The studio mess is under control. I am so excited I can barely contain myself. Really. The tables have been cleared off, and my metals and soldering work areas are all set. I’ve still got to clear up my polymer clay work area, but it’s okay for now. As a reward for all my cleaning, I cut out and filed 3 unfinished bezels I found while cleaning, that I had soldered a few weeks ago at the Guilford Art Center. They were tucked away in a compartment of my metals class tool box, and I had started to wonder if I had imagined soldering them to base sheets.
I am really excited about the new ventilation system I put in at my soldering table. One of the really nifty things about taking a Rio Grande Education In Motion class, like the Microfold Texture class I took at Bead & Button, is that you get to try out lots of exciting tools from the catalog. The item that most intrigued me in the class was the ventilation system they had set up at the soldering stations.
(click to enlarge)
It’s a dual filter system designed for fume extraction at a soldering station. It is fitted with a “Loc-line” hose which is flexible, but will stay where you aim it. The shorter section at the front of the base unit is a noise dampener which works beautifully to bring the fan noise down to a reasonable level. It’s a powerful unit and without the dampener, it sounds like an industrial fan.
My basement studio doesn’t have any windows and it was more than time for me to install some kind of ventilation system. I don’t do tons of soldering here, but I do enough that I needed to address the issue. What I like about this system is that it is portable. If I rearrange the studio, I can move it to a new spot. When we eventually move again, it goes with me. It’s quite powerful and with the noise dampener, quiet enough that I can still hear my ipod playing (ok, blaring) in the background. And I am pretty happy that installing it didn’t require cutting a hole in a wall.
{ 3 comments… read them below or add one }
I love all the color in your studio Libby! And it’s so nice and neat. I’m cleaning my studiolo today too. I don’t have as much space as you do, but just looking at your pictures is giving some good ideas!
I love the crisp, clean look of your studio Libby. Wow! You’ve inspired me to make some improvements too. Please tell us about the rolling cabinet where your buffer sits. I want one just like it.
Thanks Lora & Julie.
Julie I picked that rainbow drawer unit up at one of the office supply place several years ago. I don’t know if they are still available, but I wouldn’t recommend it in any case. The drawers come off the tracks very easily.