[mgalusha]

For those who do any soldering I highly recommend a fume eliminator. Most of them just sit on the bench and are never where you actually need them. Edsyn makes one called the Fuminator that resembles a small lamp and works quite well.

I just noticed they have them on sale this month at 75% off of list. Normally $105 they are now $26 bucks.

http://www.edsyn.com/index.php?Mode=piw&pn=FXF15R

Make your lungs and brain cells happy and get one of these or something like it. I have a slightly different version and of course paid full price for mine and it was worth it, for the price of a tank of gas this is a great buy for the DIY type. And, it has great WAF - the instructions show use for pulling up the fumes from nail polish and remover. A multitasker, what more could you want.

I have zero affiliation with Edsyn except as a customer.

[rajacat]

Thanks for the heads up Mike. I'm going to buy one. Soldering has always caused irritation in my nasal passages aside from whatever long term negative effects on lungs and brain.

Excellent price although they're nicking me for over $20 for shipping just from CA to WA. The unit weighs just over one pound.

-Roy

[BobM]

I've got a fume trap that I picked up for my wife when she is soldering her stained glass. Yeah, that sends off a whole lot more fumes then those little 1/4 watt resistors.

But I do grab it for myself when I'm going to put a board together.

But if your soldering is infrequent you can also use a small fan blowing across your workbench. It works quite well and is less expensive than a made to order piece of equipment (and it will help keep you cool in the summer months too).

[turkey]

Looks like it's just a fan with an activated charcoal filter.

I've got a little electric space heater that has a charcoal filter on the back. I suppose I could just turn it to fan-only and use it for removing fumes.

Should be easy enough to diy something that will do the trick too.

[poseidonsvoice]

Looks like it's just a fan with an activated charcoal filter.

I've got a little electric space heater that has a charcoal filter on the back. I suppose I could just turn it to fan-only and use it for removing fumes.

Should be easy enough to diy something that will do the trick too.

And you're going to go through all that effort, even when one is available for just $26?

You are hardcore!

Anand.

[turkey]

Looks like it's just a fan with an activated charcoal filter.

I've got a little electric space heater that has a charcoal filter on the back. I suppose I could just turn it to fan-only and use it for removing fumes.

Should be easy enough to diy something that will do the trick too.

And you're going to go through all that effort, even when one is available for just $26?

You are hardcore!

Anand.

Regular price on it is outrageous, so I figure they'll charge a lot for a filter refill when you need one. (Figure every 6 months.)

I can also get a muffin fan for a buck or two and a whole foam sleeve prefilter to cut up and use as filters for $7-8.

I guess I'm just hardcore.

But don't let me stop anyone from going out to get one of these. It's selling at a healthy discount right now, so if you want one now is the time to get it. It's cool that mgalusha spotted this and shared with everyone.

[srb]

I can also get a muffin fan for a buck or two and a whole foam sleeve prefilter to cut up and use as filters for $7-8.

Yes, but this has the "Proprietary FUMINATOR ROTAFILTER system that draws fume away from operator and provides filtration 8 times better than a stationary filter" (which it also has at the rear)
 
The ATMOSCOPE FUMINATOR Primary Rotating Filters are $19.90/5-pack

 
And the ATMOSCOPE FUMINATOR Stationary Filters are $23.76/5-pack

 
It's interesting that the solid filters cost more.  Obviously the rotafilters started life out as solid filters, and in another manufacturing process had holes punched in them.  I guess it's because the activated charcoal was impregated afterward, and the solid filters have more charcoal?
 
Anyway, I also find it interesting that punching holes in the filter and rotating it gave them not twice the effectiveness, but 8 times.
 
Turkey, your DIY challenge just became slightly more difficult!
 
Steve

[turkey]

I can also get a muffin fan for a buck or two and a whole foam sleeve prefilter to cut up and use as filters for $7-8.

Yes, but this has the "Proprietary FUMINATOR ROTAFILTER system that draws fume away from operator and provides filtration 8 times better than a stationary filter" (which it also has at the rear)
 
The ATMOSCOPE FUMINATOR Primary Rotating Filters are $19.90/5-pack

 
And the ATMOSCOPE FUMINATOR Stationary Filters are $23.76/5-pack

 
It's interesting that the solid filters cost more.  Obviously the rotafilters started life out as solid filters, and in another manufacturing process had holes punched in them.  I guess it's because the activated charcoal was impregated afterward, and the solid filters have more charcoal?
 
Anyway, I also find it interesting that punching holes in the filter and rotating it gave them not twice the effectiveness, but 8 times.
 
Turkey, your DIY challenge just became slightly more difficult!
 
Steve

Ok, I didn't count on the Proprietary FUMINATOR ROTAFILTER. I guess it's back to the drawing board for me.






So I take another piece of the filter foam, punch some holes in it, and superglue it to the hub and blades of the muffin fan. Start fan and apply razorblade to edge of foam to accomplish "dynamic balancing."

Or maybe it's not meant to rotate that fast. In that case, I need to get one of those pinwheels at the toy store and fasten some foam to that. The airflow will get it going and give me lots of that rotafilter action.

I've never seen this rotating filter idea before. It would be nice if they showed some test results to prove it actually is 8 times more effective.

Maybe I'll just move to the Bahamas so it'll be warm enough year round to do all my soldering outdoors.

[srb]

I've never seen this rotating filter idea before. It would be nice if they showed some test results to prove it actually is 8 times more effective.

I wouldn't be surprised with that your DIY skills, you could probably coax 9 times the effectiveness out of it!
 
If someone orders one of these, perhaps they could comment on the RPM.
 
I don't build kits or stuff PC boards, just an occasional soldering of a banana, spade, RCA or BNC connector.  I will probably continue to do what I've been doing: turn on a table fan, make my connection while holding my breath and quickly leave the room!
 
But if I did more intensive DIY work, at the price, I'd consider one of these.
 
Steve

[mgalusha]

The rotating filter spins at the same speed as the fan. I have to admit it's a little odd but it seems to work well enough. I suppose I should try it without the rotating filter and see how well it works.

I agree the standard price is pretty steep but even at that I like mine. I have a small fan for my bench and it works OK but I like being able to position the fan head in the vicinity of where I'm soldering. For me it works better than the little fan does. It's not perfect by any means but given the amount of soldering I do, I am happy with the results.

As to their shipping prices, awful. I ordered some spare tips for my iron (Edsyn 951SX) and they gouged me $16 for a package that probably weighs a couple of ounces. Huge rip off there but the tips were on sale for $2.00 each, so I saved like $40 on the tips and that made the shipping a little easier to swallow.