EEVblog #1305 - HEPA Solder Fume Extractor

[EEVblog]

Review of the $225 Kingsom KS-180 HEPA flexible arm solder fume extractor.
Does it suck?

http://www.kingsomtech.com/product/Fume-Extractor/
https://www.alibaba.com/product-detail/Kingsom-Nail-Suction-Dust-Collector_62409199915.html
Another brand: https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_dVTRYeV

[Pedro147]

Looks good Dave but just wondering if you found a link for replacement filters please?

It's got a suck like a cow and it makes you go wow 

[EEVblog]

Looks good Dave but just wondering if you found a link for replacement filters please?

Not yet, they haven't gotten back to me, and I can't find them on their store.
They have to sell them, I can't imagine they wouldn't.

[Pedro147]

Yes one would hope so. Can we trouble you to put a link in your video description when you hear back from them. The Hakko one of a similar construction is an arm and a leg and this seems to have comparable performance.

We can't all be like Paul Daniels and build our own

[johnlsenchak]

That  video   image is  awesome    ! LOL


I  worked  at a company  that made switch mode power supplies  for the medical field . They  had a row of solder pots  for tinning   transformer and choke leads. Each  solder pot  had a  fume  extractor  opening  that was piped along the way  picking up each solder pot  opening  as  it went down  the line   The end of the pipe   went into a metal  box    with a filter a huge  squirrel   cage  fan  inside.  The exhaust went up through the roof  of the building.  It was a pretty  thought  out    system  of fume  extraction  that  prevented the workers  from  getting sick  off the   solder  pot  nastiness. 

[NiHaoMike]

What I do is attach an 80mm server fan to the end of a length of 3" flexible air duct so that the fan pulls air through the duct. (A 3D printed adapter is best but duct tape also works.) Then I put the fan in an open window or in the bathroom with the exhaust fan running. Costs about $15 for a 25' length of duct plus under $10 for the fan and under $10 for the power supply if you have to buy those. Just $35 total and no filters to replace, then the generous length of duct really cuts down on noise.

[EEVblog]

This one has a lower noise spec and has free DHL shipping: https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_BffhOC9x

If you want just the flexible tubing for a DIY solution: https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_d8U2dMl

[Inflex]

Definitely interested once I know if replacement filters and subsequent costs are.

Sure, I do have my own system right now ( 8" 200W motor in to a 600mm carbon canister ) but at the end of the day, I'd be more than content to pay a bit of coin and get one of these units (and add a bit more silencing medium on the underside)

[Inflex]

Looks good Dave but just wondering if you found a link for replacement filters please?

Not yet, they haven't gotten back to me, and I can't find them on their store.
They have to sell them, I can't imagine they wouldn't.

What if they're using the printer model... sell the unit at a loss with 'trial filters' that last 3 months, and then replacement filters cost more than the whole machine

[Pedro147]

Good point Mr D  I hate that model, totally unscrupulous. It does pay to be safe though doesn’t it. The internet is a dangerous place for us and our readies

[mattselectronics]

Somehow this units also look very similar to the kingsom devices:
https://www.vaupel-shop.de/anwendungen/loetrauchabsaugung/lotrauchabsaugung-typ-vaupel-lab-1f.html

I wonder if it is cheaper to directly import one from china or to get it from the german reseller.

[SilverSolder]

I've just come back inside after spending the afternoon burning weeds off the driveway with a huge propane torch...   the smoke from soldering something just doesn't do it for me any more, I need bigger hits!

[langwadt]

What I do is attach an 80mm server fan to the end of a length of 3" flexible air duct so that the fan pulls air through the duct. (A 3D printed adapter is best but duct tape also works.) Then I put the fan in an open window or in the bathroom with the exhaust fan running. Costs about $15 for a 25' length of duct plus under $10 for the fan and under $10 for the power supply if you have to buy those. Just $35 total and no filters to replace, then the generous length of duct really cuts down on noise.

venting to the outside is much better and afaik a legal requirement for workplaces here, but I don't see a computer fan with the restriction of long flexible hose
making much air flow 

[Pedro147]

I've just come back inside after spending the afternoon burning weeds off the driveway with a huge propane torch...   the smoke from soldering something just doesn't do it for me any more, I need bigger hits!

Yeah real men sniff car exhausts for fun

What I do is attach an 80mm server fan to the end of a length of 3" flexible air duct so that the fan pulls air through the duct. (A 3D printed adapter is best but duct tape also works.) Then I put the fan in an open window or in the bathroom with the exhaust fan running. Costs about $15 for a 25' length of duct plus under $10 for the fan and under $10 for the power supply if you have to buy those. Just $35 total and no filters to replace, then the generous length of duct really cuts down on noise.

venting to the outside is much better and afaik a legal requirement for workplaces here, but I don't see a computer fan with the restriction of long flexible hose
making much air flow

wouldn't suck the skin off a pudding

[thmjpr]

Looks like a really solid unit for $220.
The circular filter is likely a lot less restrictive with its higher surface area, so it will get better airflow over the Pace. However, Pace clearly meets higher standards, and will have wayyyy more activated carbon inside. This one will be fine for filtering smoke, but won't do well against solvents, etc. as you noted in vid.

