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

[@agentsixsix]

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

[@CurvedSlightly]

That's where they keep going!

[@Samlol23_drrich]

Chuck Norris usually one sock

[@joshcook8586]

I’d do a carbon filter

[@joshcook8586]

@@za-se4jv most of them are the 1000 dollar ones do that I see Louis Rossmann do it.

[@agentsixsix]

@@za-se4jv It's not about the power of the air extraction. Even with a subtle suction, insulation or other lightweight materials can accidentally get sucked into the hose. A simple piece of fabric or a grid prevents this.

[@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.

[@CezaryAkakios]

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

[@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!

[@johnd942]

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

[@stalbertjocelyn]

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

[@JohnDoe-qx3zs]

Yep, pretty standard arrangement. Wiring for the light can be inside or outside the tube, with a convenient switch at the end controlling light, extractor and a power socket for the iron.

[@waleedb9012]

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

[@anton101101]

I've got that air filter pipe in my car. Good choice XD. This project is like something i would get up to. I love bodging and making things work with things lying around the house or whatever B&Q has.

[@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

[@keithcoltron3171]

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

[@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.

[@Ogg_Vorbis]

This is obviously a great video, obviously. Thanks.

[@shiny_shoes5878]

excellent video, particularly like your part selection

[@erictourangeau3651]

Super Great Idea Thank for sharing ! This is just what i was looking for ❤

[@paul-c7541]

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

[@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!!

[@luckylarz4269]

Great video! Thank you for the awesome idea!

[@praxeological]

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

[@adamc1272]

What a brilliant video, many thanks

[@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

[@alexong8653]

Hi John, I wonder if you can use a car air filter for this solder fume extractor as the carbon filter

[@MyPlaceOnYT]

Very nice John. I might have to make one myself.

[@vhsable]

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

[@dos541]

And what he made would help with the fumes from the plants so nobody would know what your doing

[@Gerkozielman]

very beautiful fume extractor!

[@tinycuisine6544]

Good job! Thanks for sharing

[@hhKJgf1M8a0rzt8hP]

That is a very reasonable video. Thank you for the idea.

[@Lcassinelli2]

Great job, outstanding 😊👍

[@friedchickenchessemilos2687]

Just for everyone to know. Carbon filters do nothing to prevent you from inhaling toxic fumes, they can get rid of the fume look or the smell but you are still breathing it in. Either use a HEPA filter or go the cheaper route which I'm going to probably be doing and use a incline fan like his and put a tube out the window so instead of trying to filter it you just put it outside

[@benneilsen2915]

Not exactly. Good filtration systems, like HEPA, should remove particulates at >= 0.3 microns with >= 99.5% efficiency. Activated carbon granules (GAC), remove non-particulate gases/vapors that make it past HEPA filters. You want a 3-stage filter (Pre-filter -> HEPA -> GAC -> Fan) Source: Airing it out by Karl Schuepsthul

[@Fixepedia]

Hi, I have to Congratulate you... i have been looking for ideas for a few day's now to build a Soldering fume extractor because i don't want to fork up 1K for a Hakko ou Weller. Then i found your video and i must say, excellent work indeed, this i probably better than those brands, cheaper and even cheaper maintenance. Even energy consumption, airflow, etc... it's just as good, so my hat's off to you Sir. Thanks for the video, it really helped a lot. ;) Cheers

[@diegor4966]

If you have a 3D printer you can make a compact fume extractor easy and affordable, it works really well www.thingiverse.com/thing:3474360

[@DTGuitarTech]

Nice work!

[@georgyalexandrov6897]

Nice project !

[@ArijanaLukic]

Hello there! I need advice! I am working with Resin/Epoxy and I am an artist. I just put a 20"X20" fan on my window facing outside to suck the smell out. Now people (other artists) are telling me my fan needs to be ''for fumes'' to avoid a fire? I ask myself how bad are the fumes that resin and some paints are creating to be this bad? My fan is from a normal hardware store. Any guidance regarding this will help! Thanks!

