Making a high power solder fume extractor / filter

Making a solder fume extractor from various parts.
Components used:
2 plastic storage boxes with lid, £12 from The Range
Ventilation fan, £30 from Fantronix on eBay
Carbon filters Europart EFF54, £13 for 2 from CPC
Universal grease filter £3 from CPC
Corrugated hose with metal ends £11 Banggood.com
Plastic vent, hose and adaptor £3
Everbuild PinkGrip adhesive £2
Plus screws, cable gland, timber offcuts, metal reinforcement plates, cardboard.
Total approximately £75.
Website: xo4.uk/?sFA
Patreon: / jwflame
Contact info, sending stuff in etc.: xo4.uk/?YTT

[@fardellp]

Excellent project. As a (serious) DIY plumber (and electronics hobbyist) I do get worried about the fumes from plumbing soldering flux. Plumbers rarely take precautions to protect themselves. As a combustion chemist (in a previous life) I have a pretty good idea of the chemistry of these fumes so might write something for one of the plumbers journals one day. You can always wear a fume mask when its not convenient to do everything "on the bench" and these I would say are pretty much essential for plumbers.

[@agentsixsix]

Just a suggestion: put a little piece of filter material on the input of your hose to prevent small components being sucked in.

[@CezaryAkakios]

That ended up being much quieter than I expected. Cheers.

[@stalbertjocelyn]

add a bulb inside the pipe and use it as a overhead light when you work.

[@mister_flashheart]

I was looking for a review of commercial fume extractors when I found Your video. Now I will build one myself following Your suggestions. Thank You for reminding me, that we should MAKE not blindly BUY.

[@jjustinengineer]

Very cool build - you probably saved a lot of lives! I don't solder that much nor do I have the space to justify the unit right now. I jury rigged a small 4 inch, 6V computer fan with a 9V rechargeable battery and switch mounted on the side - been using it for years. Just needed some positive pressure to direct the air flow and keep from breathing the smoke - the fan can be a few feet away. It works well and is probably better than nothing - can't even detect that awful smell.

[@mikeygee5641]

Wow, this is very cool!! John, you're like a modern-day, British MacGyver!! I'm going to make one this weekend, as the solder fumes definitely need to be dealt with!! Thank you very much!

[@baconology3065]

Thank you for putting the effort and into the production of your videos. I am in the early stages of fume extractor planning and your advice was easy to follow. I have confused myself on the meaning of mixed flow fans here, centrifugal fans impart kinetic energy to hair and spit it out normal to the direction it came in. Looking forward to your other work. Cheers mate! :D

[@vhsable]

pmsl. turn your house into a green house etc. you kill me. great video once again . thanks

[@jasonbrindamour903]

I was building a similar type extractor and was looking for filter ideas. I ended up using a free over the oven microwave squirrel fan (those move a sh**-ton of air) taken from a giveaway microwave on Craigslist, I built it using a Coleman cooler that was also free. The air movement is really really good and the noise isn't bad as the cooler has an insulate layer. I'll be making a video soon.

[@waleedb9012]

Thank you very much John. Really appreciate the hard work. Will be building one for sure.

[@johnd942]

Really well done! Clear and concise presentation. So useful!!!! Thank you!

[@paul-c7541]

Really good John I look forward to building your design this summer in the new workshop

[@anton101101]

I've got that air filter pipe in my car. Good choice XD.

[@keithcoltron3171]

Thank you John, I think just one word covers it, EXCELLENT!

[@Darkl0ud_Productions]

Thank you for making this video! It gave me some ideas. I am going with a Flex-Drain as my intake, an AC Infinity Raxial 4 inch fan, and for exhaust I will be able to either use a filter or send the exhaust right out the window!!

[@praxeological]

For anyone else looking, the corrugated plastic duct for cars is known as a "cold air intake duct".

[@Ogg_Vorbis]

This is obviously a great video, obviously.

[@shiny_shoes5878]

excellent video, particularly like your part selection

[@Plan-C]

Thanks. Fan and filter on order. Those Hakko units are ridiculously priced. The fan was for 'growing' lol. I wonder who they are targeting..... haha. Subbed