Cheap DIY Soldering Fan

When solder is heated the rosin core burns and releases many hazardous chemicals in gaseous form, this includes formaldehyde, acetone, isopropyl, styrene, benzene, and many other bad fumes. These fumes can cause many health problems including asthma, bronchitis, and and headaches. Luckily, there is a way to get rid of these fumes, a soldering fan. In this instructable, I will teach you how to build a cheap soldering fan so you can solder in safety. To see a tutorial video for additional help and the results, click the video below.

For this project, you will need to obtain a few cheap materials. The materials are:

• Computer Fan (Any size)
• Fan grille (Holes must line up with fan screw holes, can be found along with fan in a computer)
• 6 Screws (Must thread into fan holes)
• Carbon filter (Link Below)

http://www.amazon.com/Aftermarket-Carbon-Filters-H...

• Insulated Wire

Form your carbon filter by setting it over the computer fan and cutting it so it barely overlaps the sides of the fan. Next, put holes in each corner of the carbon filter square. Finally, make another one.

Assemble your fan by adding the fan grille first, then putting the 2 carbon filters on top of it. Make sure to put the grille and filters on the intake side of the fan. Then, add 4 screws going from the top of the carbon filter, through the grille, and threaded into the fan. Finally, Put 2 screws into the back as stands to keep the fan from falling over.

The fan will need to be powered, this can be done by soldering a 9 volt battery clip to the input wires of the fan, or the way I prefer, soldering on extension wires to be connected to a bench power supply. Most fans run off 8-13 volts.

You can test your soldering fan by connecting it to power, and then soldering 1-3 inches away from it. All the soldering smoke will move towards the filter and get absorbed. The air coming out the other side will be clean.

Comment with any questions

Good Luck with building this!