02-20-2009, 04:09 PM
Thanks Jack!
I feel like I should add a disclaimer here. Especially regarding fan selection. There is a lot of talk out there about "explosion proof" or "spark resistant" fans. The fans that I have looked at, linked to, etc... are not either of these. Most full sized paint booths like auto body ones will have externally mounted motors that drive belt driven fans. The motors are built outside of the air stream with this precaution in mind. There are a number of water based acrylics and enamel hobby paints which from what I can tell should be fine and relatively safe to use with my set up. Unless of course they are thinned with solvent based thinners. With a squirrel cage centrifugal blowers the motor sits outside the air stream, however as I've been cautioned it doesn't mean its bullet proof in this application when using solvents or solvent based paints.
A couple of articles I've read also suggest that the term "explosion proof" is a misnomer. Meaning that even an explosion proof motor can spark and cause an "event". They are just built to better contain said event as I came to understand it. Which I thought was interesting to find out.
That said, I am not the first person nor will I be the last person to attempt a home built paint booth. I've seen dozens upon dozens of different set ups over the last several weeks in my endless quest for knowledge regarding booth construction. Some designs are really good, some are really sketchy looking.
The point to all this is that from a hobby sized perspective I have no real world data to support whether or not this is a real concern. I haven't read about anyone having any "events" with a homemade unit, unless of course anyone else here has? So if you like me are planning/building a project like this, then know what you are getting into. A few people have their own home built units here on this very board and I'll bet money that they are not using an explosion proof blowers or fans and are still around to share their experience.
So. I am not an engineer, doctor or dentist. I am just an actor who plays one on T.V. Use the information in this thread at your own risk.
P.S. Please feel free to correct me on ANY of this. I guess the ultimate goal is to disseminate as much information as possible and at the very least, the correct information.
P.P.S. I got my fan! I called the local Acklands Grainger and found out the reason I couldn't find the Dayton 1TDR6 blower on-line was because of a fault on their website. I ended up helping a sales guy trouble shoot it and got free shipping. Heh! Go figure!
I feel like I should add a disclaimer here. Especially regarding fan selection. There is a lot of talk out there about "explosion proof" or "spark resistant" fans. The fans that I have looked at, linked to, etc... are not either of these. Most full sized paint booths like auto body ones will have externally mounted motors that drive belt driven fans. The motors are built outside of the air stream with this precaution in mind. There are a number of water based acrylics and enamel hobby paints which from what I can tell should be fine and relatively safe to use with my set up. Unless of course they are thinned with solvent based thinners. With a squirrel cage centrifugal blowers the motor sits outside the air stream, however as I've been cautioned it doesn't mean its bullet proof in this application when using solvents or solvent based paints.
A couple of articles I've read also suggest that the term "explosion proof" is a misnomer. Meaning that even an explosion proof motor can spark and cause an "event". They are just built to better contain said event as I came to understand it. Which I thought was interesting to find out.
That said, I am not the first person nor will I be the last person to attempt a home built paint booth. I've seen dozens upon dozens of different set ups over the last several weeks in my endless quest for knowledge regarding booth construction. Some designs are really good, some are really sketchy looking.
The point to all this is that from a hobby sized perspective I have no real world data to support whether or not this is a real concern. I haven't read about anyone having any "events" with a homemade unit, unless of course anyone else here has? So if you like me are planning/building a project like this, then know what you are getting into. A few people have their own home built units here on this very board and I'll bet money that they are not using an explosion proof blowers or fans and are still around to share their experience.
So. I am not an engineer, doctor or dentist. I am just an actor who plays one on T.V. Use the information in this thread at your own risk.
P.S. Please feel free to correct me on ANY of this. I guess the ultimate goal is to disseminate as much information as possible and at the very least, the correct information.
P.P.S. I got my fan! I called the local Acklands Grainger and found out the reason I couldn't find the Dayton 1TDR6 blower on-line was because of a fault on their website. I ended up helping a sales guy trouble shoot it and got free shipping. Heh! Go figure!