could this simple solution work for solder smoke device?

How would you know if it works?

The best way I know how might be to try burning something smoky like incense for a few minutes and see if the smell clears the room. I know that's probably not the best way. I was relying more on filter specs than anything else. That seemed to be the lowest strength that filtered smoke also.

The HEPA filter scheme is intended to trap solid particles, like pollen; fumes from soldering are typically resin (RMA flux) or organic vapors (from a variety of alcohol-soluble and water-soluble fluxes). A LOT of soldering is required to emit as much as a gram of material from these sources.

For solder smoke, anything that is a solvent for those materials, should absorb efficiently, it doesn't have to be a HEPA filter (because it can adhere-to/dissolve/trap the chemical substances of interest, not just particles in a size range).

Get a little glycerine and spray it onto any suitable air filter medium, it'll work on light-alcohol-soluble resin flux, and is mildly hygroscopic so will also stick to any water-soluble droplets. Once a year, replace the dirty filter. Or, maybe just use a mesh that can be run through the dishwasher?

I use a pair of Dylos Pro Particle counters:

One at the input of the filter, one at the output.

Ordinarily, particle counters are useless for home use since they cannot distinguish between organic particles such as dust mite excretement, cat dander, etc., and harmless mist from taking a shower or cooking.

However, a pair of particle counters are excellent at determing the effectiveness of a filter.

Interesting. Well, the design Mr. Horton talked about used a washable synthetic filter that had to be cut into the ovals or circles to fit into his container. It runs about five dollars and seems to be the size of a box fan to start with. So, spray with glycerine, place across the fan input, and have at it I assume? That would certainly be a lot cheaper than the HEPA's.

Great idea until I saw the price, ouch, but probably the no doubt best way.

I use this one:

Only if I do a lot of soldering

It is not legal any more I Denmark, but those rules do not apply to my home lab

Cheers

Klaus

fredag den 8. november 2019 kl. 18.25.10 UTC+1 skrev Alex Borroughs:

for smoke you probably want something with activated coal like a filters for a ventless range hood

All you need is the eBay item number:

If you really need a long url, use

Most of my soldering nowadays is done peering down a binocular microscope. If I have to do more than I can manage to hold my breath for, I use a snorkel. Works well.

Cheers

I love my Mantis. It's super 3D, super bright and clear, and has a big working distance.

I can put a rackmount box on the bench and swing the Mantis over/into it.

You can also poke a regular camera into the hood

I don't worry about solder smoke. I've been soldering since I was 3 years old.

ath

I ended up going with Mr. Horton's solution as I also made the "5 layer"

device and added an activated carbon layer as well using a spare, non-functional fan as containment. Device works pretty darn well. I haven't done any soldering yet, but it has done a remarkable job just cleaning the air in one of the bedrooms.

Sounds like someone does surface mount soldering. I attempted it once and the result was disaster and haven't done so since.

Smd for the most part is very easy, However you have to have the proper equipment to do it.

I bet that Mantis is nice, but as a hobbiest I can not afford to put $

That's about all that I do. I was intiially terrified of 1206 parts. Now I find 0402s to be mildly annoying.