[@antraciet]

Nice job !

[@eddiespencer1]

If you're looking for inexpensive activated carbon filters, look in your pet supply shop in the aquarium supply area. Also, hot knifes, step drills and rotary saws work best for cutting large, nice, holes in these bins without cracking them. A stanley knife works well, too, if your careful.

[@KurtKriese]

Very nice solution.

[@arnoldderuiter886]

Thanks for sharing this! Looks great, gonna try it. :) Odd question perhaps, what is that chair you're sitting on? I remember sitting in one of those and it was really comfy!

[@SpyderBDM]

Every time you said “simply” or “obviously” I drank, and then ended up in the hospital. 🤙🏻

[@zaidhussain5206]

Thank you for sharing this idea .

[@Mr.Unacceptable]

I made a smaller version out of a cheap home theater bass speaker. Used 4 server fans and a vacuum hose. The inner box is an oil bubbler the air has to pass through. Instead of carbon and filters you have to replace.

[@brandonnorman4522]

does one have to worry about explosion proof fans with solder fume exhaust

[@asibroo6028]

I liked it!

[@urdnal]

Word to the wise, almost all of the solder fumes is composed of particulates with very little gas. Carbon filters are good for the gas, but do *_nothing_* for the particulates. I also think that grease filters will not catch most solder fumes, since you can almost see oil fumes but the largest solder fume particulates are 1/10th of a human hair (10 microns) and go down to 1 micron. You need a HEPA filter. Cut a larger HEPA filter to fit and you're set.

[@peshozmiata]

I've been toying with the idea of using just screw-on gasmask filters adapted to fit one end of a fan. They're very affordable and have both particulate and charcoal filters inside. A1B1E1K1-spec are less than 10$.

[@hugobracamontesbaltazar]

I have the same idea...

[@benmorris1366]

@@peshozmiata Consider fish tank activated charcoal. You can buy 5 pounds for about $20

[@thiagokeizo]

I was thinking of using a 12v PC fan, front using a HEPA and back using a activated chacoal filter

[@dalskiBo]

Is that accurate? This link molekule.science/what-is-the-best-air-purifier-for-smoke/ shows carbon filters are best for removing smoke particulates & volatile organic compounds (VOC's). It seems HEPA's are for very fine particles around 1 micrometer. Finer for industrial processing but not available to the average consumer. That's how I read it but I could be wrong! I thought no problem I'll put a HEPA at the end of the filtering process, as you say to get rid of the finer particles. But from that article it seems that this can decrease the efficiency - providing more air resistance in the filter; expelling less clean air back to the user. An interesting topic & a great video. Thanks John & urdnal among other users for the quality input.

[@imagekiwi]

Picked up a microwave someone had dumped near a construction site stumbling home last night. Read I can use the fan from that for something like this. Have plans for a lot of the other components as well.

[@alessio55555]

hello your project is very interesting, how much power does it lose compared to using it without the box?

[@vehasmaa]

Now thats hugely usefull..

[@Marie579]

"So that concludes my very informative and useful video on how to create your own fume extractor, i'm off now to have a play with my organ it's a beauty!"

[@kyis1256]

This is old but have you thought about running a naked copper wire from the inlet down the tube then to ground ? Might help with all the static charge this must build up.

[@voltare2amstereo]

it's a fume extractor for hiding your crop from your neighbours- Just needs a foot switch or some type of detection that when ever the iron is on the extractor is . (a power board with desk mounted switch to turn both on and off

[@chaunceywilliamswilliams3051]

I got a Rainbow Rainmate from a garage sale for 5 dollars. My intention was a solder DIY hot air made with soldering iron. But the motor is way too powerful for this kind of project. It seems the extractor would be a far better use for it. Better yet it is intended for extremely long time usage and bulletproof motor. I eventually was going to make one anyway. The bottom already has a round shape to attach to hose. And upper exhaust is round after cutting hosing to shape and protecting inner motor etc. Just have to drill holes and put filter over so motor can get cool air. Breaking it out of its housing was not an easy task. But if your careful and get it out without breaking it you get the motor, fan, switch, and plug all intact in a nice package.

