Solder fume extractor recommendation solicited

[Dick Dievendorff-2]

I find myself suffering asthma-like symptoms after hunching over a
fascinating project breathing solder fumes for a few hours.  My tolerance
for this hasn't improved over the years, and I have gotten into some real
panic situations because I felt that I couldn't breathe at all after
soldering for a while.  I found that an asthma "rescue" inhalor helped
immensely.  But I'd prefer to avoid the problem entirely if possible.

Before I embark on my K2 assembly project, I'd like to obtain or create some
sort of device to remove the solder fumes rather than inhale them.

What devices would you recommend?  I'm willing to spend $100, but I'd prefer
not to invest in some sort of industrial-strength device that costs $500 or
more and needs to be wheeled around.  How well do these things work for you?

Thanks & 73 de Dick, K6KR
[hidden email]


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[KK7P]

> What devices would you recommend?  I'm willing to spend $100, but I'd
> prefer not to invest in some sort of industrial-strength device that
> costs $500 or more and needs to be wheeled around.  How well do these
> things work for you?

I've been using a Hakko 493 for a couple of years. If you get it within
6 to 8 inches of the work, it pulls the fumes reasonably well.  If it is
any further away, you might as well turn it off!

73,

Lyle KK7P

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[Sam Morgan]

Dick Dievendorff wrote:

> I find myself suffering asthma-like symptoms after hunching over a
> fascinating project breathing solder fumes for a few hours.  My
> tolerance for this hasn't improved over the years, and I have gotten
> into some real panic situations because I felt that I couldn't breathe
> at all after soldering for a while.  I found that an asthma "rescue"
> inhaler helped immensely.  But I'd prefer to avoid the problem entirely
> if possible.
>
> Before I embark on my K2 assembly project, I'd like to obtain or create
> some sort of device to remove the solder fumes rather than inhale them.
>
> What devices would you recommend?

I have COPD (emphysema)
think less than 40% lung capacity left.... (40 yrs / 2 pk a day smoker)
but yet they say it's not bad enough to be allowed oxygen :-(

so what I do when I solder, is to use my magnifying lamp (on an arm)
adjusted so that the fumes when they rise straight up do so about 6 inches in
front of my nose and the light/magnifier.

I also turn a ceiling fan on high with it set to down draft, this stirs the air
such that what ever fumes I might have breathed are dissipated before hand. The
work bench area is close to a corner of the 14x11 foot room.

Works for me, and believe me, when I get a whiff of any solder fumes it's  real
close to a go to the hospital experience! so I can totally relate to your
panicky feelings.
--
GB & 73's
KA5OAI
Sam Morgan


--
GB & 73's
KA5OAI
Sam Morgan
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[David Cutter]

I use a very old hair drier (the quiet type before series wound motors
became popular).  I set the heat and blower to low so that I get a warm,
gentle air stream over my work area.  I've found that without the small
amount of added heat my hands become chilled, which is not just
uncomfortable but also reduces manual dexterity.

David
G3UNA

----- Original Message -----
From: "Dick Dievendorff" <[hidden email]>
To: <[hidden email]>
Sent: Tuesday, January 16, 2007 1:34 AM
Subject: [Elecraft] Solder fume extractor recommendation solicited

>I find myself suffering asthma-like symptoms after hunching over a
>fascinating project breathing solder fumes for a few hours.  My tolerance
>for this hasn't improved over the years, and I have gotten into some real
>panic situations because I felt that I couldn't breathe at all after
>soldering for a while.  I found that an asthma "rescue" inhalor helped
>immensely.  But I'd prefer to avoid the problem entirely if possible.
>
> Before I embark on my K2 assembly project, I'd like to obtain or create
> some sort of device to remove the solder fumes rather than inhale them.
>
> What devices would you recommend?  I'm willing to spend $100, but I'd
> prefer not to invest in some sort of industrial-strength device that costs
> $500 or more and needs to be wheeled around.  How well do these things
> work for you?
>
> Thanks & 73 de Dick, K6KR
> [hidden email]
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> Elecraft mailing list
> Post to: [hidden email]
> You must be a subscriber to post to the list.
> Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.):
> http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm
> Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com 

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[Alan D. Wilcox, W3DVX]

I miss building the big boat anchors ... so when I needed a fume
extractor, I thought to build it myself. The store-bought models are
nice, but it's more fun this way!

These images are part of a web page that's not yet built, but since the
issue is here and now ... these are links to the images:

http://wilcoxengineering.com/images/PipeSmall127.jpg
http://wilcoxengineering.com/images/PipeBig127.jpg

http://wilcoxengineering.com/images/FanSmall128.jpg
http://wilcoxengineering.com/images/FanBig128.jpg

What is it?
A trip to Lowe's got me 3" flex pipe about 3' long, and elbow at the end
to point at my soldering project, and a expansion from 3" to 4" to bolt
onto a box. The box is heavy plastic about 7x10x4" from K-Mart. Old 110V
muffin fan that I had in the junk box. The air goes out of the box via
activated carbon filter (less than $5) that's used on the typical
extractors you can purchase.

The fan box is on top of some foam to cut down conducted vibration
noise. I put some foam in the box to make quieter. When running, the
primary noise is the movement of fumes into the pipe.

Not pretty, but it works!

73, Alan

--
Alan D. Wilcox, W3DVX
570-321-1516
http://WilcoxEngineering.com
Williamsport, PA 17701

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