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Forum Index : Microcontroller and PC projects : Fume Extraction / Dispersal
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| Andrew_G Guru  Joined: 18/10/2016 Location: AustraliaPosts: 871 |
Hi all, A number of you have mentioned in passing that you have fume extractors. I'm interested in: a)the need for them and b)what members use. I only do small amounts of soldering (the odd kit build and mainly veroboard "creations") - nothing "commercial". I currently have a chest infection (which we are still tracking down) - whilst I don't for a second think it is my soldering as we are about to build a new house it is easy to incorporate a ceiling exhaust fan (if warranted) or get a simple desktop extractor or fan. Any comments? Cheers, Andrew |
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| Boppa Guru Joined: 08/11/2016 Location: AustraliaPosts: 814 |
I hardly ever bother unless its a really large pcb I used one at work, but then I often made 10000 solder joints in a day....  For home use, I just use my homemade fan (12v computer fan fitted with a filter) and open a window |
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TassyJim Guru Joined: 07/08/2011 Location: AustraliaPosts: 6283 |
A quick google search for solder fumes danger" gave plenty of information. One worth a read is https://www.cmu.edu/ehs/Laboratory-Safety/chemical-safety/documents/Lead%20Soldering%20Safety%20Guidelines.pdf A brief extract: Respiratory problems are something you will not wish it on anyone. My last lung function test results start with "Airflow of moderate severity". I haven't done enough soldering to blame it for my problems but I do wish I had used an extractor more often. Every little bit helps. Jim VK7JH MMedit |
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Grogster Admin Group  Joined: 31/12/2012 Location: New ZealandPosts: 9610 |
I use one of these from Jaycar. Smoke makes things work. When the smoke gets out, it stops! |
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| Andrew_G Guru Joined: 18/10/2016 Location: AustraliaPosts: 871 |
Jim, Boppa and Grogs - many thanks. Jim - the article is quite useful and I can relate to its "be aware but not necessarily alarmed" theme. The bits about ingesting Pb etc. being the main problem, and the need to wash ones hands are very relevant. It seems to me that (in my situation) I don't need to build in extractor fan(s) but that a simple fan like those that Grogs and Boppa mention would be adequate - and portable (eg for my glues in the garage etc.). Thanks again, Andrew |
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| TassyJim Guru Joined: 07/08/2011 Location: AustraliaPosts: 6283 |
That is the way I went too. A simple 12V computer fan to suck the fumes away from your face works but the Jaycar unit, with it's filter is more family friendly. If I was building the house now, I would put in a room extractor fan to use when the smoke comes out of a project. We have fully ducted air-con so any smells are shared around the house. Jim VK7JH MMedit |
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| Andrew_G Guru Joined: 18/10/2016 Location: AustraliaPosts: 871 |
Jim, sound advice! Looks like two fans. The extractor fan will need to vent outside rather than just into a wall/ceiling. Thanks, Andrew (What smoke coming out of the project . . . - it happens less frequently now but still does. It really does stink and SHMBO has little tolerance to it (and hence to me)). |
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| Paul_L Guru Joined: 03/03/2016 Location: United StatesPosts: 769 |
More than three decades ago a bunch of guys who worked for various agencies of the federal government and carried plastic ids to prove it descended on hangar 14 at JFK where Pan Am employed some 300 electronic techs and tried very hard to prove that hazardous conditions existed. OSHA wanted to get the lead out of the solder but the FAA said no way. Then they spent two months analyzing the fumes generated by soldering and figured out that rosin flux smells pretty bad. Then they discovered that we had a total of 200 pounds of mercury exposed to high vacuum and slightly above ambient temperatures in 50 manometers used to calibrate altimeters, airspeed indicators and central air data computers. They tried very hard to find mercury fumes in the shop air but could detect none. https://nvlpubs.nist.gov/nistpubs/Legacy/MONO/nbsmonograph8.pdf http://www.schwien.com/photo_1024.jpg Then they started looking for fumes from the chemicals used in the dozen L&R watch master parts cleaning machines. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EG2oV9u96wM https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qtQhRKPgjY4 It turned out that all those solutions were aqueous so that lead them nowhere. They did discover that the dark green cleaning solution and the ammonia bearing solution smelled really weird. Our own medical department suggested that we should provide small fans to disperse the smoke from the rosin based flux if a technician found that his eyes started tearing when exposed, and when solvent blasting small parts with a compressed air gun something like this https://www.amazon.com/Engine-Cleaning-Solvent-Sprayer-Automotive/dp/B01L7AQJ88 we should then install a spray booth something like this. https://marathonspraybooths.com/products/small-parts-booths/small-parts-booth-spb-30/ One of our guys did something like this using fiberglass panels and it worked just fine. https://gerry1of1.wordpress.com/cheapo-paint-booth/ |