[@chana100red]

Hi John, Thank you for making the video and sharing your ideas with us! I have been looking for ways to build one like yours for a while. Yes the manufacturers version is so expensive. How often would I need to change the bottom filters and also the top filter? I am setting up my PCB soldering business soon so building my workshop at home.

[@obfuscated3090]

Rarely if ever. See Louis Rossman's videos where his commercial unit gets dirty over time but the particulates impose no serious restriction.

[@ohmedarick1]

Great Video Thanks

[@501Shadowcat]

If you can get a fan with a sensible pressure, would it be possible to run a hose from the fan to a bowl of water to get rid of the majority of the particles, or still not clean enough?

[@jwflame]

Yes, but the water will have to be changed and the water container cleaned thoroughly every day. If not, then things such as Legionella bacteria will grow in the water and be expelled into the air when it is used. Breathing that in can kill.

[@OpenGL4ever]

You could pump the water through a narrow pipe that is transparent for UV light. Then surround it with UV light, the UV light will kill the bacteria. Adding a little amount of a chlortab might also be helpful.

[@hightttech]

OpenGL4ever: Perhaps you could do all that with water and UV lights, BUT you have a far more costly, complicated and messy contraption than JW's original design. Nonsense.

[@bivekbasnet2138]

What type of fan it is?

[@nial8877]

i so love the endless possibilities with the car exhaust pipe ,thanks!

[@machigane7902]

That's an intake pipe. Not an exhaust pipe. LMFAO.

[@tncorgi92]

To reduce the noise, you could put the unit in an adjacent room and use a longer inlet hose.

[@Xexpress]

Could you provide the link to the hose please. Thanks

[@chriscis2160]

his sound sounds exactly like mystonermind 😂😂

[@captainmacnl]

Hey John, thanks to this brilliant explanation i have made this unit, with a couple of modifications, works alright, but not enough airflow (when soldering, i need to keep it very closeby for it to have any suction). I am now planning on making an upgraded version that is installed in a wall and extracts the fumes through the walls outside. I have 2 axial fans available, and am now wondering whether it would make sense to use them both in parallel (put both fans in the wall separately, connect their inputs with a Y-piece of tubing) to maximise airflow. What are your thoughts? Parallel or in series? Is more really more, or it won't matter? Would be great if you have some time to answer!! Cheers!

[@MsBDean]

Can you please provide a direct link to the fan or an alternative? I am having a difficult time locating the fan you used.

[@jwflame]

This is a similar one: www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Black-Orchid-Eco-Duct-4-5-6-Inch-Inline-Extraction-Fan-Hobby-Hydroponics/132439672065 'black orchid duct fan' should locate plenty of others.

[@chompchompnomnom4256]

Hi John, I didn't know you had a cannabis farm :D

[@mavezy]

JW, AKA. The British Heisenberg

[@voltare2amstereo]

it's funny cause i saw just this (whole house greenhouse) on 'traffic cops' a few weeks ago on youtube

[@mechadrake]

Say my name :)

[@user-dk3bu3vg5f]

ChompChompNomNom щ

[@user-dk3bu3vg5f]

Д

[@joetkeshub]

What did you weaken the aspiration power with that white blanket?

[@jwflame]

The white blanket is the main filter material.

[@sean999ification]

I like it. Coincidentally I was overexposed to flux fumes last weekend. I was doing a bit of plumbing in a small bathroom. It left me quite breathless for a good few minutes.

[@josephrowley2172]

This is a cool project John. The RS soldering irons are good, have a few of varying wattage myself. Out of interest, where did you get the solder 'dispenser' type thing? It looks rather useful.

[@jwflame]

The solder wire holder is just a cheap one from ebay, search for 'solder dispenser wire holder' .

[@josephrowley2172]

John Ward Thank you very much for your response John. Your videos are great and I enjoy your content very much!

