Fantastic!! Thanks guys!! I’m in an apartment so venting to the roof won’t be an option 
I am on the top floor in the corner… so hopefully that’ll help. 
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Smoke rises so you should be gold then.
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The radon system was my original plan. I wouldn’t think the amount of time the laser is running would be an issue in terms of lessening the flow. There will still be a negative pressure, just reduced.
Just have a blast gate to isolate the laser so when not in use the radon system will return to it’s peak flow.
Getting that exhaust upon the roof is ideal. You ever get close to any vent pipes up there? WHEW 
But you never smell it on the ground. Dispersal FTW!
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Sombody’s using their new laser…
j/k 
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You won’t see it at all, but as mentioned you can smell it if you’re close to the vent.
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This is a somewhat of a related question. (@dan)
As this mostly about in-line boosters vs. just venting out of a window.
Since the Glowforge Basic (And Pro) use the fume exhaust as the same subsystem/outlet as the cooling exhaust. Does this mean folks with a booster (in-line active fan used for longer runs) would get marginally or possibly better cooling performance then dumping directly out of a window using the stock built-in exhaust fan? Which would lead to longer cuts times or faster recoup times? Does this also apply to Basic units with the Glowforge Filter unit?
Secondly, Since those two subsystems share the same exit point- Do we end users have to worry about degraded cooling performance overtime? i.e. cutting nothing but wood for let just say 6 months. Will there be deposits on the radiator (or whatever is used as the heat exchange) which would reduce cooling efficiency? Is that something that enduser cleanable? Or that subsystem is not in direct contact with the fume exhaust side? Now mind you- I have no idea how that is laid out internally- But inquiring minds would like to know.
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Good question. Considering the fume/resin deposits on the tray, it would seem reasonable to have the heat exchanger immediately downstream of the case air intake.
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My concern is that the flow rate coming out the 3-in GF vent hose may induce enough pressure in the 3-in radon abatement pipe that some of the flow will flow backwards through the radon vent and be exhausted into the space under our concrete slab. To get a better idea I need to know the GF vent exhaust flow rate and the flow rate from the radon abatement fan.
I can get the latter myself, but only GF can supply the latter and @dan hasn’t done that so far, so I may have to wait until mine arrives to do the needed calculations. Not a huge deal since it is cool enough here in the Chicago suburbs that neighbors are unlikely to have open windows for a few months and it appears that smoke won’t be visible.
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I see. If the slab is flatwork, that is if it poured on the ground, there should be minium void for backflow. The mitigation systems I am familiar with on flatwork draw from the sump pump void.
The soil’s radon production rate is slow, and it is extended exposure that is the potential issue. I bet you will be fine, but knowing the values of the two systems would be reassuring.
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It’s my anal nature - I like to run calculations on anything like this. Used to drive my co-workers nuts but every once in a while it would reveal a problem that needed addressing, usually of a safety nature.
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We haven’t tested the unit outside of the two supported configurations - venting through a 4" hose & the Glowforge Air FIlter - so I’m afraid I can’t say. You might consider tuning the booster so the airflow through the unit is unaffected, since increased air velocity might have side effects we haven’t thought of.
We’ve tested with some very old and grungy machines and seen no significant loss in cooling. It’s not a part you can reach for cleaning.
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Unfortunately I don’t have that number for you.
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Hrmm. So you’re saying full bore 115 CPM (what the booster is rated for) maybe a bad idea. And I should start working on making it variable speed controlled?
But at some point it may be an issue thou? I plan on having this unit for several years. And it’s planned to get good use.
Thanks for getting back on it. I guess I’ll find out soon enough.
Update for you and @MikeH: I found an old email that says the fan puts out 200 CFM. That might have changed but is likely to be correct.
@karaelena, I can’t tell you it’s a bad idea, just that it’s not what we designed for so I have no idea what’d happen.
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Great - thanks!
I think it’s safe to say that if it starts pulling material out through the exhaust port it’s probably too much pull LOL
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“What are all these coasters doing on the lawn…?” LOL
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Possible uses of an overpowered exhaust fan:
- Launching system for makeshift clay pidgeon (wooden coaster) shooting (Pull! Bang!)
- potato gun
- automatic thrower for pet dog (Fetch!)
- birthday candle assistant (more than one way to blow all those candles out ;-))
- leaf blower
Looks like a new line of uses for our GF!
(in case it doesn’t come through in text, yes, I’m joking)
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