cheap air pump

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kingdragonfly

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#222480 14-Aug-2017 08:10

For hobby use only, and as an expensive play thing, I'm going to be using a CNC laser to cut some copier paper.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/322605919204

I've seen videos of people using a small nozzle to blow air, to reduce scorching and keep the paper from curling while cutting.

I'm looking for a cheap air pump
* runs off mains
* hook to a 1/4" hose
* just blow some low pressure air

There are a lot of cheap 12V air pumps, which I guess I could hook up to a battery charger.

And there also vacuum cleaners (use outlet), and aquarium pumps.

Any recommendations?

Gurezaemon

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#1846167 14-Aug-2017 09:34

Off the top of my head, if you're not wanting huge airflow, a mains or 12 V air pump for mattresses from Warehouse or Mitre10, etc., could work, or for more flow an old vacuum cleaner set to "blow," or a $5 hair dryer from the hospice shop or similar.
A bit of duct tape or similar should take care of the connection. It depends how ghetto you want it to look

Aredwood

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#1846655 14-Aug-2017 20:14

What pressure does the air need to be supplied at? And what flow rate is required? Alot of the 12V ones have tine flow rates, as they are mainly just for inflating car tyres.

kingdragonfly

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#1846806 15-Aug-2017 07:48

As far as pressure and flow, about the equivalent of someone blowing out a candle.

frankv

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#1846861 15-Aug-2017 09:11

Your laser cutter probably runs off 12v (although maybe 24v). Look for a 5015 radial (blower) fan... axial fans aren't good at blowing. Mount it on the carriage that carries the laser.. you could maybe use the power supply to the laser to power the the fan (I don't know how laser power supplies work... (I know about 3D printers).