[mindcrime]

Those little "benchtop extractors" with a fan and a carbon filter are absolutely useless.

If I soldered a lot more often, I might feel differently, but as it is I sorta disagree with this sentiment. All I use for soldering is a combination of one of these[1] "fume extractor" devices and a cheapo $10 desk fan I bought at Walmart.

Now maybe I'm just not inclined to be particularly sensitive to flux fumes, but with the bench fan blowing towards my soldering area, and the "fume extractor" sucking away from it on the other end, I don't notice soldering fumes at all. If I don't turn the fans on though, the difference is acute. I never solder more than a few seconds without realizing I've made that mistake on the occasions when it happens as I notice the fumes immediately otherwise.

Now I'm not saying that this combo is the be-all, end-all, or that it's compliant with any particular regulatory regime, nor am I even saying that it's sufficient for anybody in particular. I'm just saying that to say that a setup like this is "absolutely useless" is not correct, in my experience.

[1]: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07VWDN29F/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b...

[prova_modena]

It's "absolutely useless" because it doesn't do the thing its advertised to do, which is extract fumes from your workspace. It dilutes and mixes the air right in front of your face, but your workspace will still gradually fill with solder fumes as you work. If you're an infrequent solderer, that may be fine. But if you are making a habit of soldering, or its your job, get something that actually filters or removes the fumes. I'm giving this advice because I used a setup as effective as yours for years and it caused me health problems through sensitization even though it seemed ok for a long time.

[mindcrime]

Sure, which is why I said If I soldered a lot more often, I might feel differently. Context has to be taken into account. I'm speaking from the position of being a hobbyist who solders every now and then, and not for hours at a time at that.

For somebody who solders regularly and or does so for hours on end, I would totally agree with the need for a more purpose built and effective fume extraction setup.

[matthews2]

> extract fumes from your workspace

If you're just doing a little bit of rework or tacking on bodge wires, I think the small fans are enough just to get the fumes out of your face.