Opinions on a couple of fume extractors - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: drinkinglizard
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: August 25, 2025, 04:22:38 am
content: I'm looking to buy something for my bench that's better than thethis thingthat I picked up at Jaycar.There are two that I'm looking at but before I commit I'm wondering if anyone here can comment on either model.First-up, is one I found across the ditch in NZ. It's definitely a good price but I'm concerned that there's no mention of HEPA on the page.Fumeclear FC-01 Mini Desktop Fume Extractor 180m3The other is a big step-up in terms of price and specification but seems to be on-sale right now and is available locally in AUMektronics Single Arm Fume Extractor with Speed Control.Would anyone who has experience of either (both?) of these units be kind enough to provide some pros and cons it would be most appreciated.

author: Cyclotron
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: August 25, 2025, 04:51:48 am
content: I bought one of these used:https://www.shopaessolutions.co.uk/media/hexaattachment/products/attachments/DF-PB02_-_Bofa_Pure_Beauty_.pdfIt was meant for a beauty salon, but it is packaged for soldering too. I picked it up for cheap, used. Plumbed it into my work space and I've been very happy with the results. Really quiet given the amount of air moving.

author: thm_w
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 25, 2025, 11:59:44 pm
content: That bofa one looks to be about $1200. The mektronics $385 USD.I don't see the FC-01 listed on the manufacturers site, which makes me a bit suspicious, this one might be better/similar:https://www.fumeclear.com/products/fumeclear%C2%AE-fc-2001s-soldering-fume-extractorWhat is your budget and use case?

author: kite31
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: August 26, 2025, 02:18:39 am
content: Following this thread from interest. Thanks for the warning about the Jaycar model I had looked at, drinkinglizard. The Fumeclear FC-2001S looks interesting, although I have not checked freight from USA yet, or whether there is a local outlet.The other issue is whether I need it at all. I roast coffee outdoors and so far have not been caught short by rain. Soldering or hot wire foam cutting are the other very occasional uses. Currently I have a tall Dyson blowing over my shoulder out the workshop window, drawing air in from the house. I also use a suitable mask depending on situation.How or to what extent do other people deal with fumes on a hobby basis at home?

author: Psi
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 26, 2025, 02:22:03 am
content: When googling for second hand deals on fume extractors also check out extractors intended for laser cutters and welding.Check the filter type yourself but they're all pretty much intended to remove smoke/fumes.I got a good deal on a 2 port laser cutter extractor that I would have missed if I was searching for soldering

author: all_repair
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: August 26, 2025, 03:42:58 am
content: I do not know if the thicker model has the same construct as mine which has 2 layer of box-filters. What I do to my fume extractor is to replace the upper box-filter with a box holding actve carbon beads and purple beads that claim to work on VOC. The hepa filter stays as the final state filter. I do not thnk the thinner extractor can house 2 layer of box-filters.

author: Cyclotron
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: August 26, 2025, 04:12:46 am
content: Quote from: Psi on August 26, 2025, 02:22:03 amExactly, I paid 150USD shipped for my used nail polish fume extractor. These systems share similar media and filters for applications like welding, soldering, nail polish, and laser cutting.

author: drinkinglizard
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: August 26, 2025, 10:54:54 am
content: I think the Fumeclear is now off the table... I was looking at theXF180instead. This seems to be identical in look (and model number) to various other units including the one Dave reviewed:However,this product safety assessmentfrom the British government has given me pause.In any case, the biggest issue seems to be around the consumables - replacement filters seem to be hard to find locally and cost as much as the units themselves. They are a bit cheaper via Aliexpress but I'm starting to wonder if the Mektronics is the safest option both electrically and in terms of being able to source filters.Interestingly, thebigger brotherof the Mektronics unit mentioned in my initial post seems to be a re-badgedFumeclear FC-1002A.

author: Psi
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 26, 2025, 11:29:20 am
content: There's not really much to them, just a filter on top of a big blower fan in a box.If you can find the filters for a good price and you have the time you can make one for pretty cheap.Have a look at the motor specs in the datasheet for an off-the-shelf one to get an idea what size/type/flowrate/pressure fan you need.Might be more complex if you need speed control. Though usually that is used more as a noise control setting.

author: thm_w
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 26, 2025, 11:36:54 pm
content: Quote from: kite31 on August 26, 2025, 02:18:39 amIf the workshop doesn't require constant heating or cooling, the other option is to run a 4 or 6 inch dryer vent hose to the window and use a fan to blow the air outside. Or you could add a cutout in the ceiling/wall and use the window for intake. This can also be the quietest option.I use that at work and then a small HEPA rated filter at home, rarely.

