Works exactly as it should. I think a lot of people reviewing extractors don't have the most reasonable expectations for how these things work (which is a physics problem, not a problem with Hakko). I'll try to briefly cover why this unit is just fine for its price and promise.
Pros:
Quick setup and use. Pop the filter onto the front grate, plug it in, flip the switch. You're extracting.
Good extraction. Anything close to the unit will be pulled through. As the manual notes, the most efficient use of the unit is to lay it face-down with your soldering job directly in front of the unit on your bench, so that the fumes go straight into the unit's lower grill. Used this way, the unit is amazing. Set upright, it does a better job generally clearing a room, e.g. if your shop is full of smoke and you need to leave the unit on for a while to process as much air in the room as it can. Either way, it does exactly what it promises.
Hakko also sells a desktop arm. Really, the best way to extract maximum fumes with a unit of this sort would be to buy an arm to hold the unit right above your workspace. The hot fumes naturally rise, meaning it's much easier for the extractor to catch them. If you really want the most bang possible for your buck, fashion some way to hold this unit over your project.
Cons / Explaining Physics
Will not suck air from three feet away. Sorry kids, but physics doesn't work that way. There's no way for a simple fan unit to be able to input a column of air from a distance. What the fan does, is create a low-pressure zone directly in front of the unit. That means air rushes into the unit in a roughly semi-spherical pattern. Yes, you will have to put your soldering job right in front of the unit to get efficient extraction. No, there's nothing Hakko can do to fix that, nor anyone else. If fumes really concern you and you can't get your unit closer to the extractor, either ventilate your whole room (wear a mask and get a restaraunt-style extractor hood), or get an arm to mount this unit directly over your workspace.
Isn't deathly silent. I see a lot of people complaining, and really this unit is exactly as loud as fan this size would be sucking air through a filter. It's quiet for its class, although I'm sure it's relatively loud right by your ear under perfectly laboratory conditions. In a real workshop, this is the normal sound of a quality fan. No big deal.
The only real con: The slightly bulky plastic construction, although rugged, does cut down on the airflow a bit. This is a smart compromise, valuing durability over raw efficiency, so it's hard to argue. But a little more design effort might have led to let's say 10% more airflow without hurting the durability.
Overall: There's a reason this Hakko unit is beloved by many people. It's pretty much exactly what you expect. Get one.
Extra tip: If you want your filter to last a little longer you can improvise a simple mesh screen, or use some cotton batting, in front of the carbon filter. A simple screen will prevent the filter from sucking in ambient dust, while still processing all the bad stuff that comes through.
| Manufacturer | American Hakko Products, Inc |
|---|---|
| Part Number | FA400-04 |
| Item Weight | 3 pounds |
| Product Dimensions | 10.1 x 9 x 6.7 inches |
| Country of Origin | USA |
| Item model number | FA400-04 |
| Is Discontinued By Manufacturer | No |
| Size | 1 Count (Pack of 1) |
| Style | Smoke Absorber |
| Material | plastic |
| Wattage | 19 watts |
| Item Package Quantity | 1 |
| Measurement Accuracy | 9 x 6.75 10 inches |
| Included Components | Filter |
| Batteries Included? | No |
| Batteries Required? | No |