[@adamwilliams9463]

out of interest, what brand power tools do you use?, do you have a favourite?.

[@jwflame]

Whatever does the job at the time - no specific brand.

[@machigane7902]

You Brits have such a dry sense of humor it's just hilarious. Nice video!

[@HecTechFPV]

Perfect! , no way im paying $$$ for a hakko unit when i can knock one up like this pretty cheap as i have all the bits already :)

[@EnergySeeker]

I was thinking to do same setup for my 3D printer

[@natewallis1]

Could also be used to hook up to 3d printer enclosure when printing

[@Asian_Connection]

I was thinking of the same build as you.

[@TheKristiancool]

you should do a video on old plugs that go where a bulb would go like they had on old irons

[@OpenGL4ever]

@John Ward What is the spec of your fan? I am interested in the following data: - Airflow Rate (l/min) - Noise (db (A)) - RPM (min-1) - Voltage - Current and - Pressure stat. (Pa.) I ask because i want buy a little more powerful one thus the spec of your fan would be very helpful for comparison.

[@jwflame]

The only details I have are those on the ebay listing: www.ebay.co.uk/itm/171214654661

[@OpenGL4ever]

***** Thanks a lot. In the case the ebay information gets deleted: Airflow rate: 280 m^3/h Noise: 36 db(A) 37 W power motor

[@eric90000]

Hey, did you end up buying a more powerful fan than the one used in this video? if so, how did you get on?

[@jayja45]

How long do you expect the filters to last, before requiring replacement?

[@OFDM-network]

Thank You.

[@PeteBasel]

Looks like you built a shop vac! lol! There is a small shop vac here in the US for $24, maybe run it at 1/2 or 1/4 speed and add a layer of that white filter material.

[@roseelectronics4582]

What the heck is a shop vac? A shop vac?

[@PeteBasel]

@@roseelectronics4582 www.amazon.com/CRAFTSMAN-17590-Gallon-Portable-Attachments/dp/B07BZSZLBM/ref=sr_1_3?dchild=1&keywords=shop+vac&qid=1609512921&sr=8-3

[@emieldebruijn4804]

@@roseelectronics4582 A shop vaccine maybe ? lol

[@rikvdmark]

Very nice! Exactly what I'm looking for. Thanks!

[@FuchsHorst]

I just thought about it and propose a slightly different solution: There are consumer air filter systems available with large HEPA and activated carbon filters and a high throughput. One must only optimize the suction path, e.g. cover the existing suction holes and/or design an opening for a corrugated hose. Benetifs: Working, off the shelf device for below 100€ with cheap HEPA and active carbon filter supply available. Here in Germany the brand "Dirt Devil" has cheap (non-smart) cleaners starting at 40€ up to 100€. replacement filter sets (HEPA+AC) are around 25€. I bought an Pureza AC350 (360 m³/h) last year for 60€ delivered. I bet there are other devices in the same price range that could be used as a start for such a project, too.

[@lloyd959]

Listen to 7:59 and 8:25 if you like fun noises

[@wiedapp]

As someone who works at an industrial facility with some soldering workplaces I've come across the metcal fume extractors. I really don't know what does cost so much on these things...and we've got dozens of them. On the other hand I don't see many of them needing to be replaced...sooo there is that...

[@joeya5438]

Nice video: you are delightfully British! Do you play that organ much?

[@DavidLeecl]

for a while i misread the title as solar fume extractor and i am waiting for the solar part. hehehe

[@gordslater]

that's part of the problem - indoors the weed dosn't grow due to lack of sunlight so you have to use lamps ;)

[@youwillcallmede]

Hi I know it have been a long time since you have upload this video , But could you please add a link to the " Corrugated hose with metal ends £11 Banggood" Thanks

[@jwflame]

This is the nearest equivalent: www.banggood.com/76mm-1M-Car-Air-Intake-Cold-Pipe-Flexible-Duct-Feed-Hose-Induction-Kit-Filter-UK-p-1646837.html?ID=6287851&cur_warehouse=UK searches for 'duct hose' should find others.

