"As the World Turns"............

[Runs With Scissors]

Now because I can't help but to stay busy, and sleep is not yet on my radar, and since I am awaiting various parts/pieces.....

In my infinite wisdom, I decide to start yet "another project"

I need a "fume hood" in the worst way for my CNC Plasma cutter.....

As the projects begin to increase in "scope and magnitude" (whatever that means ).....I finally "choked myself out" of the basement the other day, making my "new and improved" Brush Guard out of SS.






It only took about 2-3 minutes to cut out......BUT DAMN HOME-BOY....that really flooded the basement with fumes....Like I have never seen before.....

So it's "time"........

I gotta get some sort of "fume hood" going....and quick.

So I have this window that I plan to use.....I'm not sure "exactly how" yet, but it will come to me I am sure....(I think I will need to "bust out" some blocks...but we will see)







So it's off to the "Depot" and I start grabbing some various lumber.....I really should plan this better, but its just one of those things that will have to "build itself" as I go.


I start with a "cage", suspended from the 'ceiling"......I put up "my version" of what I belive 'real carpenters" call a "story board".....

Its basically a guide to help me "see into the future"....(hard to explain)




Then, in my head, I go over a few "designs" that make sense to me....Square, rectangle, sloped,....blah, blah, blah..........

I settle on a "sloped design" due too.......well I dunno....the "Venturi Effect" keeps running through my head, and it just makes sense to me.....LEAVE ME ALONE!!!!!!

So it's off to the "new" 12 inch Sliding Compund Miter Saw......I don't actually know "how to use it" properly...but damn its nice.

I start "sawing and screwing" like I know what I doing...(but i don't really)

In a "little while", this shell pops out, with the "initial placement" of the fan.






But as you can see....."Houston....we have a problem...."




Some of the houses "duct work" is in the way..........

No problem....I have some tools for that......

So a short while later.............This happens.


Then I just "re-cap" the end.

Which obviously leads to "The Next Problem".....the "heater duct' for one of the kids rooms is right behind it.......DAMN IT!!!!!!!

But the reality was, it was pretty obviously a "known problem", before I cut that "duct work"











Now at this point, I decide that since "my kids" are not living at home any longer, I have no reason to "fret" removing that duct.....

If that room is a "little colder"....basically "Who F'ing cares"....it's filled with boxes of old pictures and shit that my kids will have to throw in a dumpster when I am "room temperature".....So out comes the screw gun.......


Now its time to start "framing" the hood...............

Well I am "sad to report" that I can't decide on what to do, but basically I decide that this is going to be a "custom hood" made for 1 guy, and 1 guy only......ME......

I would like to say that I stopped and "figured out" all the geometric shapes,....and did all the math, and that I was a superstar....But it "ain't so".


I stuck up a diagonal board, stood in front of it, and marked it for my height with a Shourpie (notice that I use "knock off" Sharpies )....And that will be its height and angle(s)

(Ran out of picture room....continued on next page)

 

[Runs With Scissors]

Now for a few "educated guess" cuts, and we have the "basic shape" comiing along nicely.



I check for "interference" with the CNC machine, and it seems like it will clear.

If I have to shorten it a few inchs...oh well....Lets "cross that bridge, IF we come to it"











Welp.....FIL just called.....His motherf________g garage ceiling just fell down, and YEP.......You guessed it.......I gotta go over and see what the F is going on.....

To be continued.................

 

[Yooper]

Yeah, plasma fumes are a really small particulate that is hard to filter and probably not good for the lungs. One suggestion I would offer is to try and capture the fumes as close to the torch as possible. Another thing to consider is the air that you exhaust has to be replaced, meaning you have to have an opening to the outside to let fresh air in. Think about a heat exchanger that could pull some heat from the exhaust to cushion the heating bill in winter. Good luck!