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Chopperp Guru Joined: 03/01/2018 Location: AustraliaPosts: 1097 |
Same here.  . "@#$%%^ What's that smell?" or "Poo, you stink, go have a shower!!"ChopperP |
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| Grogster Admin Group Joined: 31/12/2012 Location: New ZealandPosts: 9610 |
Those Jaycar units really do work well. You can buy replacement filter packs for that thing. I tested the one I have here when I first got it, by melting a heap of 60/40 solder right in front of it. ALL the fumes were sucked into the unit, but not a single whiff of smoke came out the other side of it. I think the filters really do work on this thing. The only thing that annoys me about this unit, is that it must sit on your bench somewhere close to the work, and that can actually be a problem if space is short. I think that the exact same thing mounted on a swing-arm unit would be great, as then you could position it exactly where you wanted it. Smoke makes things work. When the smoke gets out, it stops! |
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| Andrew_G Guru Joined: 18/10/2016 Location: AustraliaPosts: 871 |
Hi Grogs, how noisy is it? (I'm pretty deaf anyway but thought I'd ask). Cheers, Andrew |
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| Grogster Admin Group Joined: 31/12/2012 Location: New ZealandPosts: 9610 |
Reasonably quiet. It is a 120mm fan, but it does make SOME noise. It is not silent. However, it is also not really loud or anything. A difficult question to answer.  I do have a dB meter - I could measure it for you. Smoke makes things work. When the smoke gets out, it stops! |
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| Andrew_G Guru Joined: 18/10/2016 Location: AustraliaPosts: 871 |
Hi Grogs, no need to measure - good enough to know that it is "not really loud". I'll toddle off to Jaycar, 500m, and get one before I do any more soldering. Thanks, Andrew |
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| Grogster Admin Group Joined: 31/12/2012 Location: New ZealandPosts: 9610 |
You know the fan noise you get from A/C when it is running at idle? About that level. Smoke makes things work. When the smoke gets out, it stops! |
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| Andrew_G Guru Joined: 18/10/2016 Location: AustraliaPosts: 871 |
Hi all. I toddled up to Jaycar and bought this. It certainly seems to do the trick - no smells I can detect. It is not whisper quite but perfectly OK (50 DbA at 1m). Thanks to all who contributed, Andrew |
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| Chopperp Guru Joined: 03/01/2018 Location: AustraliaPosts: 1097 |
Just read the Operating Instructions Here . Very interesting indeed. Had to make sure that you could actually use the thing  . Hope you followed all of the conditions listed Probably should get one myself. Getting complaints from SHMBO about solder smells etc. ChopperP |
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| TassyJim Guru Joined: 07/08/2011 Location: AustraliaPosts: 6283 |
My problem is finding space on the desk to put it! VK7JH MMedit |
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| Grogster Admin Group Joined: 31/12/2012 Location: New ZealandPosts: 9610 |
EXACTLY my problem too. Which is why I find myself not using it like I should.  Smoke makes things work. When the smoke gets out, it stops! |
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| Solar Mike Guru Joined: 08/02/2015 Location: New ZealandPosts: 1163 |
Jaycar are a tad over priced, available on Aliexpress Here Mine arrived today, works well; about 3 weeks delivery to NZ. Cheers Mike |
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| Chopperp Guru Joined: 03/01/2018 Location: AustraliaPosts: 1097 |
I picked up mine the other day from my local Jaycar agent. Had to be ordered in. It does take up valuable bench space as others have mentioned & needs to be positioned fairly well over the work area to extract most of the fumes. It also sort of gets in the way a bit of my old "Maggy" lamp which I normally use as well when soldering. It was good to have the fumes drawn away from me. I haven't done any "smelly" work with it yet so I don't know this aspect of it goes. Thanks Andrew for the post. ChopperP |
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