[@Mythricia1988]

Great project, I was just looking at the feasibility of making something very similar to this myself. The price for the "pro" fume extractors are absolutely freaking insane. Making a permanent installation is not really a problem since I own the building, so I figure I might adapt this to vent to the outside. Maybe skip the filter in that case. Or put it on the outside to keep bugs and other weirdness from coming back in the wrong way...!

[@erhanzeynel]

For more cheap but more noisy Buy a used vac cleaner, Fill it's bag with activated carbon particules aquarium stuff.

[@foxtrotkilomike]

Reminds me of the dust extractors Matthiaswandel has made

[@paulfreedel4709]

What they said ↓. Thanks amazing 'need to know' video. Pity there's no links to 'refer products'. You should get a cut and your recommendation, for simplicity, would be valued.

[@glenohara6563]

Very efficient economical design. Are you wearing your pajamas under your trousers?

[@DamnDealDone]

Anyone know what model and size fan this is? Thanks

[@GenePavlovsky]

I think it's "Black Orchid Mixed-flo 5" with UK Plug", looks the same and the specs match exactly (at some point in the video you can make out on the label it says mixed-flo, 37W and 280 m^3/h)

[@DamnDealDone]

@@GenePavlovsky cool, cheers.

[@mavezy]

Great Video JW! Can you please do series on wiring up nuclear bunkers, thanks!

[@Coolkeys2009]

Why, have you just had a large contract to build a lot of them recently :-)

[@w8lvradio]

Well Done. But I don't see why you need the outlet hose inside the box at all?

[@w8lvradio]

Oak C Yep! I see that now...Thanks! Very suprised that there isn't a Hakko Knock Off available at a better price point.

[@MariaEngstrom]

My smell sense might be wired in the wrong way, but must confess that I totally love the smell of soldier fumes and it's one of the reasons I actually love to solder. I don't really think it's that extremely poisonous either, it's basically burning harts/resin, isn't it? Oki, I would not wanna breathe it for hours or so, but as a hobbyist, i doubt it'll do me any harm. Nice build anyway! :)

[@richms]

Old leaded solder just had rosin in most cases, but lead free and the ones you paint on for doing SMD work are much nastier.

[@MariaEngstrom]

***** Yea, I only use solder with lead. Tried lead free once because I bought the wrong kind, then I threw it away.

[@GrandHighGamer]

Yeah it's... not good for you. Long term users can get asthma, overexposure can cause temporary flu like symptoms and headaches. It is, 100% toxic and bad for you. You're not gonna drop dead from just sniffing it. But smoking is bad for you too, and people don't suddenly drop dead because they breathed in some smoke. Whereas people are far more likely to feel immediately very sick if they breathe in a cloud of solder fumes. The flux resin is bad for you and your lungs, you should be trying to limit how much you're breathing in. At very least have a desk fan blowing it away from your face. Choosing to breathe in toxic fumes because you like the smell is just silly at the end of the day. Plenty of people love the smell of burning rubber, but it is still a carcinogen.

[@bettyblack4362]

You look and sound much like tom from "before the 90 day finace" tv show

[@erdepfel]

Very nICE iDEA

[@TheAlex11211]

Is that a Thurlby PL320 quad mode I spy?

[@jwflame]

It's two completely separate PL320s.

[@____________________________.x]

It's useful to have an on/off switch located at the entry of the fume tube, easier than fumbling around on the floor to plug the whole thing in. I'd suggest having dual carbon filters is a bit superfluous, given the low airflow required.

[@Coolkeys2009]

John Ward-Macgyver special.

[@cybersub4693]

Tea time me lads

[@ChiTuSai]

same power supply as mine

[@jp-um2fr]

Cooker hood with a charcoal filter and light or have a missed something.

[@jwflame]

Functionally similar, but you would have to mount it above the bench at a fairly low height to extract the fumes. They are also very noisy and use far more electricity than the fan in the video.