DIY Exhaust Fan

by Kylie Jones
Lots of tutorials for metal work talk about working in a well ventilated area. Sometimes simply opening a window and a door can give a good flow of air but the fumes can still remain in the house or studio. Using an exhaust fan that is vented to outside gets rid of the fumes. This is my homemade exhaust fan. It is simple to make, it is very effective at drawing away fumes, it was fairly cheap and it can be easily packed away in a tub when it isn't needed. I use it whenever I use my torch either for soldering or torch firing enamel pieces.
Materials I used:

Bathroom exhaust fan ( these fans suck air rather than blow air). Diameter 25cm (10").

Bucket or other container - the top of the bucket is slightly smaller than the fan.

Aluminium Ducting - I used 150 mm diameter x 3.6 metres (6" x 12').

Duct tape.

Utility knife.
The materials are best bought together to make sure that the fan just sits on top of the bucket and the bottom of the bucket is larger than the diameter of the ducting. The fan cost $30, the ducting $28, and the bucket was only a couple of dollars.
Kylie Jones's DIY Exhaust Fan - , safety, , safety, exhaust fan
Cut a hole in the center of the bottom of the bucket that is a bit smaller than the ducting. Squeeze the ducting through the smaller hole and tape it to the inside of the bottom of the bucket. The ducting is pretty strong and durable but it can tear if pulled too hard or if it gets caught on a sharp edge from cutting the hole. Small pieces of tape tend to work better than larger pieces of tape, because of the circle shape. Make sure the connection is strong and airtight.
Kylie Jones's DIY Exhaust Fan - , safety, , safety, exhaust fan
Kylie Jones's DIY Exhaust Fan - , safety, , safety, exhaust fan
Kylie Jones's DIY Exhaust Fan - , safety, , safety, exhaust fan
Take off the handle it can be replaced later if you want. Sit the fan on top of the bucket and place small pieces of tape all around the edge and stick it to the bucket. Then with a long piece of tape go right around making sure the connection is airtight.
Kylie Jones's DIY Exhaust Fan - , safety, , safety, exhaust fan
Kylie Jones's DIY Exhaust Fan - , safety, , safety, exhaust fan
Test your fan and tape any places where you can feel air escaping. Ducting is also available in a pvc type instead of the aluminium foil. You can also buy connectors to join lengths of ducting to make it longer so it can reach outside.

Materials

24 Gauge 0.020 Dead Soft Copper Sheet Metal - 6x6 Inch
MET-705.24
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $9.42
  • Gold Club Price: $7.07
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24 Gauge Dead Soft Fine Silver Sheet - 6 Inches
H9-24SM6
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 1 Inch
  • Price: $42.83
  • Gold Club Price: $32.12
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Tools

Basic Soldering Kit
G15-4
  • G15-4
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $58.95
  • Gold Club Price: $44.21
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Individually Packed Disposable Face Masks - Pack of 50
G21-2
  • G21-2
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $7.95
  • Gold Club Price: $5.96
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  • Category: Safety
  • Technique(s): General Education, Safety