Soldering fume extractor - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / beginners

author: experimentalist
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: July 09, 2014, 03:08:15 am
content: Anyone out there can recommend a good soldering fume extractor?I was thinking of getting a benchtop one off Amazon like this one:

author: simpson
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: July 09, 2014, 03:38:52 am
content: I just got a 4-AA battery holder with a switch already on it and hot-glued & wired a 5 volt computer fan to it. Not elegant but it works fine and the 5-volt fan doesn't seem to mind the 6 volts from the batteries. I could add some activated charcoal to it but it doesn't really seem necessary to me.

author: experimentalist
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: July 09, 2014, 04:02:04 am
content: Quote from: simpson on July 09, 2014, 03:38:52 amThanks, that certainly would be economical, but after just now reading about a non smoker who died of lung cancer from soldering (yes really) I'm not even going to try the one I linked a pic of. I think I'm just going to look for a true hepa filter now.Edit: found an old HEPA filter of mine that works but needs a new filter which I luckily found on Amazon for $17. Only problem is it vents the exhaust upwards, so I'm going to have to rig up a small duct for it to re-direct the exhaust away from me. That shouldn't be too difficult.Any other suggestions or comments are still welcome and would be appreciated though.

author: GreyWoolfe
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: July 09, 2014, 01:00:48 pm
content: I use the Weller that you have pictured. It works fairly well. It does have to be close to your work but does suck up all the fumes. I picked mine up off of eBay for $35 USD I believe and it was another $7 for 3 replacement filters.

author: Psi
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 09, 2014, 01:09:53 pm
content: I have the exact one in your picture.As with most fume extractors it has to be very close to where your soldering to pull the fumes in. You really need to be soldering no further away than 200mm from the fan which is too close for most people.Usually i just turn it around the other way and let it blow some air across the workbench.It doesn't "extract" the fumes then (as they dont pass through the filter) but it does stop me breathing the fumes in directly.Quote from: GreyWoolfe on July 09, 2014, 01:00:48 pmIt's not a weller, its a generic china one that many companies resell.

author: RobertHolcombe
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: July 09, 2014, 10:04:28 pm
content: You can overcome the issue of proximity somewhat by having fans setup on your bench to blow towards the filtered extractor, they can be low RPM and so barely add any noise pollution to your work environmentWhile not perfect it does make these cheap extractors significantly more effective without the need to move them around your bench

author: nanofrog
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 10, 2014, 08:54:21 am
content: Quote from: Psi on July 09, 2014, 01:09:53 pmFWIW, even Weller sources theirWSA350from Taiwan (COO is listed under the Technical Information tab).

author: mij59
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: July 10, 2014, 09:27:24 am
content: Take a look at Wellers Zero-Smog unit, warning their not cheap.http://www.wellerzerosmog.com/volume_extraction/wfe2es.cfm

author: Wh1sper
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: July 10, 2014, 10:22:31 am
content: Quote from: experimentalist on July 09, 2014, 03:08:15 amI'm using such an item.Modified it with some LED (stripe) I'm fine with it.http://zockertown.de/s9y/index.php?/archives/1587-Loetrauch-Absauger.htmlIt is cheap also.

author: cjo20
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: July 10, 2014, 11:28:36 am
content: Quote from: experimentalist on July 09, 2014, 04:02:04 amHow did they know it was soldering that caused the cancer?

author: Stonent
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 10, 2014, 11:54:22 am
content: I know someone who got lung cancer who never smoked or soldered. I think he was in his late 20s as well.

author: VK5RC
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: July 10, 2014, 10:58:59 pm
content: About 5% of lung cancers are non smokers and though not to be due to side stream cigarette smoke either.

author: int0x13
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: January 08, 2015, 11:12:35 am
content: Hello, i'm also wondering which model to choose for a soldering fume extractor. Seems like there are two main choice:The ZD-153 and the ZD-153A and the Aoyue 486 and its clones.The main difference is one is fixed while the other one has an articulated arm that you can direct toward your target fumes.Which one do you suggest?http://www.circuitspecialists.com/bk486.htmlhttp://www.circuitspecialists.com/zd-153a.htmlAlso it worths mention that in my country (FRANCE), the fixed one extractor costs 45 euros (shippings included) and the articulated one costs 60 euros.Can you suggest me something?

author: Alex30
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: January 08, 2015, 11:26:06 am
content: How necessary are these things anyway? I have always just opened a window and had a fan blowing the smoke away from my face.

author: nanofrog
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 08, 2015, 11:30:50 am
content: Quote from: Alex30 on January 08, 2015, 11:26:06 amThat works just fine.Unfortunately, not everyone has fresh air access (i.e. no windows or they can't be opened for whatever reason).

