The First Fume Extractor Built Specifically for Handheld Laser Welding.
The Filtrabox Weld-R is a portable laser welding fume extractor engineered around the fume characteristics that handheld fiber laser welders actually produce — ultra-fine submicron metal oxide particles that standard welding extractors aren't rated to capture. With 99.999% HEPA filtration, an F9 pre-filter, integrated spark arrestor, and the patented FREE-FLO 8-inch extraction arm, it delivers OSHA-compliant source capture in a plug-and-play unit that's operational in minutes.
Why Laser Welding Fumes Are Different From Arc Welding Fumes
Most portable fume extractors in the welding category were designed for MIG, TIG, or Stick welding — processes that generate relatively large fume particles. A standard HEPA filter at 99.97% efficiency handles those particles adequately.
Handheld fiber laser welding is a different problem. The concentrated energy of a fiber laser beam vaporizes metal at the weld zone and the vapor recondenses as extremely fine metal oxide particles — submicron in size, far finer than arc welding fume. These particles are the ones that penetrate deepest into lung tissue and are hardest to capture.
The Weld-R is specifically designed to capture the ultrafine particles generated by laser welding — its 99.999% HEPA filtration is specified at 0.3 microns, the most aerodynamically penetrating particle size, while even smaller and larger particles are captured at higher efficiency.
The difference between 99.97% and 99.999% sounds small until you do the math: at 99.97%, 3 particles out of every 10,000 pass through. At 99.999%, only 1 particle out of every 100,000 passes through. For the fine particles laser welding generates, that difference is the gap between compliance and a genuine health exposure.
Filtration That's Actually Specified for This Application
The Weld-R ships with a complete two-stage filtration system as standard — not as paid upgrades.
F9 Pre-Filter (15 m² Glass Fiber, Rigid Aluminum Cartridge)
The F9 pre-filter removes the majority of submicron respirable dust before it reaches the HEPA stage, protecting the critical downstream HEPA filter from strain and premature clogging. The mini-pleat glass fiber media in a rigid aluminum cartridge ensures the filter maintains structural integrity and doesn't allow contamination bypass — a failure mode common in lower-cost filters with cardboard or plastic frames.
The pre-filter extends HEPA filter life by handling the bulk of the particle load. In practical terms, this significantly reduces replacement frequency and cost compared to single-stage systems where the HEPA does all the work.
HEPA H14 Filter (15 m² Glass Fiber, Rigid Aluminum Cartridge)
The HEPA is tested at 99.999% efficiency at 0.3 microns — removing 99.999% of the most aerodynamically penetrating particles while smaller and larger particles are captured at even higher rates. The rigid aluminum cartridge eliminates the bypass risk that occurs when soft-frame HEPA cartridges compress or warp under suction.
Integrated Spark Arrestor
A steel-mesh spark arrestor on a steel frame sits between the blower impeller and the pre-filter, stopping any sparks or embers before they can reach the filter media. Removable for cleaning. This is a critical safety feature for any shop that does grinding, plasma cutting, or high-energy arc welding in the same space — and for laser welding itself during certain material conditions.
The FREE-FLO Arm: An 8-Inch Arm That Actually Stays Where You Put It
Most extraction arm problems come down to two engineering compromises: ductwork that's too small, and arm joints that put structural hardware inside the airflow path. The Filtrabox FREE-FLO arm solves both.
8-inch duct diameter: An 8-inch duct is nearly 5 times more free-flowing than a 6-inch duct. With the same motor power, the larger duct produces higher capture velocity at the hood and maintains OSHA-compliant capture distances across a greater range from the weld source. It also means lower pressure drop across the arm — which reduces motor load, extends motor life, and keeps filter loading more even.
External mechanical structure: Faster and smoother airflow is achieved by keeping the arm's mechanical structure external to the duct — no velocity-robbing obstructions within the airstream. The joints also move more freely and last longer when isolated from the abrasive, metallic, welding fume particles present in the duct.
Anti-slip joints: The arm features easily accessible exterior friction adjustments. The "anti-slip adjustments" maintain their tension without the common issue of bolts loosening over time. Combined with a lightweight design, the arm requires significantly less effort to position and stays securely in place, eliminating any sagging.
At 10 feet of reach, the arm handles large assemblies, fixtures with difficult access, and long-joint welding runs without needing to move the unit.
Plug-and-Play Setup. No Installation. Operational in Minutes.
The Weld-R comes fully assembled in one box. Just lift it off the pallet and plug it into a standard 120V, 15 amp wall socket. No ductwork, no wall penetrations, no electrician, no installation contractor. The machine recirculates filtered air back into the shop — there's no exhaust duct to run.
The unit draws 13 amps at 120V — within the capacity of a standard 15A circuit. It will not compete with most welding equipment which typically runs on separate 220V circuits.
Specifications:
- Height: 39" (without arm)
- Width: 30"
- Depth: 39"
- Voltage: 120V / 60Hz
- Amperage: 13A
- Motor: 1.5 HP industrial-grade blower
- Pre-filter: F9 Glass Fiber, 15 m², Rigid Aluminum Cartridge
- HEPA: H14 Glass Fiber, 15 m², Rigid Aluminum Cartridge
The integrated analog pressure gauge provides at-a-glance filter status — no guessing when filters need changing, no pulling apart the unit to check loading. When pressure rises to the indicated threshold, it's time to replace. The gauge mounts directly on the machine.
