$5 Powerful DIY Fume Extractor

by geekrex

57K34416

Intro: $5 Powerful DIY Fume Extractor

I love making projects from scratch whenever possible, so soldering comes in the process.But soldering needs to be done in a well-ventilated Environment or a Fume Extractor should be used.

But Why is soldering so dangerous?

Flux generates the visible fumes seen during soldering. Exposure to rosin can cause eye, throat and lung irritation, nose bleeds and headaches. Repeated exposure can cause respiratory and skin sensitisation, causing and aggravating asthma. Rosin is a serious occupational health hazard.

But Fume extractor are really expensive like 70$ which beginner like to skip because of the price.
In this instructable, I will share what I used for so many years.This project cost around 5$ but works like a charm.
Not only it can be used for soldering only it can also be used for 3D Printing ABS, as it fumes and also toxic in nature.

Advantages of This Fume Extractor

  • Cheap
  • Purifies Air completely
  • Adjustable Legs
  • Portable
  • Fun to Build

If you like this project do vote for it in the contest

STEP 1: Part List

Most of my parts are salvaged, I highly encourage people to salvage and recycle but if someone wants I have all the item listed below.

Activated carbon Filter : http://amzn.to/2jlcdkC

DC fan: http://amzn.to/2jxSonk

M4 Nuts and Bolts http://amzn.to/2jyE7H7

Switch http://amzn.to/2jNhVZb

DC jack http://amzn.to/2jnXgOk

Tools

Glue gun http://amzn.to/2iXE0nG

Soldering Iron http://amzn.to/2jNj2Im

3D Printer Link https://goo.gl/Xpp422

STEP 2: Prepare the Filter

Firstly prepare the filter, My Activated sponge was large enough so I needed to cut into the required part . Most Filter comes in a large size so you need to cut it into the desired size.
Start by tracing the outline of the fan.Once you have the outline, repeat the outline until it cut the sponge completely.
The repetitions will depend on the thickness of the sponge.

STEP 3: Glue the Switch and DC Jack

Take the Grill and Glue the Dc Jack and the Switch on it.

Btw Speaking of this I got this grill out of an old PC cabinet.I don't have any good quality photo but here is a low-quality one.

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=1020215795...

I cut the cabinet with a Dremel and then spray painted it.

STEP 4: Solder the Wires

The Pins are given in the diagram.Solder the red wire to the +V and Black to the Ground .The Red wire will then be solder on the switch and from the switch, one more wire will connect to the other terminal of the switch and the positive terminal of the fan. Connect the black wire from the jack to the negative terminal of the fan.

Beware this fan work in one direction only .so you need to solder it in the right way.I also added some heat shrink tube for protection

STEP 5: Designing the Leg

I wanted to design a leg that could be easy to use and also the height could be easily changed. I came up with this design as final. I design the whole model in Autodesk fusion 360.It's an incredible software to do designing, 123D and SketchUp were good but fusion 360 changed the way of designing.
I have the files uploaded on Thingiverse so you can also use it.

http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:2039411

STEP 6: Assembling Everything

Once the prints are ready, it's time to assemble everything.Put the leg in the desired height mount hole and fix it with the m4 nuts and bolts .i also used some washer, but it is not a necessity.After all the four nuts are fixed , take the sponge that we had cut in Step 1 and push it between the bolts and press so there are no gaps left .Apply some gentle pressure so fix it properly.

STEP 7: Testing

Now time to test the fume extractor.
Take out the power supply and Turn on the fume extractor.
To my amaze, this fume extractor is monstrously sucking the fumes, and due to the activated carbon filter everything is getting trapped in the filter.The Fume extractor work to a distance of 20 cm.
If you like this project , share this with our friends and also like my facebook page.
https://www.facebook.com/makewithRex/

And Subscribe to my channel

https://www.youtube.com/c/PrajjwalNag

15 Comments

cheekymoonkey 2 years ago

How are you powering the fan? Maybe discuss how you’re matching the voltage of the fan to a power adapter to the right size dc jack?

Fonebone1 2 years ago

Nice! If you don't want to mess with the 3D printing, you could use a thicker gauge pipe hanger strap (AKA hanger iron) bent into a rectangular shape for the legs. It's cheap, readily available, and even has the evenly spaced holes for height adjustability. Since it's kind of malleable by design, I suppose you could double up the strap on the long sides for extra stiffness/durability to make sure the legs don't buckle.

mundgod1993 4 years ago

can I use filter which are normally used in aquariums?

misfitsfanfare 7 years ago

Very nice instructable! Just curious, but how long does the carbon filter last before it needs to be replaced?

mach1950 7 years ago

Good instructible by the way. Easy to follow, and everyone should build one for soldering, laser cutting, 3D printing etc.

geekrex 7 years ago

Thanks ,share your make , and yes amazon is a bit expensive but i didn't have local seller .

Cueball21 7 years ago

Very good 'ible.' I need to make one. You gave me the motivation to get it done. Thank you!

geekrex 7 years ago

hope you share a pic when done . i really wanna see it ,Why not drop a vote for it :)

mach1950 7 years ago

I bought some pads from my local Australian pet supply wholesaler (made for aquariums) and it was cheaper than the Amazon price. AU$8.90 for 30x30cm . Plus, I know it is good quality and I can go see them face to face for more.

SPLatManOz 7 years ago

A word of caution: You can buy the filter material off eBay very cheaply. But DO NOT buy the one decribed as "10PCS Black Square Universal Activated Carbon Foam Sponge Air Filter Pads Set X" where X is an appended character (alphabetic or symbol), and quoted as quite large ("Approx size:500mm x 120mm x 20mm"). I bought some and it is NOT carbon impregnated. It is just plain old black foam. I had a real Battle Royal with that vendor, who lists it dozens of times.

I did buy some 13x13cm, and it was good. It's now stopping ABS fumes from leaking out of my 3D printer enclosure. http://www.ebay.com/itm/252608246177

The way to test is with an ohmmeter. Genuine carbon exhibits conductivity. The resisance changes with pressure.

geekrex 7 years ago

Thanks for sharing i admit there exist alot of fakes ,

pawtanwar 7 years ago

can you tell me which camera you used for taking the images of the smoke from the soldering iron,and nice instructable.

geekrex 7 years ago

Its a canon 520 Hs