author: Psi
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 08, 2015, 11:49:07 am
content: A small tube attached to your iron with a suction system near the tip works really well. Much better than any fanThe hard part is embedding it into the iron so that it doesn't change the ergonomics of it.

author: GreyWoolfe
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: January 08, 2015, 12:55:09 pm
content: I don't have a easily accessible window that I could use to exhaust the fumes out so I use the Weller that I have. I also attached a solder spool holder to it to have the solder easily to hand. I don't really solder huge amounts but would rather not take the chance on breathing in anything I shouldn't Before I bought my extractor, I did a bunch of reading and saw some very clever solutions but most of them included a duct system that vented out through an insert in the window frame. For me, the nearest window frame is off to the side of the workbench which would have the ducting running across the work surface. It's also far enough away that I doubt that the fans that I saw used would get the air to the outside. I felt that the Weller was my best option. I didn't just want to blow it away from me as my dogs are usually out in the office with me and I don't want them breathing the fumes. The carbon filter seems to absorb the fumes and I do replace them regularly.

author: int0x13
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: January 08, 2015, 01:44:28 pm
content: Quote from: Alex30 on January 08, 2015, 11:26:06 amSo you have a fume extractor, it's your fan. So i dont understand the sense of your question?Btw how do you power supply your fan when you need to do soldering? And which fan

author: Alex30
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: January 08, 2015, 01:53:36 pm
content: Quote from: int0x13 on January 08, 2015, 01:44:28 pmI literately meant I had a fan like this:Just open the window and plug it in and face it to blow smoke away from my face and in the general direction of the window.The reason I was asking is because I haven't come across using filters for solder smoke extraction in a hobbyist setting. What's the point? If you aren't soldering in a broom cupboard why bother using a filter? Even with a normal sized room you'd have to be soldering for quite a while for the fumes to build up you'd think?

author: int0x13
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: January 08, 2015, 03:22:57 pm
content: Ok guys, the solution with only a simple ventilator is better than nothing, but i have no ventilator here. And it's not filtering the fumes. After having google about it and after i have watched those video:I think i will go for the Aoyue 486, it is 33 euros shipping included.

author: Rigby
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 08, 2015, 03:39:17 pm
content: HEPA filters are cheap.http://www.amazon.com/Holmes-True-HEPA-Filter-HAPF600D-U2/dp/B000065DKEFans are cheap.http://www.amazon.com/Honeywell-Whole-Circulator-Floor-HT-908/dp/B001R1Q0OG/Cardboard and duct tape are cheap.And if you have access to a 3D printer or a local hackerspace/makerspace with a 3D printer, then you can ditch the cardboard and most of the tape for next to nothing.For me, blowing the fumes away isn't enough. The flux stink builds up pretty quick for my nose.

author: dds737
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: January 08, 2015, 07:32:16 pm
content: Quote from: Stonent on July 10, 2014, 11:54:22 amMaybe he was exposed to asbestos without knowing that.

author: Rigby
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 09, 2015, 03:15:18 am
content: Cancer is as much luck as anything. I had testucular cancer when I was 22 and I am pretty sure that thing didn't do any soldering beforehand.

author: DanielS
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 09, 2015, 04:49:21 am
content: Quote from: nanofrog on January 08, 2015, 11:30:50 amWhatever reasons such as outdoor temperature currently being -30C in my case, not counting wind-chill

author: vargoal
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: January 09, 2015, 05:35:48 am
content: Just an Idea I had but couldn't you just use one of those handheld shop vacs with a HEPA filter inside? Would also double as vacuum to clean workspace. Also fixes problem of suction power and distance from board. They are like under $100 and I don't see why they wouldn't work. With that said I just use a fan because I am not that worried about cancer.

author: cc83
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: January 09, 2015, 07:41:32 am
content: I use one of these with a Hepa/charcoal filter, works wellhttp://www.holmesproducts.com/air-purifiers/HAP116Z-U.html?gclid=CJ-1zfezhsMCFXBp7Aod23wAcg&kwid=productads-plaid^39949031060-sku^HAP116Z@ADL4U-adType^PLA-device^c-adid^45793213330there's also this if you prefer, not sure if it works as wellhttp://www.amazon.com/Holmes-HEPA-Desktop-Purifier-HAP242-UC/dp/B0000DK35B/ref=sr_1_14?ie=UTF8&qid=1420789009&sr=8-14&keywords=holmes+filter

author: ec911
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: January 09, 2015, 08:31:25 am
content: I use a inline fan with 4" flexible dryer tubing to the window. I attached the end to a flexible lamp stand and made a custom funnel-like end to pickup the fumes. Works pretty well as I exhaust to a window nearby.http://m.ebay.ca/itm/251066357016?nav=SEARCH