing fan however, having done a test run / mock up using bits of cardboard and duct tape, I don't think the existing fan can generate enough suction.
Obviously the pathway generated by cardboard and tape is not ideal and a purpose made duct might improve things. However that could turn out to be quite a lot of work just to find that it's not up to it.
I don't really have the money for a proper commercial dust/fume extractor so I'm looking for ideas.
My favourite ideas at the moment are:
1. to obtain something like an Earlex WD1000 CombiVac which, as I understand it, could have a hose in and a hose out. These cost about 50 quid but the down side it that it's quite bulky.
2. to get something like a powerful hairdryer and strip it for parts. The down side with this is that it involves quite a bit of work with no guarantees that it will work or that the fan, which is designed for blowing clean air, will be at all happy about sucking gunk.
Anybody got any bright ideas?