I am getting ready to relocate my rod building bench to a different room, and this has given rise in my mind to some questions about adequate ventilation. I have done some searching in the archives of this board, and have found some discussions of the dangers of epoxy and solvent fumes in which several people mentioned using "adequate ventilation" but exactly what they were using was not explained. I'd like to describe my situation and my idea for ventilation and get some feedback from some of you who have more experience with this about how it might (or might not) work.

Until now, I have been using my fly tying bench for rod building. I don't build a lot of rods - basically just for my own use, and doing repairs and the occasional rod for friends and relatives. My current bench is in my finished basement. There is a small window above the bench, and when I am using epoxy or solvents, I just crack this window and this seems to keep the area pretty clean of fumes.

The new workspace is a much smaller room in the basement. I haven't measured it, but I'd guess it's maybe 5' x 10'. I am setting up a separate rod building bench in there because I want a dedicated area for doing rods, and also because, unlike the larger area of the whole basement, I can heat this smaller space to a temperature that is conducive to working with epoxy thread finishes with a small space heater. This room has a single door leading in from the basement proper. It doesn't have a window leading directly outside, but does have a window-like opening in one wall which leads to a large crawlspace under the main house. If I were to set up, say, a box fan in that opening with the fan drawing air out of the room and into the crawlspace (while simultaneously drawing air in through the door), would that be adequate to protect me from epoxy and solvent fumes? The window with the fan would be just above my head level when I'm seated at my bench, and about 2-4 feet to my left.

I know that there are devices designed specifically to extract fumes, but they are mostly made for commercial/industrial use and even the "tabletop" models are quite expensive. I'm hoping to avoid that kind of expense.

Any feedback and/or ideas would be most helpful. Thanks-

Bryon

Epoxy isn't going to be much of a problem as nothing is outgassed from it. Most have a very mild odor/aroma from the hardner. That's about it.

Now products such as Permagloss are a different story. I don't think you'll be overcome, but it's a good idea to be able to move air through the room. I'd think you'd want to set or affix a fan to the open or crakcked window so you can pull the fumes out. This will work best if you crack another window somewhere else in the house to allow fresh air to be pulled in.

...............

Really depends what you mean by "solvents". You are working in a small space. Something like acetone and a box fan could end up creating an explosion.

Russ in Hollywood, FL.

Byron,
Great idea to use the box fan in the opening to draw air out of the room, and bring in fresh air from the basement.

It will work fine.

But, if you do decide to use something like acetone, or Xylene, don't use it in the house.

Rather take the solvent and the items you are cleaning and do it out of doors in a cross wind. That way, the solvent fumes will not get to your nose and skin and into your body.

Be safe

Thank you for your replies Tom, Russ and Roger. Russ, to answer your question, the only products I use right now that might present a problem are epoxy and laquer thinner. I'm almost afraid to ask, but how could acetone and a box fan create an explosion? Would this be a danger with the laquer thinner as well?

Bryon, most (organic) )solvents are highly flammable. For fire to occur three things conditions must exsist. One, the proper concentration of vapor would need to be in the flammable range. Two, you need an oxidizer (oxygen is one). Three, you need a source of ignition. Your box fan could be a source of ignition (even static electricity can be).

Laquer thinner is pretty bad stuff on a number of fronts. Unlike some other solvents it is a blend of several solvents and many cost cutting measures are used so it is hard to know just what you are dealing with. Personally I don't see the need for it in rod building. If you do, then I suggest you follow Roger's advise and use it outside only.

I'm not trying to preach or scare, just want you to be safe. Bottom line, enough laquer thinner vapors,,,,in a small enough and warm enough room,,,,with a space heater and a fan going....could equal very bad news.

Russ in Hollywood, FL.

Just an idea. For the intake side (door) I recommend a paper furnace filter to filter the air coming in to keep dust down. Kind of like a paint booth for automotive. Just a thought.