Plymovent Hose Tube Arms FAQs
Straight answers to the questions people ask most when choosing hose tube extraction arms for welding fume.
What is a hose-type extraction arm?
It is a flexible extraction arm made from a hose supported by a frame or joints, ending in a hood that you position close to the welding fume. The fan draws fume through the hood and hose to a filter or to the outside.
They suit general fabrication and workshops where the arm needs to be moved around. Check the data plate and manual for the arm's size, reach and stated use before choosing.
How do flexible hose arms differ from rigid tube arms?
Flexible arms use a hose that bends and can be moved freely, while rigid tube arms use stiff sections joined by swivel joints. The type of construction affects how well the arm holds its position, how smooth the airflow path is and how it stands up to wear.
Which suits you depends on how often the hood is moved, how rough the workplace is and the heat and spatter around the weld. Read the maker's description of the arm and its stated use, and check the data plate and manual for your own equipment.
What is the difference between hanging, wall and standing models?
Hanging models are mounted overhead, for example on a ceiling or rail, leaving the floor clear. Wall models fix to a wall or column, and standing models sit on a base or mobile unit.
Choose according to your layout and how the arm will be used, and make sure the mounting point can carry the arm's weight.
How close should the hood be to the weld?
As close as practical without getting in the way, because fume capture falls off quickly with distance. Place the hood to the side of or slightly above the weld so that fume is drawn away from the welder's face rather than across it.
Strong draughts can pull fume out of the hood's reach, so shield the work area from cross-breezes where possible. Reposition the hood as the work moves, and follow the guidance in the manual for your own arm.