Built for the Machines You're Already Using
The Weld-R was designed in direct response to the growth of the handheld laser welding market — specifically to address a gap in the fume extraction category where general welding extractors weren't rated or tested for the ultrafine particle profile of fiber laser welding.
It pairs directly with every major handheld laser welding system on the market — the THEO MA1 series (35, 45, 65, Ultra), the FSL Portable Laser Welder, the Xlaserlab X1 Pro, and any other handheld fiber laser welder producing fume during operation. It also handles conventional MIG, TIG, and Stick welding, so shops using both technologies run one unit rather than two.
For shops that have recently invested in a THEO MA1 or comparable laser welder, the Weld-R is the recommended extraction solution — specified for the same submicron particle challenge that the laser weld process creates.
The Maker's Chest Difference
The Filtrabox Weld-R is available from Filtrabox directly and through other distributors. Here's what changes when you order through The Maker's Chest:
- 🛡️ 75-day returns — significantly longer than most distributor return windows, giving you real time to put the unit through production conditions with your specific welding setup and confirm it performs for your application
- 🇺🇸 Expert USA-based technical support — our team can help with arm positioning guidance for your specific welding setup, filter replacement guidance, and any issues that come up after delivery
- 📞 Dual lines of support — phone and email, so when something needs attention, you have a direct path to a real person
- 🔧 Straight pre-sale guidance — not sure if the Weld-R is the right unit for your shop configuration versus the Filtrabox Vert-X wall-mount? Talk to us before ordering. We'll help you choose the configuration that fits your space and workflow.
Frequently Asked Questions about Filtrabox Weld-R Laser Welding Fume Extractor
Q: Why does a laser welding fume extractor need 99.999% HEPA when standard welding extractors use lower efficiency filters?
A: Laser welding generates submicron metal oxide particles through a vapor-recondensation process — far finer than the fume produced by MIG, TIG, or Stick welding. Lower-efficiency HEPA filters at 99.97% allow 3 particles per 10,000 to pass through — adequate for larger arc welding particles, but insufficient for the smallest laser welding particles that penetrate deepest into lung tissue. The Weld-R's 99.999% HEPA at 0.3 microns captures effectively at the particle size range that laser welding actually produces.
Q: Does it need to be ducted to the outside?
A: No. The Weld-R extracts, filters, and recirculates clean air into the workspace — no exhaust ductwork, no wall penetrations, no installation required. The filtration system processes the extracted fume to 99.999% HEPA efficiency and returns clean air to the shop. This is the plug-and-play approach that makes it operational in minutes.
Q: Why is the 8-inch arm better than a standard 6-inch arm?
A: An 8-inch duct is nearly 5 times more free-flowing than a 6-inch duct. At equivalent motor power, the larger duct produces faster capture velocity at the hood, maintains OSHA-compliant capture distances farther from the weld source, and creates lower system pressure drop — which extends motor life and reduces the rate at which filters load. The FREE-FLO arm also keeps all structural hardware outside the airstream, eliminating the velocity losses that occur when internal brackets and joints obstruct the flow path.
Q: How do I know when to change the filters?
A: The integrated analog pressure gauge provides a reliable, easy-to-read indication when it's time to change filters — no guesswork. As filters load with captured particles, airflow resistance increases and the gauge reading rises. When it reaches the indicated threshold, filter replacement is due. Both the pre-filter and HEPA are accessible for quick changes without tools.
Q: Does the arm sag or drift out of position during a welding shift?
A: The arm features unique anti-slip adjustments that maintain joint tension without the common issue of bolts loosening over time. Combined with a lightweight design, it requires significantly less effort to position and stays securely in place, eliminating any sagging. External friction adjustments are easily accessible for repositioning and re-tensioning without disassembling the arm.
Q: What welding processes does it handle besides laser welding?
A: The Weld-R handles MIG, TIG, and Stick welding in addition to laser welding. Shops using both conventional and laser welding can run a single Weld-R unit for both processes — the F9 pre-filter and 99.999% HEPA are appropriate for all of them. It is not recommended for plasma cutting or carbon arc gouging, which produce particle and spark loads beyond the design parameters.
Q: What power circuit does it require?
A: Standard 120V / 15A — the same as a typical workshop outlet. No dedicated circuit, no special wiring. The 13A draw is within the rating of a standard 15A circuit. If your welding equipment occupies the same circuit, confirm that the combined draw doesn't exceed the breaker rating.
Q: How is the Weld-R different from the Filtrabox Vert-X?
A: Both use the same F9 pre-filter, 99.999% HEPA, spark arrestor, and 8-inch FREE-FLO arm technology. The key difference is installation: the Weld-R is a portable floor unit on casters — roll it to the job, plug in, and operate. The Vert-X is a wall-mounted unit that clears the floor entirely and is designed for fixed welding stations where permanent installation is practical. For shops that move the extractor between positions or want maximum setup flexibility, the Weld-R is the right choice. For dedicated bays where floor space is at a premium, the Vert-X is the better fit. Our team can help you choose.
Q: Why buy from The Maker's Chest instead of directly from Filtrabox?
A: Our 75-day return window gives you meaningful evaluation time in your actual welding environment — enough to assess capture performance on your specific setup and process before you're fully committed. Our USA-based expert support team is reachable by phone and email and can help with setup, arm positioning, and production questions throughout your ownership. If something isn't right after delivery, we're the call that gets it resolved.
Filtrabox Weld-R Manual:
Click the links below to download product manuals for the Filtrabox Weld-R.
Filtrabox Weld-R Product Manual Downloads:
| Filtrabox Weld-R Welding Fume Extractor Product Manual |
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