Turn a $20 Air Filter into a Solder Fume Extractor

The TruAir air filter can be found for about $20. It has replaceable charcoal filter pads, 3 for $10.

This is cheaper than most soldering fume extractors which run at least $50.

There are two versions of the base, one with a side cup for holding tools, solder, or flux, and one version without. I shaped the cup the way it is because I use it to hold swatches of paper towel, and the shape keeps them from being blown around by the air exhaust on the left side of the TruAir unit.

The hood