BREATHE EASY
A Simple, Cheap Fume Extraction Setup

A jeweler's bench scattered with tools and a soldering fume ventilation system in the background

In my previous studio, I needed a non-permanent and inexpensive solution to vent solder fumes to the outside. My space was a rental so I couldn’t create something permanent or drill any holes through the walls or alter the window. I also didn’t want to block any incoming light. After much thought, a lot of Googling, and some trial and error, I came up with a very simple, effective, and cheap DIY solution!

My jewelry soldering ventilation system consisted of a couple pieces of foam core board, some packing tape, self-adhesive foam window insulation, a louvered dryer vent, dryer hose, hose clamps, and an inline duct fan.

The window was a horizontal sliding window. I set the square dryer vent on the window frame opening. Then, I marked and cut the foam core to size: the width being the width of the dryer vent, the height from the top of the dryer vent to the top of the inside window frame. I cut a couple of pieces of foam core board and taped them together to give them more rigidity. Then, I covered it completely in packing tape to prevent the outside from getting wet during rain and snow.

I surrounded the outer edges of the foam core board with the self-adhesive foam window insulation. I also wrapped the edges of the dryer vent with the same foam insulation. I used the hose clamps to attach the dryer hose to the dryer vent and the inline fan.

When I was ready to use the system I would place the dryer vent onto the window frame, place the foam core board on top of that, then slide shut the window to butt up against it all.

That was it!

It was super cheap to make. I bought the foam core board at the dollar store. The foam window insulation, dryer vent, dryer hose, and hose clamps were all from my local big box hardware store. I purchased the Vivosun Z4 4-Inch 203 CFM Inline Duct Fan from Amazon. I already had a case of packing tape on hand so I had plenty to work with.

It kept out water, wind, drafts, and insects! It also didn’t block much light. It was easily removed and replaced. At the end of the day, I would take out the foam core and set it next to my jeweler’s bench. I would then collapse the dryer hose with the vent still attached and leave it on the window sill. I’d close and lock the window. I could rest easy and sleep well knowing that my studio was secure at night!

It’s not easy finding a fume extraction system on a budget especially when every studio space is so unique. I want to help other jeweler’s keep their studio and lungs free from harmful toxic soldering fumes so I’m sharing my do-it-yourself solution! It served me well and I hope it helps you, too! Or, at least I hope it helps you dream up a solution of your own!

Next up, I’ll be sharing my DIY solution for a casement window soldering fume extraction system! This was more complex to build and a bit more expensive, but a really elegant solution that I’m using in the new Twilight Luxe studio. I’m excited to share it with you, and will link it here once I’ve written up the detailed tutorial!