Exhaust Idea For A Leather Shop

[Anna]

I'm looking for help or an idea on how to get fumes out of my leather shop. I have a wall or ceiling I can put a vent though. The things I use most that have fumes are barge cement and leather dyes. Generally if at all weather permitting I try to do these things outside but I can't always do that.

If anyone has a exhaust fan installed in their shop or if you have any experience with this I would greatly appreciate any help.

Thank you,

Anna

[NVLeatherWorx]

Have you thought about installing a ceiling mounted fan just like the one's that are installed in laundry rooms or bathrooms in your house? I have a similar style of fan installed into one of my exterior walls that fits the bill just right.

[cardinal leather]

I purchased a used stainless steel range hood for that purpose in my shop. These units are designed to exhaust airborne grease and oils from the cooking process, so in theory they should be explosion proof enough to handle the stains and finishes that we use in our shops. One thing you would have to consider is which direction the vent opening would face. Airborne stains, finishes, glues will tend to float on the wind so if you vent into the prevailing winds you could end up with stain finish, glue all over the side of your house, same on the roof if you have light color shingles. Also watch our for parking areas as you would not want it on your car or your neighbors property. I am going to fix a furnace filter to the exterior exhaust to collect it. if you are in open space no problems vent away. This is only one idea. If you are nervous about it at all, have a qualified professional guide you thru this venting process. Jim.

[Dwight]

Just remember when you are doing that "exhausting", . . . and equal amount of make up air has to come from some place.

With the winter here, . . . that's a lot of cold air coming inside.

I usually just leave for a while, . . . go do something else, . . . come back and the fumes have dissipated to a tolerable level.

I used to work in a paint factory, . . . we had a "bunch" of spray booths, . . . I'm building mine later on and it will look like the little drawing. Blue is make up air, pink is exhaust, green is the air filter. It will be about 30 inches wide, . . . and about 30 tall, . . . sitting in the corner of my shop, . . . over my sink.

Since that is where the gluing, spraying, finishing, etc is all done, . . . it'll keep the fumes down to a mild roar. I'm hoping to have it done by spring, . . . ready to install when the weather gets better.

Basically the make up air is throttled, . . . to pull more from the room when doing glue work., . . . then let go wide when you are spraying a finish or a dye or whatever.

There'll be some trial and error, . . . but I've seen em work, . . . so it'll just be a matter of getting the flow right. The fan sits behind the filter, . . . the filter is to protect the fan from getting too much stuff on it. Fan has to be type of motor with no exposed brushes, . . . should be sealed too.

May God bless,

Dwight

[mojave]

I use a small 3500 CFM evap. cooled at the back of my shop and a open window at my bench for cross ventilation.

The cooler is for our 118 degree summers, and in the winter the cooler water is drained out. I use the low speed. I get an air change about ever 4-7 min. I've been using this type of system since 1986 when I built the shop.

Howard

[oltoot]

I, too live in Wyo and when I feel the need to vent, usually gluing up skirts with Barge, I just do it on a table by a window and then run a fan toward the window for awhile. Actual installed vents for these climes, unless really pricey, are constant sources of air leaks. If I thought I needed it, I would just modify part of a window opening and put a bathroom vent in. I took the MSDS's for all the glues and dyes I use to a neurologist one time and, after a thorough analysis, he told me that if I didn't 'huff' them, I needn't be concerned but that hasn't stopped my wife from whining about the smell.

[Anna]

Thank you all for the help. I am working with a new space out in the country so I don't have to worry about neighbors, cars or buildings. My husband has some ideas to build something for me for getting fumes out but we wanted to see how others are dealing with this in their shops. As soon as I'm working in the shop and not a room in my house I think I will be bothered less by the smells, at least then I can open up windows and not worry about cooling or smelling up the whole house. All your input has been very helpful. oltoot - I have always wondered what a doctor would say about these fumes especially from the Barge cement, thanks for mentioning that also!

Anna

[BIGGUNDOCTOR]

May look into an activated charcoal filter so the air can be vented into the room keeping the heat in during the winter. Or have a preheater for the make up air coming in.

Cardinal Leather, much easier to put a filter on the inside inlet than the exhaust. Easier to change, and doesn't get affected by outside weather/dirt/etc..

[cardinal leather]

May look into an activated charcoal filter so the air can be vented into the room keeping the heat in during the winter. Or have a preheater for the make up air coming in.

Cardinal Leather, much easier to put a filter on the inside inlet than the exhaust. Easier to change, and doesn't get affected by outside weather/dirt/etc..

Biggundoctor,

You are correct, this unit has an interior filter that will be revised to suit my needs. I am also installing an exterior filter to pick up anything that gets past the first one. I have first hand experience with how some of these products float on the wind after they have atomized. If it turns out that it is not needed the exterior filter is easy enough to remove. Jim