Sunday, February 24, 2013

Saturday solutions

Monday problems from my previous post now have Saturday solutions!  My husband managed to cobble together a solution to my ventilation problem for encaustic.  Today I plan a test  run.  If is doesn't work we will have to go to a more elaborate set up with a vent hood and exterior exhaust.  Fingers crossed on this one.

 This dual fan has variable speeds and draws pretty well. 

Don measured the window casing and cut plywood so he could mount  the finished product  on the frame with two hinges.  Once the plywood was cut to size he placed the  fan on top of it  and traced around the edges.  Then a hole needed to be drilled to  cut out the fan shape with a jig saw.  An access hole for the plug must also be created.

 If I had been around when it was fabricated  I would have the fan as low to the edge of the window as possible so it would be closer to the palette.  I did not voice this after the fact!!


  I needed the set up on hinges so I could have access to the window to open and close it.  The window opens up to the top so there is plenty of air flow.   You can see how he built a frame  on the back to hold  the fan  in place and to also allow removal when I want to  move it  to my summer studio.   I have the perfect system there because the windows are table height and the  fan fits the window size.

A simple wooden bar on a screw lets me open and close the system.  I want to paint the whole thing  white so it isn't quite so unsightly.   Hint:  You need two hands to mount it, one to hold and one with the screw driver. Even then the screw often grabs and pulls the board up or down.  We had a little drop on the right side.

 I didn't even have to forgo my new vanity and it is almost ready for staining.  It was a productive week all around in the Ryall household.

5 comments:

William Cook said...

How about some random size glass window cutouts all around to let in some light. I don't have any [light] down here--miss it. I use the exact same system for venting--a double fan shrouded into a much smaller window. This will work well for you, but heat loss may become a giant concern. Love looking at your wonderful pieces--great series! Best.

Unknown said...

Good solution! Ventilation is critical with encaustic.

M said...

Thanks for the suggestion William. I have lots of light in the basement and there is another window which I open for fresh air. Winter is not a friend of encaustic.

Carole Reid said...

How is it working, Margaret?

M said...

I had my first day working with my new set up and it was excellent. I recently saw an idea on Pinterest for a hood made out of plastic and wood strips which I might also add above the table to "capture" the fumes.