Greetings!–this may be slightly off-topic, but I figured I’d find you on this forum most likely.
I’m planning on making the Fume Can that you have on your website–I have the 3M filter cartridges on order online (they are surprisingly hard to find in stores locally–most of the full respirators I’ve found were “AO” brand, even at Lowes, and could not be easily attached to the lid of a plastic tub). My question is, after being used a few times, would not the Fume Can become, well, rather combustible? It would seem that the fumes would build up inside the device, and be rather volatile. Certainly wouldn’t want to store it near, say, a water heater. I suppose one would probably want to change the towel lining the bottom of the container rather frequently. It does look like it would be seriously effective, though–I build my models in a poorly ventilated basement–I do use a “fume vacuum” type device (see www.thommcarr.com) when I paint, but I used to just spray off into space when I cleaned the airbrush—much to the chagrin of my already tired brain cells!
Paint and thinner fumes DO have to go somewhere, preferably vented to the outside atmosphere. That is why most spray booths have a fan pulling air through the paint area and expelling it through a vent tube to the outside. If you trap the fumes in a container of any kind, they are still there and need to be expelled some how.
By building it from a plastic tub with removable top you can open it and drain it. Also you can replace the containment material occasionally. I originally used an old cotton towel but found this to not be such a great idea because of the potential combustion issue. Since then I have used those green or maroon scrubbing pads like found in your kitchen sink. The key point is to trap the vapors before you can breath them or foul your room air.
Remember, there is an email link right on the front page of my site if you ever need to contact me.
I made the fume can and it works likes a dream. No smell comes from it at all. Just give it a cleaning and change the cloth/paper towel. I have it mounted to the wall, next to teh window with my exhaust fan mounted, with velcro so I can use 2 hands to open and close the needle to help flush.