If you are on a budget, either do what Nihaomike is suggesting, or do this:
https://www.eevblog.com/forum/reviews/the-best-diy-fume-extractor-for-under-$50/msg2803112/

venting to the outside is much better and afaik a legal requirement for workplaces here, but I don't see a computer fan with the restriction of long flexible hose
making much air flow

Depends, the "server fan" might be a 80x40mm screaming Delta that pushes a ton of air. But yes, generally PC fans are not optimal for these sort of applications. In the link above I've recommended some reasonably priced fans with solid static pressure. Better centrifugal fans may exist, if you can figure out how to mount them.

[c64]

Stupid idea (or maybe not?)... put vacuum cleaner under table, hose on top. Just need to stick filter inside somehow

[Inflex]

Stupid idea (or maybe not?)... put vacuum cleaner under table, hose on top. Just need to stick filter inside somehow

Technically it works; there's two issues;

1) the power consumption (800~1500W, vs 150~200W)
2) the NOISE

[all_repair]

Bought mine few years back, but a different version.  For soldering needs, I replace the inner filter which is a thick box with active carbon and few layer of thinner air filter.

[Pedro147]

If you are on a budget, either do what Nihaomike is suggesting, or do this:
https://www.eevblog.com/forum/reviews/the-best-diy-fume-extractor-for-under-$50/msg2803112/

  I would love to look at that post but your link is going 404

[jonovid]

in my opinion to make your solder fume extractor quiet. 
add wool felt sheet to around the inside of the air bell just inside the end of the flexible hose pipe
and add more wool felt sheet to around an up-right cone in the middle of the twin filter rings
you may also like to mount the fan motor on a anti vibration bed or foam rubber block.
also add more wool felt sheet to around the inside of the air out take of the fan
as this is the acoustic choke points of the sound .   see my diagram of solder fume extractor.
Note- grammatically incorrect air ball?  is bell as-in a trumpet bell.
at this diagram representation description was made quickly before the thought ended
update-
even if you do not have an anechoic test chamber or soundproof room.
in my opinion one can still test sound levels with nothing more then an
oscilloscope & microphone . so getting that anechoic muffler or anechoic baffle set just right inside your unit
the ideal situation is to have all additional anechoic modifications reversible or otherwise removable.
wool felt has excellent sound deadening properties. and can be glued to a backing material
in the case of a flexible hose pipe. a pvc pipe 5 or 10 cm wide collar with a gap cut out of it so it works as a spring.
a little larger than the inside diameter of the flexible hose pipe.
the wool felt would be glued to the inside of the pvc pipe  collar with a gap cut out of it. so its a "C" type spring.
inserted into the end of the flexible hose pipe inside the air bell, the then moved back or forward for the best
air flow vs sound suppression. 
2: as for the fun / motor anti vibration bed. 
the idea is to have a block of foam rubber screws to the motor unit top-down.
and second set of screws go in a added collar under the foam rubber go up but not touching the other screws to the motor unit.
so the fan motor unit it is on a floating bed of foam rubber. stopping vibrations entering the case of the extractor.
if constructed right, the collar under the foam rubber will mirror the holes in the top of the motor,  longer screws
will hold it in place. so you have two sets of screws in-between each other.
this is all assuming that their is space for the added foam rubber inside the case.
-as a foam rubber or wool felt baffle set in front of the fun out-let on the inside of the case, can also good for sound suppression
 

[grythumn]

If you are on a budget, either do what Nihaomike is suggesting, or do this:
https://www.eevblog.com/forum/reviews/the-best-diy-fume-extractor-for-under-$50/msg2803112/

  I would love to look at that post but your link is going 404

You just need to use the full URL Like This

[Pedro147]

Thanks, I just clicked on your original link not realising that the whole text hadn't been made a link

[dhaillant]

Same product, different brand name: https://www.alibaba.com/product-detail/Cheap-Price-Fume-Extractor-Tabletop-FC_62409523874.html?spm=a2700.galleryofferlist.0.0.60ea71dep9dN2n
"FumeClear FC-180"
https://www.fumeclear.com/

[c64]

Stupid idea (or maybe not?)... put vacuum cleaner under table, hose on top. Just need to stick filter inside somehow

Technically it works; there's two issues;

1) the power consumption (800~1500W, vs 150~200W)
2) the NOISE

Some vacuum cleaners have adjustable suction. On minimum almost no noise and I suppose power consumption is low as well

[Inflex]

Stupid idea (or maybe not?)... put vacuum cleaner under table, hose on top. Just need to stick filter inside somehow

Technically it works; there's two issues;

1) the power consumption (800~1500W, vs 150~200W)
2) the NOISE

Some vacuum cleaners have adjustable suction. On minimum almost no noise and I suppose power consumption is low as well

Chances are most of those with those features will be more expensive than the fume extractor.