Need a solder fume extractor - recommendations please - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: dicky96
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: November 21, 2019, 03:23:25 pm
content: Hi guysI am looking to buy a solder fume extractor to use with a BGA rework station.There are loads of fume extractors on ebay and ali. Also I've seen DIY instructions to build one out of anything from a cardboard shoe box to two plastic tubs. But what to buy?Something I could mount on the machine itself may be the way to go - Any suggestions?

author: aix
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: November 23, 2019, 05:51:02 am
content: What's your budget and expectations?

author: Shock
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 23, 2019, 04:25:11 pm
content: I managed to pick up a cheap secondhand Pace Arm Evac fume extractor a few weeks back to upgrade my home setup, so the secondhand market may be an option if you want to extend your dollar.A few things I would consider, first is if it's in a business environment DIY won't cut it these days, too much of a liability risk. The other is I have not seen any DIY attempt come close to the same level of filtering. So if you are expecting a decent level of performance I would model a DIY solution based on an actual off the shelf commercial filter.Two features of the modern units are variable speed and remote control, if you are going down the DIY path these can be implemented in various ways. My model is fairly basic with just an on and off, but has decent airflow. For convenience I can just operate it from a close switched socket. By using a wireless power switch or some wired in solution though you can mount them anywhere within reason. It allows you to minimize the noise but keep high power and airflow.Anyway here is a video showing what the air filters are like and how effective they are.

author: dicky96
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: November 23, 2019, 08:43:56 pm
content: Some more info on my workshop would help I guessFirstly I don't have a fume extractor, I have never had or needed one. Even in the 80s and 90s when I was working in large electrnics repair workshops with over 100 engineers, I never saw or heard of one. I quite like the smell of flux (and WD40) lol, I'm sure it was far less of a health risk than working next to engineers who smoked.At the moment I don't have a problem most likely because i am doing repair work so most of the time i am diagnosing problems, and then only replacing one, or a few, components. However i have noticed if I am doing a lot of desoldering for example when stripping parts off scrap boards, especially if I am using hot air, then afterwards I have to open the workshop door to clear the room a bitMy workshop is in a commercial/shopping centre, it's about 25m square. The front wall is almost all glass - windows plus the door, and it opens out onto the shopping centre aisle, not to the outdoors. The shop windows don't open of course. I do have one external wall at the rear but I have no external windows doors or vents (unless there is something hidden above the false ceiling). I do have aircon and that does vent outside, above the false ceiling to the roof - so there must be some form of egress there at least. Next door to me is a cafe, and they put tables and parasols - indoors! because the aisles have glass ceilings and its hot/sunny all year here - in the aisles partly outside my window so if I start producing some bad smells they may complain.The BGA machine, due to arrive next week, is this oneInterestingly on the videos this does not seem to produce much in the way of fumes, but I suspect I am going to need a fume extractor to use with this machine.Budget - this is not a priority to be honest, I'd rather spend as little as I can get away with and use money for more interesting and useful test gear insteadSo that's the set up. Suggestions?

author: MilwaukeeMacRepair
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: November 29, 2019, 05:46:12 pm
content: I've built two of my own solder fume filter / extractors. Inline blower fan (for people that grow some kind of plants in a tent)...For that reflow machine - you will probably need a 12" blower for the most CFM you can get. If you aren't sure whether or not you need one THAT big: consider this: Using my 4" blower I still set off smoke detectors EVERY TIME 80 ft away down the hall and around the corner when I reflow a graphics card with my Quick 861DW (liquid rosin flux). Build a box, use weatherstripping foam to seal it. Have insulation batting inside box to kill noise, rubber suspend-mount your 12" blower inside box to kill noise. Use cheap commonly available residential HVAC HEPA filter and particulate filter...and charcoal IS VERY effective at killing odors, VOC's, etc. Intake could be three flexible 4" hoses. Building your own this way will put expendables costs in YOUR control. THAT is the problem with any effective fume extraction "system". You'll know it's working if exhaust smells sweet like vanilla. The more work you put into killing noise - the more you'll be able to live with it running. Look at the staggered baffle plates inside an automotive muffler. I can guarantee you that if you do your homework and really care about designing it well - nothing on the market at any price comes close.