Any ventilation/electrical pros around here?

[Patrice Lemée]

I want to set up a ventilation system in my shop. Basically a fan to get rid of the dust of the buffer and belt sander as well as an exhaust fan for welding. I would like it to be set up so that the fan turns on when the power tool is used and also can be manually turned on for welding.

I am clueless as to what I need for this, mostly what kind of fan and what strength do I need and also the gizmo that will turn it on at the same time as the tools.

I am starting to look around the web for answers so any pointing in a general direction would be most appreciated.

Thanks

Pad

 

[Matt Shade]

Start by figuring how many cubic feet your shop is. There are guidelines for commercial shops on how often the air must be completely turned over/replaced. This would be a good rule of thumb to follow. You'll need to get a fan that has enough capacity to turn the air over at that rate (don't remember off the top of my head, I'm sure you can find recommendations somewhere here)
If you're only wanting it to run when you have the machine running than you probably will need to set it up like a dust collection system and build a hood around/behind the buffer. In this case, the stronger the system the better (to a certain extent )

 

[Dan Gray]

also the gizmo that will turn it on at the same time as the tools.
Pad

I have my grinder set up on a switched outlet so my light comes on at the same time I turn on the grinder, if i want anything else coming on I just plug it in the switched outlet. to over ride it you just add a over ride switch supplying power to what you want on when the grinder isn't running.
you need to what your doing with electricity though..
simple outlets and switches work on most the stuff, up to their ratings..low to high amp draw solenoid type switchs will take care of the rest, relays I think is the better word for them...

 

[Patrice Lemée]

Matt, yes I want it to run when the tools do. You got it right, it's more of a dust collection system than a ventilation one. Darn English language. I'll get it someday. I'll look into that.

Dan, if I need to know what I am doing with electricity than I am screwed!
I guess I'll have to just hook up a switch for the blower close enough so that it is not too much of an hassle to turn it on before I start grinding/buffing.

Thanks for trying.

Pad