Pocket Sized Solder Fume Extractor

This Instructable will show you how to create a compact solder fume extractor. I built this because I have limited space to store my tools and I wanted something that would fit easily in my toolbox. It does sacrifice some effectiveness for a smaller size but it works well enough for me as I don't solder very often.

For this project you will need
Parts:
Altoids Tin
Whisper Bio Bag aquarium filter cartridge small size
9V Battery
9V Battery Connector
40mmx 40mmx 10mm computer fan
4 screws (I used m3 x 18mm screws I had lying around) and nuts
switch (I got this one out of an old clock)

Tools:
Drill
Dremel with a cut off wheel
Soldering Iron
Wire Strippers

First mark out where you will be drilling the fan holes and the hole for the switch. For the bottom of the case I drew it out on a piece of paper and made several copies to tape in place. The screw holes for the fan i used where 33mmx33m apart and the hole for the fan was about 38 mm in diameter.

Drill the screw holes first then cut the hole for the fan. I used the Dremel for this but a hole saw might be an easier way to do it. The extra copies of the layout came in handy for this as the paper tears up a lot faster than the tin.

For the lid I traced a rough outline of the filter with a sharpie and gradually cut it out with the Dremel. You will want to clamp it down or put it in a vice to hold it in place. If you get it close enough the filter will stay in place without needing anything to hold it. You want the filter to be as close to the opposite side of the hinges as possible to make sure it will close when everything is put together. Removing the lid from the tin first makes this step easier.

Cut the hole for your switch wherever you want to place it.

File down any rough or sharp edges

First you will need to remove the connector from computer fan wires. You can also remove the yellow wire altogether if you want as it is unnecessary for this project.

Solder the connections together as shown in the diagram. The circuit is pretty basic.

Install the switch to the case. I used super glue for this.

Screw the fan in place so that it blows air towards the filter and put in the battery.

Reattach the lid if you have not done so already and your fume extractor is complete.