My take on home laser exhaust

[Jeremy Brown]

Hello everyone, I recently decided to purchase a used VLS 2.3 for a home hobby. After reading ideas on the forum I decided I wanted to try to make something that would be fairly quiet, safe for the home, be somewhat removeable it I needed it. I also needed a stand for the laser itself. I wish I had more pictures but once I start something I always forget to take pictures along the way.

Other than MDF I used the following
Harbor Freight Portable Dust collector (http://www.harborfreight.com/13-gallon-industrial-portable-dust-collector-31810.html)
Harbor Freight Dust Collection Kit (http://www.harborfreight.com/dust-collector-accessory-kit-93601.html)
Power Tech inlet Flange (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00DJBXP5E/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o03_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1)
3" to 4" metal duct (homedepot) sorry no link

I did use my Shapeoko 3XXL CNC router a lot for this but this could be done without it.

I wanted to put the exhaust in the stand, insulate for sound deadening, allow for a fresh air intake and be able to close of ducts when not in use.

I built the box
http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g237/jbrown2252/IMG_20170110_181601_zpsfesrdzwr.jpg (http://s57.photobucket.com/user/jbrown2252/media/IMG_20170110_181601_zpsfesrdzwr.jpg.html)
http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g237/jbrown2252/IMG_20170110_181624_zpsejmscma4.jpg (http://s57.photobucket.com/user/jbrown2252/media/IMG_20170110_181624_zpsejmscma4.jpg.html)

Insulated the box for noise with some close cell foam that my father gave me
I also removed the casters from the exhaust fan and will use them for the stand.
http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g237/jbrown2252/IMG_20170111_110429_zpssa8khu2l.jpg (http://s57.photobucket.com/user/jbrown2252/media/IMG_20170111_110429_zpssa8khu2l.jpg.html)

Here is the back panel showing the 3 ports (1 exhaust from laser, 1 exhaust to outside vent, fresh air inlet)
http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g237/jbrown2252/IMG_20170111_110439_zpspngfwgoz.jpg (http://s57.photobucket.com/user/jbrown2252/media/IMG_20170111_110439_zpspngfwgoz.jpg.html)
http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g237/jbrown2252/IMG_20170114_094835_zps6w8hgz0d.jpg (http://s57.photobucket.com/user/jbrown2252/media/IMG_20170114_094835_zps6w8hgz0d.jpg.html)

Here is the exhaust fan installed in the stand and hoses hooked up
http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g237/jbrown2252/IMG_20170114_094849_zpsqqplwnh4.jpg (http://s57.photobucket.com/user/jbrown2252/media/IMG_20170114_094849_zpsqqplwnh4.jpg.html)

In order to let fresh air in close to the engraver's fresh air inlet I used a router to cut a slot.
I also put foam around the hole to seal the slot to the room. I want the air to be in a closed loop. I didn't show the foam seal that seals to the front of the hole so you can see the slot.
http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g237/jbrown2252/IMG_20170114_095736_zpsddy5ae0l.jpg (http://s57.photobucket.com/user/jbrown2252/media/IMG_20170114_095736_zpsddy5ae0l.jpg.html)
http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g237/jbrown2252/IMG_20170114_095742_zps6exj3zrj.jpg (http://s57.photobucket.com/user/jbrown2252/media/IMG_20170114_095742_zps6exj3zrj.jpg.html)

Somewhat Finished product, I still may add some trim or something.
http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g237/jbrown2252/IMG_20170118_195515_zpsgtkyz1k2.jpg (http://s57.photobucket.com/user/jbrown2252/media/IMG_20170118_195515_zpsgtkyz1k2.jpg.html)

[Jeremy Brown]

Here is the window side of it (I'll add some more info to these later, its getting late for me)
http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g237/jbrown2252/IMG_20170110_181712_zps6ncmev8f.jpg (http://s57.photobucket.com/user/jbrown2252/media/IMG_20170110_181712_zps6ncmev8f.jpg.html)
http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g237/jbrown2252/IMG_20170110_181747_zpsips9jljg.jpg (http://s57.photobucket.com/user/jbrown2252/media/IMG_20170110_181747_zpsips9jljg.jpg.html)
http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g237/jbrown2252/IMG_20170110_181722_zps8yk3p5m1.jpg (http://s57.photobucket.com/user/jbrown2252/media/IMG_20170110_181722_zps8yk3p5m1.jpg.html)
http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g237/jbrown2252/IMG_20170110_182014_zpse9leg2nq.jpg (http://s57.photobucket.com/user/jbrown2252/media/IMG_20170110_182014_zpse9leg2nq.jpg.html)
http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g237/jbrown2252/IMG_20170110_181821_zpserc5yc8k.jpg (http://s57.photobucket.com/user/jbrown2252/media/IMG_20170110_181821_zpserc5yc8k.jpg.html)
http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g237/jbrown2252/IMG_20170110_182056_zpsnnbg31sy.jpg (http://s57.photobucket.com/user/jbrown2252/media/IMG_20170110_182056_zpsnnbg31sy.jpg.html)
http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g237/jbrown2252/IMG_20170110_182122_zpsz0cnymr7.jpg (http://s57.photobucket.com/user/jbrown2252/media/IMG_20170110_182122_zpsz0cnymr7.jpg.html)
http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g237/jbrown2252/IMG_20170114_095922_zpsrh16icgd.jpg (http://s57.photobucket.com/user/jbrown2252/media/IMG_20170114_095922_zpsrh16icgd.jpg.html)
http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g237/jbrown2252/IMG_20170114_095929_zpsynngrlhm.jpg (http://s57.photobucket.com/user/jbrown2252/media/IMG_20170114_095929_zpsynngrlhm.jpg.html)
http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g237/jbrown2252/IMG_20170114_095914_zpstze9bxia.jpg (http://s57.photobucket.com/user/jbrown2252/media/IMG_20170114_095914_zpstze9bxia.jpg.html)
http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g237/jbrown2252/IMG_20170118_195529_zpsrcy4thso.jpg (http://s57.photobucket.com/user/jbrown2252/media/IMG_20170118_195529_zpsrcy4thso.jpg.html)

