I built myself a makeshift spraybooth using some old canvas boards i had.
Now I was wondering, are there any special requirements for the vent motor? I was going to use some “generic” bathroom vent which i had lying around. (it had minimal specs and it was mostly in an asian language) Aside from sucking power, are there dangers concerning spraying flammable gas ( lacquer thinner) onto a fan motor? After all a vent fan is basically connected to coiled wires and I’m afraid that a spark could ignite (and explode) the mist of highly flammable gas that comes from the airbrush.
If there are parameters to buying a safe motor, I hope someone could post a list of sorts so i can acquire a safe exhaust fan.
end note :: will a filter eliminate this flammable threat?
Thanks
(very informative forum , loving it [:)])
edit::
Well i found something on the box of the fan which had pictures of flaming aerosol cans and a big X. LMAO
I guess i’m not using this fan for my booth. (good thing i decided to double check!)
What specifics does the fan need to have, so i can purchase a “safe” one from the local hardware store?
The safest fans are the squirrel cage (aka shaded pole blower) type fans. The coils and electronics are protected from the vented airstream, so there’s very little, if any, chance of a fire or ignition.
I don’t know if you can get them at your local hardware store, but you can find them at grainger.com. Just to be on the safe side, look in the 300-350cfm range. You can never (reasonably) have too much ventilation.
Thanks for the quick tip Fred… I’m guessing i wont be able to find that brand here nor have it mail ordered, living in the philippines and all. But you gave me exactly the info i needed - squirrel cage or shaded pole blower… I’m guessing we have some “generic” fans here with those specs.
Gonna go hunting tomorrow in local hardwares or DIY stores. Thanks!
I haven’t been in the P.I in 30 years…but motors can be listed as ‘explosion proof’ depending on the supplier. I was fortunate that I can access W.W. Grainger to buy one. You might check your local resources.
There are many places to save some money, your spray booth is NOT one of them! If you are set on building a booth of your own make sure to use the proper fan assembly and proper vent discharge. I built my own booth based on size restrictions and that I had to design one that is “collapsable” when not in use. I found a fan unit from Grainger’s that fit this design. If you are really serious about spraying your models, then make sure to give this some serious thought!
Actually that is only true on motors that are specifically rated as “explosion proof” but I wouldn’t worry about it as it is much harder to ignite something in a spray booth unless you let fumes accumulate somehow.
Cool, thanks for the replies and concern… i’m not gonna skimp on my booth, besides if im gonna pay approx $300 for my airbrush and compressor i’m also going to go all out on my health. [:)]I’ve paused all my airbrushing for now, 'till i get a suitable vent fan.
I’m primarily an oil painter, so i take all this poisonous paint concerns to heart. Yup they’re toxic but we just can’t stay away from them. HeHe.
Ok, I went to the hardware store… found a a vent fan that looks similar to the other fans i’ve seen in other DIY booths on this forum… it didn’t say if it was a “squirrel cage” or “shaded pole blower”… BUT it did say “Tubular fan” on the box (no manual inside again, only a catalog list. LOL). It bascally looks like a hamster wheel with a motor and not the usual house fan type. (hhhmmm wait a minute hamster… squirrel, maybe this is it.)
I will upload pics. I know pics wont do much coz you wont see the actual wiring or sealing if there is any but i think this is the best i can do locally. I hope it’ll suffice as my airbrush trigger finger is itching!