author: wifikebab
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: September 11, 2025, 08:22:22 am
content: Quote from: thm_w on August 26, 2025, 11:36:54 pmHi, what would you suggest for someone living in a studio apartment 4 floors up from raised gardens? I don't use leaded, but I have heard what is in flux can cause plant harm and also I worry about putting fumes out that would go straight into a neighbors open window.(lord knows the cigarette smoke finds it's way into my apartment through them.I was thinking maybe at a minimum some kind of extraction fan tube system with replaceable carbon pellets, I haven't figured out a filter though, or if it would be sensible. However, the cost of the filters for some of these systems I too have noticed are absurd and I can't help but think they're selling the units on the same model has the people who sell printers and that whole racket.Interested to hear your thoughts, thanks.

author: thm_w
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 11, 2025, 09:54:23 pm
content: Quote from: wifikebab on September 11, 2025, 08:22:22 amWell either you'll breathe it inside the apartment or it will be massively diluted and some fraction might enter their open window. If you can have it point up/away from their window. Cigarette smoke is worse as you talk about.I wouldn't bother with activated carbon filtering if you are venting outside, if you want you can put a HEPA filter and then no visible smoke will be seen coming out of the vent. If its light use I would just put a thin mesh or similar to prevent birds/insects from coming in.

author: Psi
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 12, 2025, 03:12:52 am
content: Under extraction fan pressure vent it past the U bend in the toilet into the buildings sewer pipes.

author: Cyclotron
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: September 12, 2025, 03:35:34 am
content: Quote from: Psi on September 12, 2025, 03:12:52 amI thought of suggesting doing the soldering on the range, and you could use the vent hood, but not everyone has one. Then I thought about the dryer vent, but not everyone has one. Then, I thought, but what if you solder on the toilet and use the vent in there, but I'm not sure everyone has one of those.But you nailed it, everyone has one of them. I hope. Bathroom

author: wifikebab
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: September 15, 2025, 07:44:41 am
content: Quote from: Cyclotron on September 12, 2025, 03:35:34 amBelieve it or not, the bathroom vents double as room air circulators and are not sealed, the nature of this era of studio apartment building requires walls to be unsealed and the ceiling has divisions in it to reduce earth quake damage... soo, basically, it blows poo particles into your closet and you share the air stack with 14 other units above & below due to the linked stack and unsealed nature. (I have done my best to tape, caulk and foam but only so much to be done.)Quote from: thm_w on September 11, 2025, 09:54:23 pmI considered that but I was worried that the VOCs produced by the flux type I use will harm their plants, I forget what exactly according to the MSDS handling sheet, but I love my chipquik smd291NL. You think in comparison to the ciggies all the time that it's basically pointless? I hadn't even considered there could be visible smoke out the window, that's true and could net some attention from management.Someone's liable to say I'm cooking drugs up.I did consider the height up and the amount of dilution, but basically venting out the window would be the only true outside exhaust in my unit and less hazardous to the 14 stack that shares the mixed passive always on exhaust/room air circulators. (horrid idea that they didn't seal them up, I guess they wanted to reduce mold, they did get rid of the heaters that used to be built in, so I guess that was the workaround.)Appreciate your ideas

author: thm_w
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 15, 2025, 09:46:45 pm
content: Quote from: wifikebab on September 15, 2025, 07:44:41 amCigarette produces far more pm2.5 than this flux for sure.https://www.mdpi.com/2813-4168/3/2/16https://www.researchgate.net/figure/Real-time-monitoring-of-PM25-levels-in-a-restaurant-with-smoking-observed-and-in-another_fig4_40685894In terms ofVOC its <5%, and think about how little you use at a time.Plus its terpineol which sounds reasonably safe: "Terpineol is a naturally occurring monoterpene alcohol commonly found in essential oils from plants like pine and eucalyptus." probably won't even harm a plant.

author: GingerGeek
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: September 19, 2025, 11:51:51 am
content: Quote from: drinkinglizard on August 25, 2025, 04:22:38 amWell I have just had the fume clear FC-2001S version delivered from US to UK from Amazon.https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0DY73LFGY?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_fed_asin_titleIt by no means stands up to something like the Weller zeroSmog2 I used back when I ran my company but it does seem to work ok and I got this because out of the cheap hobby mini desktop extractors out there this one had a real Hepa rating and a three stage filtration.It is louder than I expected but it does the job and for £104 delivered it was worth it. It pulls the smoke away well enough.

author: thm_w
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 19, 2025, 08:48:42 pm
content: If you can mount it under the desk, that might help with the noise. You might need to extend the hose though.