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Motion-Activated Solder Fume Extractor With Lamp

This is a solder fume extractor with a couple of twists. Besides an internal rechargeable Lithium Polymer (Li-Poly) battery for portability, this extractor incorporates a low-power motion detector and a USB A accessory connector. When you reach for your soldering iron, the motion detector turns on the extractor’s fan for a predefined period then turns it off to preserve battery power. An LED reading lamp can be connected to the accessory port to eliminate shadows in the work area. This one is also ambidextrous; flip it end-for-end to point the motion detector at the soldering iron holder to the right or to the left of your work area. The fume extractor was built into an off-the-shelf ABS plastic enclosure; no 3D printed parts were used. The enclosure comes from the manufacturer without any holes so we’ll be drilling some with diameters ranging from 1/8 to 1-7/8 inches. Beginning makers may have some trouble with the larger holes, so don’t hesitate to ask for help from someone with fabrication experience. We’ll include a printable, actual size layout and drilling guide to assist when preparing the enclosure. As with any project involving power tools, sharp implements, and hot soldering equipment, safety is your primary concern. Review tool operational safety instructions before beginning this project. Be careful! Inspiration for this project came from makers like Phillip Burgess and many others with unique solder fume extractor designs. Thank you for the ideas!”

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