The more airflow the cleaner the machine and especially the cleaner the optics.

I use a 1.5 HP chip collector for my NH Optima laser. 30' run to the blower then about 10" to the outside. Unfortunately most of the run is in flexible tubing, goes around more things in the ceiling than you can imagine. It still sucks. (That is a good thing!)

Philadelphia, PA (Really Bensalem)

When you finally understand it completely... it changes.

Holly, my exhaust system is different than most, and was far too expensive for most situations.

I'm located in the second floor of a brick building in the center of a small historic town. There are a mix of apartments and businesses here and the slightest smell of burning wood or plastic will cause a panic (the town burned to the ground in the late 1800's so the fire department is on a hair trigger).

I also couldn't modify the building, but the room I use for the laser already had an exhaust vent (low power) in the wall from when it was a restaurant prep room a few decades ago. So I bought a large filtering system that has an electrostatic smoke and particle remover followed by a 3 stage filter/blower. The two units together cost over $4,000, but they remove all smoke and fumes while providing the needed air flow for the laser. The output of the filter just comes out into the same room, a couple of feet under the wall exhaust, which slowy pushes the air outside.

The plates in the electrostatic filter have to be cleaned all the time, but they catch so much smoke that the HEPA and charcoal filters in the other unit last quite a long time.

But this is not the normal type exhaust system most laser folks use. It's a special case.

Well I just got off the phone with Epilog...

They advise that my Penn State Industries blower - 1 1/2 HP; 850 CFM - is ideal for a mini. However, he confirmed that Penn State makes the loudest blowers in the industry.

I asked about the inline blowers. He advises they could work but as someone in this thread said earlier, higher CFM is better as it helps the mini keep clean. So I'd need to keep that in mind when considering an inline...higher CFM ones are more cost than I'm interested in spending right now.

So I've come full circle from last night...we're back to the re-work of the venting from the existing exhaust to the outside. God knows I have enough PVC piping on the deck that's been there all winter just itching to get installed! Epilog did suggest we insulate all that piping too. We'll see.

So thank you to all for your thoughts/input! I'll let you know how we make out!

I think this was one of our better discussions.... Hardly got off topic and everyone had good solutions to their individual situations...

My shop is loacated in general business area and the quiter the fan the better for all..... Hard to believe Epilog could not refer a company with a quiter blower.....Insulation would not be a solution in my area.
Dr.s upstairs, Insurance agents nextdoor and computer repair on the other side.............

Be safe working in the attic..........

Tom,

I am not sure what you mean by "Threat" we use this brand and they are very quiet when all connected.

As it has been mentioned more is better when it comes to exhaust. I could never understand why people spend 20K on a laser system and then did not want to get the proper exhaust set-up.

http://www.sears.com/

Do a search for item #00921335000

Mike,

They are made by Delta. You can get the same unit at Lowes under the Delta name for $119.95. I use a couple for my wood working equipment.