I only mentioned the outlet thing because I think the people in one of the Facebook groups said to plug the Glowforge directly into an outlet and not an extension. Should I just ignore that then?
There is a non-zero chance that something might go wrong when using any electronic device and a multi-outlet strip. That doesn’t stop people from using them anyway because for all intents and purposes it’s pretty much zero for anyone. You’re probably more likely to get hit by a car crossing the street.
But there are a lot of engineers here (and over there) and lawyers and such who hyperfocus on the edge cases and ignore the 99.999% use cases.
If there were a show of hands, I’d expect that most GF owners have theirs plugged into some sort of “unapproved” outlet 
Same thing with magnets for hold downs - unapproved but they specifically made the honeycomb out of steel at extra expense…
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edit–found my answer
I was part of the kickstarter. This is the first i’m hearing of this. Time for an email update!
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After pondering it for a couple weeks, figured I might as well go for the Compact Filter. As a one-man operation, the convenience of not having to lift the whole glowforge to swap out the filter is big.
And not having to wait until October. Basic models are a bit more sensitive to the summer heat, and having to keep a window open for the vent hose doesn’t help with that.
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Anyone here have to replace their filter cartridge yet? I’m curious to know what kind of a lifespan people are seeing from them.
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A few of us have replaced the filter already. #3 for me arrives on Friday. The first one got a little over 20 hours of use with baltic birch plywood. The second got around 15, but cutting red oak hardwood seemed to be a big chunk of that decrease.
I’d expect most woods are around 20 hours of use as long as you at least vacuum out the bigger dust from the top of the filter. Acrylic or plastics I would expect to last a lot longer on the filter with the charcoal eventually becoming the issue.
- There was never a Kickstarter, and
- A couple of years ago there was an email encouraging us to join the forums, because updates are posted here.
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doh snap, you were right about kickstarter, but not about the forum.
We were getting emails from Dan for awhile on the status of all the things, but i haven’t received one for awhile. Forcing someone to come to a forum for an item they purchased is crap communication.
I never use the forum. i don’t have time unless i come on here looking for some help with something.
(Like my current venting situation and taking a mandala and figuring out why it won’t cut properly when i split it into 9 pieces to tile them w/out adding this funky border.)
Sure, the forum is great for basic small updates, but not for something i paid 500 bucks for, that is a year late and now finding out that it’s likely not a good solution… not ok to not email. Makes me wonder if it wasn’t emailed because they knew a lot of folks would be real annoyed.
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What is the difference in the size of the compact versus the original air filters? And the specs? There was SOOO much to sort through on the forum that I could not find the answers I needed. I ordered my Glowforge 3 years ago, have had it for just over a year. I am frustrated with the lack of filter, but as it is an even financial exchange…I would really like to have a physical picture of the regular air filter (as a picture of the compact was provided) and be provided some details to make an informed decision as to which I would prefer. Thank you.
This is what it looked like two years ago. White, same x-y dimensions as the glowforge and about eight inches tall.
Note: picture is about halfway down the post.
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I suspect a similar issue makes it more efficient for them to do updates here so they can focus on improvements and tech support rather than spending time sending update emails.
One solution might be to set up your forum preferences to have it email you the things you are interested in.
I’m so sorry! We switched to emailing customers only when there was something they needed to do (like their Glowforge unit was ready for shipment) based on customer requests. For folks who want regular updates in email, you can follow these directions to get them.
We emailed these instructions to everyone before we shifted policy, but I know it’s easy for that sort of thing to get lost.
–dan
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I think that’s a great idea. Many companies let you select your notification preference.
Dan!
Bad Dan! I think that makes sense for product stuff, but not on an item i paid $500 for!! That’s a huge difference then, what does this new button do. I found the info about the filter haphazardly, when i was trying to figure out a new vent solution. It feels, … shoddy. Also, i miss your updates in my email. No soup for you.
ps. Ya think I can just stick out the tube through an airtight seal into my garage via a cat door??
OK so now there is a filter but most of the present owners cant get it and even if we do the filter clogs quickly while cutting wood products.
Now I understand why only NEW inexperienced purchasers can order it.
Thanks Glowforge!!!
While I am glad there is an alternative air filtration system, an email notification that my $1,000 order has been delayed by half a year would have been nice. Or an email notification that there is another filter option available. There’s no reason customers should have to scour the forums to discover this information.
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We have to set email notifications in our own individual accounts. (Glowforge doesn’t have access to that, it’s private.)
https://glowforge.com/faq/about-glowforge#how-can-i-get-email-updates-on-my-glowforge-order
Any news on how the filters are while in use?
Noise, vibration smell?
I stunk my house up 2 nights in a row. I am taking a break tonight, I think my lid isn’t closed right so it’s blowing smoke out even with my vent and an inline fan installed to suck it out faster.
Even if sitting slightly off, it should still be mostly pulling to the back. If not, have you looked at the inside half of the exhaust fan? If a once working exhaust system is now leaking smells and smoke out, that’s pretty well indicative of a clogging up of the fan.
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