Haha, yeah, I think a few holes in my house will have to happen if I don’t go for the filter. Haha!
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In one of these threads Dan provided the spec on the filter - micron size of the particles removed. I don’t know if the filter also binds certain chemicals smaller than the filter size, but my guess is it’s just for particulates. That means most smells will pass through. Even if you do vent outside, there is no guarantee all of the noxious chemicals will exit via the venting as opposed to out the top or other directions.
I guess you can always keep a supply of dry erase markers handy to counteract what you’re cutting 
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There is also a carbon component to the filter, but the thing with carbon - although it may not be with ALL carbons - is that even if it’s not actively filtering something stinky, it’s still passively filtering whatever environmental odors are in the area.
So with that in mind, and if it’s true of the carbon used in this filter, and if the carbon is situated in a way that air hits it without being forced through (lots of ifs), I suppose it’s possible that the odor filtering capacity of the filter could deplete faster than the particulate filtering capacity would.
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i already have a small laser engraver which i built a fume extraction system it has to be carbon activated air filter this was unwanted fumes and smalls are removed. almost same as your cars cabin air filter which is based on same idea
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Moving this one back to the top… have we determined what the air filter’s full capabilities are yet? Forgive me if I missed it - does it just remove smell and smoke or can it remove toxic components as well?
Worst case example: after all precautions, I accidentally cut some material that has some PVC content, the Gloforge has the air filter, but the air filter is vented into the room. Is the exhaust air 100% safe to breathe or is just the smell of burnt plastic + particulates removed?
Important to know.
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I’ve been reading every post every day, that’s a good thread about ducting - not the question I’m asking.
Since the air filter is designed to vent into the surrounding room, I’d like to know what the air filter actually does: remove only smells and particulates (good) …or does remove any/all toxic or carcinogenic stuff as well (great!).
Cut PVC pipe with it for an hour with the lid closed (wrong thing to do, of course) - will the air filter scrub the air that it sends into the room and make it 100% see to breathe? I don’t think I’ve seen a definitive answer to that one. @Dan?
Pretty sure: “No” But obviously not a final answer.
Main thing I am adding to the discussion is:
Even if the filters do make your air in the room safe to breathe, so much particulate will have embedded itself into everything inside your laser cutter that the air in THERE is not safe. Not to mention your machinery has all been eroded considerably.
Agreed, there’s more then one dimension to the issue. Would be great to nail down the degree of air quality from the filter exhaust, though - I’m sure @Dan can answer that one…
We’re not going to test the machine with unsupported materials, so… don’t use PVC!
We use carbon to filter the exhaust, which does address most toxins as well as odors. Again, can’t speak to byproducts of unsupported materials like PVC.
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Thanks for the clarification - good to know!
I know acrylics can be stinky… so hopefully it can filter out those odors 
We each got a Purex filter for our lasers. They worked amazingly well. No one complained about smells even when I was doing 1/4" acrylic. It was something like this if not this model.
http://www.purex.co.uk/shop/systems/digital-systems/400i/p-74-75-134/
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Just a note to think about. The filter may remove many noxious or hazardous fumes but it can’t replace oxygen. You will still have to be mindful of Co2 levels in your home or business.
It likely is very minimal like a candle but I couldn’t tell you
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The filters were champion class. @marmak3261 had started a cut on Friday and I commented how there was more smell than I expected, which led to the realization he hadn’t turned on the filter ><
After that… no scent.
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Field test comparison on filter effectiveness!!! GO GF 
!!!
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Wasn’t the Glowforge filters though. But if the ones they are building us work as well and as silently as the Purex they had at the Faire… people will be VERY happy to use them.
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Bummer to know that it wasn’t a GF filter.
Do you know what make and model of filter that was being used?
I think Marion answered this yesterday
Ouch… The nearest link I can find is $2500 for the HEPA/Chemical filter model.
State side $2200 plus $350 shipping
http://www.ebay.com/itm/New-Purex-Alpha-400-Laser-Fume-Extractor-HEPA-Filter-Fumex-Alternative-/162495164804?hash=item25d5777184:g:W6wAAOSwEgVWThWd
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Ouch!