DIY Solder fume extractor

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By Phillip Torrone
Posted 2006/01/03 @ 2:01 pm
Category Electronics

Raph writes “While reading the make magazine blog, I visited a webpage explaining how someone built a fume extractor: Ultra cheap fume extractor. I immediately decided to build one too. I built mine a little differently. I did not want to have the fan right in front of me. Too noisy. Instead, I installed the fan in a closet and use a long vinly duct that goes to my desk. Now the risk of inhaling the fumes directly is greatly reduced.” Link.

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3 Responses to DIY Solder fume extractor

alankilian on January 3rd, 2006 at 7:07 pm said:

Every now and then when I’m soldering, there is a little breeze
blowing across my desk. Sometimes from a window and sometimes
from a fan.

Every time I have this breeze, my solder joints are lousy due to
a cold soldering iron tip. I use a very sharp tip to do surfacemount
parts, and it cools extremly fast when in a breeze.

So, if you build one of these ahd have problems soldering, turn
it off and see if that helps.

Others in the Twin Cities Robotics Group have had
this problem also, so be careful out there.

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chris on April 23rd, 2008 at 10:54 am said:

in response to alankilian:

I’d much rather encounter temporary problems with my soldering joints (which can be addressed and minimized), than encounter permanent problems with my health.

The suggestion that one turn off his ventilation system so as to achieve better soldering conditions is irresponsible and _stupid_.

Your surface temperature is affected by the combination of heat generated, and heat dissipated. If your heat dissipation goes up, then increase your heat generated to compensate. Do not attempt to reduce heat dissipation at the expense of your health.

In otherwords, if your ventilation system causes an inconvenient cooling of your soldering tip, then simply purchase a more powerful soldering device and adjust your power appropriately.

Remember to use only these settings with the same fan settings you used while determining them, or you may risk exceeding temperature limits.

Reply ↓
rallen on March 24th, 2009 at 12:00 pm said:

If you’re concerned about cold-solder joints but don’t want to turn off your’ fume extractor (I hate breathing fumes, especially since I quit smoking) just put a small, temporary wind-block around your work. A torn paper cup, or a piece of cardboard or tin foil held in a third-hand should do the trick. A fume extractor shouldn’t be moving enough air that it’s affecting your soldering. If it is you need to find a way to adjust the fan speed.

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