Good Fume Extractor for Dorm Room - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / beginners

author: ciikucli
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: October 12, 2012, 10:25:06 pm
content: I'm going to be doing a bunch of soldering in my dorm room, and the ventilation is somewhat limited. Can anyone recommend a good fume extractor? I see the Hakko FA400 and the Zephyrtronics ZT-4. I've also heard things about PACE, but they're quite a bit more expensive. Thank you!

author: ablacon64
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: October 13, 2012, 12:16:54 am
content: How about a DIY solution?http://www.instructables.com/id/DIY-Fume-Extractor/?ALLSTEPSI can be very effective if you use a good carbon filter.

author: george graves
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 13, 2012, 03:08:27 am
content: On a budget? I'd get a small fan, and some dryer hook up kit (or just the tubing) and some duct tape.

author: JuKu
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: October 13, 2012, 09:30:51 am
content: Depends on your budget. The cheapest will be as George said: A fan and tube out the window; no doubt that will work just fine. Next step up could be:Hand soldering:http://www.techgsm.org.uk/Smoke_Absorber_Fan_486,5801.html. I have one, and it is surprisingly effective for hand soldering work. Very good value for the small money. I bet you can get this in US, too.SMD assembly using skillet or pizza oven method: a kitchen hood unit. A desktop filter is far from enough for this job. Don't even try these methods in a dorm without a hood with a duct to outside, the smell will be awful. I live in a house, and the whole house needed windows open after my first oven assembly, wife. Fortunately, the stink didn't stick. Before the next board, I will have an Ikea 39€ unit over the oven with a duct out to window.

author: M0BSW
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: October 13, 2012, 10:07:43 am
content: I'm making one at the moent and using a fan out of an extractor unit.

author: AndyC_772
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 13, 2012, 12:19:07 pm
content: IMHO the best thing to do, especially if you're only soldering occasionally and won't be breathing in the fumes on a regular basis anyway, is to simply avoid generating anything too harmful in the first place.Avoid colophony / rosin based fluxes and you may not need extraction at all.

author: Jimmy the Squid
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: October 13, 2012, 01:53:16 pm
content: Quote from: ablacon64 on October 13, 2012, 12:16:54 amThat extractor is gorgeous! I think I'll add that to list of stuff to build. Too bad the parts cost more than just buying an extractor. Maybe one could substitute an old ATX power supply box for the $30 Hammond box. Of course it would never look as good.

author: prenato
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: October 13, 2012, 02:30:56 pm
content: Quote from: Jimmy the Squid on October 13, 2012, 01:53:16 pmThat's funny you mention that because that's exactly what I have done. Painted black doesn,t look too bad. Check it out:http://paulorenato.com/joomla/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=84:fume-extractor&catid=4:projects&Itemid=4

author: M0BSW
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: October 13, 2012, 03:22:55 pm
content: Quote from: prenato on October 13, 2012, 02:30:56 pmwell done this would look in any lab/workshop/place to escape wife

author: ablacon64
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: October 13, 2012, 03:56:58 pm
content: Quote from: Jimmy the Squid on October 13, 2012, 01:53:16 pmI know but it kicks! I'm almost done with the parts to build one!

author: ciikucli
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: October 13, 2012, 06:07:32 pm
content: I like the DIY one, and I can stick in a HEPA filter for extra protection. IT sure is pretty.

author: mariush
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 13, 2012, 06:39:26 pm
content: If you're not so found of making one from spare parts, you might wanna think about a car vacuum cleaner or something similar.For example:http://www.amazon.com/Eureka-71B-Hand-Held-Vacuum/dp/B0006HUYGM/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1350153369&sr=8-2&keywords=car+vacuum+cleaner

author: ElektroQuark
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: October 13, 2012, 07:17:52 pm
content: Too much noise.

author: Jimmy the Squid
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: October 13, 2012, 09:02:43 pm
content: Quote from: prenato on October 13, 2012, 02:30:56 pmVery well done. Adding it to he base of a bright lamp is another stroke of genius!

author: ablacon64
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: October 13, 2012, 09:16:59 pm
content: Quote from: Jimmy the Squid on October 13, 2012, 09:02:43 pmI like that also, how about joining the beauty of the first with that functionality?

author: prenato
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: October 13, 2012, 10:25:08 pm
content: QuoteThanks Jimmy. It's working well for me so far:)

author: Mediarocker
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: October 14, 2012, 10:54:17 am
content: Matter of fact, I just am about finished building mine. Cost me about 30 bucks for all the parts, and All I have to finish is the filter funnel.I'll post up about later when I get off work.

author: Amarbir[Lynx-India]
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: October 14, 2012, 12:02:40 pm
content: Quote from: prenato on October 13, 2012, 02:30:56 pmSuperb ,Can you shed more light on the base ? .what was the original thingii

author: prenato
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: October 14, 2012, 01:44:48 pm
content: This was an halogen lamp so the base already has a pretty heavy 12 V transformer.I added a bridge rectifier to convert it to "DC" for the fan.

author: george graves
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 14, 2012, 11:22:28 pm
content: halogen lamps are 12v AC(not DC)? Didn't know that if that is correct!

author: prenato
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: October 15, 2012, 12:10:54 am
content: Quote from: george graves on October 14, 2012, 11:22:28 pmAt least the ones commonly found in these small desk lamps are 12 V AC. For example:http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00589YKA4