Curtain around downdraft cutting table

[forhire]

I'd like to put a welding curtain or screen around my cnc cutting table. It's downdraft with a 3 hp blower. I don't recall the cfm but it's on an 18" duct and moves a lot of air. I'm concerned the curtain will want to suck in.

I thought about hanging the curtain from chains but I'd prefer to pull the cold air off the floor rather than sucking all the heat outside (fine in the summer... bad this time of year).

With the plasma the sparks and such haven't been much of an issue. I would like to filter the UV and flash. I'm tired of wearing my hood. So the screen should be dark enough.

I'm putting an oxy-propane torch on next week for a job and would like to keep everything more or less contained. I'm kinda concerned slag will blow through the plastic.

Does anyone have experience with curtains? Not sure what thickness, darkness and/or style will be best. What brand is the most durable? Cost effective?

[Fat Bastard]

How about galvanized steel sheet 24-26 ga cheep strong fire proof.

[Rbeckett]

You could use a flex hose same size as the blower outlet from the floor into one side and let the rest hang as you said from the roof, pulled down with weights or chains. Then the air would still be the cool floor air and it would keep the vinyl from sucking in too without pulling the room heat out. Speaking of heat I welded 2 big truck drums together and stoke it up for shop heat and it does pretty good knocking the chill off the air in the shop if your close by it. Only uses a 4 inch pipe for exhaust. Just a thought...
Bob.

You were talking about shielding the arc above the material right?

[forhire]

Originally Posted by Fat Bastard

How about galvanized steel sheet 24-26 ga cheep strong fire proof.

Interesting idea. I only need to cover two sides, an end and one side, about 15 feet total. I would like to be able see how the cut is progressing. I suppose a window could be installed in the tin. I do need to be able move it in order to get the gantry in there for loading and unloading.

[forhire]

Originally Posted by Rbeckett

You were talking about shielding the arc above the material right?

Bob, I switched to insulated coveralls this week. I would love to be in Florida right now

I've made this crude rendering. The yellow would be the curtain. I have block wall on two sides. Hopefully this gives you an idea of what I'm trying to accomplish.

[Fat Bastard]

How about plain old welding curtains.

[forhire]

Originally Posted by Fat Bastard

How about plain old welding curtains.

I've been looking at some made by Wilson:
http://www.wilsonindustries.com/welding-curtains.htm

"Plasma See-Thru
Extra dark green vinyl to stop all U.V. radiation and blue light. Recommended for plasma cutting or bright welding applications."

I can also buy it by the roll from Northerntool made by Steiner
http://www.northerntool.com/shop/too...4685_200324685

Anyone have an opinion of either?

What thickness is ideal?

[mrmikey]

Can't help you on the thickness but I will say, at least for me, the yellow is a better choice. Doesn't seem like a dark hole where the curtain is, just esthetic's really more than anything.
I know the welding screens we have at work are the dark green and they're tough, hard to poke a hole thru. Obviously being plastic they will melt but it takes a fair bit, sparks just bounce off and you can't easily poke a hole thru it.
You going to attach them so they'll slide out of the way when you're setting up, if not I see it being a pia when you move around the table.....Mike

[farmall]

Welding curtains are like toilet paper. Get 'em cheap so replacement won't hurt. (Our students destroy anything we put out.)

Yellow keeps the area from turning into a black hole.

[mb_welder]

I can see what you're trying to do, but it seems like more of an inconvenience than a benifit. If your work area is properly ventilated, there is no need for a curtain.

Based on your drawing, you would want to have something that you could easily slide out of the way for ease of loading material onto the table. I would get the measurements you need for the curtain and talk to the LWS about something in a clear yellow welding curtain and mount it on plastic rings to slide along a tubular curtain holder as sorts, so that while loading the table, the curtain could be moved out of the way.

That's a nice table, though I've strangely fallen in love with the pattern cutter where I work!

IMO, it seems like a lot of unnessary work.