Fume Extractor

If you tinker with electronics, then you’re certainly familiar with solder fumes. You probably do your best to avoid breathing them, but let’s face it: like I used to, you probably just accept them as a necessary evil. I got wary of dealing with them, so I built this fume extractor project as an excellent way to filter the smoke and breathe a little easier.

As a prototype, I put the pair of fans in series (one in front of the other) with an activated charcoal filter on the front of both, but I found that the air throughput was about the same as with a single fan. I should have realized this for the fact that fans have a maximum speed which sets the airflow limit. The cable I used for the power cord had a thumbwheel switch that was pretty difficult to turn, so that had to go. I also learned that it would have been easier to have a handle and a shorter run of power cord since my desk is small with a power strip right next to my soldering workspace.

Early Prototype

Prototype Parts

The final design needed a handle, a short power cord, a rocker switch on the body, both fans in parallel (next to each other), and a fuse for short-circuit protection. I designed the whole assembly in Fusion 360 starting with the fan housings. The two fans are sandwiched  with a 3D printed handle between two laser-cut 1/4″ plywood panels. The activated charcoal filter is held in front of the fans by another laser-cut plywood panel and four 3D printed brackets. The brackets have a nice snap-in action. If you’d like to make your own version of my design, they’re hosted on Thingiverse.com: 

https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:2748762

Fume Extractor Design in Fusion 360

Fume Extractor Assembly Front View

Fume Extractor Assembly Front with Fans Exposed

Fume Extractor Assembly Back View

That was my project! If you liked this project, check out some of my others:

Instant Parade!

Applications and Fabrication with Plastics

The ThrAxis – Our Scratch-Built CNC Mill

Did you like It’s Project Day? You can subscribe to email notifications by clicking ‘Follow’ in the side bar on the right, or leave a comment below.