[Bert Kemp]

Looks really great nice job.:)

[Robert Bonenfant]

Great job ,
Lol my first machine had flex drier pipe going out of my garage. Didn't work well :-)

[Kev Williams]

If you haven't already done so, give serious consideration to boring one more hole--right next to the blower motor end cap. That's where the motor draws air for cooling. With only the one vent on the opposite side, the motor will simply recirculate the air within the box. But if you allow the motor's cooling fan to draw in cool outside air, it will create a slight positive pressure within the box, forcing the heated air out the vent on the other side. Your blower will run much cooler, last longer :)

[John Lifer]

Kev is totally right, I would have put the incoming air duct coming back in from outside in the fan side. But as you sit now, drill a few holes small holes or one big one to allow blower to get cooler air.

You don't put your location, if it stays cool outside most of the year, I'd add a short piece of duct inside the box taking incoming air to the side as near the fan as you can get it. If you are in south Texas, then drill holes for cooler inside air :)
Your motor will last a lot longer.

[Brad Patturelli]

I'm thinking of doing something very similar with my window exhaust as well when I get my laser. I was considering putting insulation between the two window pieces, is this something you considered? Great work on your setup!

[Matt McCoy]

I see three holes in the box (in, out, & ventilation), but can you explain a little more about the slot?

[Jeremy Brown]

@kevin Williams @John Lifer
The slot I cut into the top is in both sides of the box, granted not equally but I was say 70/30. There is air flow coming from that side through the slot. I think the easiest way, like you mentioned would be to maybe put a port in the inside support and use a small piece of duct to port it closer to the fan's fan. That way it would draw from the other side due to it being circulating more air.

@Brad Patturelli
Yes, although I didn't mention it, I did insulate between the two boards. I wanted all this to have minimal effect on the heating and cooling of this room. I don't feel any drafts and the surface temps on all the surfaces feel the same as the walls in the room.

@Matt McCoy
Anytime you put a exhaust blowing out of the house, air needs to be pulled into the house. Now my house is old, it the air will come in via the lowest amount of resistance, which would be around windows, doors etc.. in effect I would be pulling unconditioned air into the house. But more dangerously, being that I have a Gas Furnace and Water Heater, is I may pull air down through the flue pipes while my furnace or water heater are in use.

So I supplied the room with a fresh air intake but I didn't want the outside entering the room, I feed the fresh air into the box. I then cut a slot in box on the top of it directly under the fresh air intake for the laser cutting chamber (which on the VLS 2.3 is a slot on the bottom at the very front of the machine. Doing it this way makes it into a "closed loop"....well in my mind :D

[Bill George]

Your taking air out of the room via your exhaust. Creating a negative air flow can cause down drafting of your gas furnace and gas water heater vent pipe. Depending on how tight your house or building is. Unless your slot goes directly to the outside I do not see that happening.

[Jeremy Brown]

Yes the slot goes into the box, the box is vented to the outside. One blast gate is exhaust out, the other is the intake air coming in.

[Matt McCoy]

@kevin Williams @John Lifer
The slot I cut into the top is in both sides of the box, granted not equally but I was say 70/30. There is air flow coming from that side through the slot. I think the easiest way, like you mentioned would be to maybe put a port in the inside support and use a small piece of duct to port it closer to the fan's fan. That way it would draw from the other side due to it being circulating more air.

@Brad Patturelli
Yes, although I didn't mention it, I did insulate between the two boards. I wanted all this to have minimal effect on the heating and cooling of this room. I don't feel any drafts and the surface temps on all the surfaces feel the same as the walls in the room.

@Matt McCoy
Anytime you put a exhaust blowing out of the house, air needs to be pulled into the house. Now my house is old, it the air will come in via the lowest amount of resistance, which would be around windows, doors etc.. in effect I would be pulling unconditioned air into the house. But more dangerously, being that I have a Gas Furnace and Water Heater, is I may pull air down through the flue pipes while my furnace or water heater are in use.

So I supplied the room with a fresh air intake but I didn't want the outside entering the room, I feed the fresh air into the box. I then cut a slot in box on the top of it directly under the fresh air intake for the laser cutting chamber (which on the VLS 2.3 is a slot on the bottom at the very front of the machine. Doing it this way makes it into a "closed loop"....well in my mind :D

Interesting. With the exhaust and return in close proximity, aren't you drawing the dirty air back into the machine?

[Bill George]

That will work. And in a round about way you have a air to air heat exchanger. Since the warm exhaust air rises your probably not recirculating the air either. Good idea.

[Jeremy Brown]

@Matt McCoy

I was concerned about that as well but I went outside while I was doing some wood. The velocity the smoke is coming out of the port outside, it's not really effecting it. I was prepared to put a 90 elbow on the intake facing away from the exhaust port if it was a problem.

[Lee DeRaud]

Your taking air out of the room via your exhaust. Creating a negative air flow can cause down drafting of your gas furnace and gas water heater vent pipe. Depending on how tight your house or building is. Unless your slot goes directly to the outside I do not see that happening.Unless it's a tiny house, that little HF blower just doesn't have the grunt for that to be a problem. Not to mention that the furnace and water heater need combustion air: in a modern air-tight house, that means dedicated inlet ducting for them from the outside.